Reloading WSM and WSSM

TerminalVelocity16 · March 30, 2005, 07:03 PM

Is it possible to re-load WSM and WSSM cartridges and still get the same performance?

bergie · March 30, 2005, 08:55 PM

I guess that would depend on how you define performance. If you are asking can you match or beat the velocity of factory ammo? then yes. Can you match or beat the accuracy of factory ammo? yes. Can you do both of these and still have a box of ammo for less than the cost of a box at a store? yes. It would be very unusual not to be able to beat the performance of factory ammo.
You may however have to try a couple of different powders at different charge weights with a couple of different bullets to find the best performing combination a rifle/shooter is capable of. Carefully crafted handloads are tailored to an individual rifle through experimentation. It is possible to watch the groups you shoot either open or tighten as you adjust powder weight, bullet seating depth, etc. trying to find the perfect load. Factory ammo is a balance of (a) the bullet the company uses, (b) the one powder the company uses in all of it's loads in that caliber, (c) did it perform okay in their testing - in their test barrels, not your rifle and (d) cost to them. If you want to use a certain bullet, only one company will be loading that bullet, and only with their choice of powder type and weight. As a handloader, you can pick just about any bullet and try it with any applicable powder from any company to get better than factory performance. Is it worth it to you to spend the money on the equipment and supplies not to mention the time to do it? Is it worth it to improve your shooting by spending more time at the range? Even if you can't beat the performance of factory ammo, you can shoot more for the same amount of money and thereby increase your performance, and lets face it, most people can't shoot as well as their rifle is capable of.

bergie
Savage Model 11 .300 WSM

March 30, 2005, 07:03 PM	#1
TerminalVelocity16 Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Mineola, New York Posts: 71	Reloading WSM and WSSM Is it possible to re-load WSM and WSSM cartridges and still get the same performance?

March 30, 2005, 08:55 PM	#2
bergie Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 1999 Posts: 567	I guess that would depend on how you define performance. If you are asking can you match or beat the velocity of factory ammo? then yes. Can you match or beat the accuracy of factory ammo? yes. Can you do both of these and still have a box of ammo for less than the cost of a box at a store? yes. It would be very unusual not to be able to beat the performance of factory ammo. You may however have to try a couple of different powders at different charge weights with a couple of different bullets to find the best performing combination a rifle/shooter is capable of. Carefully crafted handloads are tailored to an individual rifle through experimentation. It is possible to watch the groups you shoot either open or tighten as you adjust powder weight, bullet seating depth, etc. trying to find the perfect load. Factory ammo is a balance of (a) the bullet the company uses, (b) the one powder the company uses in all of it's loads in that caliber, (c) did it perform okay in their testing - in their test barrels, not your rifle and (d) cost to them. If you want to use a certain bullet, only one company will be loading that bullet, and only with their choice of powder type and weight. As a handloader, you can pick just about any bullet and try it with any applicable powder from any company to get better than factory performance. Is it worth it to you to spend the money on the equipment and supplies not to mention the time to do it? Is it worth it to improve your shooting by spending more time at the range? Even if you can't beat the performance of factory ammo, you can shoot more for the same amount of money and thereby increase your performance, and lets face it, most people can't shoot as well as their rifle is capable of. bergie Savage Model 11 .300 WSM