Duplicate factory loads?

[Axle2010]

I've got an old Caldwell Chronograph that I replaced with a Garmin a while back. Not state of the art by any means, but happy to pass it along. They can be somewhat finicky with sun and such, but the velocity seems pretty accurate when cross testing with my Garmin. It's been just sitting in my gear room for a while, so if you'd like it, DM your address and I'll get it in the mail for you later this week. I've thought about posting it in the pay it forward thread for a while, but never got around to it.

Mhunts that's an amazing offer bud i really appreciate it but I've ordered the Garmin it should be here today. Thanks so much for the offer though

 

[mhunts]

You’ll be quite happy with the Garmin. Have fun taking your handloads to the next level!

 

[C.W. Richter]

Before you take that factory round apart, measure its COAL to determine the optimum seating depth for that bullet (one, if not the most important component in a round's accuracy in a particular gun). Then, use that bullet or one with an exceedingly similar shape. CCI primers provide the lowest (statistical) SD and often greatest accuracy. You can determine what powder they used if you take a good look and review published handloading data. I never had "Superformance" powder live up to its hype and always found something tried-and-true better (in reality, using proven data and a chronograph-not sales & marketing literature!) Friends occasionally pick up a box of factory ammo and it shoots 1-hole groups (last I recall was a friend's Browning A-Bolt and Factory Win X .308 ammo 150 gr I believe)..I said, first, buy up everything that store has right now! and then, take one apart, figure it out, and duplicate it on the bench. He did, but he's been conserving the boxes for years. lol It was way less work. Wby/Norma ammo is often the easiest to figure out (and they literally had it created/perfected for 1 gun,) so it shoots exceptionally well (at $100+/box.) It's worth it! Measure everything. Take note of the brass used, etc.

 

[Axle2010]

Before you take that factory round apart, measure its COAL to determine the optimum seating depth for that bullet (one, if not the most important component in a round's accuracy in a particular gun). Then, use that bullet or one with an exceedingly similar shape. CCI primers provide the lowest (statistical) SD and often greatest accuracy. You can determine what powder they used if you take a good look and review published handloading data. I never had "Superformance" powder live up to its hype and always found something tried-and-true better (in reality, using proven data and a chronograph-not sales & marketing literature!) Friends occasionally pick up a box of factory ammo and it shoots 1-hole groups (last I recall was a friend's Browning A-Bolt and Factory Win X .308 ammo 150 gr I believe)..I said, first, buy up everything that store has right now! and then, take one apart, figure it out, and duplicate it on the bench. He did, but he's been conserving the boxes for years. lol It was way less work. Wby/Norma ammo is often the easiest to figure out (and they literally had it created/perfected for 1 gun,) so it shoots exceptionally well (at $100+/box.) It's worth it! Measure everything. Take note of the brass used, etc.

Had not thought of measuring the oal of the loaded cartridge. I've never used any of the Superformance powder but I know I haven't tried the Superformance ammo in a gun yet that liked it. Even my Tikka 308 that shoots better than I can didn't like the Superformance. Thanks again to all for the advice.

 

[analog_peninsula]

Order in bulk on ammoseek. If you’re not already a regular reloader, it’s the simplest and probably cheapest option.

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/375hh-magnum/Hornady-rifle-250grains?sh=high

 

[C.W. Richter]

Sad but true, i fell victim to some sort of superformance ad...and when the factory ammo shot like shit in my perfect 22-250, i broke out the chronograph and it shot 100s fps less than advertised (in a tight chambered 26" bbl heavily customized rig that to this date is used by Steeler Big Ben's custom builder to blow off steam shooting steel at 750 yds on weekends!) I also bought some of their powder and it did NOT live up to corporate marketing claims. sad but true. Some of their bullets are really good. They should stick with just them. Joyce would roll over in his grave. Nothing but respect for him!

 

[C.W. Richter]

LOL and to turn the dagger...long ago also bought +P 257 Roberts "Custom" ammo..LOL it should've been marketed as -P! Seriously. The boxes w/ my name on 'em look cool. lol They know Sales & Marketing BS SELLS and the avg person doesn't use a chronograph and hunts 1 weekend per year. I get it, but i no longer BUY it.

 

[jnmullins]

My M70 Classic Stainless really likes the 300gr Gamekings, as well as 300gr TSX and 250gr CX. I have used both IMR4350 and RL-15 with equal success and I expect that CFE223, Big Game and H4350 would work just as well. I don't remember the exact charge right now, but 5 shots slightly sub-MOA.

I also recommned a chronograph to assist in getting you to the same velocity as factory ammo and also to let you know when you are getting too aggressive.

@RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION carries factory second 250gr monometal bullets that certainly appear to be 250gr CX with the tips cut off for a very fair price and they are great people to order from.

375 Cal (.375") 250gr Bullets - Monolithic Copper (seconds) - 100 ct

New 375 Cal (.375") 250gr monolithic copper factory seconds bullets great for bulk loading of 375 caliber ammunition

ravenrocksprecision.com

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey guys how would I duplicate the factory Hornady Outfitter load with 250 gr CX bullets? My 375 loves them but they're expensive and not always available. I don't have a chronograph yet but have everything else to reload. Or should I just come up with a cheaper load to play with and keep a box of Outfitter to hunt? I really enjoy shooting this rifle and want to do it more but shebaint cheap to feed the good stuff. Last box i bought was around $80 now they're $120! I'd like to find a good load with the Gameking to play around with. As always thanks for your help

@Axle2010
When it comes to duplicating factory loads sometimes it's easy other times it's downright hard to impossible.
Unlike reloaders that are limited in the powders they use big companies blend powders to give optimum results in some cases.
I would start by disassembly of a factory round and weigh the powder charge. Then consult reloading manuals to see if there's a load that uses the same amount of powder.

You will definitely need a chronograph so you can find out the velocity of the factory load then work up a load that matches that velocity.
There's plenty of food information out there in loads for the game king and I would start with the Sierra online reloading site.
My advice is start with the slowest burning powder to give you the velocity required. This will probably be adi2209/ H4350.
Bob