Ammoseek for non-handloaders

[Rare Breed]

Interesting analogy; I have no desire to reload, I shoot factory ammo in practice and custom reloads for hunting, and smoke cigars.

To take it a step or two further:

I use Ammoseek, and have found some good deals on OnlineHuntingAuctions.com.

My Heyms like Hornady, which I shoot for practice and to reclaim the brass. I use Safari Arms for hunting.

It's a mixed bag with my Hill Country Rifles, CCI, Lapua, Federal, Choice, and Hornady all produce good results.

A couple months ago I entered a 1000 yd competition at a local range - my first time. I used my Hill Country 300 PRC, shooting Hornady TAP 225 grn ammo. The targets were 36" round, 24" rectangle, 18" silhouette, 10" disc, and 5" disc. I placed second by 1 point. All the other shooters were using their own reloads, I was the only one with factory ammo - which led to an interesting discussion.

I have an AM-180 22LR, and a Thompson - Ammoseek and Cheaper-Than-Dirt have proven to be a reliable source for bulk ammo for both.

Without incurring the the wrath of reloaders (hopefully), please enlighten me; is it cost, accuracy, rarity, personal satisfaction, all of those, or something else which motivates someone to reload?

I am not opposed to reloading, in fact, the more I learn about it the more interesting it becomes, and I admire those who do. But, I have to agree with @rookhawk, @deewayne2003, and @Dirtdart, with respect to me - I am satisfied with the results of the factory ammo I shoot, Safari Arms supplies any hunting caliber I need, I don't think I have the patience or personnality to sit there pressing out ammo one at a time, and I sure-as-hell don't need a bunch of gun powder laying around.

As to the pipe vs cigar reference - while I favor hand-rolled cigars, I have no desire or need to roll my own.

For my big bores I can always reload for far less cost than factory ammo. If you don’t shoot every month that much pay the higher cost. I have my own farm and shoot a lot so it adds up. I do agree it helps to like knowing to the grain what you are shooting…I love losing myself for an hour or two reloading, just me but respect those who see that as torture

 

[Franco]

For my big bores I can always reload for far less cost than factory ammo. If you don’t shoot every month that much pay the higher cost. I have my own farm and shoot a lot so it adds up. I do agree it helps to like knowing to the grain what you are shooting…I love losing myself for an hour or two reloading, just me but respect those who see that as torture

@Rare Breed, I always appreciate your comments, and quite often learn something.

I can certainly see why you and others would want to reload.

As you know, the world of big game hunting happened late in my life, and I've focused on perfecting my aim. To be honest, I have never taken the time to compute the per round cost of any ammo I shoot vs what the cost would be to reload.

It is unlikely I shoot as much as you, but I do shoot on a regular basis. So far, I have been able to purchase every caliber in sufficient quantities, and I've built up a good reserve.

Who knows, the more I shoot and the more I practice - I may decide I need to give reloading a try.

 

[1972RedNeck]

I sometimes find myself shooting so that I can reload. I shoot a lot and thoroughly enjoy it, but sometimes I like reloading even more.

It's a win win for me.

 

[Dirtdart]

@Datchew, @deewayne2003, @Dirtdart, thank you all for taking time to not only respond - but to enlighten me rather than criticize my thoughts.

I can certainly see the attraction, and understand the satisfaction one might get from doing something yourself - either because you can or because you have to.

While I did my share of shooting when I was young, I did only the occasional bird hunt until age 65.

Since then I have attended both Safari and Long-range Precision courses at FTW Ranch, and made 4 trips to Africa. My understanding of the technical aspects of bullet trajectory, flight path, etc is growing; but to be honest, my focus has been on proper technique for hitting what I'm aiming at.

The instructors at FTW found which ammo worked best for my Heyms and developed Range Cards. My Hill Country rifles came with specific ammo noted, and Range Cards were developed at FTW.
The Hill Country 300 PRC involved a Kestrel and a ballistics program on my IPhone. We zeroed at 100 yds, selected ammo from a dropdown menu on the IPhone which bluetoothed to the Kestrel, and the next thing I knew, I was taking aim at a target 1400 yds down range. "Dial for elevation, hold for wind", reduce reticle movement, control breathing, and squeeze. I heard the word, "Impact" and I was hooked. Over the next few days we worked out to 2200 yds. That's 6,600 feet, 1.25 miles, HOLY CRAP. The program at FTW is amazing and the instructors are fantastic; both my wife and son have attended. In four days, they had my wife shooting her 224 Valkyrie 1000 yds, and my son shooting my 7 PRC 1400 yds.

I understand the relationship between rifle, ammo, and shooter, and can see where fine tuning ammo to achieve the smallest group possible would factor in. So far, John at Safari Arms has been able to provide that quality ammo.

That 1000 yd competition was fun, I will definitely enter again. Next time I'll shoot Choice ammo in place of the Hornady TAP.

For now, I'm rather limited - ankle surgery has me in a cast for another 3 weeks with a walking boot to follow for an additional 4. I can drive my RTV to my barn where I have a shooting range. I have a trap, 8' X 8' X 8' constructed of 1/4" armor plate, with the back 1/3 doubled - so it's 1/2" armor plate. My shooting "lane" is 18' wide by 42' deep enclosed, there's an additional 20' of covered awning, and the potential for 150 yds if I use the driveway.

There's a shooting bench inside, and a Bog Pod affixed to my RTV to make use of the driveway. I have been experimenting with ammo and distances with my 22 Voodoo, to build a Range card and get a better mental picture of the ballistic curve.

Here's some pictures:

The trap
View attachment 721976

The bench
View attachment 721977

The damn cast
View attachment 721978

22 Voodoo, Lapua Ammo - 5 shots at 50 yds, the 3 holes to the left were to determine elevation

View attachment 721979

The RTV with Bog Pod and 22 Voodoo
View attachment 721980

This is keeping me entertained for now, and there's a cigar lounge in the main part of the shop.

I wish you a speedy recovery with that ankle!
You are a far more accomplished rifleman than I am and judging from those results I wouldn't change a thing!

 

[Firebird]

Load my own, and don’t smoke anything except meat.

Load or buy is very personal and subjective. The biggest reason I load my own is the satisfaction, just like tying flies for fishing.
I’m sure if I save any money I just shoot those savings!

I shop around for lowest prices and compare them zealously. Another source to follow is Shooters Pro Shop, where I buy a large amount of loaded ammo and components.

 

[Franco]

I wish you a speedy recovery with that ankle!
You are a far more accomplished rifleman than I am and judging from those results I wouldn't change a thing!

Thank you, unfortunately the recovery will be (is) slow and boring. Being able to get into my RTV and drive around the ranch does offer some diversion. I did manage to go fishing in our pond yesterday without too much difficulty. It was primarily to test the process in preparation for the trout planting next month. There's a few details I need to work on.

All I can say is, the folks at FTW deserve all the credit; I just try to replicate what they taught me and practice, practice, practice.

 

[Datchew]

@Franco I've never taken a long range shooting course but your description has increased my itch to do so.

I love that you got a camo cast. Hope it heals quickly.

 

[Franco]

@Franco I've never taken a long range shooting course but your description has increased my itch to do so.

I love that you got a camo cast. Hope it heals quickly.

You are not that far from FTW, you should go.

My biggest take-away from going through their training was confidence. They will take you to your limit, be it your rifle, your ammo, or you - you will come away with an understanding of what you can or can't do.

I was surprised camo was an option, but - this is Texas. The tech said it was the most popular choice for men.

 

[Datchew]

That pic is awesome

 

[Franco]

That pic is awesome

I believe it shows I am following the rules: Foot is elevated and not bearing any direct weight.