Any Special Treatment for Hunting Loads?

[Full Curl]

I've just starting reloading here in the last year and am planning on hunting with my hand loads for the first time this fall. Is there anything I should do to my hand loads for mountain hunting conditions to protect them from moisture or ensure I don't have issues with anything? I'll be hunting in Alaska so wet weather will be a factor. Basically anything I should do for extra insurance now or when I'm on the side of a mountain? Thanks.

 

[Rick Richard]

I have never had to do anything different.

 

[86alaskan]

couple suggestions....
-If you can load good rounds with nickel plated brass, do it. I can vouch for the possibility of lots of moisture and nickel can prevent casing problems.
-If you load solid copper, tape the barrel to keep the bore and bullets dry. I've had a chambered round removed after only one day in central Alaska and the Barnes bullet was badly discolored from humidity and heat. If you're out for a few days that bullet could tarnish enough to cause issues.
-Maybe use a primer sealer. I haven't had ignition problems, but why chance it?
-Use premium bullets. I'm guessing this is an expensive hunt, so why not use a tried and true partition style bullet? No room for frills in the wilds of AK.

 

[Full Curl]

Thanks guys. I'm using an Accubond bullet. I don't think I can get Nickel plated brass but great suggestions. I will for sure have a couple pieces of electrical tape on the end of the barrel at all times. I've never used primer sealer... anything special to know there as to how to correctly apply it? I agree, I don't want to chance anything that I can prevent so the primer sealer sounds like a good idea. Expensive hunt yes, but one I've been waiting to go on for a long time and I want to control what I can because we all know there is plenty that cannot be controlled. Thanks!

 

[Dosh]

FC, the finger of a nitrile glove held with a rubber band worked better in wet weather. I tried tape, but the adhesive came loose a lot. Perhaps when you return check around action and under barrel for rust if it's chromoly. Good luck

 

[Michael Eichele]

I've been hunting up here for 19 years. Haven't had any trouble yet. And yes I get out often and it's often in the back country with lots of rain.

 

[thebutcher]

What I do is use water balloons. There are small and fit on the end of the barrel tight. No tape no residue no problems

 

[MagnumManiac]

In all seriousness, if you keep your ammo in a 20 round MTM ammo box on your belt, you will have zero problems. It would take a long exposure for water to get past either a bullet or primer, unless fully submerged.
Keep your ammo dry, you will have zero issues doing so.

Cheers.
gun)

 

[HARPERC]

.......I don't think I can get Nickel plated brass but great suggestions..........Thanks!

I'm not saying it's necessary, but what will you be shooting?

 

[Greyfox]

For my hunting hand loads I will test cycle all my cartridges beforehand. Also, while hunting and particularly if I shoot, I will check bullet tips of the rounds that were in the clip for any deformities, or setback due to recoil, or, just general handling or cycling. Do not carry cartridges loosely in your pocket. Use a cartridge holder of a style that keeps your cartridges clean, and the tips protected.
It is also a good idea to make sure that your hunting hand loads are loaded with a temperature insensitive powder if you are hunting in areas with material differences in temperature. IMO.

 

[Gene]

If extremely cold, consider using magnum primers.

 

[Full Curl]

Thanks for all the great information.

HARPERC - I'll be shooting a 7mm rem mag.

Greyfox - Great suggestions. How temperature sensitive is H1000 powder? Where can I find what powders are sensitive and what ones are not?

Has anybody ever had issues with seating depth (setback) in rounds loaded into the magazine due to recoil? I've never tested this and may be should load a full magazine before shooting and then measure the rounds after a couple shots.

Gene - I am using mag primers.

 

[Greyfox]

Thanks for all the great information.

Greyfox - Great suggestions. How temperature sensitive is H1000 powder? Where can I find what powders are sensitive and what ones are not?

Has anybody ever had issues with seating depth (setback) in rounds loaded into the magazine due to recoil?

My experience with H1000 as well as all the other Hodgfon rifle powders is that they are very consistent over a wide range of temperatures. They are currently formulated to be temperature stable.

I have had setback with magazine rounds with heavy recoiling rifles combined with too light a neck tension on the bullet. Another benefit of muzzle brakes. I will check my neck sizing for sufficient tension. Bushings .002" less then bullet diameter is usually sufficient.

 

[Full Curl]

Thanks Greyfox. Good to know about H1000. I don't use a bushing seater die, I just use a Forster Microseater and just typically do the old push the loaded case into a board by the bullet tip and see if it moves at all... not too scientific I know, but it has worked so far for me. Maybe I should make sure I hunting with cases that have only been loaded less than 3 times so I know the neck brass and tension is still good... thanks for the information.