Reloading Beginner

[DirtySouth85]

Let me start by saying I've never reloaded anything. Be gentle.

I have 2 rifles that I will reload for, .243 and .300Win Mag Both Savages.

For the .243 I'd like to know what powder and primers should I start with? I'll be shooting a 87 grain vmax.

For the .300 I'd like to shoot a lighter bullet for whitetail only so maybe the 168 grain? But I want advice on what weight bullet, powder and primer. I will only be shooting berger bullets from this rifle.

.300wm has a McGowen barrel, rifle basix trigger and manners stock (if it ever gets here)

.243 is stock, but will soup it up as well.

And I have a Lee Single stage press. Just new to reloading.

Thanks....

 

[rscott5028]

Let me start by saying I've never reloaded anything. Be gentle.

I have 2 rifles that I will reload for, .243 and .300Win Mag Both Savages.

For the .243 I'd like to know what powder and primers should I start with? I'll be shooting a 87 grain vmax.

For the .300 I'd like to shoot a lighter bullet for whitetail only so maybe the 168 grain? But I want advice on what weight bullet, powder and primer. I will only be shooting berger bullets from this rifle.

.300wm has a McGowen barrel, rifle basix trigger and manners stock (if it ever gets here)

.243 is stock, but will soup it up as well.

And I have a Lee Single stage press. Just new to reloading.

Thanks....

What are the twist rates on each barrel?

That will dictate the maximum length/weight/BC bullet that you can likely run.

How far do you plan on shooting with either rifle for fun and/or hunting?

For the 243 with the 87gr VMAX, I would recommend
Lapua Brass
CCI BR2 Primers
H4831sc powder (start at 41.0gr, 3 shots each, and .5gr increments up to about 46gr watching for pressure signs as explained in your loading manual)

I like the 230gr Berger OTM in my 300WM. You'll need a 1:10" twist or faster.
I haven't used it on game. Some have reported good results. In any case, it's a high BC (long range) bullet that'll likely feed well from your magazine.
I'm using...
Win brass
Fed GM215M primers
RL22 powder (start at 63.0gr, 3 shots each, and .5gr increments up to about 67gr watching for pressure signs as explained in your loading manual)

I like to start with bullets about .010" off the lands.

Pick the best 2 groups from the above tests and load 10 rounds shooting 2x 5 shot groups.

Pick the best load and shoot 8x 3 shot groups with the seating depth varying .005" for each group.

There are lots of well documented methods. But, the main thing is that you don't want to change more than oine thing at a time.

-- richard

 

[RT2506]

For the 300 Win mag IMR 4350, 72.0 grs and the 165 gr Nosler ballistic tip or 165 gr Sierra HPBT (hunting bullet not the match king) has always been very accurate and deadly on deer.

 

[DirtySouth85]

Thanks RScott, I stopped by my uncles last night and he educated me on most everything.... But every little bit helps.

The first thing anyone needs to do before asking questions like I did, is buy a reloading book. It will answer most of your questions. lightbulb lightbulb

I didn't know that so I was asking silly open ended questions, but I really do appreciate the help.