Cartridges that get the most out of handloading

[Rick M.]

You should get way more than 3k with a 143

Most definitely. I believe Steve stated he was getting 3126 fps with the 143g hammer hunter and 3387 fps with the 140g absolute hammer - both from a 22" barrel. That's smoking. Being able to push the speeds to those levels in a shorter barrel with the AI make the magnum 7s unnecessary to me.

 

[JGRaider]

Can't get hyper velocity without increasing pressures. Can't have one without the other.

 

[left hunter]

6.5x55 and 7x57 Mauser in a modern action

 

[Lawnboi]

If you can’t get good brass it’s useless to me as a hand loading cartridge.

If I can’t get Lapua, alpha or Peterson brass for it I’m not getting a chamber in it.

 

[bluetick78]

Add in the 40 degree shoulder of an Ackley Improved ..........and the brass life is incredibly long. IMHO

I've never owned a 280 AI, but for a non-magnum bolt face and non-belted casing it's impressive in its factory form. I kinda skipped from the 280 Rem over everything to the 28 Nosler. Not efficient, short barrel and brass life, and abusive recoil un-braked or un-supressed. Seems like overkill, but I love it.

 

[eoperator]

I've never understood ridiculous statements like "sex appeal" when referring to cartridges, or "it has no soul" when referring to rifles/guns.

Someone needs to try getting 3100 fps with a 160gr bullet in that 280AI.

Got me there, my 280ai 162eldm only gets 2950fps (20" barrel ).

 

[Lawnboi]

Ain’t no shoulder angle that’s going to get you past the performance of that shitty Hornady brass!

 

[Rick M.]

Peterson and Nosler both make 280AI and 280 brass (fire forming). Norma also makes 280 brass. Finding them in stock is another matter these days.

 

[JGRaider]

Nosler is Norma brass, or at least it used to be.

 

[Saintsfan1977]

308 gets alot

 

[Slugz]

Peterson and Nosler both make 280AI and 280 brass (fire forming). Norma also makes 280 brass. Finding them in stock is another matter these days.

Not as hard as you think.
Set up alerts on the sites.
As soon as the email pops go get it.

Other options are custom handloaders like Unknown Munitions.

 

[Rick M.]

Not as hard as you think.
Set up alerts on the sites.
As soon as the email pops go get it.

Other options are custom handloaders like Unknown Munitions.

Thanks Slugz. I’m setup with Grafs notifications.

 

[Lawnboi]

Peterson and Nosler both make 280AI and 280 brass (fire forming). Norma also makes 280 brass. Finding them in stock is another matter these days.

Skip the norma and Nosler. It’s junk too.

 

[kevlar88]

I'll agree with everyone saying the 280 Rem. I load mine to 62-63k psi instead of the 59k'ish that is SAMMI spec. With a healthy dose of RL26 it'll move a 150 eld-x @ 3160fps. The best I could do with a 162 eld-x was 3080fps (not 3100 but close) but settled on an accurate load @ 3040fps. This is out of a 26" barrel with both bullets seated a good bit longer then SAMMI spec as well.

 

[35WhelenAI]

For the love of the 35's. The 35 Whelen doesn't make 2500 fps with any 250 gr factory load, or more than 2700 fps with 225 gr factory loads.

Speer data with newer powders has 250's over 2700 fps and Sierra has 225's over 2900 fps. Use those minimum loads as a reference and work up with your favorite bullet.

A 200 gr. .358 TTSX with Power Pro Varmint can best the Hornady 200 gr Superformance load in velocity and beats most other factory 200 gr loads by 200-300 fps.

 

[Muley Buck]

Skip the norma and Nosler. It’s junk too.

Curious, what did you not like about the norma brass?

 

[Vern400]

I've read that some cartridges benefit more than others when it comes to handloading, and that others are already near their potential in factory ammunition offerings. I'm interested in learning more about this. What cartridges seem to get the most out of handloading and why?

270 is one. Since 1925 powders have improved. With a slow burning powder it's able to punch a 140/150 gr bullet over 3000 fps. And it's able to stay supersonic past 1000 yds at safe pressures. That's impressive from a non magnum long action. The trajectory and drift is very close to a 6.5 CM but with a good bit more energy. Just not that same silky recoil...

 

[DRUSS]

3k should be close to obtainable, but I’d guess it could be done with rl22.

I'm not sure what this statemet is? I get 2900-3080 with 168gr bullets?
24" Benchmark
1-9t
H4831SC
RL-26
Rl-23

 

[Pickettpuncher]

I'm not sure what this statemet is? I get 2900-3080 with 168gr bullets?
24" Benchmark
1-9t
H4831SC
RL-26
Rl-23

What’s questionable about it? Follow the previous statements

 

[Rick M.]

Do you people think that the PRC cartridges are already near their performance threshold in factory ammo, or can the 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, and 7 PRC be pushed a bit more with handloading?