FWIW, I recently picked up a lb of RL-16 and am getting a clean 3000fps with 131gr hammer hunters over 47.1gr of powder.
The difference between the RL-16 and the H4350 (which also shoots great) in how sharp it punches you in the shoulder is quite dramatic actually. Granted, my rifle is 8lbs...
Heh, yeah.
Honest shooters understand that they're the primary variable when it comes to accuracy.
It's also fun to tinker with rifles, and that's OK. I wish more folks could admit to themselves that they're simply enjoying a hobby rather than actually doing much to change their probability...
Sorry to be pedantic, but FWIW there is no universal conversion factor between G1 and G7. You can get close by converting based on caliber, bullet weight, and muzzle velocity, but I still wouldn't use that converted BC to calculate drop. It does give you a very rough estimate on how two...
Nice. FYI - it did not show up for me when I selected smokeless powders and filtered by availability. It does, however, show as available when I directly searched for "H4350" at 0850 PST
Thanks for the head's up. I imagine that's not going to last very long...
On a serious note, reloading is all about precision. And I for one was surprised how hilariously imprecise some "reloading" tools are -- particularly digital scales.
You can learn how precise your ammo is by shooting enough rounds to get a statistically meaningful sample, (hint: this is A LOT...
I actually found a box of Superformance GMX ammo recently and threw a few rounds downrange into a 3/4" circle.
Naw.
Boring.
That was too easy. Time to go spend 6x that $$ trying to match the performance with my handloads.
Just get out there and do it buddy.
I've been solo backpacking since high school, I'm a member of a rescue team accredited by the Mountain Rescue Association, I've taken two elk solo, and I'm a WA State Master Hunter.
I still get twitchy and nervous every time the sun goes down. Every dang...
I've been super happy with my Savage Lightweight Hunter in 7mm-08. Easy enough to throw an aftermarket stock on there if you don't like the tupperware. I think about doing that every now and then, but as yet haven't found an option I like to actually make me pull the proverbial trigger.
Yeah CBTO = base to ogive length.
The Frankford Arsenal universal die was actually the cheapest seating die I could find that gave me micrometer adjustment and came with VLD stems. (Obviously, there are others on the market, but I couldn't find them in my price point when I was shopping for...
Yes there is typically a line around the bullets, especially noticeable on the hammers.
I will try lapping the stem and see if that eliminates the need for the lube. Thanks!
I only took two animals before moving to non-lead ammo, but both of them were with the ELD-X. One mule deer buck and one spike elk; no complaints on bullet performance either time.
As can be expected from any modern hunting bullet from a reputable manufacturer, it's more than good enough to...
The seating stem seems to fit properly and does not contact the tip of the bullet.
My good friend who is an aerospace engineer and amateur machinist recommended I try adding a touch of case lube to the bullet before seating, to keep it from binding on the stem.
I loaded a few dummy rounds...
Hey folks,
I am new to reloading, and I'm trying to figure out why I'm getting very inconsistent CBTO measurements (+/- 0.010 in some cases) when seating bullets. I'm working on three loads right now:
Hunting load option #1: 150gr Nosler E-tip over H4350
Hunting load option #2: 131gr Hammer...
Beautiful. Looks a bit like Mt Baker but I can't quite place the spot. If you're in WA, pm me. I'm on the mountain rescue team that covers Mt Adams, and it would be fun to connect with a fellow mountaineer-hunter.
On topic, I love my Outdoor Research Foray pants. Hard to beat goretex + OR's...
I mean Steiny isn't wrong :).
+1 for getting gear on your back and hiking up and down hills. There is no workout substitute for hiking on rough terrain.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough that you DO NOT need gear that's branded for hunting in order to go hunting, ESPECIALLY for a first-time hunt. And for the love of all that's holy, you don't need to wear modern camo. "Hunting" brands are masterful at marketing, but don't fall into their trap...
Compared to two months ago, there's a whole lot more powder and projectiles on the shelf at my local spot these days. Brass is still nonexistent and primers are still hit-or-miss, but you can find them if you have a couple of weeks of flexibility.
I found Hornady Whitetail 7mm-08 ammo on the...
Idk why that's so funny to me, but it is.
I replaced my RCBS seating die with a FA universal, which comes from the factory with VLD-type seating stems. I was going to get a VLD stem from RCBS, but couldn't find them anywhere and I like the FA universal die a whole lot.
Good luck on the...