Freakish behavior at the loading bench

[Questor]

It seems like I'm the only one loading bottleneck rifle ammo that doesn't try to wring every last fps out of his loads. Generally, I go for a good load that is significantly under the max load, but still gives reasonable velocity for the bullet selected.  Sometimes I'll even significantly download a cartridge because I don't really need the extra velocity. I've also noticed that dropping a 150fps can make a big difference in recoil, so the rounds are more pleasant to shoot.  What's wrong with me?  Am I the only one engaging in these perverse practices?

[bgjohn]

I do the same thing. I also laugh at the "new" short magnums.
JM

[Redhawk1]

I always find that when developing a load, I never get to max loads before I find a load that performs great. 150 fps is not going to make that much difference and a lot less case wear to boot.  

[jhalcott]

you are definetly NOT alone! I always thought accuracy was/is more important than velocity.I never missed a critter fast enough to kill it! I will sacrifice several hundred fps for a quarter inch better group!

[gewehrfreund]

Questor,
You're not alone. There are still a few of us normal people left (relativley speaking). The only magnum I own is a 7mm Rem. Mag. and the only reason I have that is because Ruger chambers it in their #1S. Everthing else I shoot/load (14+) was introduced around 1950 or much earlier. I usually start with reduced loads and work up if I don't get the accuracy I'm looking for. I don't find it too hard to resist the latest and greatest, whether it be magnumitis, cars, TV, beer, etc.

[Badnews Bob]

Don't worry Q..... after reading your post for the past year or whatever, I think your nuts. :roll:  :wink:

[victorcharlie]

Don't worry Q..... after reading your post for the past year or whatever, I think your nuts.

Man, that's a body slam! :eek:  :eek:  :eek:

You to know each other? :-D  :-D  :-D

[Flash]

I agree whole heartedly! These guys trying to break the 4,000 fps mark with their 22-250's get my grin. I stay between 3,600 to 3,800 fps and have more fun with my 22-250 than you can imagine. I load a round to performance levels, not velocity levels.

[Questor]

VictorCharlie:

He's right. You'll have to read more of my posts. Remember the one here on using fractions for calibers? That's pretty nutty!

This is a long running bull session.  We're here for fun, mostly.

[218Bee]

I load for accuracy. Think that 'chuck will be impressed when that slug whistles by his head at an extra 300 fps? Not hardly.

I'd rather hit em solid at 3300 than miss em at 3800.

Rick

[warf73]

Your OK.

I load for accuracy but if high FPS comes with the accuracy then great, if not no loss.

Warf

[Wlscott]

I do the same thing. I also laugh at the "new" short magnums.
JM

Why would you laugh at the new short magnums?

I will usually play with the load until I find the most accurate combo.  Then I will end up compromising between the fastest and the most accurate combo that will give me the accuracy I need to place shots in the kill zone of the critter I'm hunting.

[beemanbeme]

Truck, rifle, what-have-you, I dislike motoring anything at the top end.  The event of breakage and wear does not rise consistantly but rather makes a unneeded leap as you near the greater performance.  And often the gain in performance is quite modest in view of the added wear.

[glock29]

Yep, no joke, sounds FREAK-LIKE to me !

I ALWAYS load with MAXIMUM loads, PERIOD.
If I don't need the max power of the cartridge I'm loading, I choose a SMALLER CARTRIDGE.

In my book it's FULL POWER or FORGET it !

Target shooting=MAX LOAD
Plinking= MAX LOAD
Hunting=MAX LOAD

If I wanted 30/06 performance, I would not shoot a 300 Wby Mag.
If I wanted  45 Colt performance, I would not shoot a 45/70.

In fact, I will not purchase any factory ammo for my 45/70 because NOBODY (Including Buffalo bore, Garrett, or Conley precision) loads this cartridge to max level3/Ruger loads. Must be due to the mamby-pamby lawsuits from lawyers that seem to think idiots need protection.
In this caliber I ONLY shoot my own King-Kong level loads, that by the way show ZERO signs of over-pressure and I get 2300+ fps out of a 350gr hornady RN.

Not utilizing a cartridge to it's full power potential makes ZERO sense to me. I am willing to accept a reduction in accuracy for an increase in ft/lbs

[james]

Less than max loads save my barrels, brass and shoulder.  Call me cheap if you want, but I enjoy shooting more when my head, shoulder, and pocket book aren't hurting.
james

[Redhawk1]

Yep, no joke, sounds FREAK-LIKE to me !

I ALWAYS load with MAXIMUM loads, PERIOD.
If I don't need the max power of the cartridge I'm loading, I choose a SMALLER CARTRIDGE.

In my book it's FULL POWER or FORGET it !

Target shooting=MAX LOAD
Plinking= MAX LOAD
Hunting=MAX LOAD

If I wanted 30/06 performance, I would not shoot a 300 Wby Mag.
If I wanted  45 Colt performance, I would not shoot a 45/70.

In fact, I will not purchase any factory ammo for my 45/70 because NOBODY (Including Buffalo bore, Garrett, or Conley precision) loads this cartridge to max level3/Ruger loads. Must be due to the mamby-pamby lawsuits from lawyers that seem to think idiots need protection.
In this caliber I ONLY shoot my own King-Kong level loads, that by the way show ZERO signs of over-pressure and I get 2300+ fps out of a 350gr hornady RN.

Not utilizing a cartridge to it's full power potential makes ZERO sense to me. I am willing to accept a reduction in accuracy for an increase in ft/lbs

So how is your accuracy??? Or don't you care?
Maxing out a load does not make it that caliber specific. tailoring a load to shoot accurately is what you are after. Loading within the limits is not down loading. Going under recommended loads is down loading. Max loads is pushing the specific round to it's limits, like you said get a bigger gun and work up a load that is accurate.  0 to 4000 fps. Where did it go, did I hit the target??? :biggun:   :-D  :-D  :-D  :-D

[myronman3]

the only caliber i load to max is the 270.  by max i mean a 150 gr. going 2900; so i aint exactly pushing the boundaries.  

most my 44 loads are about midrange, the 45 auto i run at upper mid range loads.

the 223 i go for accuracy, pure and simple.  

another benefit- a pound of powder lasts a lot longer.

[Questor]

I think glock29's approach is perfectly good. It's just not my way of doing things.

[R.W.Dale]

When I want to shoot something hot I grab something hot like my 300 Wby. However I don't however feel the need to try to fool my bolt action 7.62x39 into thinking it's a 308.
  I just load fast enough to shoot good, however I do wish they would bring out some modern 35 remington loads as they have for 45/70.

[DPRinks]

Krochus;
The problem with modern .35 Rem. loads is all the old pumps and semi autos that are still hiding in closets.
That and people who do not realize that even SAMMI loads may be too much for some of the older rifles still around.
I have a .35 Whelen and am loading between .35 Rem. and .35 Whelen levels with gas check cast bullets and having a great time.
Try cast handloads in your .35 Rem., you might find some very nice loads and get the performance you are looking for.