Reloading: 2023 Successes and 2024 Resolutions

[Buzznrose]

2023 was a good year for my reloading hobby as I continue to challenge myself and try new things. I loaded my first bottleneck rifle rounds, .308 Win, with pretty good success. I also settled on some excellent 9MM and 10MM loads that I’m very happy with.

For 2024, I’ve got a few goals.

I want to load up 30-30 rounds. I want to work up both hunting level 170’s and plinking level 110-130’s for my old M94. I have a box of SGK’s to start that process.

I also want to load up some heavy/accurate loads for .223. I am gonna look to RMR for those bullets…but trying to decide between the very popular 69gr and their new 75gr. I am leaning towards the 75gr. Was convinced I would go with the 75 until I read a recent post by Jake regaling the 69’s….decisions decisions….

I will also button down a good .40 S&W load this year. I want a nice soft shooting (for .40) load. Gonna use N320 for that. Still trying to figure out bullet weight…should I stick with 180’s or move lighter. Again, a soft shooting range round is the goal.

I said I’ve got 9MM down good, but as I want to add a .45 suppressor, I want to build a good subsonic load for my Ruger PCC. Planning to use the 147 gr RMR Match Winners as my starting point. Not sure which powder I want…N320 or perhaps N340. I have both on hand.

Anyway, God Bless you and your families in 2024, and stay strong, health, and positive!

 

[Axis II]

So much to do…

1) setup Lee Pro 4000.
2) workup RMR 124gr MW with HP38
3) workup RMR 147gr RN with HP38
4) workup 69gr SMK with Varget, H322 and a few others.
5) 77gr SMK workup.
6) 200pc of brass that need 55gr Nosler BT and Benchmark.

Probably getting a PCC tomorrow so will have to load for that.

 

[Chuck R.]

I need to work out a few loads:

358Win: 180 Speer FP with TAC
300WM: in prep for a CO Elk hunt 180 NAB over H4831SC
350RM: for the same hunt 225 NPs over TAC, although I just found another sealed pound of IMR4320, so I can keep my normal load. I did source some 200 Barnes TSX, so I might develop a load for them.
308Win.. I'm using up 400+ rds that I loaded for my FAL, then I need at least a practice load for this.

Everything else is good to go as far as load development, just a question of loading enough for practice. I do have some work to to with my B14R to be ready for NRL22 matches this coming spring, so that will occupy some time.

 

[dfish1247]

The panda is squared away with h322 and 55gr bergers. That was the big success in 23.

The 700 22-250 needs some loving, found a couple loads that show promise, not where it ought to be though. That’s the goal in 24.

 

[Cheesemaker]

I just need to reload more AND shoot more. I have quite a few processed (cleaned, sixed, primed and flared) straight wall handgun cases that only need powder and bullets - and I have both powder and bullets.
The last 6 months of 2023 I did not shoot as much as I should have and I plan to fix that.

Happy New Year THR peeps!

 

[Hugger-4641]

2023 was a good year for my reloading hobby as I continue to challenge myself and try new things. I loaded my first bottleneck rifle rounds, .308 Win, with pretty good success. I also settled on some excellent 9MM and 10MM loads that I’m very happy with.

For 2024, I’ve got a few goals.

I want to load up 30-30 rounds. I want to work up both hunting level 170’s and plinking level 110-130’s for my old M94. I have a box of SGK’s to start that process.

I also want to load up some heavy/accurate loads for .223. I am gonna look to RMR for those bullets…but trying to decide between the very popular 69gr and their new 75gr. I am leaning towards the 75gr. Was convinced I would go with the 75 until I read a recent post by Jake regaling the 69’s….decisions decisions….

I will also button down a good .40 S&W load this year. I want a nice soft shooting (for .40) load. Gonna use N320 for that. Still trying to figure out bullet weight…should I stick with 180’s or move lighter. Again, a soft shooting range round is the goal.

I said I’ve got 9MM down good, but as I want to add a .45 suppressor, I want to build a good subsonic load for my Ruger PCC. Planning to use the 147 gr RMR Match Winners as my starting point. Not sure which powder I want…N320 or perhaps N340. I have both on hand.

Anyway, God Bless you and your families in 2024, and stay strong, health, and positive!

I highly recommend you try the 160ftx in that 30-30 for hunting. They are the most accurate bullet I've loaded in my 94, factory or hand loaded. I've hand loaded them with Lever Evolution, Imr3031, and Rx11, all were good.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I had several successes and failures in 2023.
Tried to find a subdued load of H110 for my Henry 45colt to use in pistol caliber silhouette matches as I needed the hotter H110 load for the 200meter rifle matches. H110 just doesn't download very well. Ended up going with 200gr hard cast bullets and 7.2gr of Red Dot for the pistol caliber matches and 11.2 gr for the 200 meter rams.
2024 I'm gonna switch to 230gr swc and see if I can find HS-6 loads for all ranges. I added a Rossi Brawler as a Christmas present to myself , so I also have to see what works good in it.

Found some good AA9 and Longshot loads for my 10mm. Got some Autocomp and AA7 to play with next.
Finally bought a lb of Unique, which I've never used before, so I'm gonna play with it in a few different calibers.
My Sil is leaving his 300wsm with me for a while so I can install AICS mag well and a muzzle brake, so I'm gonna play with RL22 and SW4350 in it with 178eldx and 168TTSX.
Gonna fine tune a 212eldx load for 600yd+ in my 300 win mags.
Plan on picking up a 7prc and a 22-250 sometime this year and working up loads for them. That's about it as far as 2024 goals for the moment.

 

[W.E.G.]

I want to stay ONE SHOOTING SEASON AHEAD on loaded ammo.

Three seasons ahead on components.

Its doable. But it don't do itself. You gotta stay committed.

 

[W.E.G.]

If you want soft-shooters in pistol, you'll probably find that HEAVY BULLETS with a lesser powder charge are likely to be your friend for autoloaders unless you want to re-spring the gun.

 

[dobedo]

2023 loading adventures have been a blast, and 2024 loading adventures should go off like a bang.

 

[Armored farmer]

I rediscovered. 38spl in 2023 and have really enjoyed shooting and reloading them.
Very soon in '24 I want to inbox my new Lee Sixpack Pro and get into 9mm and 380 as well.(not to mention the Calibers that already have loaded for.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I need to shoot what i have loaded. I have a habit of reloading what i shot after an outing. And load any brass i find. I enjoy relaoding too much maybe. I got board the last few days and prepped a 2 gallon bucket of 223/556 brass. It's ready to load. I have 4 ammo cans full now. As well of other calibers i shoot. I have the ammo spread out in a few rooms to keep weight down in 1 room.

 

[LV Gun]

2023 was good for me finally dialed in a nice load for my 40 S&W using a 140 grain LFP from Missouri bullets , SPP and W244 for my XD 40 very accurate load.

2024 - dial in a load for my 9mm XDM Elite Precision 5.25 so far I have not been real happy with my loads for it I just laddered 5 different bullets with 3 different powders now I need to get to the range to wring the out.

If any of you have this gun and have loads that are working well I would love to hear about them I do not shoot competitions but am obsessed with accuracy even at 68. Thank you in advance.