Author Topic: beginner questions  (Read 705 times)

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Offline Jeffery8mm

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beginner questions
« on: May 04, 2005, 05:36:04 AM »
I have a few ''simple'' questions for you more experinced folks.  I am neww to reloading, havent actually loaded a round yet.  I have a couple of load questions.  
I have  Winchester powders most readily available to me. 760 and 748
I want to use Speer bullets if possible and I have a Speer 13 manual.  
I will be relaoding for 30-30,  .308,  30-06, and .270

The speer 13 list most win powders as needing a magnum primer but other manuals dont show the need for a magnum primer. what is the deal??  
Will the 2 powders listed do most of my needs for bullets in the 130 range for the 270  and in the 150 to 180 range for the 30 cal stuff.
the 270 30-06 and the 308 are model 70 bolt guns
the 30.30 is a win 94
If any of you have a load that has worked foy you in these guns using the 760 or 748 powder PLEASE steer me in a statring direction.  I dont have the funds to "play" around with 12 different powders and 100 different bullet weights,.  I am not dead set on the speer bullets so any suggestions will be appreciatted.
Thanks to all of you for your help and guidance.  Its fine people like yall that make the reloading aspect of shooting seem not so impossible.
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Offline Questor

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« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2005, 08:20:06 AM »
I think you're doing this backward. Start with the target you want to shoot and consider what it takes to deal with it. Then pick a bullet that's designed to do the job (this is time consuming and requires some shopping)  Then decide on a cartridge and gun combination. Then decide on a load manual and your components (like powders and primers.)

You can usually find out what powders are good by asking at a forum like this or by looking up the cartridge at reloadbench.com.  Make sure you specify what bullet weight and type you are considering because that matters. If, for example, you plan to shoot varmint bullets in your .270, then you will not be using the same powder that you would use for a 140 grain bullet in the same gun.

You may find a really lousy combination of components, but if you do your homework in advance, then your problems and disappointments will be few.  Just having a good manual-- like Speer #13-- is a big step in the right direction.

If you're shooting rifles for hunting, consider the temperature insensitive powders like the Hodgdon Extreme line of powders.

When a manual says use magnum primers, don't ask questions, just use the magnum primers.  We're not artists here, just following a recipe that has been worked out by professional ballisticians.  The magnum primers have qualities that make them better for igniting hard to ignite powders.  

There's nothing wrong with Speer bullets. The manual is the best in the business.  But don't limit yourself.  Take some time to find out what you want to shoot, then work from there.

If you want to stick with Winchester powders, go to the Winchester website and take a look at their reloading data. Then compare it to what's in Speer #13 and make a choice. You can't be too far wrong using this approach provided that you have a powder that's reasonably suitable for the given cartridge.
Safety first

Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2005, 02:54:01 AM »
Thanks for the good info Questor.  Hunting whitetails at around 75 to 150 yds is the main goal.  Maybe a coyote with the 270.

Jeff
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Offline Questor

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« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2005, 03:43:32 AM »
If tissue damage is not an issue, check out the Hornady V-Max 110 grain .270 bullet. I used it last year on prairie dogs (using Varget powder) and the results were spectacular.  I could always tell when I hit a prairie dog because it was still flying after the rifle came to rest after recoiling.  It appears to be a lot less sensitive to wind than .223 bullets.  Very accurate too.

I have used the 6.5mm Speer hot cor bullets for deer-sized animals and the results were excellent. These bullets perform well and don't cost a lot. I will use them again after my current batch of Noslers is used up.
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Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2005, 04:17:37 AM »
Questor, what are your thoughts on the Win powders?  Dont see them mentioned much here!!

Jeff
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Offline Questor

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« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2005, 08:33:16 AM »
I don't experiment nearly as much as any of the other regulars here, but I do like the Winchester powders, specifically:

231 for excellent target loads in 45ACP and for reduced loads in 44 magnum, and for 38 special. The stuff is great. It meters well and is economical.  

296 for full power 44 magnum loads. It's the only powder I use for this application.

760 for 6.5JDJ pistol ammo.

They are all great. They work fine.

I have been enamored lately of the temperature insensitive powders from Hodgdon, and with Reloder 15 from Alliant.  This is of arguable advantage because I believe that most guns themselves are not temperature insensitive and still need to be re-zeroed when changing temperature or humidity significantly.
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Offline Slamfire

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« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2005, 08:52:06 AM »
Long ago in a place far away, there was a perceived primer shortage. It wasn't real but the consumers were makin' a run on them. When I needed some the only ones in the shop were WLRs. I used them to ignite moderate (under 50 grains) of ball powders from both Winchester and Hogdon and decided I didn't need magnum primers in my applications. I have standardized on that primer and buy no others. Your results may vary, but it's worth a try.  :D
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Offline EVOC ONE

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« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2005, 08:59:20 PM »
Hello Jeffery8mm. Questor offered exellect advice, information and direction.  In addition, I recommend purchasing different reloading manuals and compare the information.  For example, the folks at Sierra often explain how they arrived at their conclusions and offer suggestions for target loads vs. hunting loads.  You indicate that you are on a limited budget (who's not? heh heh) but, investing in a couple or few reputable manuals can provide a great deal if information that will allow you to make selective and informed decisions about what you need to purchase to suit your needs.

Good Luck

EVOC ONE

Offline victorcharlie

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« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2005, 09:25:46 PM »
Excellent advise from questor.....

Not meaning to hijack the topic, but I haven't tried the 110 grain .270 but that bullet has got me interested..........you must have found an accurate load for it......can you offer a little more detail on the load you used and the accuracy?  Thanks,  VC
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Offline Savage

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« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2005, 01:43:58 AM »
Jeff,
Based on my numerous years of experience, if I could only have one powder to reload the rifle calibers you mentioned, it would have to be IMR4895. I have reloaded for the .243 up thru the 30 cal rounds in many cartridges with great success using this powder under a variety of bullets. I currently stock only three powders, H-110 and Bullseye for pistols, and H-4895 for rifles. I use only Winchester primers. Life is good, and simple!
Savage
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Offline stimpylu32

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« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2005, 08:44:13 AM »
Jeff ---  savage has got a good point as far as imr 4895 goes , i use it on almost every rifle i own from .223 to 30/06 with very good results. as far as primers i use winchester on almost everything but large pistol rounds. i have not used 460 or 478 so no input there , speer is a decent choice for general bullets i personal like sierra myself. :D
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Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2005, 09:30:48 AM »
Thanks stimpy

Jeff
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Offline remington660

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« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2005, 01:42:06 PM »
Jeff,

I've used the W-748 very successfully in my 30-30, loading 32.5 gr over hornady 170 FPs and using CCI 250 caps. Velocity in my Marlin 336 runs about 2050 fps and I haven't been able to top the accuracy of that load.

On the other hand, my 308 hates W-748 scattering shots all over the paper. I've not been able to top W-748s velocity in that rifle with 180 grain slugs though. My remington 660 has a 20" barrel and 2500 fps is about all I can get safely with Varget and IMR 4350-- 748 will give me 2550.

I have just begun experimenting with W-760 in my 30-06 with 180 hornadys, but it's too early to report results. Velocity was ok and accuracy was ho-hum. I'll be trying it with dfferent combinations of bullets and loads in my 06 as well as the 308 and my 348. No point in letting it go to waste!

Anyway, good luck, be safe and have fun. Post your results for the rest of us.

Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2005, 02:32:06 PM »
Thanks 660!!!!!!!

Jeff
With proper care and maintenance the human body will last a lifetime! :)