New reloader saying thanks

[Lazerbeans]

I have recently started reloading. I spent about a month researching the various aspects of starting loading, and this site was one of the biggest sources for me during that research. So I just wanted to stop in and say thanks for giving good advice and being good enough to impart your hard earned experience to others. I loaded for my Remington .30-06, with 45.5 grains of IMR 4064 behind a 180 grain Hornady SST. This along with measuring my chamber and setting back .062” shrank my groups by at least 200%. I would post pictures of the groups, but they are embarrassing, and make it obvious that I am not as good of a marksman as my rifle, and reloads; yet. But the first three shots were well under an inch, and towards the end I shot a group of five into four holes. So thanks guys for the imparting of knowledge.

 

[rfwobbly]

Congrats. Great to hear of your success !!

But, without a bag full of unmarked bills we couldn't possibly accept your gratitude. Couple of beers at a minimum.

 

[brow_tines]

Just wondering if you could tell a difference in recoil from factory loads and your handloads? If so how much ?

 

[LiveLife]

Just wondering if you could tell a difference in recoil from factory loads and your handloads? If so how much ?

But you SURE can tell on your shot groups. I tried various factory loads with my .308 and my shot groups shrank significantly with my reloads.

 

[Lazerbeans]

There was a definite reduction of recoil. But I was shooting 45.5 grains various the full blown recommendation of 48.7. Between the reduced recoil and better groups, I was smiling ear to ear. While the recoil doesn’t really bother me, I do appreciate the gentler push.

In the case of my rifle I think the biggest reason for the shrinkage of my groups was the ability to make the cartage custom length. I measured some Federal 180’s and they measured 3.180. My chamber is around 3.422. So I aimed set the bullets at 3.350 and got 3.353. Based on this, and simply truly enjoying the process, I will never buy factory ammo again.

 

[788Ham]

Lazer,

Welcome to THR! Glad you listened to others and tried their suggestions/ideas. There are some very intelligent folks on this forum, in the short while I've been here, my level of knowledge has risen a lot. Glad you got your rifle to shrink in group size, most folks struggle a long time and never accomplish that fete! Again, welcome.......... yeah, a few cold beers does sound pretty good.

 

[Lazerbeans]

I wish I could buy the beers. Being in downtown Wichita, there isn't really too many people that know guns, reloading, and hunting. I would buy the beers to say thanks and sit back listen to a few stories.

 

[LiveLife]

sit back listen to a few stories.

You mean stories like these? http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=616376

 

[Lazerbeans]

Those would do, gotta respect a man that can freely laugh at himself with others.

 

[Hondo 60]

Just wondering if you could tell a difference in recoil from factory loads and your handloads? If so how much ?

That depends!
Do you want less felt recoil?

If yes, you can certainly tailor your ammo as such.

 

[jfh]

These kind of thanks are nice to hear, even if they are coming from just a longgunshooter. Check in again when you master handgun reloads....

(that's a joke.)

Jim H.

 

[Lazerbeans]

It might be awhile, I am not scared of a big boom, and I like the potential to hit some past 100yrds with a little regularity. Whatda think I am trying out for Top Shot? I have no use for a pistol YET.