Newbe/getting started

[Weatherman68]

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum,  so I am certain that I am asking something that has been asked b/4, however need some assistance.

Like many things the start up costs are the highest. I have a RCBS JR3 press with dies from RCBS, Lee, Hornady and one or two others that I have picked up  from various places.  My question is powder.  I currently have IMR 4064 for use with the following calibers. .222, .243, 7.62x54R, 8mm mauser, .35 Whelen and 45-70 for rifles and some Unique for .40 SW .357 .44mag & 7.62 x 25.  I purchased the Lyman reloading manual which came highly recomended in some other posts.  I intend to use the .222 and the .243 for ground hogs so I am more interested in accuracy.  The .243, .35 whelen and the 45-70 are all H&R single shots.  The .222 is an older Remington 788.  The 7.62x54R is a 91/30 Mosin Nagant and the 8mm Mauser is a Yugo M48.

There have been some posts about the .35 Whelen not working with factory ammo so I haven't purchased any...just the brass etc to "roll my own"  Same with the 45-70 but I want loads adequate for black bear.   My last question is how can primers affect the load, especially if they are just large rifle primers etc.  I do not understand why or how there could be a significant difference from one manufacturer to another.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.         

[huntswithdogs]

While the idea of one powder for "ALL" sounds good, it don't usually work out like that. You'll probably end up needing lots of powder just like the rest of us. Your guns will tell ya right quick whether they like or dislike a certain powder.

Why are primers different? Kinda like some powders burn faster than others. Each manufacturer has their standards.Heck,Win LR(large rifle) primers say that they now serve for Magnum or Standard uses. I know that I can change primers or brass on my 243 and I've got a definite point of impact shift.

As for not worrying so much about accuracy with the 222 & 243 'cause they're" just for groundhogs", In my opinion,those are the ones that will likely be the most accurate. You should strive for accuracy, even if its for groundhogs. We as shooters/hunters should be able to kill our prey quickly and humanely.

Oh yeah,WELCOME ABOARD!

HWD

[stimpylu32]

Weatherman68

Welcome to GBO , as for powders , i keep about 10 or 12 diffrent ones around all the time . for my handis in 45/70 and 243 i use lots of H4895  and for my 357 mag & 45 LC i like Unique , Bullseye and H110 .

If you haven't checked out the H&R centerfire forum yet , do so there is tons of info on the Handi rifle to make them shoot better , even the 35 W.

As HWD said , primers very to all the extreams and will make a big diffrence in not only POI but group size also . My 223 BB handi likes Fed small rifle but does not care for CCI small rifle .

stimpy

[Weatherman68]

Thanks for your assistance.  I will be looking at some additional powders.   There are so many variables to consider that it seems like the likelihood of hitting the right combination for a really accurate load is not going to be an easy task.  That may explain why there are so many partial boxes of bullets for sale on EBay.  Never could figure out why that was the case.

Here in PA it is seldom that we get a shot at a deer at more than 100 yards.  The woods are so thick that it usually is less than 50.  I want to develop loads that are accurate at 100 yards at first and take it from there.  I have purchased some Remington bullets from Midway.  200 grain .35 for the EBay and 405 grain for the 45-70.  Seems like either should do the job on a deer or a black bear.

I have a sleeve of CCI large rifle primers to start.  The folks at Cabala's sold them to me. The guy there is a re-loader and he likes them and indicated that he uses them for just about everything.  What has been your experience with CCI?  Do you have a preference for something else?

Appreciate your assistance.

TE

   

[MnMike]

I have not found much difference in primers. To simplify reloading I just use Win primers. They work well enough to give me less than 1" groups for what I reload. Much better in some calibers.

mike

[stimpylu32]

weatherman

I use CCI for most of my rifles with the exception of my 223 handi , for some reason it likes the Fed. primers better , it may be that the fed need less hammer strike . 

Every gun will be diffrent so you will just have to see what they like as far as powder , primer and bullets . my 45/70 loves the soft lead 405 grain cast , my 218 Bee will only shoot the Hornady 35gr V-max well , my 223 & 22-250 like just about anything in the 50 to 55 grain range and my 450 Marlin HATES everything . ( may use it to build a scarecrow )

For bullets , buy some part boxes from e-bay or trade some with another loader to see which they like best .

stimpy

[beemanbeme]

I use CCI's acrost the board because they are widely available.  Also, H4895 (or IMR) is a pretty versitile powder. 
One hint: I'd clean that old 788 real good and then do it again.  Maybe several times.  You may be surprised at how good it'll shoot........... or you can just sell it to me.