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not to give them ideas but Iam surprised they don't label it elicit and cut us off for components. the strange thing we have been able to secure some components and loaded ammo at our chain stores that many of my family and friends in Montana and Idaho still can't get.
next question when you get a minute the rifle I am having built was a Ruger 22" .270 WSM I am concerned about the magazine restricting the overall cartridge length to allow me to shoot heavier low drag bullets, I am planning on a 26" 7.5 to 8 twist rate to allow that but started thinking about how deep I can seat those long bullets? I lined up a 6.5 ELD-X 147 next to a .270WSM brass it would need to be seated deep to clear the mag. Any thoughts ? Thanks
My first 6.5 WSM (6.5-300 WSM) reamer was set up for 120 Barnes "Blue Bullets" seated to the top of the shoulder. It would fit and move through a Model 70 3.2 inch OAL magazine designed for WSM cartridges. As the VLD bullets, became available, two reamers later, I think a standard 3.330 (300 Win Mag length, both designed to fit the 1950s Model 70) would be entirely appropriate for the WSM cased magnums. One of my reamers now is for "standard magnum length" magazines.
As other's have said if hunting in California you'll need to shoot lead free bullets. I believe Tikka 7mm RM barrel twist rate is 1-9.5" so you'll have to stick with bullets with that suggest twist rate range. I started out with a progressive press but a single stage would serve you well, if not better. No worries though if you get a single stage press you can always use the progressive for brass prep. A digital scale isn't too expensive but a good beam scale for grains is fine. I have both digital and beam. Search garage sales for extra gear and get on So Cal firearms forums for extra gear. I'd go to the local used bool stores, there was a larger one in Glendale or Burbank and look for used load manauls. They are a good surce for reloading instruction. Get on youtube and look up RCBS reloading videos to start. I'd keep an eye out for pig hunting in California. But it's been over 20 years since I hunted down there at Tejon Ranch so I don't know what the cost or opportunity is like now. Have fun!!!
Funny I still have a few of those Barnes smurf bullets around. I am limited to 2.86 with short action mag and have studied Winchester factory 300 WSM/190 grain accubond just to get cross reference an idea and talked to them getting their thoughts on the overall and seating of the 300 ammo they sell and it does comply and fit in a short action case stating 2.845 , I am hoping to go as heavy the 147 ELD-X Match bullets and hunt with 130's,140's It's just foreign to me seating a bullet that deep into the case and volume of powder concerns too.. hope I am going in the right direction.
I would like to call to your attention. The marksmanship instructor for sniper schools, across all services, is a member of our club range. He shoots a lot of 6.5 Bullets. He told me that the Berger 6.5 156gr "Hunting" is the most accurate bullet he has ever shot and holds most of his personal bests. I have seen him shoot these bullets into a single hole on the benches I shoot off at 540 yards.
