Curious About What is Being Loaded at the Present

[6mm Remington]

Steve,

Howard,

It is dangerous buying a laminate stock. It means you'll shortly have a "spare" stock lying around, and that will mean that you must begin building another rifle. Oh, it is a dangerous venture on your part. However, it is delightful.

Do you guys see how this RADD (Rifle Addction Deficit Disorder) disease can start from something as simple as this. Who would think that by just having a spare stock that the disease would gain a foothold and never let go. Oh be careful!

 

[DrMike]

My name is Mike, and I have RADD! I bought a Featherweight stock, and I could not be satisfied with a nice piece of wood. That is not nearly so bad as buy brass and having to build a rifle for the brass, or finding a powder that I had never used and needing to build a rifle that could utilize the powder. This dreadful disease has consumed hours of my time, infecting numerous other poor, unsuspecting souls who wondered into my reloading room just to glance around. Before they knew it, they were hooked. It all seemed so innocent! First, it was buying a box of bullets. Then, it was smuggling home a keg of powder. Before you knew it, I needed a new safe and a separate powder room. Beware! Beware! Flee, before you are infected!

 

[Jerry 919]

JD,

I got the new Nosler 48 Trophy Grade in .280 AI about a month ago. Put a VX III 4.5-14X40 on top. Been working with 140 grain E-Tip and have worked hard on finding the right powder. Tried many. Finally came down to a shoot-off between H4831SC and Rl-19. RL-19 won with 61.0 grains, five shots measured .567" Had three in the same hole with the other two about half an inch away. Velocity 3025 FPS. Any faster and the groups opened up. COAL is really critical with the E-Tip. They like a lot of jump and I mean a lot. Best is between 3.18 and 3.20" Still tinkering. I will know more in the morning.

As an aside I would just like to take a moment and thank you and many others on this forum for their kind and meaningful words concerning the passing of John A. Nosler. He was a wonderful person and everytime he walked into the shop I found myself grinning. He would say "Hi" then go down the hall to get his mail and then visit many. He will be profoundly missed.

Jerry 919
Bend, Oregon

 

[DrMike]

Jerry,

That is some fine shooting you are reporting. That is good information that substantiates what others are reporting with the E-Tip needing a good jump. I know that many others will be watching to see what your results are from your next shoot.

 

[6mm Remington]

JD,

I got the new Nosler 48 Trophy Grade in .280 AI about a month ago. Put a VX III 4.5-14X40 on top. Been working with 140 grain E-Tip and have worked hard on finding the right powder. Tried many. Finally came down to a shoot-off between H4831SC and Rl-19. RL-19 won with 61.0 grains, five shots measured .567" Had three in the same hole with the other two about half an inch away. Velocity 3025 FPS. Any faster and the groups opened up. COAL is really critical with the E-Tip. They like a lot of jump and I mean a lot. Best is between 3.18 and 3.20" Still tinkering. I will know more in the morning.

As an aside I would just like to take a moment and thank you and many others on this forum for their kind and meaningful words concerning the passing of John A. Nosler. He was a wonderful person and everytime he walked into the shop I found myself grinning. He would say "Hi" then go down the hall to get his mail and then visit many. He will be profoundly missed.

Jerry 919
Bend, Oregon

Great job on that wonderful Nosler rifle. I think that E-Tip is going to be great for everything!!! I have to admit that as badly as I have the RADD disease, every time I look at them in your on-line site of hear about another one of you guys writing and talking about one I start foaming at them mouth!

Also, nice words for what I can only assume was a wonderful guy, and this is coming from someone who only read some of his writings, what others have written about him, his Nosler bullets, and the way he ran his company and treated the employees/cross that out- family! :!: I know that it has been only a very short time since Johns passing, but whenI heard about it, I immediately got to thinking about something. I've been trying to wait for an opportunity to slip this in without appearing to be insensitive to either his family or the employee's of this great company. I think I saw my chance and I do hope with all my heart that no-one thinks I am calous and insensitive for suggesting something like this so soon after his passing. I just think it would be something really really special.

I think it was around 1948 if I remember when John had a moose hunt in the north country (Alaska?) and used a300 H&H magnum. The bullets that he used the year before could not hold up to the velocity that the grand old 300 H&H pushed them to, and weren't up to the task of getting through the big muscles, hide, and bones of one very large animal. He had to shoot his moose numerous times to finally kill it. That is how we got the fantastic Nosler Partition, and the company has never looked back. Fast forward quite a few years and Nosler decides to start making their own Rifle and come up with one that I personally would love to have, and they call it the Model 48 in honor of John himself and the year he started making his bullets.
Okay, I'm just throwing this out here, but you guys build a Model 48 and increase the length of the action so that it would be a magnum length action that would handle the300 H&H Cartridge? I have a pretty good feeling that you guys can do something like that. Okay you guys are seeing right through me now, and I am thinking that maybe in Johns honor and memory, start building either the M48 or the Nosler custom as an option in 300 H&H magnum and load cartridges for it using the 180 GRAIN NOSLER Partition. I think it would be neat as well to maybe have something stamped on the side of the reciever, or something to commemorate and honor John. Nothing guady or overdone as I somehow just don't think that is how he would want it. The first year make a special run with a limited number that have some type of special serial number on it. I am not quite sure on what those very special first few should be, but how about starting the numbers on the limited edition ones begining with Johns first year of life. I profusely apologize, but I would put the year of his birth listed here, but I don't remember the year and if I try and go back, I will loose what I have written so far. Say it is 1915, that is the first serial number on the first 300 H&H JOHN NOSLER special. The next one would be 1916 and so on, and that would continue with each progressive year until his sad departure in 2010. After that special run, then just continue to serial number them as you probably normally would, and the rest of the 300 H&H's would also not have the special engraving on the side. I just think that would be something, really something :!: :!: Maybe a 26" barrel as well for this one?

Now you have this rifle with a long action magazine. Chamber it also for a few of the big boomers since they will now work in your wonderful rifle, and because there are a few of these RADD addicted folks who really like them.Just a thought to keep some of them happy, how about the 300 RUM, the 338 RUM,the375 RUM, the375 H&H, the 375 Ruger, 416 Rigby, and more. Just a thought. If that is just too much, how about those 95 or so special models and 500 of your regular standard version and leaving it at that? There would be some lucky folks out there!!

I think about this project, and I think okay how incredible would it be for his son, his grandsons, (grandgirls included as well) and great grandsons to have one of the special 300 H&H's saved for Johns immediate family and maybe one or two for very special lifelong friends. Just as an example as I don't know years so cut me some slack here, but 1940 for his son, 1960 for his grandson, and so-on. Once those rifles are built that have the stamp of the family members year of birth on it, that model would be set asisde and given to that particular family person, and would not be sold to one of us. Again my blessings to the family and I hope I have not offended anyone. Thank you.

 

[Jerry 919]

6mm remington

It is 755AM here and I am sure that your post has already been read and has people talking. I am off today so I can't witness any buzz created. I really like the idea and think it will generate profound discussion.

Thanks for your post. I have to run. Slept in and I am late for the Range. Only shot four days last week. I must do better.

Jerry 919
Bend, Oregon

 

[hardpan]

Hi Mike,
Not much new. My brother bought a 7mm win mag, so I will start on that. But for now, just working on loads for the various Bees that I own from .257, 7mm and .300.
hardpan

 

[SJB358]

Great idea 6mm! That H&H would be a sweet rifle and probably be the base for alot of other great rounds too. Nothing like a 300 mag and 180gr PT's. Scotty

 

[CAhunter]

Need to finish working out my 243AI load. Its about 7/8" but I know I can get better. Havent even changed OAL yet. Also need to wrap up 30-378 w 200gr accubonds. Hoping to start sighting in my muzzleloader this weekend but quail season might get in the way!

 

[balew6254]

Hello Everyone
New to the forum, but have been using Noslers for many years. Great idea for a 300 H&H Nosler rifle. I'll start saving for it now, I've always wanted a rifle in that classic caliber.

I'm currently loading for 375 H&H, 30-06, 308 and 257 Roberts in anticipation of future hunting seasons. I used 168 BT's with 44 gr RL-15 for my antelope hunt 3 weeks ago and was successful with that load on a doe at about 225 yards. Haven't received my 180 gr, .308 Accubonds yet, but will try loads for my 30-06 and 308. Will test .375, 260 gr Accubonds for my Ruger #1 and Sako next week.

This is a great forum, thanks for sharing information from the knowledgeable shooters here.

Bruce

 

[DrMike]

balew6254,

Welcome to the forum' it's great to have you on board. You've got all of North America and most of the remainder of the world covered with the rifles you are loading for.

CAhunter,

That 243AI will be one wicked load when you perfect it. It isn't bad now!

hardpan,

The 7mm win mag??? Did you mean the WSM or the RM? I do love those 7mm cartridges. You have some excellent cartridges represented by your Weatherbys.

I start loading for a 338 Lapua and a 300 Weatherby this week in addition to the others I'm finishing off. Soon, I will get back to my own rifles.

 

[balew6254]

DrMike,
Thanks for the welcome, I also load for 223, and will be working with some new powders (for me), TAC and Varget for varmint loads next spring. Also will be working on loads for my garands.

This forum is a fantastic additional reloading information source for me.

Thanks to all who have contributed so far.
Bruce

 

[roysclockgun]

Dr. Mike wrote: "Steve, Those are some classic rounds you're working on.
Howard"

Yes, the "classic" and boring rounds are some of my favorites. Of course, over the years, I have gotten drawn in to hand loading "designer" cartridges too! Some were, for me, losers. I never could get much, in the way of performance, out of the 8mm-06 AI that I owned. Then later, I was lured into buying a Browning A-Bolt, Stainless Stalker in 300RUM, which was the most finicky round that I ever loaded. Finally I found that to keep the 300RUM accurate, I could not get the MV much higher with 180gr. bullets, than I did with 30-06, so that one went down the road.
For a fast, flat shooting bullet that would kill deer and pronghorn at longer ranges, I used the 270Win, but found that the 7mmRM is superior in all ways.
Steven

 

[DrMike]

Steve,

Part of the mystique of hand loading is the challenge of different cartridges. Each new rifle means an exploration to find "the" load, even though it may be a cartridge we have loaded for many times before. There are so many variables to effect what should be well-established to keep the whole process interesting. Consequently, there is a reason why the classics are classic. A 7mm RM, 30-06, 270, etc. simply do what they were designed to do and do it well. They are each good rifles for a first time shooter/hunter, and they are not bad for those closing out their careers.

 

[Songdog]

For a fast, flat shooting bullet that would kill deer and pronghorn at longer ranges, I used the 270Win, but found that the 7mmRM is superior in all ways.
Steven

Ahhhhhhh... wiser words were never spoken! Always cracks me up when guys try to argue that the .270 and 7mm Rem are kissin' cousins. When the .270 grows-up... it wants to be a 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[roysclockgun]

Dr. Mike wrote: "Part of the mystique of hand loading is the challenge of different cartridges. Each new rifle means an exploration to find "the" load, even though it may be a cartridge we have loaded for many times before."

I cannot say it any better than did Dr. Mike. I began hand loading in the 1960s. What I am still learning, is that with better bonded bullets, the old "classic" cartridges are now practically as "New and Improved". The old 7x57mm Mauser round, for instance: Load it up to near max, pushing Nosler Partition bullet, and one will achieve much greater penetration down range than could have ever been expected from that round, using the older bullets that came apart upon tearing through bone and tissue.
While many focus on Short Mags, Long Mags and Super Mags, they may miss the grand performance that they can now wring out of the older, classic cartridges. The goals for hand loading today, have been much expanded, when compared to the hand loading of forty years ago.
Add to that the sporting aspect that comes from shooting game that are standing in the same county from which the shot was made. I will not criticize those who go for half mile shots on game that have no way of knowing that they have any sort of predator causing a threat to them. However, there is a certain amount of heart pounding excitement created, when one spots game and then, needs to perform a stealthy stalk, in order to get within 300 or 400 yards, or less!
Steven

 

[DrMike]

There is a certain amount of heart pounding excitement created, when one spots game and then, needs to perform a stealthy stalk, in order to get within 300 or 400 yards, or less!

One of the reasons I enjoy hunting bears so much is that most of my shots have been close enough that I could have used a handgun with open sights (quite a feat for my aged eyes) or a recurve bow. My favourite rifle for this is still my Model 94 chambered in .356 Winchester.

 

[Murphdog]

Hey Dr. Mike

Here is what is active on my RCBS Charge Master 1500.

.223 Rem for a Armalite AR 15- Win cases, 60 grain NBTs, Fed 205m primers, RL 15 25.5 grains. A very good AR load, takes out coyotes with a lot of authority
.223 Rem for a Savage Model 10-Win cases, 69 grain Nosler Custom Comp., Fed 205m primers, Rl 15 24.5 grains. I orginally bought the 69 grain bullets for the AR but had better luck with the 60 grains BT. I keep the young man who is working on becoming my son-in-law (my daughter is picky but so far so good) in golpher bullets. His Savage shoots them very well.
.223 WSSM for a Winchester Model 70 Coyote- Win cases, 55 grain Sierra Blitz Kings,Fed 210 primers, 41.5 grains RL 15. This is a good load for accuracy even at very long ranges but very hard on coyote pelts. I need to work up a more pelt friendly load, I am thinking very strongly about the 60 grain partitions but if .224 cal AB showed up I would jump on it.

.243 Win for a Winchester Model 70 Featherwieght-My Prairie rife, Win cases, 100 grain NP, Fed 210 primers, 45.5 grains of IMR 7828. This load is death on even super sized mule deer. It is easy on pelts if I don't hit a shoulder blade. Will break both shoulders and exit mature mule deer at 300 yards consistantly and do so without ruining a barrel full of meat. I also load a 55 grain NBT, with 44 grains of RL 15, great if you are not saving pelts. Explodes skunks

7mm 08 for a Winchester Model 70 Compact and Featherweight, Rem cases, 140 grain AB, Fed 210 primers, 48 grains Rl 19. The compact is my wife's rifle and she kills deer with it like there is no tomarrow. Have not gotten her a shot at an elk yet but I have no doubt that when I do I will be doing some draggin.

280 Rem for a Ruger Model 77 my dads rifle (he turn 85 in July) Rem case, 150 grain NP, Fed 210 primers, 58.5 grains IMR 7828. Kills deer with a lot of authority; I love the 280 rem.

30-06 for a Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather, Win cases, 180 grain NP, Fed 210 primers, 60 grains, Rl 22. My meat in the freezer round I have killed the bulk of my elk with this load. Will break both shoulders on a 5 point bull at 75 yards. I also load a 165 grain NBT, with 62 grains of RL 22, long range accuracy is excellant, I have never had a 30-06 not like this load

 

[DrMike]

Terry,

There are some great cartridges keyed into your ChargeMaster. If the young suitor pursuing your daughter likes to shoot, there is potential. If you are providing him with cartridges, then all the better. Some bonding beforehand is not a bad thing. I'm with you on loving the .280. It is a favourite for sure. Mine shoots 139/140 grain bullets especially well. I think I'll keep it!

 

[6mm Remington]

The .280 Remington is awesome!! Do I hear a yes :!:

The 30-06 is in a class of its own as well. How do you like the Model 70 Extreme Weather SS? My son has decided that for his big rifle, he wants one of those in 300 WSM.