Exactamungo---- Great Questions with Real thought and knowledge behind it.
Thats what i mean to get at , but i said it in heaps different way to strike convo
do you download cartrdges
- Thread starter WhelanLad
- Start date
Exactamungo---- Great Questions with Real thought and knowledge behind it.
Thats what i mean to get at , but i said it in heaps different way to strike convo
good for discussing, but , That is the point.. Does anyone Download Cartridges elaborate.
good for discussing, but , That is the point.. Does anyone Download Cartridges elaborate.
I own 2 6.5x55, a 270 win, a 30-06 and, a 300 Win Mag and a 9.3 x62. I never saw the need for downloading the 6.5x55, the 30-06 or the 9.3x62.
The 300 WM was meant originally to be a moose-only cartridge. Then I looked for a way to use it also for deer hunting from a tree stand where the distance is 100 yards. My original load for one of 165 grains bullets gave a velocity of 3160 fps. This was too much for deer at 100 yards. I loaded down the same bullet to 2900 fps with another powder. This is the upper velocity which could be achieved with a 30-06, but now I could take my 300 WM for hunting deer in my environment as well. The 300 WM became also a deer cartridge for my use.
I did the same with my 270 Win and a 130 grains bullet, downloaded to 2800. Optimal velocity for my purpose, less use of powder, less recoil, longer barrel life, less bloodshot meat, and still DRT. What's not to like?
Had/have a few guns I just loaded lighter bullets, into to make them more pleasant to shoot paper with. 7x57 and 7-08 with 100 and 120gr hollowpoints, 130gr cast, 150gr cast. 450-400NE 3" with 320gr and 400gr cast and AA5744, 300gr Hornady, 210gr Hornady, made it very bearable to shoot.
Webley No.5
CGN Regular
- Location
- Rural Alberta/Calgary
1. Not trying to change the subject but i have seen no repeatable evidence for the “secondary explosive effect” seems to me someone switched to a faster burning powder and accidentally double loaded the case. Anyway I understand sticking to load manual data for safety so I won’t argue that point.
Depending what you mean by download I download a lot. Most of my loads are below max data. I find switching to a lighter bullet and getting similar velocity a great way to plink with old military rifles, I load my 7.7x58mm with 123gr 0.310in bullets, shoots to poa and has mildly more recoil then my sks. For my 7.62x39 bolt action I load 32cal (0.312) LSWC with long shot and cotton batting, edge of subsonic, and you can spot your own shots easily. Works good on gophers. I have an 8mm mauser load that uses 150gr and a minimum load of 4064. Cycles my G43 with the shooters kit nice and softly.
Also as a fun fact a lot manuals publish safe reduced loads, it’s called cast loads hahaha I have used cast data on a jacketed bullet before with no ill effects. Made a 7mm majorly reduced reload this way just to try. I will note make sure the cast data is well below pressure for the cartridge, I do not recommend using cast data for jacketed bullets when the cast load is near max pressures.
As always I deemed my reloading practices as safe for my rifles, do your own research and make your own choices. When in doubt follow published data.
Depending what you mean by download I download a lot. Most of my loads are below max data. I find switching to a lighter bullet and getting similar velocity a great way to plink with old military rifles, I load my 7.7x58mm with 123gr 0.310in bullets, shoots to poa and has mildly more recoil then my sks. For my 7.62x39 bolt action I load 32cal (0.312) LSWC with long shot and cotton batting, edge of subsonic, and you can spot your own shots easily. Works good on gophers. I have an 8mm mauser load that uses 150gr and a minimum load of 4064. Cycles my G43 with the shooters kit nice and softly.
Also as a fun fact a lot manuals publish safe reduced loads, it’s called cast loads hahaha I have used cast data on a jacketed bullet before with no ill effects. Made a 7mm majorly reduced reload this way just to try. I will note make sure the cast data is well below pressure for the cartridge, I do not recommend using cast data for jacketed bullets when the cast load is near max pressures.
As always I deemed my reloading practices as safe for my rifles, do your own research and make your own choices. When in doubt follow published data.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
To my way of thinking the whole point of handloading is being able to gain greater versatility from your rifle. I recently went to the range with a fellow who bought a new rifle and wanted help sighting it in. By the time he had fired 15 rounds the rifle was sighted in, but he was physically done and it was pretty clear that he wasn't about to spend much range time with that rifle, a Mossberg Patriot in .300 Winchester. His ammo was factory Federal Premium 215 gr Match which produced as much pain at the checkout counter as it did on the range. So I invited him over one night and we loaded up some cast bullet loads, 190 gr bullets pushed by 17 grs of Unique and some inexpensive 180 gr jacketed bullets ahead of 47 grs of 3031. I haven't chronographed them yet, but the cast bullet loads should be similar to a .30/30 or a .303 Savage and the jacked loads should be close to the typical velocities of a .300 Savage. I had previously used these loads in my M-70 and both proved suitably accurate, mild mannered, and fun to shoot. Hopefully he takes advantage, burns that stuff up, and comes back for more. Of course, now that the bugs are out he'll have to be dedicated in order to experience the fun part.
If the one rifle hunter opts for a powerful rifle believing it provides him with greater versatility, that versatility can only be realized by matching his ammo to the game he intends to hunt, under the conditions he will likely be hunting in. Such ammunition is rarely available in factory offerings so handloading is therefore essential. Even when hunting game where the full power of a big rifle cartridge can be appreciated, its nice to have a few small game loads to provide camp grub. I've shot ptarmigan in the body with light loads from my .375 Ultra resulting in no meat loss, the bullet wound being similar to one from a .22 rimfire. Around here our spindly little caribou are commonly taken with .222s, .223s, or .22-250s, so they hardly require the drama of full powered 200 gr loads from a .300 magnum however a .300 Winchester loaded with Sierra 125 gr bullets pushed 2600-2700 fps would do quite nicely across typical ranges. Should a wolf appear, they won't do him any good either. In the worst case scenario where a large white predator lays claim to the kill, the full power 200 gr loads that fill the magazine will ensure a safe retreat.
If there is a single disadvantage to the idea of utilizing multiple loads for a single rifle its how to sight the rifle. There are a number of solutions to this problem, the most satisfactory of which is to note the correct sight adjustment for each load assuming the adjustments on your scope are repeatable. A quick and dirty solution is to use a scope with multiple aiming points in the reticle, and with the rifle sighted in with your normal "go to" load, note which aiming point to use for each additional load. This resolves the potential for mechanical errors in the sight adjustment, but not everyone is happy with what is often perceived as a "busy reticle". That leaves us with going to the range and re-sighting the rifle for the loads we intend to use on a particular hunt. If you like shooting, that can hardly be considered an inconvenience.
If the one rifle hunter opts for a powerful rifle believing it provides him with greater versatility, that versatility can only be realized by matching his ammo to the game he intends to hunt, under the conditions he will likely be hunting in. Such ammunition is rarely available in factory offerings so handloading is therefore essential. Even when hunting game where the full power of a big rifle cartridge can be appreciated, its nice to have a few small game loads to provide camp grub. I've shot ptarmigan in the body with light loads from my .375 Ultra resulting in no meat loss, the bullet wound being similar to one from a .22 rimfire. Around here our spindly little caribou are commonly taken with .222s, .223s, or .22-250s, so they hardly require the drama of full powered 200 gr loads from a .300 magnum however a .300 Winchester loaded with Sierra 125 gr bullets pushed 2600-2700 fps would do quite nicely across typical ranges. Should a wolf appear, they won't do him any good either. In the worst case scenario where a large white predator lays claim to the kill, the full power 200 gr loads that fill the magazine will ensure a safe retreat.
If there is a single disadvantage to the idea of utilizing multiple loads for a single rifle its how to sight the rifle. There are a number of solutions to this problem, the most satisfactory of which is to note the correct sight adjustment for each load assuming the adjustments on your scope are repeatable. A quick and dirty solution is to use a scope with multiple aiming points in the reticle, and with the rifle sighted in with your normal "go to" load, note which aiming point to use for each additional load. This resolves the potential for mechanical errors in the sight adjustment, but not everyone is happy with what is often perceived as a "busy reticle". That leaves us with going to the range and re-sighting the rifle for the loads we intend to use on a particular hunt. If you like shooting, that can hardly be considered an inconvenience.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The risk of double loading light charges of fast powder in large rifle cases is real enough, but a simple and quick safety step is to weigh each loaded round. Even given the weight variances which occur in brass cases, and particularly with cast bullets, a round with a double charge of powder is immediately obvious. Just as importantly, it is immediately obvious if a loaded round missed being charged with powder. Double or missed charges are far more difficult to detect in pistol ammunition where variances in heavy cast bullet weights can mask a double charge of very fast burning powder like Bullseye when very light charges are used. Long ago I concluded that flake powder and culver type powder measures were a poor combination, so for flake powders I use Lee spoon measures or cut off pistol brass with a nail soldered to the case body.
Yotarunner
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Alberta
I think downloading a cartridge greatly increases the usefulness in many calibers. I have downloaded my 22-250 to hornet velocities for light fun gopher shooting without excessive throat wear and barrel heat.
Hopefully soon a Marlin 45-70 will be joining the herd and I already have a few loads in mind ranging from 500 grain "ow I think I might need shoulder surgery" loads to tiny mouse fart loads using round balls. That 45-70 will be able to be used for everything short of waterfowl by the time I'm done making loads for it haha.
Hopefully soon a Marlin 45-70 will be joining the herd and I already have a few loads in mind ranging from 500 grain "ow I think I might need shoulder surgery" loads to tiny mouse fart loads using round balls. That 45-70 will be able to be used for everything short of waterfowl by the time I'm done making loads for it haha.
Cast 405gr loaded to 1000fps in a 45-70 guide gun is the most fun you can have with your pants on! Deadly accurate out past 100 and my 12 year old daughter could handle it comfortably.
I’ve used unique and 700x with no fillers or anything.
Probably my favourite gun to plink with.
I’ve used unique and 700x with no fillers or anything.
Probably my favourite gun to plink with.
I use a pressure trace, and I've seen a secondary pressure spike on factory Hornady 308 ammo, not beyond the pressure limits but it was still a secondary spike. Being a factory load it was definitely not downloaded. What it was from and was hornady aware of it. IDK? Is this relevant, IDK that either.
MacWonderful
Member
- Location
- SW Ontario
I load light for varmint 22-250rem. 17.5 grains of IMR 4227 VS 38 grains of IMR 3031. I do this for 3 reasons. 1: Barrel will last longer shooting 1700fps vs 3900fps. 2: I already had the powder on hand for magnum pistol rounds 3: The properties where I hunt Yotes only offers 200-300 yard shots. Light loads work just fine. Now if I’m bullseye shooting, it’s full house loads all the way.
With the price and availability of components these days mean I’m going to try what I have on hand already. Sure glad I bought lots of different powders when I had the chance.
With the price and availability of components these days mean I’m going to try what I have on hand already. Sure glad I bought lots of different powders when I had the chance.
For casual plinking with my 30-30, I researched and worked up a light load using Bullseye and large pistol primers for my 94. Accurate out to 100m, cheap to reload and fun for the kids. Added bonus is there is negligible change in case length, maybe .002 over 10 firings so not need to trim after resizing.
Attachments
I have used a downloaded cartridge in my .222 for close range beavers for many years .
I also load cast bullets at times for friend's who shoot 45/70's
and compared to modern. Loads , those are downloaded as well.
I don't see any issue at all with it .
Cat
I also load cast bullets at times for friend's who shoot 45/70's
and compared to modern. Loads , those are downloaded as well.
I don't see any issue at all with it .
Cat
Brassman66
CGN frequent flyer
When our Son was little he wanted to start shooting mine, now his Drilling which has Rifle Caliber 9.3X74R. My 270 Gr. Bullets would produce recoil he could not handle so I contacted RCBS for advise. They recommended using 90 Grain Makarov Pistol Bullets and a mild load which solved the problem nicely.
Cheers
Cheers
