I was pretty nervous with my first batch I shook every one to make sure the powder was free moving and weighed every completed round to make sure I didn't accidentally double charge one. It was very rewarding when they worked like they were supposed to, now I'm hooked.
Nervous
- Thread starter boat_magic
- Start date
Bluedevil25
CGN Regular
- Location
- Saskatoon, Sask.
Earplugs and eye protection and go to the range and have fun!
I was nervous the first time I starting hand loading and testing my loads. From the first time I pulled the trigger and hit exactly where I was aiming and then moving the steel plate out to 400yds, and DING! The nervous feeling soon disappeared and feelings of accomplishment took over, oh what a feeling knowing your hand loads work and with precision!
One thing I'd look at though is to find someone with a berger manual, my manual said min load of 43gr max of 46gr and the berger manual said min load of 39gr and max of 42.5gr , that was for a 308 155gr vld with H4895.
Kevin
One thing I'd look at though is to find someone with a berger manual, my manual said min load of 43gr max of 46gr and the berger manual said min load of 39gr and max of 42.5gr , that was for a 308 155gr vld with H4895.
Kevin
Last edited:
Fer crying in the rain!!! Just go shoot the danged things. Don't waste any by worrying about a Kaboom. Focus your attention on bench technique, and see how well they group.
Lord guys, unless you set out to be stupid, handloading ammo is one of the safest activities on earth. Now, said, lots of members on this here forum do seem to set out to be stupid, but the OP is within book values, took reasonable care, and is shooting loads which can probably be found being shot on ranges across North America. Well, maybe except for starting out with premium priced bullets while learning the ropes, but hey, if you got the money, who am I to say how you should spend it.
OP, lighten up. No, really. If you read some of the hijinks the old wildcatters pulled, and died in bed of old age, all fingers, eyes and smiles intact, (deaf as a post, mind, but that is why we wear ear plugs for the one really significant danger in shooting of any ammo) well, then maybe you would just relax. Have fun.
Now, if later, you take the advice of those on board who suggest book limits are lawyer decreed, and get to thinking you can up the loads a wee tad over book "Do Not Exceed" limits, and think you can tell if you are over-pressure by any of a dozen old wives tales, well, then you are truly creating an unnecessary hazard when none need exist. In the between times, shoot, and have fun. Rolling your own is safe, gratifying, and lets you shoot more for your buck.
Lord guys, unless you set out to be stupid, handloading ammo is one of the safest activities on earth. Now, said, lots of members on this here forum do seem to set out to be stupid, but the OP is within book values, took reasonable care, and is shooting loads which can probably be found being shot on ranges across North America. Well, maybe except for starting out with premium priced bullets while learning the ropes, but hey, if you got the money, who am I to say how you should spend it.
OP, lighten up. No, really. If you read some of the hijinks the old wildcatters pulled, and died in bed of old age, all fingers, eyes and smiles intact, (deaf as a post, mind, but that is why we wear ear plugs for the one really significant danger in shooting of any ammo) well, then maybe you would just relax. Have fun.
Now, if later, you take the advice of those on board who suggest book limits are lawyer decreed, and get to thinking you can up the loads a wee tad over book "Do Not Exceed" limits, and think you can tell if you are over-pressure by any of a dozen old wives tales, well, then you are truly creating an unnecessary hazard when none need exist. In the between times, shoot, and have fun. Rolling your own is safe, gratifying, and lets you shoot more for your buck.
Would you not trust Hodgdon data for Hodgdon powder with Hornady bullets?
Would you not trust Alliant data for Alliant powder with Sierra bullets?
A 150gr copper jacketed, lead core bullet is a 150gr copper jacketed, lead core bullet. If you start at a reasonable starting load (books will vary but all are within a safe range) and work up you are good to go. If you are "playing" next to max loads instead of finding the max in your rifle, you aren't doing it right. You can easily hit max pressure before you reach the published max load and sometimes you can be under max pressure with a max published load. It all depends on your rifle/primer/case/chamber/barrel/powder lot/etc.
There are important differences in load data for bullets of different construction (compressed tin core with a copper jacket, steel/bimetal jacket, cast solid lead, solid copper, etc.) but two bullets of the same weight and construction type can interchange load data at starting values.
Of course your COAL's will be off from brand to brand but one needs to apply common sense for that. Seat to the cannalure (the manufacturer put it there for a reason). If there is no cannalure, seat a minimum of 1 bullet diameter and as much more as is necessary to facilitate reliable feeding from the magazine. Keep COAL consistent during during powder charge increases.
Maximum charges can vary hugely for the exact same bullet from different sources. It all depends on each labs equipment and the margins their lawyers make them take for liability.
- Location
- Over the rainbow
And you still have all your fingers for typing!
