{"id":8047,"date":"2014-01-19T16:59:59","date_gmt":"2014-01-19T16:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ramworks.net\/blog\/?p=8047"},"modified":"2015-07-03T18:41:39","modified_gmt":"2015-07-03T18:41:39","slug":"favorite-loads-factory-handloads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/favorite-loads-factory-handloads\/","title":{"rendered":"Favorite Loads (Factory & Handloads)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m often asked what my favorite load for a cartridge is. I test a lot of different cartridges and I handload for just as many. However, the list of cartridges I use on a regular basis are not that extensive. And, I don\u2019t routinely handload for every cartridge I commonly shoot. The following list contains loads I use in the guns I most often shoot or rely on. They\u2019ve all been proven in the field where it matters or at least through extensive range and terminal performance testing.<\/p>\n

.17 HMR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 17 grain V-Max BT<\/a>, I\u2019ve used this load in my CZ 452 to shot a lot of small game. I\u2019ve even hit prairie dogs out beyond 400 yards with it.<\/i><\/p>\n

.22 LR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: CCI 40 grain Velocitor <\/a>(Rifle \u2013 Hunting), Accurate and deadly with expansion and deep penetration.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"CCI<\/a>
CCI Stinger<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Factory: CCI 32 grain Stinger<\/a> (Rifle & Pistol \u2013 Hunting), This bullet will expand out of a pistol or a rifle. Stingers are not always the most accurate but do deliver a wicked wound.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Winchester 40 grain Hyper Speed HP<\/a> (Rifle & Pistol – General Purpose), Generally accurate regardless of the firearm and the bullet will expand when fired from a rifle or pistol.<\/i><\/p>\n

.22 Magnum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 33 grain Accutip<\/a> (Rifle), This load offers a great balance between penetration and expansion out of rifles. It\u2019s a great multi-purpose hunting load.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Hornady 45 grain FTX Critical Defense<\/a> (Pistol), Expansion guaranteed from pistols along with good penetration.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: CCI Shot Shell<\/a>, Perfect for rats and snakes at close range.<\/i><\/p>\n

.223 Remington<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Remington<\/a>
Remington Hypersonic .223<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Factory: Winchester 64 grain Power Point<\/a> (General Purpose), You can use this load for just about anything.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington Hypersonic 62 grain Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded<\/a> (Deer), Works very well on deer with wide expansion.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Winchester 55 grain Ballistic Silvertip<\/a> (Varmint), For small varmints and coyotes.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Nosler 60 grain Partition<\/a>, 24.5 grains Ramshot Xterminator, A perfect load for use on big game animals like deer and hogs. Have used this load in Africa on bushbuck with success.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Nosler 40 grain Ballistic Tip<\/a>, 27.5 grains Hodgdon Benchmark, Sizzling speed and generally great accuracy for varmints or target shooting.<\/i><\/p>\n

.243 Winchester<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 95 grain Accutip<\/a> (General Purpose), This is a great whitetail hunting load for the .243.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 75 grain V-Max<\/a> (Varmint), One of the most accurate factory .243 loads I\u2019ve fired and perfect fro groundhogs or coyotes.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Barnes 80 grain TTSX<\/a>, 47.2 grain Ramshot Hunter 3360 fps, Fast, accurate and deadly.<\/i><\/p>\n

.250 Savage<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 100 grain Core-Lokt PSP<\/a>, About the only factory option available.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Nosler 100 grain Ballistic Tip<\/a>, 35 grains of H4895 2832 fps, This is a great general purpose load for the old .250-3000.<\/i><\/p>\n

.30 Remington AR<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"150<\/a>
Nosler 150 gr. Accubond<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Factory: Remington 125 gr. Accutip<\/a>, Has proved very accurate and deadly on deer.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Nosler 150 gr. Accubond<\/a>, 35.4 grains of AA 2200 2600 fps, I\u2019ve used this load on a WV black bear and on a kudu in Africa. Excellent terminal performance and the best hunting load I\u2019ve found for this cartridge.<\/i><\/p>\n

.308 Winchester<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Nosler Custom 165 grain Accubond<\/a>, Accurate in most rifles and provides great terminal performance out to the maximum practical range of the cartridge.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Norma Diamond Line 168 grain Sierra HPBT<\/a>, The most accurate factory load I\u2019ve every fired in any cartridge but this ammo is very difficult to find.<\/i><\/p>\n

.35 Whelen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Buffalo Barnes 225 gr. TSX<\/a>, I can\u2019t think of an animal you could not kill with with load.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Norma<\/a>
Norma Diamond Line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Factory: Nosler Custom 225 grain Accubond<\/a>, Very accurate and flat shooting for this cartridge.<\/i><\/p>\n

.32 H&R Magnum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Doubletap 115 grain Hardcast<\/a>\u00a0(Pistol), Deer proven\u00a0and not a bad option for personal protection. Penetrates very deep.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Sierra 90 gr.\u00a0 JHC<\/a>, 11 grains of Lil\u2019 Gun or 6.5 grains True Blue (Rifle & Pistol), For small game hunting and target shooting I\u2019ve found no better bullet in .32 caliber.<\/i><\/p>\n

.327 Federal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Buffalo Bore 130 grain Hard Cast<\/a> (Pistol), This load works great on deer out of my Ruger Blackhawk.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Federal<\/a>
Federal .327 100 gr. JSP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Factory: Federal 100 grain SJHP<\/a> (Rifle), When fired from my 16 inch barreled Marlin 1894, this load generates 2100 fps and the bullet expands perfectly.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Speer 115 grain Gold Dot<\/a>, Great protection load with outstanding terminal performance.<\/p>\n

Handload: Speer 100 grain Gold Dot<\/a>, 13.2 grains Hodgdon Lil\u2019 Gun (Rifle & Pistol), A fine general-purpose load.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Speer 60 grain Gold Dot<\/a> \/ 60 grains # 12 Shot, 6 grains Ramshot True Blue (Snake), This load is a pain in the ass to assemble but are wicked deadly on snakes and you still get an accurate bullet to go with the shot.<\/i><\/p>\n

.38 Special<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman 158 grain + P Hard Cast Keith<\/a>, Hard hitting with deep penetration for use on the trail or for protection from about anything.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 158 grain Lead Hollow Point (Treasury Load)<\/a>, A great load for use in short barreled revolvers and the bullet will<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Buffalo<\/a>
Buffalo Bore .38 Spl. Outdoorsman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

always expand.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: CCI Shot Shell <\/a>Snakes and such.<\/i><\/p>\n

.357 Magnum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Barnes VOR-TX 140 grain<\/a>, Perfect for hunting with expansion and deep penetration.<\/i><\/p>\n

.380 ACP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Winchester 85 gr. Silvertip<\/a>, Light recoil in super compact pistols with good expansion. I\u2019ve used this load to take half a dozen alligators.<\/i><\/p>\n

9mm<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Remington 124 grain Golden Saber + P<\/a>, Simply the best 9mm load for personal protection I\u2019ve tested. It performs on par with<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Remington<\/a>
Remington Golden Saber 9mm 124 gr. +P<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

the best .40 S&W and .45 ACP loads.<\/i><\/p>\n

.45 ACP<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Doubletap 160 grain Barnes TAC-XP MANN Load<\/a>, High velocity, wide expansion and 12 plus inches of penetration. Similar loads also available from Buffalo Bore<\/a>, Wilson Combat<\/a> and Corbon<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: CCI Shot Shell<\/a>, Snakes and such<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Handload: 200 grain Lead SWC, 4.5 grains Hodgdon Clays, This load was given to me by Joe Bonar who used to be the lead 1911 smith at Novaks. Very accurate and great for competition.<\/i><\/p>\n

.45-70 Government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Factory: Federal Fusion 300 grain<\/a>, Perfect for all big game.<\/i><\/p>\n

Factory: Buffalo Bore 430 grain LFN GC Hard Cast<\/a>, Specifically for mean critters and the load I used on my African buffalo.<\/i><\/p>\n

Handload: Nosler Combine Technology 300 grain Ballistic Tip<\/a>, 63.5 grains H 335, A great load for non-dangerous big game.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m often asked what my favorite load for a cartridge is. I test a lot of different cartridges and I handload for just as many. However, the list of cartridges I use on a regular basis are not that extensive. And, I don\u2019t routinely handload for every cartridge I commonly shoot. The following list contains loads I use in the guns I …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[160,445,328,446,329,410,447,448,449],"class_list":["post-8047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-22-lr","tag-223-rem","tag-32-hr","tag-45-70","tag-327-federal","tag-35-whelen","tag-45-acp","tag-9mm","tag-favorite-loads"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hujZ-25N","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7837,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/only-one-rifle\/","url_meta":{"origin":8047,"position":0},"title":"Only One Rifle","author":"gunwriter","date":"December 10, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Choosing one rifle cartridge might seem to be a difficult decision. The key to making the choice easy is to remove all emotional attachment to the cartridges you love to shoot, roll between your fingers and pontificate about. I really enjoy the .30 Remington AR, like the .250 Savage and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jack Ellis with his first buck. Taken with Remington's 62 grain Core Lokt Ultra Bonded load.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/DO-1-184x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15812,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/picking-your-expert-cartridge\/","url_meta":{"origin":8047,"position":1},"title":"Picking Your Expert\/Cartridge","author":"gunwriter","date":"January 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m not a rifle hunting cartridge expert. In fact, I\u2019m not sure how that qualification could even be obtained. I am however often asked for advice when it comes to cartridge selection. Because of its nonpartisan stance, my answer\u2014my standard answer\u2014never satisfies.","rel":"","context":"In "Empty Cases Exclusive"","block_context":{"text":"Empty Cases Exclusive","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/empty-cases-exclusive\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16143,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/coopers-load\/","url_meta":{"origin":8047,"position":2},"title":"Cooper’s Load","author":"gunwriter","date":"June 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In his book, To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, Cooper stated, \u201cAll scouts up to now have been in caliber .308, and the chronograph insists that the proper loading can start a 150-grain bullet from a 19 inch barrel at a couple clicks over 2700 f\/s. These ballistics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-14-at-9.45.28-AM.png?fit=1000%2C504&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-14-at-9.45.28-AM.png?fit=1000%2C504&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-14-at-9.45.28-AM.png?fit=1000%2C504&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-Shot-2020-06-14-at-9.45.28-AM.png?fit=1000%2C504&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14996,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wilson-combats-300-hamr-the-most-scout-like-ar-ever\/","url_meta":{"origin":8047,"position":3},"title":"Wilson Combat’s 300 HAM’R – The Most Scout-Like AR Ever","author":"gunwriter","date":"September 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=htKA8B6bve4&t=1s My grandfather\u2019s favorite tool was a hammer, and he had several. For finish carpentry he had a small one, for framing he had another, and for tearing $#!@ up he had a big one. Wilson Combat has a new hammer and AR 15 aficionados should be excited. It\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3H-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C745&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3H-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C745&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3H-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C745&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3H-8.jpg?fit=1000%2C745&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11708,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/my-precious\/","url_meta":{"origin":8047,"position":4},"title":"My Precious","author":"gunwriter","date":"June 8, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Though\u00a0some would have you believe it, this is not a true \"Cooper\" scout rifle. It is however one of my favorite rifles. It started life as a Marlin 1894 in .32 H&R but it was too long and too heavy for anything other than playing dress up at the range.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DEFENSE"","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"JB-2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/JB-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/JB-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/JB-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/JB-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9040,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/too-many-or-not-enough-and-nightmares\/","url_meta":{"origin":8047,"position":5},"title":"Too Many or Not Enough and Nightmares","author":"gunwriter","date":"June 6, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"I was re-reading some of Cooper\u2019s comments last night and I found where he hypothesized that we have too many rifle cartridges at our disposal. I\u2019ve heard this from other shooters and it always boggles my mind. When is having too many a bad thing? I\u2019ve heard it said that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "HUNTING"","block_context":{"text":"HUNTING","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/hunt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":".45-70 or .375? Why decide? Get one of each.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/I-3-300x277.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8047"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11796,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8047\/revisions\/11796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}