Curious about handloading

[luisjj3]

Is there anyone else out here who’s into handloading? I’ve come to the conclusion that factory ammo just can’t match the extreme precision you get from handloading.

 

[Fjold]

I handload for all my serious guns for hunting and matches, as I can always beat factory performance in accuracy and specific bullet performance matched to the game and conditions. About the only hunting guns that I don't reload for are the AR15s in 223 for deer hunting, (I do reload varmint ammo for them) two daughters use them and they've had good luck with the 64 grain Winchester deer load, and I just started reloading the 350 Legend because it's only been hunted with once and shoots the 170 grain Hornady load well. I have some test loads built but it's been too cold to try them out.

I usually buy a couple of boxes of factory ammo for a new gun ina common chambering to break it in and get some brass for reloading. Although some of my guns are 20+ years old and have never shot a factory load.

Rifles that I'm currently reloading for:
223, 22.250AI, 243, 6mm ARC, 260, 6.5x284, 270, 7x57, 7MM Mag, 30-40 Krag, 308, 375 H&H, 45.70 and 458 Win Mag. Some of these I reload different loads for multiple rifles or very specific loads for different uses. Such as, deer/antelope loads for the 243's using heavier bullets and light bullet, high velocity loads for varmints. Wifezilla's 6mm ARC like different bullets than my 6mm ARC so I have multiple deer and varmint loads in that chambering for medium game and varmints for the different guns

Pistols: I reload 40 S&W, 44 Mag and 45 ACP

 

[Blobbie1]

 Getting everything set up to that level takes some serious dedication. I only reload for a couple of different calibers myself and even that already feels like a pretty big project. So, a lot of respect for keeping all of that organized.

 

[wwg55]

You are on the right track as far as accuracy. With enough testing you can usually find a factory that will shoot satisfactory groups, but there is nothing like "Rolling your own" for accuracy and performance on game. I load for 17 Hornet, 17 Fireball, 204 Ruger, 22 Hornet. 222 Rem, 222 Rem Mag, 223, 22-250, 6BR, 6 PPC, 243, 25-06, 257 Roberts, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5PRC, 6.5 Rem Mag, 270 Win, 270 WSM, 6.8 Western, 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm WSM, 7mm PRC, 7mm WBY Mag, 30 BR, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 300 WSM and 300 Win Mag. I probably left out a few and that is just the Rifle loads. It is not a cheap habit if you try to do it right but it is very satisfying.

 

[Alan]

You are on the right track as far as accuracy. With enough testing you can usually find a factory that will shoot satisfactory groups, but there is nothing like "Rolling your own" for accuracy and performance on game. I load for 17 Hornet, 17 Fireball, 204 Ruger, 22 Hornet. 222 Rem, 222 Rem Mag, 223, 22-250, 6BR, 6 PPC, 243, 25-06, 257 Roberts, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5PRC, 6.5 Rem Mag, 270 Win, 270 WSM, 6.8 Western, 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm WSM, 7mm PRC, 7mm WBY Mag, 30 BR, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 300 WSM and 300 Win Mag. I probably left out a few and that is just the Rifle loads. It is not a cheap habit if you try to do it right but it is very satisfying.

You casually listed half the industry’s cartridge catalog like it’s a weekend hobby project