New to Reloading

Wille Takeit · #1 09-27-2010, 08:54 AM

Good Morning,

I am relatively new to reloading. I have helped my father reload but have never taken a stab at it by myself.
I would like to have your feedback on which type of powder, primers and leads you feel would be the best combos for big game hunting (deer, elk, moose, bear). I shoot the ol reliable 30-06 and i also have a 7mm WSM.
I am not a competition shooter nor do i measure velocities. Not to say that i won't in the future but i am really concerned with loading a good perfoming load that will have decent take down potential and accuracy (provided i'm not shakin like Lindsay Lohan in rehab).
I'd appreciate any comments you want to send my way.

Regards,
WT

bobinthesky · #2 09-27-2010, 06:24 PM

Practically any load you can think of in the 30-06 will take down game with little fuss. I'm not saying you can't do better because you most certainly can, but the 30-06 is a great place to start.
As always, the best advice to a new reloader is to buy a reloading data book and start reading, once your finished, then read it again!
Most of the reloading books give you step by step instruction on the process of reloading in great detail.

CR5 · #3 09-27-2010, 11:13 PM

Try a bunch of different bullets, powders, and primers till you find the combo that makes the best groups and has tollerable recoil and that's what you should use. Just make sure to use a quality bullet designed for hunting the game you are chasing. I like Hornady bullets because they have a wide range of choices and they are affordable. As for powder IMR4350 is always a good place to start for medium size cartridges, my 308 likes it.

Start light and make 5 rounds then increase the powder charge .3 grains then make 5 more and so on till you get close to max listed charge and then go to the range and try them out letting the gun cool between shots and document everything. When you find a load that makes good groups you can start adjusting the powder charge my smaller incriments and also play with seating depth. Just be patient and only change one thing at a time.
Great choice on going with a .30 cal, I don't think there is another cal out there with as many bullet choices.

Good luck