[KurtRardin]

Hello everyone, I'm new to reloading, but extra familiar with firearms. I'm 26 years old, married to a weapon-loving wife, a former U.S. Marine (OIF III Combat Vet), and I'm gathering my stuff to begin reloading.

To start, I purchased a Lee turret press, which I have yet to mount on my bench.

I'll most likely be reloading for 4 calibers:

.30-06 (for my M1 Garand)
.308 (for my Savage Tactical)
.40 (for my glock 23, ported XD compact, and soon a taurus 24/7)
.45 (for my Kimber custom II)

I'm not reloading for the end of the world, or for matches, but rather for the occasional trip to the range (saving a buck here and there if I can). I like economies of scale, so I'd like to ask these questions:

For the above .30 cal rifles (M1 and Sav-Tac), I'd like to use the same primers, bullets, and powder. Would I go wrong if I used winchester 748 ball powder, sierra matchking 168bt, and CCI #34 primers for both? I realize one is a bolt and the other a semi-auto, but I'd prefer to buy in bulk and serve as many uses as I can.

With the same goal as above, what common primer/powder could I use with the .40/.45?

Thanks everyone!

Semper Fi.

 

[Shawn Crea]

Welcome Kurt. I can't personally help you out with your reloading questions, but likely someone here can, so stick around.

 

[ribbonstone2]

If i remember where Deatsville is, you're a good distance from the nearest reloading supply, so it makes sense to have multi-use from a bulk buy.

(long tale of long gain, but believe I've taken the back roads that lead though Deatsville. Spent some time 35-40yars again in Arkadelphia, which is well north of you, but i understand that little fly-speck is pretty well gone.)


Can use 748 in the 30-06, esp. with that semi-auto garand. Don't need to push the velocity, just get functioning and accuracy. Over driving that action with slow powders isn't normally a good idea, and while 748 will be a bit on the fast side, with some care in working up a decent load, it should work out.

Bullets beween the two 30's should interchange, as will primers.

As for the 45 and 40, the .45 generally likes the faster powders and the .40 the medium burn rate, so would find one in the unique range and just not try to drive the .40 to it's max.

 

[slim 60]

hey bud ..i like your attitude..you got the love o you life..
now you going about living life an getting the most out of it..
welcome to the forum..slim..
ps give faith a chance,an dance.

 

[broom_jm]

Welcome to ShootersForum, Kurt. Thank you for your service to our country.

You can certainly use the same primers and bullets for the 308 and '06 and you could get by with an 8lb canister of IMR-4064 or 4895, as both of these will be fast enough to cycle the action on your Garand. They should both give fairly good performance in your 308, too...I'd go with the 4895, personally.

I haven't done a lot of loading for pistol cartridges, except the bigger magnums as fired out of a Contender, so I'm afraid I can't be much help there.

 

[Wynn]

I like Bullseye because it is useable in target loades for most handgun calibers from 25 to 45.
It is my number 1 powder for 9mm and 38 spl. It will also work well with light loads in 40 or 45 and since most charges range between 4.0 and 6.0 grains a pound goes a long long way. One pound = 7000 grains if you did not know. Primers are interchangable as long as you start low and work up your loads.
For .308 and 30/06 I cant help you there as I am a handguner.

 

[jodum]

Welcome to the forum. My 06 is a bolt gun and loves any 4350 but I can't help you on a M1. My 308 shoots consistantly with IMR4064 with medium weight bullets. I have become a fan of Power Pistol in my handgun loads.

 

[mattsbox99]

I use IMR 4064 and Nosler Custom Competition 168s for my Garands. Titegroup works well for 40 and 45. I don't load for 308, but a whole bunch of powders will work well in that, including IMR 4064 and W748.