What did you do in the reloading room today?

[Zombie Steve]

Just out of curiosity, what made you decide on the .338-06 vs a .35 Whelen? I know I will eventually do a swap barrel on my Savage .30-06, but haven't decided which of the bigger bullets to go with. The smaller caliber seems easier to choose for the barrel swap, .260 Rem barrel will do just about anything with the right bullet selection.

Better bullet selection with the .338, and it's just gaining steam in popularity. Has an edge in BC too, but I'd be lying if I thought it was that important in a 200-300 yard hunting rifle. Reality is I have a lot of respect for a fella from another forum that recommended it after dumping a bunch of African plains game with the cartridge. 35 Whelen never really came into the mix. I was either necking up to .338 or down to 7mm (280 Rem). I'm pretty darn happy with the way I went... I'm shooting 225 grain bullets as fast as I was shooting 180's from the '06 with an almost identical trajectory (full disclosure - 24" barrel now vs. 22" before). No real change in powder volume either.

As you know, the difference between the .338-06 and 35 Whelen is pretty negligible. There's factory brass to be had, but if you're reforming .30-06 keep in mind necking up to .338 makes for some short brass. Going up to .35 is going to be even shorter. Again, not a huge deal, but very easy to see once you start.

[Zombie Steve]

Thanks. It was a random thing, this close finishing up the 158 XTP ladder test rounds. . Next thing you know AMERC Having dealt with their loaded 223 in the past was bad enough. Finding a spent case (in 1 pc) almost had me setting the s/single stage up.

Every once in a while I'll find one of those turds in my .45's. The fact that I have to sort out commie small primer brass these days allows me to catch them and put them in the scrap can. I really don't even like them rubbing against the commie brass. At least I can use that once and leave it on the ground.

[cstone]

Better bullet selection with the .338, and it's just gaining steam in popularity. Has an edge in BC too, but I'd be lying if I thought it was that important in a 200-300 yard hunting rifle. Reality is I have a lot of respect for a fella from another forum that recommended it after dumping a bunch of African plains game with the cartridge. 35 Whelen never really came into the mix. I was either necking up to .338 or down to 7mm (280 Rem). I'm pretty darn happy with the way I went... I'm shooting 225 grain bullets as fast as I was shooting 180's from the '06 with an almost identical trajectory (full disclosure - 24" barrel now vs. 22" before). No real change in powder volume either.

As you know, the difference between the .338-06 and 35 Whelen is pretty negligible. There's factory brass to be had, but if you're reforming .30-06 keep in mind necking up to .338 makes for some short brass. Going up to .35 is going to be even shorter. Again, not a huge deal, but very easy to see once you start.

Good information. Thanks!

[sellersm]

Been working on some tests of 148gr DEWC (bullets from MBC) in .38 special. Will do .357 mag with same bullet next... Using Bullseye powder. Then will do some with the Falcon bullets 148gr button-nosed DEWC.

[balyon885]

Just finished about 200 Hornady 150 fmjbt 300 blk.

[sellersm]

Loaded a few of the Bayou Bullets Hi-Tek coated 138gr BNWC wadcutters for my revos. These are sweet shooters! No smoke, no mess, no lube, just pretty colored coated lead bullets! Me likey... They shot well also! About 2.9gr of Bullseye, mixed cases and CCI primers. Time to load up a ton of these.

[cstone]

Just finished about 200 Hornady 150 fmjbt 300 blk.

Which powder did you use? Charge weight? Barrel length you plan on shooting them out of?

It would be nice to use the same bullets as I use in .30-06

[roberth]

Beta tested the Kazoomatic spent primer unit. A brief moment of clarity shows why the 650 shines as a pistol caliber press. I might move the 550 oer a bench and fill that spot with another 650. If i can dump an upper, or optic, to cover it.

Kewl, I'll be wanting to see that.

[balyon885]

Which powder did you use? Charge weight? Barrel length you plan on shooting them out of?

It would be nice to use the same bullets as I use in .30-06

I use imr4227, and load around 16.5. I'm currently running a 16 inch barrel. I plan to build a pistol upper soon but with the same carbine gas set up it shouldn't be an issue. I haven't used a chrono yet, so not sure where I am sitting fps but haven't had any issues.

[Great-Kazoo]

Kewl, I'll be wanting to see that.

works just fine. Have to view in person. I don't do utube vids'.