Opinions wanted on what loads I should have my new double rifle regulated for

[Noah Hutchens]

I would use IMR3031 as a traditional standard for 303 British, 450/400, 450NE, 450#2, 465NE, 475#2, 470NE, and 500NE.

I would use IMR4350 as a traditional standard for 7x57R, 375 Flanged, and 375HH.

You *can* use IMR3031 for everything, but with the 7x57 using heavy bullets, and generically for the 375s, 4350 is a go-to, highly accurate, very standard powder.

Correct. I know you can rush to the online gun shop and buy ten lifetimes of Hornady DGX/DGS today for virtually all of the calibers you're interested in. IF on backorder, you'll have them within a year for the odd one you cannot find. Its the easiest path to ample supplies.

For 7x57r and similar, I would select just a soft point, one you really like, and I'd buy a trove of them. No solids required.

Ok thank you, that is a very good starting point and I greatly appreciate it. On the 7x57r what would a consensus bullet weight/brand be for it to be regulated to?

 

[rookhawk]

Ok thank you, that is a very good starting point and I greatly appreciate it. On the 7x57r what would a consensus bullet weight/brand be for it to be regulated to?

The key to making the 7x57 exceptional, as in that it does the things it did that made it famous, is heavy for caliber bullets. You need to select a bullet from 160gr to 175gr. This is very important to choose before they build the rifle so that they set the throats deep enough to handle the heavy bullets, plus sufficient powder capacity in the brass for optimal performance.

Swift A-Frame, Northfork, and Nosler Partition are all famous options in these weight ranges. I will tell you I had many years of excellent results with partitions, and then I didn't. They can fragment inconsistently on occasion which is why its a contentious argument at elk camps between the "Partitions are the best" and the "never again" crowd.

I like the Northforks, but I'm concerned about supply chain. If you owned 1000 of them, it may be a moot point. A-Frames are very tough, great for Africa, maybe too tough for white tail deer.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

The key to making the 7x57 exceptional, as in that it does the things it did that made it famous, is heavy for caliber bullets. You need to select a bullet from 160gr to 175gr. This is very important to choose before they build the rifle so that they set the throats deep enough to handle the heavy bullets, plus sufficient powder capacity in the brass for optimal performance.

Swift A-Frame, Northfork, and Nosler Partition are all famous options in these weight ranges. I will tell you I had many years of excellent results with partitions, and then I didn't. They can fragment inconsistently on occasion which is why its a contentious argument at elk camps between the "Partitions are the best" and the "never again" crowd.

I like the Northforks, but I'm concerned about supply chain. If you owned 1000 of them, it may be a moot point. A-Frames are very tough, great for Africa, maybe too tough for white tail deer.

Do you have thoughts on the factory loaded sellier and bellot 7x57r I can source? Says 173 grn soft point. Looks like i can buy it by the case on multiple websites so should be easy to get a large amount of it to stock up on for the future. I actually have shot a box of it in the past in an old drilling I used to have but didn’t shoot it on paper or anything.

Sellier & Bellot 7x57 R Mauser Ammo 173 Grain Semi Jacketed Soft Point Cutting Edge - SB757RA

7x57 R Mauser ammo for sale at Target Sports USA. Enjoy free shipping on bulk 7x57 R Mauser ammunition for sale online.|^||^|

www.targetsportsusa.com

 

[rookhawk]

Do you have thoughts on the factory loaded sellier and bellot 7x57r I can source? Says 173 grn soft point. Looks like i can buy it by the case on multiple websites so should be easy to get a large amount of it to stock up on for the future. I actually have shot a box of it in the past in an old drilling I used to have but didn’t shoot it on paper or anything.

Sellier & Bellot 7x57 R Mauser Ammo 173 Grain Semi Jacketed Soft Point Cutting Edge - SB757RA

7x57 R Mauser ammo for sale at Target Sports USA. Enjoy free shipping on bulk 7x57 R Mauser ammunition for sale online.|^||^|

www.targetsportsusa.com

I've not used them, but I've heard very complimentary things about them considering they are only $20 a box of 20 rounds.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

I've not used them, but I've heard very complimentary things about them considering they are only $20 a box of 20 rounds.

I agree it’s very appealing for the price, I figure if I buy 2 or 3 cases especially for the double rifle it should last a long time and I wouldn’t be very worried about having to source other ammo eventually.

 

[DieJager]

I'm from Europe so maybe things are different over here. I'm thinking about a custom Kiplaufbuchse in the future with two different barrels.

In Europe we are making the switch to lead free projectiles. I think if you talking about a family heirloom you need to think also about lead free projectiles. If it were me I would look for copper bullets and by them in bulk. Get a good reloading recipe and you are set for decades.

That is my plan. Lead is being fased out. Why not switch now? I do not know the US market but in Europe we currently have a lot of small brand that make ammo for all of the mentioned calibers and also lead free.

 

[DieJager]

Do you have thoughts on the factory loaded sellier and bellot 7x57r I can source? Says 173 grn soft point. Looks like i can buy it by the case on multiple websites so should be easy to get a large amount of it to stock up on for the future. I actually have shot a box of it in the past in an old drilling I used to have but didn’t shoot it on paper or anything.

Sellier & Bellot 7x57 R Mauser Ammo 173 Grain Semi Jacketed Soft Point Cutting Edge - SB757RA

7x57 R Mauser ammo for sale at Target Sports USA. Enjoy free shipping on bulk 7x57 R Mauser ammunition for sale online.|^||^|

www.targetsportsusa.com

This is the lead free version

 

[matt85]

Is the Barnes TSX not suitable for the larger calibers or are you just stating the A-frame is just the better option?

The Barnes TSX works best with more speed. While people have used it with NE cartridges, there is higher risk it will fail to open if the impact velocity is below 2000fps. At least this is what was told to me by the people at Barnes.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

I'm from Europe so maybe things are different over here. I'm thinking about a custom Kiplaufbuchse in the future with two different barrels.

In Europe we are making the switch to lead free projectiles. I think if you talking about a family heirloom you need to think also about lead free projectiles. If it were me I would look for copper bullets and by them in bulk. Get a good reloading recipe and you are set for decades.

That is my plan. Lead is being fased out. Why not switch now? I do not know the US market but in Europe we currently have a lot of small brand that make ammo for all of the mentioned calibers and also lead free.

View attachment 784353
This is the lead free version

Very good points, and definitely something I need to consider as I will mostly be taking the rifle to hunt abroad with. Sadly it seems like their lead free load on 7x57r is unavailable in the U.S. all I can find available online is the one I linked above.

 

[318AE]

Another option, to get even more utility from the barrels you are ordering, is to provide hand loads for the 450/400 and 500 and a box of Hornady DGX for the 470. That way you have the exact recipe for some that are DIY and the convenience of factory loads for as long as Hornady keeps making the DG 470 ammo. If Hornady drops the DG ammo, the 470 will probably be amongst the last to go.

 

[Surgeon1]

RL15 when it was available was very inconsistent lot to lot. I'm switching to VV140 in 2 doubles.
Still using IMR3031 in 3 doubles but I have to say it still works. I have used Dacron filler but
now use polyurethane foam exclusively. VV 133 and & 135 show some promise in doubles.
Hornady has already stopped supporting 450NE and soon will stop all their Safari line. Their newest bullets are very hard so only use in modern DR.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

Another option, to get even more utility from the barrels you are ordering, is to provide hand loads for the 450/400 and 500 and a box of Hornady DGX for the 470. That way you have the exact recipe for some that are DIY and the convenience of factory loads for as long as Hornady keeps making the DG 470 ammo. If Hornady drops the DG ammo, the 470 will probably be amongst the last to go.

Makes complete sense

 

[SStomcat]

Hornady has already stopped supporting 450NE and soon will stop all their Safari line.

Just wanted to confirm if this is coming from Hornady or a trustworthy source?