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  1. wswolf

    What new Ruger would you like to see in a limited special run?

    77 African in 370 SAKO/9.3x66
  2. wswolf

    358 Norma

    .358 Norma loading data is quite conservative and scarce since it is not a SAAMI cartridge (I think) and not terribly popular. According to the Nosler Manual the .35 Whelen, with 250-gn bullet seated, has a case volume of 62.2 grains of water. The .358 Norma holds 78.0 gn of water, a 25.4%...
  3. wswolf

    New handloads for my 375 H&H

    Azklmsr, Quoting something I posted five years ago: "I had a Model 70 rechambered (to .375 Ackley) because I was intrigued by the high velocity listed in Ackley's Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders. Namely 300 grain bullets at 2740 fps. I reduced Ackley's load by 5% and blew a primer right out...
  4. wswolf

    358 Norma

    I have not found it necessary to to neck .300 Win Mag up to .338 first. Just use new or freshly annealed cases and lube the inside of the necks. I use a tapered expander and have had no problem necking .280 Rem cases up to .358 in one pass.
  5. wswolf

    358 Norma

    Mine is on a post-64 Model 70 with a 24" barrel with 12" twist. .338 Win Mag brass works fine - just size load and shoot. Cases will turn out a little short. .300 Win Mag brass also works but will need trimming. Follow the ancient advice and reduce the following powder charges by 5% to start and...
  6. wswolf

    Lubricant recommendation

    CorrosionX for general lubrication and corrosion protection. Montana Extreme Gun Grease for bolt lugs and pistol slide rails. Montana Extreme is supposedly good for temperatures down to -60 F. I treat bores with a patch soaked in CorrosionX followed by a dry patch. The first shot is always in...
  7. wswolf

    What did you reload today?

    Practice ammo for the 10mm Auto: 180 Hornady FMJ - 12.8 gn 2400. Next up some packin' in the woods ammo: 200 Swift - 9.4 gn N105
  8. wswolf

    416 Taylor load data for Barnes bullets

    Pet Loads by Ken Waters contains a 1974 article with data on 300 and 400-grain Colorado Custom bullets. 300-grain Colorado Custom Semi-Spitzer 72.0 gn IMR3031 - 2680 fps - most accurate load with high velocity 73.0 gn IMR4064 - 2569 fps 72,0 gn IMR4320 - 2521 fps - second most accurate load 75.0...
  9. wswolf

    Request for .275 Rigby/7mm Mauser Load Data

    Since the 7x57 and 7-08 are nearly identical in case capacity, I used Hodgdon 7-08 data to work up loads for my Model 70. Since throat dimensions, and therefore pressures, vary considerably with individual rifles I took advice from John Barsness: "... I tend to load to a certain velocity level...
  10. wswolf

    SAKO AV .375 a good rifle?

    I had an AV in .375 H&H. There are a couple of things to be aware of. First the stocks tend to split if they are not glass-bedded. The bottom corner of the recoil lug bears against the the center of a round crossbolt which makes for a very tenuous connection. When I lived in Alaska it was...
  11. wswolf

    Shoulder bump or neck size?

    I prefer partial resizing for all loads. That is: adjust the full-length resizing die so that the case chambers with very slight resistance. This way the cases have minimal room to stretch and the firing pin gets a solid whack at the primer.
  12. wswolf

    Why you don't trust others reloads!

    I once witnessed a friend shoot a recently acquired .270 Winchester with some handloads that came with it. The first shot sounded very odd and a lot of smoke came out of the action. The ammunition box was labeled .270 Winchester and all of the cases were head stamped the same. Upon further...
  13. wswolf

    Any .350 Rem Mag Fans?

    If you have some evidence that case shape affects burning rate I would very much like to see it. If I am proven to be wrong I will gladly change my opinion and thank you for setting me straight. Allow me to quote from The Big Book of Gun Gack (Barsness, 2015) page 309. "A few years ago my...
  14. wswolf

    Any .350 Rem Mag Fans?

    As I said in the second post on this thread, 8208 is my favorite powder for the .350 Rem Mag. Hodgdon data for the .35 Whelen is suitable since the Rem Mag and Whelen are nearly identical in case capacity.
  15. wswolf

    Any .350 Rem Mag Fans?

    I have Model 600 that is surprisingly accurate with 250 Noslers. Its favorite load is 54.5 gn of 8208. 58 gn of Varget is also excellent, followed by 54.5 gn 4166 and 53 gn of Benchmark. The Benchmark load produces excessive pressure at temperatures over 80F while the others have been just fine...
  16. wswolf

    165 or 180 grain bullet for 3006

    Either 180 or 165 Speer should work just fine. If preventing blood-shot meat is a concern I recommend 200 gn bullets. They are almost as flat-shooting as 180s when loaded with StaBall 6.5, Reloder 16 or 560.
  17. wswolf

    375h&h on elk

    No elk but I did get three mule deer with the .375 using 285 gn Speer Grand Slams. Hunting in rather thick timber, the farthest was about 35 yards. All died quickly and the remarkable thing, to me, was that there was no ruined meat. To quote an old cowboy named Elmer, "You could eat right up to...
  18. wswolf

    Does anyone reload 358 Norma Mag?

    Though the base to shoulder measurement of the .358 Norma is Nominally .045" greater and the base to top of shoulder is .022" greater, I have fired full-powered loads from necked up, and not fire-formed, Winchester .338 brass with perfect satisfaction. And then loaded and fired those cases...
  19. wswolf

    Does anyone reload 358 Norma Mag?

    Of the powders you mentioned H4831 is just too slow burning and high velocity could not be achieved. The IMR powders mentioned are on the fast side but 4064 would probably be OK with the lighter bullets. My rifle has a 24" Schilen barrel with a 1:12 twist and is very accurate with the following...
  20. wswolf

    300 H&H Bullet and Powder advice

    I tried necking .300 H&H cases up with a .35 cal tapered expander die. An application of case lube made the operation go smoothly. I then resized them with a .300 H&H die, gradually adjusting until they would just chamber easily. This seems to have solved the shoulder datum problem. I will try...
  21. wswolf

    300 H&H Bullet and Powder advice

    Thanks for the tip on the brass. I will try necking it up to .35 caliber and then resizing. Maybe that will reposition the datum line.
  22. wswolf

    300 H&H Bullet and Powder advice

    My #1 likes: 200 NP 66gn N560 or 74gn StaBall HD 180 TTSX with 69gn R23 or 70gn R26 My X-Bolt likes: 200 NP with 75gn Magnum, 65gn R23 or 68gn R26 180NP with 68gn R23, 69gn H4831 or 72gn R26 Have not been delighted with Hornady brass. Some cases had head separations on the first firing, some...
  23. wswolf

    Thoughts on 358 Norma Mag & ER Shaw Barrels

    My .358 Norma has a 24" Schilen barrel with a 1:12 twist. 225 TSX at 2920 with Varget or H4350. 250 Nosler at 2800 with H4350 or Big Game. 280 Swift at 2650 with H4350. 310 Woodleigh at 2500 With H4350. .338 Win cases work just fine without fireforming. I don't know about Shaw barrels but have...
  24. wswolf

    9.3x62 load

    I have been using Geco cases and Federal 210 primers. Velocity from my 22" barrel Ruger #1: 250 NAB 62.5 gn N140 or Varget - 2640 fps 286 Hornady 56.5 gn N140 - 2313 fps 286 Hornady 58.5 gn N540 - 2400 fps 286 Nosler 66 gn Big Game - 2480 fps The 286 Hornady loads were chosen for accuracy. I...
  25. wswolf

    9.3x62 load

    I like 250 Accubonds with 62.5 gn of N140 or Varget 286 Hornadys with 56.5 gn N140 or 58.5 gn N540 286 Noslers with 66 gn Big Game
  26. wswolf

    Price check for .416 Ruger brass?

    I was beginning to think that I was the only one with a .416 Howell. Had mine made up in 1983 and it got me a very nice cape buffalo with Hornady 410 gn solids and 760 powder. These days I use 400 Barnes Banded Solids with Varget or 350 TSX with AR-Comp. The above two loads go into the same group!
  27. wswolf

    300 H&H Improved

    I have doubts that the improved cartridges would feed reliably from the tapered H&H magazine. My favorite H&H loads consist of 180 TTSX with Reloder 26, Reloder 23 or H4350; 180 Hornady SP with H4350; 200 Partitions Reloder 23, Reloder 26 or Magnum. 215 primers.
  28. wswolf

    7x57m handloads

    Nevada Mike, I think we are on pretty much the same page. I do not advocate using published 7-08 powder charges. My claim is that if one works up to 7-08 velocity, assuming the same powder and adjusting for barrel length, the pressure will be very similar. I got the idea from John Barsness' Big...
  29. wswolf

    7x57m handloads

    According to the latest Speer manual one can expect velocity to decrease of about 20 fps per inch of barrel less than 24 inches. The 7x57 has a maximum average pressure of 51,000 psi compared to 61,000 psi for the 7-08. The 7x57 has a slightly greater case capacity than the 7-08 Rem so 7-08...
  30. wswolf

    Solving Bullet Setback in .416 Rigby

    You might check your expander ball. It should have .003" smaller diameter than the bullet diameter. If necessary chuck it in a drill and reduce it's dimeter with emery cloth.
  31. wswolf

    CCI 200 and CCI 250 primers

    I agree with using magnum primers with powder charges above about 60 grains, especially in cold weather. Magnum primers often work better with spherical powders, even in relatively small cases like the .220 Swift. WLR seem to be the "hottest" of the standard primers.
  32. wswolf

    Rifle destroyed by wrong powder

    Many years ago, my father father finished loading a batch of .44 Magnum with 296. He then emptied his powder measure into a can of 760 that was also on his bench. I borrowed said can of 760 to try some loads in my M77 .220 Swift. The floor plate was blown off and wrecked, the stock split and...
  33. wswolf

    405 win & 45-90 Reloading data

    In my #1 300 gn Northfork, Hornady and Barnes X all worked well with Benchmark, TAC, Varget and 8208. Hodgdon has data. 400 gn Woodleigh (.411) were excellent with 8208 or Reloder 15. 400 gn Hornady (.410) scattered all over and hit the target sideways if at all. For a very light load I used...
  34. wswolf

    Endura and VV N165 powder discussion

    I didn't do a lot of experimenting with 4451 in the 30-06 because accuracy was not outstanding. Custom Springfield - 22" Douglas barrel. 190 Nosler Accubond Long Range - 54gn - 120 primer - WW cases - 2451 fps and 200 Nosler partition - 53gn - 210 primer - LC76 cases - 2520 fps gave reasonably...
  35. wswolf

    Endura and VV N165 powder discussion

    My 7x57 seems pretty fussy when it comes to powders. The 145 gn LRX is great with StaBall 6.5. 150 Nosler Ballistic Tips were god with 4451 and Reloder 26. Not so great with StaBall 6.5. I used Hodgdon 7-08 data and worked up to the listed velocity,. Since the two cartridges have virtually...
  36. wswolf

    Barnes bullet data

    From Barnes Reloading Manual Number 3: Case - Remington, Primer - 215, Barrel - 24" AA 2520 - 69.0 to 74.0 gn 2413 fps RL 15* - 73.0 to 78.0 gn 2489 fps H4895* - 69.0 to 74.0 gn 2405fps H380 - 76.0 to 81.0 gn 2392 fps IMR 4320 - 69.0 to 74.0 gn 2374 IMR 4064 - 69.0 to 74.0 gn 2410 fps *...
  37. wswolf

    Big Game in 9.3 questions

    With 250 Accubonds good groups were achieved with the following: 59 gn AR-Comp - 2560 fps 59 gn IMR4166 - 2620 fps 62.5 gn Varget - 2650 fps 62.5 gn N140 - 2640 fps All loads were good but N140 was outstanding. Ruger #1 22" barrel - 210 primers - Geco brass
  38. wswolf

    Big Game in 9.3 questions

    In the 9.3x66/370 SAKO I use 68 gn of Big Game and 215 primers behind a 286 Nosler for close to 2500 fps. Have had no measurable velocity increase at temps up to 90 F. In the 9.3x62 I use 66 gn and a 210 primer for 2485 fps (22" barrel) but have not tried it at high temps. Barsness reports that...
  39. wswolf

    370 Sako Mag (9.3x66)

    According to the Speer Manual #15 the 9.3x62 and cartridges of this approximate bore diameter lose about 20 fps for every inch less than 24 inches.
  40. wswolf

    Speer .375 cal. 285 grain Grand Slam

    As Firebird said there are at least two generations of Grand Slams. They are not bonded but use Speer's Hot Core process. The early generation had a core of hardened lead in the rear and softer lead in the front of the core. The latest version seem to be much like their now discontinued Mag-Tip...
  41. wswolf

    400 H&H with pistol bullets

    Found some reduced pistol bullet data for the 450/400 which should be pretty close. Below is the load data from Western on AA5744 Bullet weight: 210 grains. Low range load: 44.0 grains (ca 2100 Fps) Maximum load: 55.0 grains (ca 2580 Fps). Bullet weight: 225-230 grains. Low range load: 48.0...
  42. wswolf

    450/400 Nitro Reloading to replace Reloader 15 with powders, Hodgdon, Accurate Arms

    In my experience N140 is very close to Varget in burning rate.
  43. wswolf

    Low pressure powder choices updated

    Reloder 23 and Vit N555 (and all Vihtavuori powders for that matter) are designed to be temperature resistant. Many modern powders, by design, burn most consistently and provide their best accuracy at 60,000 to 65,000psi and might show poor accuracy at low pressure. Powders whose velocity...
  44. wswolf

    Reloader 17 & Varget Powder

    In my search for substitute powders for the 9.3x62 I found that Vihtavouri powders are working well. With 250 Accubonds N140 gave the same velocity as Varget with the same powder charge with better accuracy. With 286 Partitions N140, N150 and N540 were all good.
  45. wswolf

    4th shot a flyer

    In bolt-action rifles I have eliminated irritating and inexplicable fliers by free-floating the magazine box. It might be worth a try in your case.
  46. wswolf

    Barnes 150gr 7x57 load data

    I suggest 150 Nosler Partition or Accubond since they expand reliably at the velocity you desire. TTSX would probably be OK. In either case I would load to the overall cartridge length listed in the manual. Barnes #4 says N550 is he most likely powder. The page copied from the Nosler in your...
  47. wswolf

    Barnes 150gr 7x57 load data

    " Loads for many cartridges have been reduced not because of an excess of caution but because more accurate pressure testing equipment has become available. Some published loads were found to be excessive when more accurate measurements were made. My own approach to loading the 7x57, in a...
  48. wswolf

    Post 64 m70

    I have two. A Deluxe .225 Win of 1964 vintage and a 300 Win vintage of 1970, since converted to .358 Norma. Both are excellent rifles.
  49. wswolf

    300 H&H Accubond issues

    63 grains of IMR4350 is two grains less than the maximum load in the Nosler Manual. You might try increasing the powder charge slightly. Modern powders tend to burn more consistently at 60,000 to 65,000 psi. I have produced very accurate loads in my 300 H&H with several bullets and powders...
  50. wswolf

    Think I've finally found a hunting load for the .44 mag leveraction

    The best loads in my Ruger 96/44 lever action, for 240 grain jacketed or 250 grain cast bullets, used Hodgdon Lil' Gun powder. Velocity and accuracy were far better than with H110. The only primer tried was the Winchester WLP "Large Pistol for Standard or Magnum loads".
 
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