Occasionally I get asked to help reload some ammunition. For example a friend of mine has a 6.5 Grendel he loves but can't seem to source ammunition so he wants to buy the components and have me load up a few hundred rounds. I'm more than happy to do it, but without any type of testing with this rifle, how do you select a powder and powder charge?
Reloading without testing
- Thread starter PD Gohil
- Start date
I had a similar situation a while back with a friend. I sized the case to SAAMI specs, used the same projectile as factory ammo, and called Hornady to ask what brand of powder they used, and disassembled that factory load to get the charge weight. Worked fine for him ... shot as good as the factory loads we used as a template.
Jager
Gold $$ Contributor
You do it just like you would if the rifle was leaning over there in the corner. You look through a few load manuals and based upon whatever bullet it is you're going to load... you choose something appropriate.
You choose a very conservative starting load. And then you stop. No ladder testing for accuracy. No looking for a particular velocity, or trying to find a nice node. You give him a very mild, beginning load and call it a day.
Anything else is asking for trouble. And some of us think even that is a mite too far.
You choose a very conservative starting load. And then you stop. No ladder testing for accuracy. No looking for a particular velocity, or trying to find a nice node. You give him a very mild, beginning load and call it a day.
Anything else is asking for trouble. And some of us think even that is a mite too far.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I don't load for others anymore. I have bad luck. With my luck he would be doing everything right at an NRA designed range, a ricochet off a passing meteor would hit the driver of a bus full of nuns a mile away and they would go over a cliff, and the only evidence would be my DNA on the bullet. Of course Al Sharpton, F. Lee Bailey and Johnny Cochran would represent the nuns estate.
If you get my point.
If you get my point.
Murray Brook
Silver $$ Contributor
I don't load for others simply because it opens you ( and your family) up to many legal problems should things go wrong. JMO
I like helping my shooting buddies out but I prefer they be with me when I hand load for them.
Clancy
Silver $$ Contributor
Excellent answer. I open my door to them and we go test together. I look over things, and allow them to come back and load any time they want. Not only have I taught someone a skill, but I’m not liable either. Win win.
This definitely is a better option you're right.
Old Navy
Gold $$ Contributor
I have loaded for a few friends over the years. I loaded up a few light loads in their brass and had them go shoot a few 3 round groups and come back with the brass. If the groups were near the old standard of 1" @100 we were done with the work up. I would load all the brass they had and send them on their way. A couple were shooting .300 Win Mags. A 100 rounds went a long time for them.
I dont load for others. It is not a good idea. Just my two cents Tommy Mc
For myself, I will look at the Sierra data as they usually have an accuracy load at the bottom of the data for a specific bullet weight. That will make a decent start, if all other pieces are equal in nature, (bullets, brass, primer, powder, rifle, etc).
FWIW
Tim
FWIW
Tim
Keep in mind, that if anything was damaged or someone injured and your friend is named in civil suit, somewhere along the line he will have to name the maker of his ammunition, factory or reloads and guess what ? You become the person responsible for the damage or injury and will be named in the suit also.
Best thing too do, is have you friend obtain his supplies and you can show him how to load them, letting him do the work and preparation of the ammo, start to finish.
I would never load ammo for anyone, as you mention you would do for him.. Not a wise choice.
Best thing too do, is have you friend obtain his supplies and you can show him how to load them, letting him do the work and preparation of the ammo, start to finish.
I would never load ammo for anyone, as you mention you would do for him.. Not a wise choice.
MikeMcCasland
Team Texas F-T/R
I've done it where I loaded up 50 rounds with powder ladders in groups of 5 rounds per charge/powder. I'll load them at SAAMI length, give them a loaner magneto speed. The instructions are "shoot 4 of each for groups at a paper target", and with the 1 left over, shoot it over the magneto speed and give me the speeds.
Whatever looks relatively accurate, and gets somewhat expected speeds is what I'll load them. Done a few deer rifles for buddies this way. It works.
Whatever looks relatively accurate, and gets somewhat expected speeds is what I'll load them. Done a few deer rifles for buddies this way. It works.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Even if they use their own components but on your equipment, if something goes wrong, you're going to be investigated - at least by insurance companies. They'll look for anything that could be cast as 'not right' = negligent. Of course, they have to prove it, but you're going to have to defend it.
For me, as much as I'd like to make ammo for friends, it's not worth the risk, as unlikely as the risk is.
Murray Brook
Silver $$ Contributor
Certainly agree and the only thing lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut is an insurance company.
Or the lawyers they hire.
JohnD
Silver $$ Contributor
I loaded a box of 20 rounds for someone years ago for deer hunting. Never heard from him again. I was young and naive at that time. Years later while talking to a friend mention doing stuff like that he said it was like financial suicide. My blood ran cold. Won’t do that again.
John
John
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