Author Topic: Which of my calibers should I start loading? (Read 904 times)

BRL · « **on:** September 10, 2008, 04:54:45 AM »

I've been loading handgun calibers off and on for 20 years. Now, I'd like to work into rifle loading for my hunting rifles. I am wondering which I should (gun/caliber) start with. My deer hunting rifles are the following...

Browning BLR 7mm-08
Rem. 7400 Auto 30-06
Bushmaster AR10 .308
Handi Rifle .243 (although, I probably won't load for this gun or caliber)

The Remington is the only rifle I've hunted with as it was my first rifle. I am a left hander, hence no bolt guns, YET. Now, I assume that I will probably get a bolt gun in one of these calibers (308, 30-06) eventually, as they are so readily available for lefties. My train of thought is that the 7mm-08 would be the last caliber that I would load for but because it's the only, non-auto action, that maybe I'd have more success loading for that.

Anyway, I thought I would ask the veterans what they might do in my situation; based on caliber, action, etc.

Thanks!

tn_junk · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2008, 04:57:04 AM »

I would start with the 7MM-08 because there are a lot fewer options available in commercial ammo than for the
.308. 30-06 or .243.

alan

beemanbeme · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2008, 05:39:09 AM »

Work you up a good load for the 7-08 and sell the rest of them. You're set! If you decide to go elk hunting, buy a .300WM or a 7RM and load for it.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2008, 05:51:41 AM »

I would like more information before advising you. What are you trying to accomplish by reloading. Saving money or more accuracy for instance. If it is accuracy, which gun is it and what do you want to get to? How much do you shoot each one? I originally got into hand loading to save money. I really do not think I save that much money - because now I shoot more and still have the expense of the equipment. However, I enjoy reloading as a hobby type activity and can do it when the weather is bad, late at night or early morning, when I can not be at the range. I am not trying to discourage you from reloading at all. I think if I know what you are trying to do by reloading I can give you better direction. I also assume since you reload for handguns you have every thing you need to reload one of these except the dies and components, correct?

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2008, 06:01:26 AM »

A bolt gun in .308 or .30-06 would really round out your selection. You may need small based dies for the semi-autos. I'd start with the .30-06 or the .243.

Old Syko · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2008, 06:20:57 AM »

Of the guns listed the Handi in 243 may be the easiest to learn to load for in the beginning.

Of the other 3 the AR will probably be the most forgiving and cost efficient due to the shear amount of fodder one of these things are capable of ingesting.

BRL · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2008, 08:37:32 AM »

Good information so far.

To answer the question why? I would like to enter the rifle reloading arena for several reason really, not are to save money. For my handguns, I enjoy reloading just as much as I do shooting. When I cannot get to the range, just loading some ammo satisfies my itchy trigger finger, for some reason. Also, I am a scientist (biochemistry though, nothing fun to most of the people here) and loading satisfies my need to figure something out or "discover something new".

Also, I'd like to load different velocities with different bullet weights for different scenarios. For instance, loading the .308 or .30-06 to the same specs the .30-30, or a little hotter, for close in deer hunting or long sessions at the range.

The Browning in 7mm-08 is the BLR, lever action. I just bought a Burris Fullfield II in 3 x 9 for it. That should make a nice rig for deer.

Ladobe · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2008, 08:58:03 AM »

Just reload for the one you have the most interest in shooting or hunting with, working up loads for with different components, etc. I don't see any of them as a "best to" start with for any reason beyond that. With your experience in loading for your handguns you already know most of what you'll need to know, so the learning curve to also reload for your rifles will be small.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2008, 10:33:49 AM »

BRL

You sure know how to pick them , not so much the round but the rifles , all of these rounds headspace on the shoulder being a rimless case so your shoulder placement is the critical part of loading for any of these .

Not that this is a bad thing , it just has to be watched more than if used in a bolt gun were you have the added leverage to use .

I would start with the 243 Handi as you can see just were your headspace is with the barrel in the open poshion , as long as the head is flush with the breach your fine , also the bullet choices are good with this round from varmint to mid sized game like deer giving you lots of options as to what you can load .

Proper die setup and lubing will be the biggest things you will have to address going from a strait walled pistol round to a bottle necked rifle round , other than that their the same basic principal .

stimpy

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2008, 10:38:25 AM »

One of the curves I'm still rounding is how far a 1lb container of powder goes when loading for handguns. When loading 300 and 7mm RUMs, 300WMs or 7mm RMs, you can go through powder pretty dang quick!

Of the ones listed, I'd start with either the 243 or the 7-08. Those Rem 7400s can be pains in the butt to reload for. Don't know much about the AR platforms.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2008, 11:53:49 AM »

Now I know you want to load just for the enjoyment of it, the same reason I do. I would start with your lever action, it is a lot more forgiving as to loads than a semi-auto. Gas operated semi-autos can be kind of picky about what they like to cycle the action. There is a pressure range they like to operate in - go above it or below it and you are asking for jambs, stove pipes and the action not cycling or slamming and shortening the life of the action. With all of your guns, except the Handi, you are going to have to think about crimps, due to recoil pulling the bullets out of the cases. The Handi would be a likely candidate too, due to it is a single shot and a lot more forgiving in the load department. After you get some experience under your belt with either the 7mm-08 or 243, you can think about doing your 308 and/or 30-06. You will get more of a feel for it after you reload for a while. If you decide to go with one of the semi-autos, think about full length sizing every time, OAL is very important so stick to what is recommended in your load books (check your magazine to make sure it fits too) and make sure you are loading near the full pressure loads with out going over. Good Luck and Good Shooting

BRL · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2008, 11:56:17 AM »

huntswithdogs, go to the link below, scroll down to "loads per pound of powder" and click that link. It tells you exactly how many loads you'll get out of a pound of powder. It's a pretty cool tool.

http://beartoothbullets.com/rescources/index.htm

Maybe it would just be easier to get a new barrel for the handi in .44 mag and hunt with that!

Thanks for all the input so far.

BRL · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:00:09 PM »

Yeah, I've been slowly repeating to myself all day..."don't load for the auto's, don't load for the auto's".

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:22:26 PM »

Of course you can load for the autos - you will just not find it as enriching as for other type actions, due to their picky nature, IMHO. You can not load them down for sure and you should duplicate factory loads as close as possible. If that trips your trigger then go for it. I do think you will enjoy the flexibility of the Handi action or even the lever action more, than the autos, as far as hand loading. Remember that in an inline magazine like a lever, you are limited to flat or round nose bullets, unless you single load it. The Handi can handle pointy bullets as easily as blunt ones - more flexibility.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:24:53 PM »

Get a 30-06 barrel for your Handi and then you can do some experimenting with the 7400 Remington after a while. You will have your components and dies already - Just a thought.

BRL · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2008, 01:50:12 PM »

That is a great thought, a .30-06 barrel for the Handi.

Actually, the Browning lever's magazine is a box magazine. One of the features I liked about that rifle.

Savage · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2008, 03:29:32 PM »

Buy a die set with a small base sizing die and load for the autos. Load with something in the IMR 4895 mid range and shoot the devil out of them. No rocket science here.
Savage

wncchester · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2008, 05:27:44 AM »

So far as ease of loading there will be no difference.

Given your technical background and reasons for loading, I think your itch would be best scratched by starting with the rifle/cartridge you think is likely to be the most accurate.

Later, all the things you learn about achieving best accuracy can be transfered to the others as you wish, rather than transfering any sloppy work methods that didn't make any difference at first to the more accurate rigs!

Savage · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2008, 06:01:59 AM »

By all means work to get the most accurate load you can utilize. The most accurate rifle you mentioned should be the AR platform. Followed closely by the BLR, then the 7400. It's always fun and satisfying to find a load that shoots really well in a given rifle. Fact is, most of us don't need a 1 MOA rifle, and don't shoot well enough for that to be a big factor in a 100yd deer rifle. Most off the shelf rifles will never be a true 1 MOA rifle without a lot of modifications. For most hunting situations, whatever range you can shoot a 4" group at, (from field positions) should be your max range to take deer size game. Long range pest control is a different thing. For that you'll need something capable of greater accuracy than the rifles you have. One that can deliver those sub MOA groups from a good rested position. That's where the real load development comes in. Until then, about all you need is a load that operates your rifles reliably and is capable of good hunting accuracy. BUT, I know you'll still have a lot of fun in working for that super accurate load anyway!!! Have fun!!

Savage

BRL · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2008, 06:15:48 AM »

Great replies, thanks!

I'm not used to accuracy anyway, so I'm sure I can make vast improvements. The 7400 I've been shooting for over 20 years has a best group of around 2" at 100yds. However, I have taken all the game I have with that rifle. All have been 1 shot kills with no misses (haven't shot many animals in my hunting career, but that's another story). I have passed on more animals that I have shot due to not the right shot, distance, etc.

The BLR shoots just over 1.5" at 50 yards from a rest with open sights. Once scoped, it will shoot nicely, I'm sure. That's a fun little rifle to shoot. The AR has only been shot standing (a position I am really not comfy with) at 50 yards just to get used to the rifle and see what it felt like. I REALLY like shooting that rifle! It's heavy, but boy does it feel right against my shoulder.

charles p · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2008, 01:37:34 PM »

I'd load the one I plan to shoot the most. Be carefull, you may find that loading is more fun than shooting, in which case you will accumulate about 2-3 lifetimes of loaded ammo and every time a new bullet or powder comes out, you'll need to reload some more. The as you add new rifles and pistols, they will be in different calibers and you can expand unnecessarily all over again. Been there, done that.

BRL · « **Reply #21 on:** September 12, 2008, 02:22:25 AM »

Good point. In the back of my head I'm already planning a second and third die set and a new rifle...which also means new scope, etc.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #22 on:** September 12, 2008, 08:55:40 AM »

The question was raised, how many loads per pound? No rocket science here. 7000grains in a pound and do the math. 7000 divided by the grains in your load will give you how many loads you can make from a pound of powder. Er, minus what you spill on the bench! LOL!

You are in for an adventure! Search and discover are the name of the game and there seems to be a never-ending variety of stuff that needs discovering. You will enjoy!

Regards,
Sweetwater

deerjackie · « **Reply #23 on:** September 13, 2008, 05:31:46 PM »

load em all

BBF · « **Reply #24 on:** September 14, 2008, 02:37:44 AM »

I load for a 742 among others in 30-06. All cases are resized with a small base die. The auto banger cycles just fine with the lower velocity loads as long as they are published in a manual with the exception of the SR 4759 loadings.
Some loads shoot pure crap groups, others are right up there with the bolts just like any other rifle.

Considering that 30 cal has more bullet weights and styles to offer then any other cal, it would be my choice.

Savage · « **Reply #25 on:** September 14, 2008, 09:35:24 AM »

ALL of my ammo that I load for auto loaders (AR/AK/30 Carbine) are sized with the small base dies. The most important thing to me is that they MUST FUNCTION in any rifle I might choose to load them in.
Savage