Alrhough I have shot other deer and even a moose with factory loads my nice buck this year I shot with a certridge I made, loaded and shot. It gave me the same thrill as when a caught my first Rainbow on a fly using my own hand tyed fly. The other thrill was my first 100 straight in Trap using my scrounged shells assembled using my single press. I like to be part of the process and take pride when it works out. If I wanted it all with no participation, I'd order from rhe grocery store. I know a lot of you feel the same and I want to thank those who helped me by your contributions on this forum!
Self fulfiment Perhaps...
- Thread starter Jetjock
- Start date
303EppsFan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Almonte,Ontario
I feel the same way. The only game I've killed with factory loads in the last 40 years have been rim fire and shot shells. All my big game has been shot with a hand loads. Especially satisfying when the blowhards claim that reloaded ammunition is only suitable for the range and they only hunt with factory ammo.
Sakoman .308
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Congratulations on getting your buck with your own ammunition.
Ive been reloading for a few years and can remember when I started. I was discussing the benefits of reloads over factory and tailoring loads to a specific rifle. Dad always knew to use the same ammo as sighted in with. when he saw some group comparisons between factory and reloads he brought his rifle to me and asked to whip up some of them loads. Brags to everyone now how custom loaded ammo makes all the difference lol. We've both taken several moose each with 168 ttsx over imr 4064.
I was so disappointed this summer when I realized my ammo was left sitting on my bed. Still got my bear with a box of corelokt's, but it's just not the same... Still haven't been able to put my reloads to use on game. Maybe I'll have a chance at a late season deer in a few weeks...
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
"Developing a load to match your rifle is one of the most fun and rewarding things you can do as a handloader..."
https://www.nosler.com/blog/news-and-articles/2013/6/4/beyond-the-basics-developing-your-own-loads
https://www.nosler.com/blog/news-and-articles/2013/6/4/beyond-the-basics-developing-your-own-loads
I shot a moose at 10 yards with a 338 Mag, 250 gr Grand Slam. It was on a trail, trotting towards me.
I did something that I always do when I fire a deer/moose shot. I carefully open the action and pick out the empty case. I am so confident in the ammo and the shot that I don't even watch the animal.
In this case the moose turned 90 degrees and took off. The fellow with me said "You missed!"
I said "NO. He just doesn't know he is dead yet." Just then we heard the crash as the moose keeled over. It had gone about 40 yards.
My confidence (arrogance) got challenged when we gutted it. I had shot straight at the sternum. I expected to see the Grand Slam punch a big hole through the heart / lungs. The chest was pristine, except for a tiny slice off the top of the heart.
My bullet had deflected and run down the side of the moose, between the hide and the ribs. It nicked one rib and a bit of rib blew across the top of the heart. But for that splinter, the moose would still be running.
To date, all my kills have been one shot kills, and the ammo has worked well - except for the Min-30 where my handloads did not chamber fully and the deer got away.
I have since learned to cycle all my handloads through the gun, just to make sure. In the case of the Mini-30, I had taken some ammo intended for a different trifle.
I did something that I always do when I fire a deer/moose shot. I carefully open the action and pick out the empty case. I am so confident in the ammo and the shot that I don't even watch the animal.
In this case the moose turned 90 degrees and took off. The fellow with me said "You missed!"
I said "NO. He just doesn't know he is dead yet." Just then we heard the crash as the moose keeled over. It had gone about 40 yards.
My confidence (arrogance) got challenged when we gutted it. I had shot straight at the sternum. I expected to see the Grand Slam punch a big hole through the heart / lungs. The chest was pristine, except for a tiny slice off the top of the heart.
My bullet had deflected and run down the side of the moose, between the hide and the ribs. It nicked one rib and a bit of rib blew across the top of the heart. But for that splinter, the moose would still be running.
To date, all my kills have been one shot kills, and the ammo has worked well - except for the Min-30 where my handloads did not chamber fully and the deer got away.
I have since learned to cycle all my handloads through the gun, just to make sure. In the case of the Mini-30, I had taken some ammo intended for a different trifle.
