Opinions about shooting reloads
 

Hey fellows,
I'm going to the range tomorrow to fire some new ammo and some reloads I got from a friend who got them as part of his dad's will/estate..


My rifle is a new 700 Remington 270 and has not been fired yet..I have about 4 bags of 270 reloads given to me..I have no idea what the writing on the bags mean.can someone please help me interpret the writing and let me know if they think they are safe to shoot.
Thanking you in advance ,
Chuck

Aug. 16, 1995
270-Win
44-Loaded
110 gr. Sierra bullet
45.5 gr. 4895
same loading as last
those had bullet seated duper
Vic

That load should be perfectly safe in your gun. I've got an old reloading manual that lists 4895 loads, 50 grains max for a 130 gr. bullet and 53 gr. max for a 100 gr. bullet.
I'm guessing there's 44 rounds loaded in the bag. I suspect that "duper" = "deeper" and the guy loading them was apparently trying some different bullet seating depths, perhaps to improve accuracy.

That data shows a relatively light load.

Folks,
I really appreciate the time you took to answer my questions..I have 3 more bags with different loads..from 110 up to 130..grain.

about 150 rounds in all.

Do you value your rifle??

Let me see. Third hand reloads in a bag with writing on the bag?? Never in my rifle. But then I value my rifle. As well as my eyes and everything else.

I would not even shoot a reload in my rifle that was handled by two different people. And you are considering the firing of a reload that has handled by three people?? Not smart IMO. Tom.

like Tom said, i wouldnt fire them...i would dispose of them somehow..but would make sure noone could fire them...

just no telling whats actually in there...could be perfectly fine...could blow you and your rifle to pieces..

just not worth the risk IMO...

as a rule of thumb NEVER fire anyone elses reloads...ever...

only exception might be is if a VERY good friend that knows his stuff loads up some pretty light generic type loads for you...or if he actually works up a load for Y O U R rifle...but, you gotta trust him and his loads...

personally, i will likely never load for anyone..i dont wanna hear it when they get the only bad primer in the brick...and dont want blamed for nothing..

only exception might be dad..i might work up loads for his 2 hunting rifles if he wants me to and load him 50rds for each rifle or something..then he's got an accurate load with good bullets and doesnt have to worry about ammo for a real long time..


i definitely strongly advise against firing those loads or letting anyone else fire them...ever..they need disposed of...

10-4 and the reason why I posted the thread...I'm a nobody in this field and simply came for advice.

I'll ask the local gun dealer how to dispose of them..

Appreciate EVERYONE'S advice.
Sincerely,
Chuck7

+3 about that. Only my own stuff.
For a few dollars, if you reload, you can buy a bullet puller and dismantle those rounds. It's a bit of work but you could harvest the brass, and the bullets.
Of course, there's no way to know how many times those cases have been fired....but it is an option. In this day and age, with brass and bullet prices as high as they are, it might be worth doing.
Pete

I know this isn't the safest thing in the world but I'd shoot at least one and check for signs of pressure. If I had no writing to tell me what they are then I'd dunk them in water.

The load is very mild.

Again probably no the best idea but given the writing you're probably ok. Heck why not see if you can talk to someone. In today's dollars thats quite a bit of money.

Tom

I agree with Head, the one and only time I fired someone elses reload in my revolver I got a missing chip of chrome plating from the ordeal and you could tell it was very hot. And this friend was an experienced loader that I knew of. Everyone makes a mistake. I like my own loads I check each and every one of them.

I live on the edge of life I guess, because with the bags being labeled I'd probably first measure COAL and if they measured correct for the cartridge, I'd fire them while checking for any sign of pressure as I go.

Hey at least the guy who loaded them actually marked on the bags what they were and how they were loaded. Didn't overload them. I'd break one or two down maybe just to confirm his data. Then I'd jump out on the edge with Howler.

See ya in two weeks TR.........

How would you guys make these measurements?? COAL means nothing. Either the cartridge will chamber. Or it will not. If it chambers then COAL is meaningless. How would you know what kind of powder it is?? Your best guess?? Shells in a bag?? When was the last time you put shells in a bag?? I put mine in a well protected plastic box?? I am amazed at the unsafe practices you guys are saying is worth the chance. But ha-the bag has writing on it--certainly that makes it safe?? Are you serious??

No doubt. The ammo is probably fine. I would say 99% of the time or more the ammo will be fine. But that does not make it safe to take that 1% chance. It really is that simple. If a shooter is so hard up that he has to take that chance, then he really should stay home and not shoot.

Sometimes I am just amazed at some of the advice that is given. Take a couple apart and check them?? What on earth does that mean?? Do you think the OP has reloading experience?? Unbelievable.

If the OP has reloading experience then it is simple. Pull the bullet, size the case if necessary and use new powder. That would be the cheapest way to be safe, and save the components. But if the OP does not have reloading experience then how do you suggest he checks how they were loaded??

I can not believe a moderator has not jumped in on this one.

This is basic reloading 101 stuff. Tom.

It wasn't advise ...in was in response to what I would do. Nothing more.

I certainly glad we have you to save the day. I am quite sure I could figure a way to not waste much of it.

Sorry you do not like it. But dangerous advice is dangerous advice. No matter how you try to sugar coat it. And your advice is dangerous. Tom.

Hey Fellows

I went to the range today..what a head ache..My son and I could not hit the entire 2 foot target..I took the rifle to my local gunshop..He found the problem..loose front mount..I went back to the range. finally sited it in.
I used new silver tip 130 grains to site it in..A marine runs the range..He said if I doubted the reloads I can dump them in his iron drum but he personall would fire them..I'm going to hold on to them for a while before makingmy decision..The man who gave them to me is a gun collector and very good friend.He's also my personal gunsmith..He is excellent.

His dad was an advid hunter and done the reloading

Guys I truly appreciate all the advice...I also go by my 6th sense..{ -;

ya'll are nervous bunch. If you are in doubt, pull a bullet, weigh the powder charge, if it is what it says, shoot them and enjoy.

I reload, and wouldn't consider shooting another persons reloads unless I knew them well and had a VERY trusting relationship with them. But even then, the first few shots would be performed by firing the rifle from my old tire set up. I mount the rifle in a 2X6 clamp rig I made and mount that in a tire with a chunk of 3/4" plywood over the rifle, pull the trigger with a string from about 15' behind the rig. I place a piece of paper over the action to possibly mark signs of escaping gas. I developed this habit when had my FFL and was acquiring many old military relics. I needed to know if the guns fired, if they were blowing gas from the actions, and if they would funtion. If the first few rounds went off without apparent issues on the paper and the brass showed no signs of excessive headspace issues I would then fire 2 rounds from the hip before holding to the cheek. After that, with no issues, I would hold to the cheek. BUT, I did this with my ownn, known ammo. Excellent eye protection is of course needed AT ALL TIMES. Even when firing from the tire jig.

I know this sounds like something that warrants a raised eye, but my grandfather was a gunsmith, and this procedure is what he always did when he acquired undocumented rifles. He performed this religiously unless he had great knowledge that the rifle was safe. That said, he was using his own ammo.

Firing another persons handloads is always an iffy event, and as such it should be considered with caution, even if you believe the person to be competent and trustworthy.

I have made mistakes in loading. Fortunately none of the mistakes were of a dangerous nature. But dangerous mistakes are possible with anyone, even a seasoned and responsible handloader. And I never let anyone fire handloads of mine unless I've fired considerable rounds of a batch myself and know the other person's rifle to be in fine working condition. I feel the same about firing other folks handrolls.

Chuck7, I would have popped a few of the bullets out and weighed the charges, weighed the bullets, and then fired a few in a tire jig or other safety device as mentioned, BUT ONLY IF THE WEIGHED CHARGES AND BULLET WEIGHTS SEEMED TO MATCH.

Glad you had no issues with the loads. And I suggest you get into loading. It is very rewarding. Fun too.

At least you now have a batch of brass!

I didn't shoot any of the reloads..The bullets I fired today were all store bought..

Federals and Winchester Silver Tips...I'm about 95% on leavinmg the reloads alone..My friend has a whole lot of Mausers,,,he buys lots of reloads and old ammo..We have shot hundreds of rounds from his Mausers..the bad bullets simply won't shoot. In the Army we were taught to leave the misfired round in there for 1 mnute..tthen remove carefully.

Summary..I plan to throw the reloads away ..into the big iron container at the range..I'm not much of a risk taker...not only that ,,most of them are 110 grain and I shoot 130 grain bullets.I like to keep practicing with the round I plan to hunt with..
you guys on here helped me make up my mind to throw them away.

I'd pull and salvage the bullets/cases and primers. Scatter the powder on your lawn and water good..be amaized at to what the nitrates will do! Been loading for 50+ years, only oops was a unknown load in a combat masterpiece....still have the halves of the cylinder.....you got it, some one elses loads!
Just my dos centavos worth.....
Dan

good call chuck....

you just simply never know...and, although ammo is pricey and cheap/free ammo would be great to have, its not worth the risk at all IMO...


even if you broke them down and weighed the charges, whose to say there isnt different charges and/or different powder types in different cases??? and how is anyone going to ID the powder???? 45gr of 2 different powders can mean a gun that shoots GREAT and a gun that blows apart...

just no way of knowing whats truly in those cases....

like was said, they sound like they came from a good source...but, mistakes happen....over the years different ammo could got mixed in the marked bags etc etc...

corelokts and power points can still be had pretty reasonably for pretty inexpensive ammo to burn on the range...and if your gun blows up from that, you got a company to blame...

Thanks Mauser,
I don't know half as much about guns as most of you do ..the reason why I only come to this forum if I have an important question.I figure you guys are passionate about guns and must know alot..I was warned over 3 differnt guys on this thread to leave the reloads alone..so I am..

Now if it's about God or Fishing..I'll debate with you all..but guns..nah..I live in the city so I only go to the range about twice a year..Most of you guys live and breathe guns.. LOL

I deer hunted alot as a child so Il;earned to shoot real good but I don't know all the stats about guns as most of you do..I sited my 270 2inches above the bull's eye at 100 yds...and do plan to try some other NEW 130 grain bullets.To be honest..I'm a decent shot..but I got a much better group from my 336 Marlin at 100yds than my new 270 ..The Marlin put all 3 in the red...at 100yds..the 270 with 30.00 Silver Tips..only gave me a 2 1/2 " circle...which in my book stinks with the reputation the 270 has..As far as shooting..I came in first place in my battalian..I know how to site and squeeze the trigger..[ -;

I do beleive the scope that came with it stinks so I'm in the process of buying one I tried out..it's a Barska ..totally awesome

What kind of scope do you have on there now? I'd get something a little better than a Barska if it was me.

The present scope is a Remington that came with the rifle...

Your thread in the scope section has a bunch of great suggestions. Most of them much better than the Barska. The only ones I'd pick the Barska over would be a Leupold VX-I or Rifleman. I probably wouldn't get a Redfield either. However, I think you can do much better with a Burris, Vortex, Sightron, Bushnell 4200, etc.

How about the Nikon 6310 Pro ...Walmart online 159.00

3 x 9 ..40

The Nikon Pro Staffs are decent. I'd get one over a Barska, but I still wouldn't buy one. You can get a lot better scope in a Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback for not much more. Do you not like Burris or Vortex?

You should read the optics talk review thread. They talk about a Barska and a Prostaff compared with the Burris and Vortex.

thats the thing about shooting factory ammo...you either "settle" for how a particular load shoots...or you spend money on more different loads/brands etc and see/hope something shoots better...i shoot alot..and own a gun or 2...best thing i ever did was start loading my own...


i cant help much with scope in the lower range...im a Leupold guy myself...

but i'd say "on a budget" the BEST option would be to watch ebay and find a used vari-x II or VX-II...deals can be found...and a used one in the 3-9x40 will run 250 or less..typically 225 or less..i can almost always find a nice clean one for 225 or so...thats what i'd personally do...and if something is wrong or goes wrong, Leupold WILL make it right...cant say that about many other companies...

i learned a VERY hard lesson to learn about cheap scopes...long story short, i wounded and lost 2 deer and completely missed another all in the same season due to a junk scope...sure good scope can fail too...but, they are made much better, and are much clearer and brighter...

even my III series Leupold is noticably brighter than the II's...personally id buy a used II before a I or rifleman series....

1 good scope will last a VERY long time...and in the end will save headaches and frustration...and once you look through GOOD glass, its hard to go back...i wish both my VX IIs were IIIs after buying my first III...the IIs are great and more than good enough...but my III is just a bitttt brighter and clearer...which i didnt think was possible after using IIs for 10 years..but my new ones are all likely to be IIIs now..but, wont get rid of the IIs...great glass

but, i swallowed that season and learned a very tough lesson...and now wont skimp on glass...only gun that doesnt wear a Leupold is my 22lr and thats just because i dont use it a ton and havent gotten around to buying a good scope for it...and really, no recoil on a 22 so you can get away with a low end scope on them usually...

I know about good glass [-; ..I'm a birder..and went from Bushnelle 59.00 optics to 350.00 Leupold Green Ring 10 x 42..Those are awesome birding binoculars..I plan to get a good scope..been reading tons of reviews..The 159.00 Nikons have no bad reviews and I've read alot of reviews..I still want to pick one up physically rather than by mail order..i 'm planning a trip to Bass pro.

Thanks Guys,
C7

Did you read the optics talk write up? It's not a bad review because they aren't a bad scope. Yet there are others in that price range that have better glass. Either way the Nikon Prostaff isn't at all a bad scope. It's just not the best quality glass you can get in that price range.

Thanks ..I will check it out
C7

chuck..sounds like your buddy just might know what he is doing...if he made them himself, and didnt get them from another buddy.
i shot 4 reloads in my life, the 4th one felt like a black cat went off in my hand, and never ran another reload from someone ever again. i bought them at the range not knowing they were reloads.

Did you read the optics talk write up?
Just read it..now I'm leaing toward the Firefly..Bushnell Elite 3200.I'
ve got the SWFA catalog.
By the way..GREAT READ!!!{-;..and I hate reading but that was excellent

Chuck, mine doesn't have the firefly reticle but I have the Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7x32mm on my Marlin 336SS. I have to say that I'm really impressed with it. It's a 30-30 so I didn't feel a need for anything over 32mm, and it sits nice and low on the rifle. The glass is really clear and I can easily see a deer at max distance after shooting hours.

Thanks for the reply...I've did a little more investigation..leaning towards the 4200 BUshnell for 242.00..free shipping

Chuck just go look at scopes at Bass Pro etc don't buy anything...SWFA.com or just a plain internet search will find you a much better deal. Unless you have some kind of coupon their prices can be easily beaten at a lot of places.

Get a budget in mind and even post what should I buy with X amount of $$$. If you dont know a ton of scopes you will prob be talked into buying something you could have done better getting somewhere other then BP.

opticstalk.com will give you all the info you will ever need buying a scope. Personally I wouldnt buy anything at Walmart the Leupolds they offered are overpriced junk. IDK about the Nikon you posted but Im sure you can get a better price.

samplelist.com also has some good deals (its like the used/scratch and dent part of swfa)

You guys answering the questions about the rounds he got forgot that Chuck asked what "HE" should do with them. He didnt ask what someone with a good bit of reloading knowledge should do with them.

Also if you get a new scope you may want to think about a half decent set of mounts(assuming what you have isnt the greatest). Most name brand stuff will be fine in the 25ish bucks range for rings and 25ish bucks range for mounts.

If you need help mounting scope just post the questions or do a search on here there is plenty of info. Dont be scared to do it yourself.

IMO that 4200 for $242 is the best deal for any scope going right now. You wont touch that quality on another new scope in that price range.

"IMO that 4200 for $242 is the best deal for any scope going right now. You wont touch that quality on another new scope in that price range. "

Apppreciate the post..Scope was ordered 10 minutes ago by my wife for my birthday present..{ -; ..with free shipping.
New in the box...I may get new mounts..I hve a friend who works at a gun store..25.00 for new mounts.

You made a great choice on the scope. Make sure the mounts you get from your buddy at a gunstore are some quality mounts and you should be good to go. Best to get steel mounts instead of aluminum.

ok thanks
Appreciate all your help

As a reloader, when I load it is rifle specific, not meant for xyz. So with that premise my gut says no. I load for other then my own guns however I need the rifle present to start the development process otherwise I am just assuming...which can lead to problems. Always safety first when dealing with firearms, JMO. Return them to your friend and either buy OTC or ask him to share his knowledge in reloading so you can custom load for your rifle. Most reloaders will share their equipment/expertise to those who show interest. A rewarding/addition to this great sport!!!

Best of luck.

BTW, you should be plenty pleased with your choice of scope. 4200 will work nicely on that 270. Enjoy