Cartridges that get the most out of handloading

[Rick M.]

You could neck down Lapua 30-06 cases if you wanted better brass. Not sure it’s great, but nosler makes 25-06 brass. That should be a step up from Winchester, fed, rem or federal. I agree 110% that barrels are not twisted correctly for the high bc bullets. But when the 1:10 basically became standardized I’d guess bullet selection was so limited it was never thought to have a faster twist. After deer season I plan on playing with my 25-06 and developing a load for it, but I’m pushing 100nbt over 3450 in a 25-06 with rl22. Load was developed for a different rifle but it’s working in this rifle. Planning on using 110 eldx.

Would the 25-06 be a good candidate for the light, copper bullets such as Barnes LRX or Hammer?

 

[Newtosavage]

Without considering the improvements via component bullets, cartridges that have lower-than-normal SAAMI max pressures benefit from reloading the most.

.30-06, .280 Rem., .257 Roberts come to mind. The '06, for example, is underloaded due to all of the old military rifles out there, but in a modern action it will handle 65K PSI just like anything else. You can push 165 grain bullets to the mid 2900's and 180's to about 2825 or so.

The .243 and 7mm Rem can be pushed a little bit too.

Was gonna say .280, 7x50 and 6.5x55 were the first three to come to mind because of the anemic load data to protect older actions and semi-autos.

 

[Newtosavage]

Would the 25-06 be a good candidate for the light, copper bullets such as Barnes LRX or Hammer?

I would think that would be an ideal cartridge for light monos.

 

[Rick M.]

I would think that would be an ideal cartridge for light monos.

I wish Tikka made a factory 25-06.

 

[83cj-7]

A lot of cartridges can benefit from hand loading especially if you have a gunsmith chamber a barrel for a specific bullet to optimize powder capacity. The way I see it, modern powders have really changed the game. Reloder 26 comes to mind for many cartridges that I have loaded for. You can get some really amazing speed and accuracy out of “ordinary” cartridges using a safe charge of 26.

The one that really stands out for me is .221 fireball and CFE BLK. I am getting 3500 with a 40 grain bullet and 20 grains of powder and 3250 with a 50 grain and 18 grains of powder. That’s a good 400-500fps faster than any factory ammo or next best powder.

 

[Rick M.]

you have a gunsmith chamber a barrel for a specific bullet to optimize powder capacity

Do you mean a specific weight and bullet? For example having a 280 AI chambered specifically for a 162g ELD-X?

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Would the 25-06 be a good candidate for the light, copper bullets such as Barnes LRX or Hammer?

Probably so, you can push them pretty hard.

 

[83cj-7]

Yes, when I have a rifle built I always send a dummy round with the bullet I intend to use. I seat the bullet so that it maximizes use of the magazine space as well as cartridge capacity.

 

[83cj-7]

For example

 

[Rick M.]

@83cj-7 Thanks so much for describing the process and showing some pics. I'm new'ish to handloading. Super helpful.

 

[SIR_34:16]

6.5x55 has been mentioned several times already, but I'll add 8x57 and 300 Savage to the list. There are so many older rifles floating around that the ammo manufacturers intentionally download these rounds. If you have a MODERN rifle that can handle the pressures, these three can be improved significantly by reloading. European ammo for the 6.5x55 and 8x57 is way better than domestic.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I had a deer load worked up for the 25/06 + 85 ttsx, but never had a chance to try it. I think it was probably fast enough to be devastating.

 

[HighUintas]

I wish Tikka made a factory 25-06.

They do

 

[Pharmseller]

I wish Tikka made a stainless T3x in .280 Rem, 24” barrel, available in the U.S.

Loaded hot it’s a 7mm Rem Mag, loaded down it’s a Mighty-08.




P

 

[The_Yetti]

I'd add the 7x57 to the list as well. Most factory loads have rifles like the Mauser 93 in mind and keep velocities low. Handloading also allows for use of more modern bullets.

 

[Rick M.]

They do

Did they discontinue it? I just checked the rifle selector on their site today and didn't see it as an offering.

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

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[Rick M.]

I wish Tikka made a stainless T3x in .280 Rem, 24” barrel, available in the U.S.

Loaded hot it’s a 7mm Rem Mag, loaded down it’s a Mighty-08.




P

I have a 7mm-08 already but really want to build a 280 AI.

 

[Pharmseller]

I have a 7mm-08 already but really want to build a 280 AI.

What do you get from a 280 AI that you don’t get from a 7 Rem Mag? And don’t say a non-belted case, I ain’t buying.

 

[Rick M.]

What do you get from a 280 AI that you don’t get from a 7 Rem Mag? And don’t say a non-belted case, I ain’t buying.

Less powder. It's in a recoil sweet spot, IMO. Also, admittedly, I think the cartridge has sex appeal.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

What do you get from a 280 AI that you don’t get from a 7 Rem Mag? And don’t say a non-belted case, I ain’t buying.

The recoil, and not having a belt is better than having a belt