How many cartridges for a big game hunt?

MD

MD

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I've got seven 300 win Mag cartridges left out of a batch I made with a friend on his loading equipment. He doesn't load any more and I'm out of powder and bullets anyway so we won't be loading again. I'll be switching to factory loads from now on.

I know how these loads shoot, but I'm wondering if I'm good to go with only seven cartridges. I have a box of factory loads on hand, but I know they shoot differently than the handloads.

I've rarely used more than two shots to anchor a big animal, but I know too that things can go sideways in a hurry with a bad shot and you end shooting more shots than usual to get one down so I'm wondering if I should just sight in with the factory ammo, have lots left over for hunting and write off the seven leftovers.
 
u pracis what u hunt with- ie factory for practise and factory for your hunt.- same deal for reloads
 
MD said:
I've rarely used more than two shots to anchor a big animal
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answered your own question really,also you mention things go sideways with a bad shot,try not to take that rushed bad shot.

i would go the range with those 7 handloads and a factory load,set up a target,drop one handload down the range then drop a
factory one and see were the difference is.you might get lucky and there might not be any.you wont know to you try
and its cost you one round and still leaves you six for hunting.
 
If you're going to buy Factory ammo from here on out. I would buy factory, rezero with the new ammo, and keep the HL's as backup or range rounds.

Ammo is the cheapest part of the hunt IMO, a fresh box (or 2) and not having to worry about it is worth every penny.
 
For a day hunt I always bring along enough to fill my mag tube twice. If going away I bring a couple boxes with me. It's easy to lose some along the way and some back up even in camp or the vehicle is better than in the nearest town 2 hours away? Just my thoughts.
Waterfowling? I throw 3-4 flats in the back seat of my truck and leave them there for the season. I never run out that way, the ammo dept. is located at the end of the field. LOL
 
I always take too much "backup" stuff with me. I usually have a set of rifles. (one has to have backup irons) I take 2 green MTM boxes (50rd each) of the required ammo. I also have a "new-in-box" Leupold scope with the correct mounting tools( gunsmith tool box, scope level-level-level, multiple rings/bases and loc-tite) in case I(or a hunting partner) have a catastrophic spill and wreck a scope. I have mounted hundreds of scopes for myself and friends, so I could get any gun backup and running within an hour back at my truck. (I take a lead sled with me to hold the gun for scope mounting, and then use the lead sled as a rifle holder while shooting to zero the scope) This has occurred 2 times now in about 14 years, and it saved a hunt for me and for a hunting partner.........I rolled my quad and bent a scope tube, and he ran over his gun when he leaned it against the tailgate, forgot that he did that, and then got in the truck and backed up)
I suggest you buy the factory ammo, get to the range, re-zero, and have at it. 7 rounds is not enough cause if you lose some or all of them, your hunting trip just turned into a berry-picking trip.
 
MD said:
I've got seven 300 win Mag cartridges left out of a batch I made with a friend on his loading equipment. He doesn't load any more and I'm out of powder and bullets anyway so we won't be loading again. I'll be switching to factory loads from now on.

I know how these loads shoot, but I'm wondering if I'm good to go with only seven cartridges. I have a box of factory loads on hand, but I know they shoot differently than the handloads.

I've rarely used more than two shots to anchor a big animal, but I know too that things can go sideways in a hurry with a bad shot and you end shooting more shots than usual to get one down so I'm wondering if I should just sight in with the factory ammo, have lots left over for hunting and write off the seven leftovers.
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Whatyamean yur outta powder?? And bullets??!! How'd you let that happen??!!. Git more powder! Lots more powder! Might as well get some Federal 215s, and bullets too; the powder won't do ya much good without em. And while we're on the subject, if ya don't have yur own loading outfit, well, yur not gitten any younger. Once you've got that done, there's only three things left to do till the season opens; load and shoot, load and shoot, load and shoot!
 
Superbrad said:
Cool...... In which case I would add that if OP is in BC and expects to get through a season with 7 rounds he isn't taking near as much advantage of his geographical location as he should......
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Maybe he is, 3 deer, 2 bear, an elk, and a two point moose! Don't miss! Op maybe split up your stash in case you misplace some! Personally I'd splurge on a new box or two and sight in and go hunting. Your gonna spend more on fuel in one trip than for a box or two of decent ammo, pretty trivial when you look at it like that.
 
Boomer said:
Whatyamean yur outta powder?? And bullets??!! How'd you let that happen??!!. Git more powder! Lots more powder! Might as well get some Federal 215s, and bullets too; the powder won't do ya much good without em. And while we're on the subject, if ya don't have yur own loading outfit, well, yur not gitten any younger. Once you've got that done, there's only three things left to do till the season opens; load and shoot, load and shoot, load and shoot!
Click to expand...

is Looky around you Mike? ....
 
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