Thread: Some Thoughts on Handloading.

Originally Posted by 30.06king

Agree with overall GPM. I think you correctly summarize how handloading has "progressed" since inception. I've been handloading roughly since the mid 80's and have seen probably most of what you describe. For sure, some development has veered off track but I would say the vast majority of "progress" has led to one improvement over another when you consider the selection and quality of powders, bullets, brass, knowledge and knowledge communications systems available today. I, for one, would much rather be where we now are, where handloading has come to, than where I started back in the dark ages.

Greetings @30.06king,
Fully agree in the level of kit, components and data available today. My concern is for the novice handloader starting out, one reason I bang on so much about having a mentor. Even us old dogs get bamboozled at times. I had a rather steep learning curve when loading for my 7mm SAUM about 20 years ago. Although not new to handloading I had mostly loaded the .308 and .223 both more or less trainer cartridges. Initially I loaded the 150 grain Remington Core Lokt ahead of AR2213SC and Win primers in rem cases. I worked up to book max expecting 2,990 fps but the chronograph only read 2,850 fps. Next AR2217 was tried with the max of 68 grains giving 2,985 fps compared to book max of 2,967 fps. My barrel was 26" compared to the 24" barrel in the Hodgdons data. I thought about these results for some time and the rifle entered an extended period of safe curing that has only recently ended. With a bit more knowledge I think the Rem projectile developed a lot less pressure than the Sirocco in the Hornady data. I found this recently in the 6.5-06 where the 129 grain Hornady and AR2213SC gave 100 fps less than the 129 grain Nosler LRAB with everything else the same. Why the AR2217 load did not suffer as well I do not know. I have moved on to the 162 AMax anyway.
Regards Grandpamac.