A new handloaders first hunting load - 1 inch group

Hey Jim! I wanted to give you a big shout out for the reloading videos. I am relatively new to handloading. I got my press up and running the middle of last year. At this point I’ve loaded a fair of 9mm and 5.56 to learn the ropes, but just started working up my first hunting cartridge.

I have an older Savage 110 in 308 Win, which I picked up for a song a few years ago. I live in CA, so I have to use non-lead bullets. It shot ok with the factory ammo I tried, but not great. Inch and a half or more. I wanted to try working up a handload and decided to start with a 150 gr Barnes TTSX with H335 powder. I must have watched your reloading videos a half dozen times. I went slow trying to keep everything really consistent.

I tested the load for the first time the other day and shot my first 1-inch group with that gun! I am going to try a little fine tuning, but let me tell you, I was happy with the result. On the top right group, that flyer was totally me. I knew it as soon as the shot broke, so I think I can do better behind the gun and improve that way too. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for the content helping a reloading newbie get started.

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Glad you’re reloading! Great hobby to get into and it’ll definitely make your guns shoot better than they already are.

Yeah, I’m hooked. Now to work up a load for my 270 and my newest addition a 300 WSM.

Pretty soon Jim wil be owing you $1,000. Where at in Cali are you from?

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That would be cool, but of course it would mean I’d have to be able to do it on command. I’m in NorCal. Originally from Sacramento, but I live in the East Bay Area in a town called Martinez. Are you in Cali too?