Thread: Handloads

Did not kill a thing all season long in TN. I did, however start hand loading rifle and pistol ammo in August. Joined a club in TN that is covered up in pigs. Put a night vision scope on one of the AR's. Got my ex-boss in the club. He used my gun, my sight and my hand loaded bullets to kill this 150lb sow last night. Told him the gun and the sight were free and welcome for him to use anytime (keep in in a safe at the club). I told him today, however, that the custom bullets used to kill his pig were $100 a piece . Took a couple young church boys out for juvenile hunt this evening. Older boy, first time ever hunting, Killed a doe....again with my "quality" hand loads at 250 yards with a 243. Told him the bullet was "on the house".

Good for you . You have given some boys an adventure they will not forget !
Must be some on the target reloads and gives a sense of satisfaction knowing they were yours .

My own grand kids are 3 years and 8 months old. I bought 2 243 rifles last fall for THEM. Did not figure they would mind if I let some other boys use them till they get old enough! Thanks to Haywire for the tip on the CVA Hunter at Academy!!!

Watching kids get addicted to hunting is one of the most rewarding things in the world. One of my grand nephews from out of state has come of age this year and is coming hunting this weekend. I've been sending him regular reports and photos from this season and his dad says he's literally frothing at the mouth to get started. The weather looks like it'll be decent and I have a couple of spots to take him that will alter his life's path from here on out---I may have to adopt him.

I, also, enjoy handloading to find the most accurate combination for my rifles. Seems like I shoot a lot better when I'm confident that the rifle will do exactly what it's supposed to do. No guesswork if I miss---it ain't the arrow, it's the Injun.

Glad that CVA is working right. I put a Timney trigger in my Ruger American compact 7mm-08 and it shoots so good I may start selling off my other rifles.

Cool stuff. Remind me not to order bullets from you!

Yep, confidence in your gun is probably 80% plus of the game. The other is good shooting technique and knowing your rifles limitations.

Haywire, I shoot a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55, very close ballistically to the 7mm-08. If I were gonna start deer hunting a bunch again, 7mm-08 would be my first choice: superior ballistics, great knock down power and light recoil. Big recoil is not for me, never has been! I already sold my .270, didn't want to shoot it anymore.
I also have a Savage bolt action 30-30, haven't had a chance to shoot it with them yet, but from what I have read on shooting forums, with the "new" Hornady Lever-Revolution rounds, its easily a 200 yard gun with light recoil.

That Swede is a fine cartridge. I had one once, but could never find a cartridge that was accurate in it---back before I started handloading. It did a great job on game when I could hit in the right place. Used to think I needed a big boomer to kill game, but got over that several years back. Dead is dead.

I've had mine since 1995, I've always shot Winchester Super X or Federal Premiums 140grain out of it. With the original military open sites and a good rest, back when I shot a lot, I hit a Coke can every time at 100 yards. Not sure I am that good anymore!

243 is great for the young ones. Found a recipe for reduced recoil loads using H-4895. Very little recoil and accurate and deadly out to 150 yds. Haywire, wait till mid-May to start your gun sell off. I'll be down! That 7mm-08 is great.

Found out today he killed 2 pigs!!! I guess I can be like Haywire giving out fishing rigs...The first one is free but after that they get expensive!

I'd be trading shells for hams!