bullet question

[nbk]

Ok, only the second time posting for me and the first time didnt work out so well... my fault as there were way too many coors lights involved and I asked a stupid question. Now for a serious question, my hunting pard of 38 years died this year and left me all his reloading gear. He use to reload all our elk loads for us. I do not know anything about reloading yet but will study up on it and hopefully be reloading my own bullets for next year, but that doesn't help me this year.... I am down to 5 bullets left. I am hoping someone on here can tell me what kind of bullet would be close to what he reloaded for us as far as velocity, knock down power and such. I think I put the pic of the box on here but not sure if I did it right. So the bullets he reloaded were 180gr grand Slams in a 300 win mag with 70 grains of 4350 powder, what would compare to that? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[elkaholic123]

I would say since your down to 5 left and even if you had someone to reload them,you would still need to go to range and make sure gun is still on,so just go purchase a box of 180gr grand slams or Nosler accubonds and go shoot it,may need a little adj. Or if you were close to someone who would offer to reload them....even better    Where are you located? Also welcome to the forum.  Jerry

[Maligator]

I would say since your down to 5 left and even if you had someone to reload them,you would still need to go to range and make sure gun is still on,so just go purchase a box of 180gr grand slams or Nosler accubonds and go shoot it,may need a little adj.

 

Welcome to the forum.

[Curly]

I'd go with 180 gr Grand Slam and 70 gr 4350.  I shot my first bull with 180 gr Grand Slam and H4831 powder....

Grand Slams are good bullets and priced right.  Why switch?  

(Sorry, I didn't read it close enough the first time.) 
I now see that you don't want to reload until next year.  You could go with ammo loaded with 180gr Nosler Partitian, Nosler Accubond, Swift A-frame, Hornady Interlock or Hornady Interbond.  Should be lots of choices available out there.  (I don't like Winchester Power Points or Rem Core-lokt, but others do.........)

[Curly]

Also, is it H4350 or IMR4350?

[Maligator]

Also, is it H4350 or IMR4350?

Very good point Curly...They may seem similar but may have a vast disparity in performance in your weapon. The devil is in the details. Some people even go so far as to specify which primers were used since the "cup hardness" can make a difference in firing performance.

If you inherited all his reloading supplies the powder type might still be in the stuff unless he used it all up 

[nbk]

  Yes I always fire off a couple of shots to be sure I am still on after the offseason. I was not aware I could buy these bullets over the counter. Do most gun shops carry them?

[Maligator]

Yup...check out the link...


http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=102


You can find Speer Bullets almost anywhere, online, LGS or sporting goods chains.

[nbk]

Maligator, thanks for the info I already have bullets, powder, cases, primers, etc... its all there, just dont know jack about reloading yet. I am looking for a factory bullet, just for this season, in case I need more than the 5 shells I have left.
Curly, I agree with you about the corelokts, my son shot his first elk in the front shoulder with them last year out of a 300 winmag and we literally found pieces of that bullet in the backstraps, hind quarter, and neck meat... it exploded into several of pieces

Thanks for all the info guys

[nbk]

I will look tonight when I get home and see which kind of powder it is. Thanks again

[Curly]

You could order a box from Cheaper than Dirt.  They have a box loaded with 180 gr Grand Slams.  Link

[elkaholic123]

The factory loads will not hit the same spot as reloads so you need to sight in for one or the other,and at further ranges it will be off even more so 

[elkaholic123]

If you have everything for reloading maybe someone could pay you a visit and show you how.....actually fairly easy once everything is set.If he always used the same bullet the die is probably set,just need to get press mounted on a bench......    Jerry

[headshot5]

Yeah you should post a location so we can get an idea where you are at.  Westside? Eastside?

[nbk]

Headshot i am actually from your hometown. I need to get the press mounted sometime but really busy at work right now. Plus me and the wife have different ideas which room in the house I will be doing all my reloading in

[h20hunter]

Wives can be so silly.....I don't think I'd consider that as a hunting load this year. My two cents is if you have the time grab a box of shells off the shelf, good brands already mentioned, make sure the gun shoots them to an acceptable level and get to hunting. Leave the reloading until next season. Only having five shells with an unknown history could leave you hanging when it is time to hunt.