Quandry before the hunt

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canoetrpr

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Heading out to hunt antelope in Wyoming in 4 weeks and been going through a lot of components as I practice.

Note to self, stock up on reloading components WAAAAAY ahead of hunt!

My primary rifle is a Cooper 280AI. Been working with a 150gr Barnes TTSX behind 56.5gr of IMR7828 SSC load I have worked up as a all round load in this rifle. Down to my last box of 50 and glad I checked because my regular source (Lebaron) is all out of any more. Fortunately Prophet River seems to have some in stock. Whew!

My secondary rifle will be my trusty Win 70 30-06. Was going to use a 165gr Nosler Accubond behind 56.5gr of IMR4350 but I only have 7 bullets left in my stash. I do have 50 loaded 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tip ready to go that I had put aside for practice. The same load works for me on 165 gr Nosler BT as Accubond and the POI seems to be the same.

Prophet River, who I'm going to order the 7mm 150 gr TTSX for my Cooper, does NOT unfortunately have the 30 cal 165gr Accubond in stock :-(

Any suggestions on whether I should:
1. Develop a new go to load with 165gr Partitions for the 30-06 - they have those in stock.
2. Pick up 150 gr Accubonds for the 30-06 and develop a new load. I have Varget and IMR4350 on hand ?
3. Just keep 20-30 of my 50 loaded BT around for the hunt; although I've heard that BT tend to fragment. I do have other factory loads around for practice.
4. I have a box of Barnes TTSX 30 cal 165gr around. Develop a load with them behind IMR4350.

Not too thrilled about having to change projectiles few weeks before a hunt for rifle as I'd rather be practicing than doing load development with range time.

Anyone know who has 165gr Nosler Accubond in 30 cal in stock?
 
Assuming you are flying out, I don't believe you are allowed to travel with reloads(I may be wrong). So you are probably best off finding a factory load that shoots well in either gun.
 
I have the Form 6 approved to bring in my reloads. Now I specifically specified the projectile for the 30-06 but also specified the brass and I highly doubt they will check anything other than the brass as the name of the projectile isn't stamped on it.

Kman300 - I have no doubt the btip 165 gr will work just fine in killing the animal. My concern is I have heard reports of these being rather destructive within the animal ; fragmenting and so on. I suspect most of these occurred at pretty close distances but I'd just decided to avoid BT in a hunt for this reason and when to AB.

I guess for a backup rifle I probably shouldn't sweat it too much although I have 4 tags and it would be nice if I had multiple shot opportunities to take one with the Winchester as well :)
 
canoetrpr said:
I have the Form 6 approved to bring in my reloads. Now I specifically specified the projectile for the 30-06 but also specified the brass and I highly doubt they will check anything other than the brass as the name of the projectile isn't stamped on it.
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Good to know about the Form 6, they probably won't check the reloads since you went through the proper channels to have then approved.

I would use any accurate load you have on hand and avoid the hassle of trying to do load development before your trip.
 
Pronghorn are quite small with very thin skin. they do not offer much resistance yo cause heavier bullets to open up. I think the ballistic tips might be the best choice for a quick kill. Way better than the tsx's in my opinion.
 
You guys are right. I'm way over thinking this. No time for load development right now. Will use the factory Winchester 165 gr and some of the Ballistic Tips to I have to practice and leave the rest for the hunt if I use the Winchester 70.
 
cosmic said:
How many rounds do you intend to shoot in Wyoming? You're making this a lot harder, etc....
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I was going to take 30 down with me. Way over kill I know but this is what I put down on the form. Some to sight in before the hunt just to be sure that nothing changed in transport. Yes probably over kill since I'm going to be driving but what the hell; might as well be 100% sure since the outfitter has a range there.
 
Canoe - I just got back from Wyoming. It is not a hard hunt and they are not hard to get. I have been twice and just use off your shelf factory 270 Win 130 grain ammo and 6.5x55 swed with no problems. I realize half the fun is thinking it thru but don't get yourself stressed over it. What zone are you hunting? I was in 26 North of Douglas. Lots of goats. You will have a great time. Trust me.
 
Muskyhunter. Thanks for responding. Will PM to get some more info on your experience. My first trip out west. I'm hunting 102 with an outfitter. Was going to do a DIY but this was a late plan after the draw when moose hunting plans fell through due to lack of tags and I wasn't able to secure hunting permission easily from landowners after making some calls.

Figured we might as well do the first hunt down there with an outfitter and learn the ways of western hunting! Maybe a DIY next time. Do you usually hunt there with an outfitter?

Looking forward to it!
 
CT, Nosler ballistic tips are not boatails in the traditional sense as the core is still flat based inside and they work very well on light skinned game, they do not tend to fragment unless they hit point blank at over 3500 fps. You needn't worry about them in the slightest for pronghorn. If it was me, I'd be running 140 gn Nos BT in that 280 AI for pronghorn, and you best be careful of your back ground with them TSX on goats or you'll have 2 or 3 kicking in the dirt from a single shot...........
 
YIKES! Not something I want be worried about. Didn't think they would have THAT much penetration once the petals had opened. Developed this as a general purpose load for big game rather than for antelope specifically.

I'll put those BTs aside as my 06 load. I guess there may be time for me to develop a different load for the 280AI. Let's see.
 
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