Reloading- Thinking 'Outside the Box'

[Bang4theBuck]

It occurred to me over the last week or so that I have quite a few loads developed that are definately not traditional-type loads. Some.of them were born out of the desire to reduce recoil for use by a smaller statured person, some were to extend the MPBR of a particular cartridge, or both!

I am having a ton of fun doing it and thought I would start a thread to for others to share their unique reloads, and what the reason was for developing them (goals, results, etc).

I wanted to also say that I have become pretty partial to solid copper bullets, mostly Hammers and Makers for these unique loads. I've gone this route primarily because of the wide range of weight and shape bullets available in every diameter, and the loading support that is offered both in website and e-mail support.

I'll start with one unique rifle / load that just amazes me with its effectiveness. Spoiler Alert.....it is very inexpensive, and scalable.

I follow WhoTeeWho on YouTube and he often tests inexpensive equipment that anyone with even minimal means could afford. I really liked the feature set that comes on the CVA Scout. It is a break-open single shot rifle with a great trigger, stainless barrel and a muzzlebrake. I really like it in 35 Whelen (didnt have one of those).
The rifle shoots really well, but still had more thump to it than I cared to sit behind for an extended range session with a typical 200 grain factory offering.
As soon as I had enough factory brass emptied to start developing a load, I picked up some 140 grain Stone Hammers by Hammer bullets. This rifle is pushing these little bullets at 3125 fps and grouping well under sub moa out to 500 yds with only 9.5 MOA of drop (check that against your avg 6.5 creedmoor) I am also shooting it suppressed. This rifle/load combo, gets a lot of funny looks at the range, until they hear me ringing steel at 500.....The rifle was $325.00!
Ill share more if the thread catches some interest.

 

[Greatgrandad]

After 6 decades of loading, casting, jacketed bullet swaging, sabot loading, various experimenting, etc, etc, I am not sure were to begin.

I have or currently make reduced loads in various rifle and pistol cartridges for reduced recoil, practice, small game or varmint with non-standard calibers/cartridges/powders, etc. Also load several heavy for caliber loads for LR/ELR shooting, along with making various varmint loads using light bullets with pistol powders. I.e 223's loaded with 40gr bullets and BlueDot to 3k fps.

I swage ultra light rifle bullets for very high velocities (5k+fps) for short range, zero ricochet varmint shooting around ranches and farms, or I make various special purpose bullets like home brew partitions, bonded cores, Glaser type pistol slugs, frangible, etc, etc.

I load various rifle and pistol sabot loads for high velocity or just to play with sub-caliber bullets in various cartridges. Especially using 40 or 357 cal bullets in 45 caliber cases I.e a 180 or 200gr 358 bullet in a 45-70 or 460S&W case, or the 125 or 158gr 357cal in a 45LC case. I've even loaded cotton, paper-patch wrapped 357 bullets for use in 44 Spec and magnums.

Then there are the various double and triple projectile defense handgun loads for calibers like 38sp, 357, 44sp, 44mag, 45LC. I make these by producing and loading very short, light wadcutters stacked within the case with a short, light RN bullet on top. Then there are the custom made, brass case pistol shotshell loads.

This is only a beginning of various specialty or non-standard loads I have or currently produce for rifles and handguns, and I haven't even mentioned the shotshell loads.

Here's just a taste of thinking outside the box:

 

[Bang4theBuck]

After 6 decades of loading, casting, jacketed bullet swaging, sabot loading, various experimenting, etc, etc, I am not sure were to begin.

I have or currently make reduced loads in various rifle and pistol cartridges for reduced recoil, practice, small game or varmint with non-standard calibers/cartridges/powders, etc. Also load several heavy for caliber loads for LR/ELR shooting, along with making various varmint loads using light bullets with pistol powders. I.e 223's loaded with 40gr bullets and BlueDot to 3k fps.

I swage ultra light rifle bullets for very high velocities (5k+fps) for short range, zero ricochet varmint shooting around ranches and farms, or I make various special purpose bullets like home brew partitions, bonded cores, Glaser type pistol slugs, frangible, etc, etc.

I load various rifle and pistol sabot loads for high velocity or just to play with sub-caliber bullets in various cartridges. Especially using 40 or 357 cal bullets in 45 caliber cases I.e a 180 or 200gr 358 bullet in a 45-70 or 460S&W case, or the 125 or 158gr 357cal in a 45LC case. I've even loaded cotton, paper-patch wrapped 357 bullets for use in 44 Spec and magnums.

Then there are the various double and triple projectile defense handgun loads for calibers like 38sp, 357, 44sp, 44mag, 45LC. I make these by producing and loading very short, light wadcutters stacked within the case with a short, light RN bullet on top. Then there are the custom made, brass case pistol shotshell loads.

This is only a beginning of various specialty or non-standard loads I have or currently produce for rifles and handguns, and I haven't even mentioned the shotshell loads.

All I can say is Wow! Most of my unique loads are still amateur compared to these!

 

[Greatgrandad]

Here's a 222 Rem loaded with a 17g hand swaged bullet over 24gr of Herc 2400 for 5,250fps. The bullet's core is made from compressing corn starch to form a solid and swaging the jacket to final .224" It is totally frangible upon impact. The other is a 44 mag loaded with a cotton paper patched .357" 125JHP @ 2,000 fps in my revolvers.

 

[memtb]

After 6 decades of loading, casting, jacketed bullet swaging, sabot loading, various experimenting, etc, etc, I am not sure were to begin.

I have or currently make reduced loads in various rifle and pistol cartridges for reduced recoil, practice, small game or varmint with non-standard calibers/cartridges/powders, etc. Also load several heavy for caliber loads for LR/ELR shooting, along with making various varmint loads using light bullets with pistol powders. I.e 223's loaded with 40gr bullets and BlueDot to 3k fps.

I swage ultra light rifle bullets for very high velocities (5k+fps) for short range, zero ricochet varmint shooting around ranches and farms, or I make various special purpose bullets like home brew partitions, bonded cores, Glaser type pistol slugs, frangible, etc, etc.

I load various rifle and pistol sabot loads for high velocity or just to play with sub-caliber bullets in various cartridges. Especially using 40 or 357 cal bullets in 45 caliber cases I.e a 180 or 200gr 358 bullet in a 45-70 or 460S&W case, or the 125 or 158gr 357cal in a 45LC case. I've even loaded cotton, paper-patch wrapped 357 bullets for use in 44 Spec and magnums.

Then there are the various double and triple projectile defense handgun loads for calibers like 38sp, 357, 44sp, 44mag, 45LC. I make these by producing and loading very short, light wadcutters stacked within the case with a short, light RN bullet on top. Then there are the custom made, brass case pistol shotshell loads.

This is only a beginning of various specialty or non-standard loads I have or currently produce for rifles and handguns, and I haven't even mentioned the shotshell loads.

Here's just a taste of thinking outside the box:

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Once again, we're on similar pages! Though, I must confess to have "never" used sabots!

You saved me some typing with your good post …..I couldn't have supplied the photos either. Ya done good! memtb

 

[Greatgrandad]

Once again, we're on similar pages! Though, I must confess to have "never" used sabots!

You saved me some typing with your good post …..I couldn't have supplied the photos either. Ya done good! memtb

Before cell phones, I loaded and made a lot of other crazy but interesting things I do not have photos of. Some things were too impractical beyond experimenting, but some were rather unique and effective and produced in some quantity.

 

[Sleds]

Here's a 222 Rem loaded with a 17g hand swaged bullet over 24gr of Herc 2400 for 5,250fps. The bullet's core is made from compressing corn starch to form a solid and swaging the jacket to final .224" It is totally frangible upon impact. The other is a 44 mag loaded with a cotton paper patched .357" 125JHP @ 2,000 fps in my revolvers.

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You, sir, are indeed the Greatgrandad of shooters.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

Tag - I'm in. This will be Fun.

 

[Greatgrandad]

Anyone ever squirrel or small game hunt with a 308, 30-06 or old 303 down loaded with a light 32ACP (.311-.312") pistol bullet? Pushing those light 32 cal bullets with a few grains of pistol powder turned the old deer hunting rifles into small game getters. But, check your local game regs before, for some areas frown on deer rifles in the woods/field during small game season.

 

[Muddyboots]

Dentist friend shot plastic wads he made from material he bought off McMasters Supply out of revolvers for sight picture practice. Some sort of teflon material and I am not certain but think he used primer only. He shot in his garage and really nobody knew wth he was doing. He was having fun! He long since retired to somewhere in AZ. Of course like the other 100K retired dentist there.

 

[Greatgrandad]

Dentist friend shot plastic wads he made from material he bought off McMasters Supply out of revolvers for sight picture practice. Some sort of teflon material and I am not certain but think he used primer only. He shot in his garage and really nobody knew wth he was doing. He was having fun! He long since retired to somewhere in AZ. Of course like the other 100K retired dentist there.

Yep. Speer made those old plastic practice bullets that were reloadable, but we mostly used wax cakes and pushed a deprimed 38 case through the warm, soft wax. Then we primed them for shooting. Sometimes, the primer would back out and drag the action, so one would have to drill the primer holes slightly larger to avoid this. Speer also made plastic cases for their practice bullets.

They still make them, but now, they are black instead of the old yellow. One could also use these and the wax bullets for close range pest control.

Buy Plastic Training Bullet, 38 Special | Speer

Shopping for the Plastic Training Bullet, 38 Special - Learn more about the latest Plastic Training Bullets and other hunting, shooting or reloading gear at Speer.

www.speer.com

 

[Muddyboots]

Yep. Speer made those old plastic practice bullets that were reloadable, but we mostly used wax cakes and pushed a deprimed 38 case through the warm, soft wax. Then we primed them for shooting. Sometimes, the primer would back out and drag the action, so one would have to drill the primer holes slightly larger to avoid this. Speer also made plastic cases for their practice bullets.

Buy Plastic Training Bullet, 38 Special | Speer

Shopping for the Plastic Training Bullet, 38 Special - Learn more about the latest Plastic Training Bullets and other hunting, shooting or reloading gear at Speer.

www.speer.com

He was buying something bulk rolls from McMaster Carr supply place he cut up to use. Prob copied the Speer idea for sure.

 

[Greatgrandad]

He was buying something bulk rolls from McMaster Carr supply place he cut up to use. Prob copied the Speer idea for sure.

Sounds like something I would have done.....Ha!

 

[Muddyboots]

Uh oh, my new Athlon ONLY goes to 5,000fps!