Thread: Reasons to be wary of Others reloads

Sounds like a similar story when I bought a used Model 7 in 260. Reloads were over pressure, so pulled & used powder in new cases. Reloads were sized down 308 cases with no outside neck ream, man they were tight. Some idiots out there

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Someone else's reloads cost me quite a bit when a gun smith had to remove the barrel to get the front half of the case out of the chamber. An over book max 308 load in a military case....

Greetings All,
I have used other peoples handlaods in the past and got away with it but no more. Occaisionally I get given the dregs of someones handload cabinet but always break then down for the components. Cases, projectiles and primers are re used but the powder gets spread under the trees. I will get to use it when it comes back as firewood.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by 40mm

Have you checked the projectiles are the correct diameter for the rifle?
Sounds like this maestro has stuffed up every other possibility so far....

I took a chance and bought ~150 .303 reloads, but ended up with a collection of various .308 pulled RN projectiles after I noticed they were keyholing. At least it gave me something more to sell at the last swap meet.

All kinetic pulled. I find concrete with just thin lino over it gives best results. The lino stops the bounceback of the 'hammer' but still allows an abrupt enough stop of the hammer swing.

Originally Posted by Intrepid

Happy to post you my .264 collet puller if you’d like to use it. PM me your address then send it back when you’re done. I’m away for 10 days hunting now but I’ll post it when I get home.

Cheers mate i'll send you a pm when i get back from my trips in April.

I tried seating them deeper yesterday morning and most did give a audible "crack". I mickey'd up the broken hammer and pulled one. It still took some serious punishment to get it out still. I bent up the case rim/head doing this so wont piss around with anymore till i borrow that puller.
Also pulled one of the "Good" rounds. It weighed and measured good. Bent up the rim on this case too and also the green tip smashed off during the pounding required.

I fired the rifle for the first time yesterday afternoon with 6 of the "good" rounds. It shot a 1.06moa 3 shot group at 114m. So reasonable, but i'll redo all the loads myself and tune them properly.

I think the rifle might have some chamber issues though. The fired case shoulders are measuring 0.010" longer than factory and also one of the new cases (Norma) had 2 splits in the neck after firing.
I can see why the guy sold it. Also the rifle had obvious issues in the stock. Binding trigger grub screw on the stock which was fighting with the recoil lug fitment and also a metal burr at the back of the tang digging in and would have been binding.
Luckily i've bought it as a project rifle to pull apart and DIY a build on my lathe.
I'm bloody glad some other unsuspecting person didnt buy it and shoot it in its purchased state!!