That's what I thought too when I first read it.
Is there something wrong with downloading a cartridge?
- Thread starter chuck nelson
- Start date
That's what I thought too when I first read it.
Guess that's pretty much an individual's call. For me personally, I like to load near max but not at the sacrifice of accuracy or the fear of recoil. I choose my cartridges for a specific purpose and that suitability is based on their near max capabilities. I don't own big magnums with the intent of shooting them a lot. I have other chamberings for that. But if somene wants to download a 300WM, it's really none of my business nor concern. Knock yourself out....as long as you are doing it safely why should anyone care or judge?
I like loading down with some cheap bullets and shooting more. I'm no guru at reloading, but the Hornady manual seems to start lower than anyone else. Their starting loads are several hundred FPS lower than the max in a lot of cases. I loaded up some 7mm-08 starting loads with 120gr Vmax for my lovely wife to plink with. Longer case life, less muzzle blast and less barrel wear are all good reasons to down load your plinking rounds. To a lesser degree a little less recoil on my 338 WM doesn't hurt either. It's nice if you find an accurate reduced load and practice your shooting.
G
Ouch! LOL.
All you need to do to take the edge off those 300 mag sensitivities is to take out 50 rounds of 416 Rigby, burn them babies up and then go back to the 300 mag and it's like shooting a 22. All things are relative!!! I do this just to keep myself desensitized, just ask my wife !!!
Once shot a "BIG BORE" silhouette match with my .375 H&H with full power 300 gn Sierras, a full 40 round match, 9.3 was the min allowed, but didn't own one at that time.
Once shot a "BIG BORE" silhouette match with my .375 H&H with full power 300 gn Sierras, a full 40 round match, 9.3 was the min allowed, but didn't own one at that time.
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- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I use reduced loads in all of my rifles to get the most shooting fun out
of them and for hunting loads as well. I have no need to shoot big
game at long range. For popping varmints and small game, it's a gas
to whack 'em with big bore lead bombs inside of 200 yds.
I shoot mostly cast bullets, but use jacketed now & then for long range target
work.
There are good powders out there for light loads in large cases.
Trail Boss is good for this, as is SR4759, XMP5744, IMR4227 and
various shotshell powders like Blue Dot. Use kapok filler to hold
the powder in place for ignition consistency.(Not needed with
Trail Boss)
It's fun to experiment with components to achieve a desired result.
The best part is you get far more shooting enjoyment out of your
work and save wear on your equipment and wallet as well.
of them and for hunting loads as well. I have no need to shoot big
game at long range. For popping varmints and small game, it's a gas
to whack 'em with big bore lead bombs inside of 200 yds.
I shoot mostly cast bullets, but use jacketed now & then for long range target
work.
There are good powders out there for light loads in large cases.
Trail Boss is good for this, as is SR4759, XMP5744, IMR4227 and
various shotshell powders like Blue Dot. Use kapok filler to hold
the powder in place for ignition consistency.(Not needed with
Trail Boss)
It's fun to experiment with components to achieve a desired result.
The best part is you get far more shooting enjoyment out of your
work and save wear on your equipment and wallet as well.
I shot a 416 Rigby one time. I was a skinny 16 year old at the time and one of my dad's buddies' thought it would be funny to see me let one off.
Lucky for me the old man was standing behind me and managed to catch me and the rifle in one big swoop. That sucker hurt!
My go to deer rifle is a Savage weather warrior in 300RUM. I've shot a few 300 Winnies chambered in M700's, a M70, a Vanguard, and a 700 in 300RUM, but this Savage doesn't seem to kick nearly as hard as those rifles did. I'm not sure why, I guess the fit of the rifle makes a big difference.
^^^ That just about sums up your thread.
I don't understand how some think it's good practice when the ballistics are not even similar to the real cartridge. I practice from a rest, off hand, kneeling, sitting and prone from 100 to 500 mtrs. How is it good practice when you are shooting a 2/3 load, I'm lost to that train of thought. In my opinion it's only good practice if you're using the load you intend to hunt with, if the recoil is bothering you practice with a lighter cartridge with the same ballistics out to 500 mtrs. Something like a 243 or 6mm Rem, something that matches the trajectory within a couple inches.
Take a 300 H&H, a 308 Norma Mag, or a 300 Win Mag [Probably work with a 300WSM, too]
Load a regular LR primer add 50.0 grains of IMR3031, seat a 180 grain bullet of your choice.
Voila! 2600-2700 fps from your Magnum, and relatively mild recoil with good accuracy.
Regards, Eagleye.
Load a regular LR primer add 50.0 grains of IMR3031, seat a 180 grain bullet of your choice.
Voila! 2600-2700 fps from your Magnum, and relatively mild recoil with good accuracy.
Regards, Eagleye.
Meh. Kinda like buying a Dodge Viper, and having them slide a 4 banger outta an econobox into it because the factory engine scares you. For the most part, it's a sign that you shoulda bought something different.
I think that really applies to all the keen young fellas that run out and bought the Rugers et al, that were chambered in the African elephant and dangerous game calibers. Much like almost every 45-120 out there, most won't ever see a full box of ammo shot from them, by the time the dude that thought he was a 'man' smartens up. Or his retinas detach, eh?
But in real terms, yes, you can run reduced loads in anything, with the correct powders and a little careful loading. Cast bullets for really light loads, eh. As one of the guys on Castboolits says, the .458 Win Mag is his go-to for everything from grouse on up, with appropriate loads.
Heck, even the US Cavalry ran cardboard sleeves inside their Carbine ammo, to reduce the beating their guys were taking.
You thought someone would drop by to repo yer 'man card' or sumthin'?
Cheers
Trev
I think that really applies to all the keen young fellas that run out and bought the Rugers et al, that were chambered in the African elephant and dangerous game calibers. Much like almost every 45-120 out there, most won't ever see a full box of ammo shot from them, by the time the dude that thought he was a 'man' smartens up. Or his retinas detach, eh?
But in real terms, yes, you can run reduced loads in anything, with the correct powders and a little careful loading. Cast bullets for really light loads, eh. As one of the guys on Castboolits says, the .458 Win Mag is his go-to for everything from grouse on up, with appropriate loads.
Heck, even the US Cavalry ran cardboard sleeves inside their Carbine ammo, to reduce the beating their guys were taking.
You thought someone would drop by to repo yer 'man card' or sumthin'?
Cheers
Trev
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I don't see a problem with throttling back handloads when you're getting a new shooter interested or starting a new hunter off. Let's face it, not all of us own a dozen hunting rifles and can simplty hand something appropriate to a kid starting off. It would be great if we all had a 7mm-08 in the corner for times like that but it's not a realistic suggestion (though, when I become Emperor it will be required to own a 7x57 for such occasions and a 360 Wagner, just because). But you can take your 30-06 and load a mild batch of 150s up and ease the newbie into it.
In fact, in two weeks I'm having my buddy's kid down to the farm for a gopher safari and rifle shootign session. The kid is rabid to learn and his Dad is not a hunter or shooter at all. Now, will I hand him over my 470 to watch him get a dislocated shoulder and bloody nose? Not likely (though I will hand it to my brother because he knows what he's getting into) but I will have the 7x57 and 223 out for him to try. If I didn't have as many rifles as I do I would be spending some time at the press with some 150 grainers and a can of 4895 to make the '06 enjoyable for him.
We need more new shooters, not less. No sense knocking the enthusiasm out of them.
In fact, in two weeks I'm having my buddy's kid down to the farm for a gopher safari and rifle shootign session. The kid is rabid to learn and his Dad is not a hunter or shooter at all. Now, will I hand him over my 470 to watch him get a dislocated shoulder and bloody nose? Not likely (though I will hand it to my brother because he knows what he's getting into) but I will have the 7x57 and 223 out for him to try. If I didn't have as many rifles as I do I would be spending some time at the press with some 150 grainers and a can of 4895 to make the '06 enjoyable for him.
We need more new shooters, not less. No sense knocking the enthusiasm out of them.
In that case, most starting loads will get you where you want to go. I've also often noticed very good accuracy with starter loads. Usually groups will open up a bit as you add some powder, then tighten back up as you near maximum.
.30-06 loads run from 2400 to 2900 fps with a 165 grain bullet.
Using the same bullet, the 300 WinMag is loaded from 2800 to 3300 fps.
If you can handle the 2800 fps in a 30-06, then you can start loads in a 300 WM at 2800 fps.
Use the starting loads for any powder that meets your recoil threshold and once you become accustomed to that level of recoil, add more powder until you reach 100 fps faster than your previous level.
Using the same bullet, the 300 WinMag is loaded from 2800 to 3300 fps.
If you can handle the 2800 fps in a 30-06, then you can start loads in a 300 WM at 2800 fps.
Use the starting loads for any powder that meets your recoil threshold and once you become accustomed to that level of recoil, add more powder until you reach 100 fps faster than your previous level.
