mwarizona
Active Member
I'm in North Scottsdale @1wildcatfan
Hand Loading Help Please
- Thread starter mwarizona
- Start date
mwarizona
Active Member
I am just curious if you have any gun clubs in your area? If you can find a mentor to help walk you through reloading it would give you a great edge over just watching a YT video. Not that there is anything wrong with YT if you get the right video. But…there are some scary videos out there too!! I do suggest searching this forum, see if you can locate threads on loading or developing "ladder loads". Have you done any reloading at all? There are so many variations to consider with load development. We read questions on the forum regularly. If you are just starting out, buy three or four "good" loading manuals from reputable companies and read the front pages of the manuals, don't just look at the pictures!! Become familiar with the various bullets that are available for your particular cartridge. Get to know the various load information from all the loading manuals that are particular to your cartridge.
I haven't hand loaded at all. I've been studying this Little Crow videos but there is just so much. I've called Ben Avery, Cowtown, Scottsdale Gun club. NRA doesn't have courses either right now. Can't find anyone to help. I stuff can be a little confusing for sure. Load development is the most challenging to understand.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Pump up the posts so we can PM...
mwarizona
Active Member
Thank you. Would be willing to pay someone for guidance with load development. Just want to be safe and not ruin my gun.
mwarizona
Active Member
Better than the Reading Mag?
mwarizona
Active Member
Thank you everyone for the help. Now I'm even second guessing which bullet to use. Seems like the ELD-X is a decent fit but a lot of people are pushing monolithic bullets and discouraging the ELDX. Not sure how I feel using copper/mono 609-900 yards on an Elk/mule deer. I understand exit wound but impact damage I figured would be best with ELD-X. Hunters opinions for best bullet for me to start with hand loading 7PRC for those ranges for hunting? I know some are fussy compared to others and may be harder for a newbie like me to develop. Obviously this is a complicated question but I feel like if I'm going to start hand loading I have to decide on this at least.
Good point. Indeed, you need to decide on the bullet first - especially considering what you can expect from it, and how you want to deploy it:
- monolithics are great for keeping integrity, hard on bones, thus ensuring exit wounds (easier tracking), their down side is the need for a minimal speed to open up the "petals", which dicreases the optimal max range. Otherwise, they may "pencil through". They are also more rigid than lead core, meaning more harsh to the barrel inside, more copper deposit.
- lead core have better ballistics, keep energy further, so they are better for longer distances (above 600). Depending on their construction, they don't necessarily need an exit wound, discharging all energy (or almost all, if they exit, at shorter ranges) inside the animal. That translates in less or no need for tracking, with good shot placement. Down side: they contain lead ("known to the state of California to cause..." yada, yada - I don't care that much, ingested lead is not that dangerous compared to inhaled lead fumes, for example).
There is no "silver bullet" - pun intended. Main point: one must understand each bullet's strengths and weaknesses, and use it wisely. Good shot placement is always key.
I used copper, but now only use lead (my preference).
ELDX is a very good choice, nothing wrong with it, some even prefer ELDM. I prefer Berger EOL 195, Berger EH 175 or ELDX 175, talking about 7 PRC. None of the above are too fussy to develop a load for.
Berger VLD is a bit more fussy, but once figured out, they are extremely accurate. Bonded bullets are ok, many prefer them for their good terminal performance, but they tend to have less accuracy at longer distances.
This is just a 30,000 ft view, there is a lot more to this...
memtb
Well-Known Member
Mono's are great…..but, you must keep your impact velocity well above their listed "minimum" expansion. I'd suggest at least 200 fps. It's just good insurance to have a little fps at impact! memtb
memtb
Well-Known Member
I beg to disagree with this. Perhaps this was true once upon a time. The Original Barnes X gave problems at their introduction….35 years ago. But, that was quickly addressed…..they're not the same bullet that I started shooting in 1992.
Some of the initial fouling problems were the bullet…..but, the barrel condition was also a major contributor.
My initial use of them in '92 showed no more fouling than typical cup and core…..but, I was using a "match grade" barrel. I started polishing the bore of several rifles, one being my wife's, which greatly helped fouling reduction and accuracy.
That was yesteryear……no longer an issue! memtb
you meant 2000
memtb
Well-Known Member
Maybe I didn't make my intentions clear…..I meant 200 fps above minimum expansion minimum listed by the manufacturer!
Example: my LRX is listed @1600 fps…..I wouldn't dare go below 1800 fps at impact! 1800 fps, still puts me well beyond my self-imposed range limit!
Often my writing skills are lacking! memtb
Example: my LRX is listed @1600 fps…..I wouldn't dare go below 1800 fps at impact! 1800 fps, still puts me well beyond my self-imposed range limit!
Often my writing skills are lacking! memtb
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My bad, I didn't read careful enough, now I get it
crow gunworks talks to much
I use 180 Berger Hybrids in my 7PRC. It has been very accurate, effective, and carries energy and terminal ballistics right out to the ranges you described.
