diamond hitch
Well-known member
When I first started reloading, my first response was faster was better. I was loading IMR 4831 for a bolt action. I experienced primer flattening and other less than desirable visuals as I danced above recommended powder levels. After a few years I changed to a BAR for faster recovery in the jungles. At first note, I was shocked that the gun kicked out the brass with flames still present on the ground. I inquired and was advised to try H4350 given the short distance to the gas port for ejection. Someplace in there I actually read the Hodgdon reloading book and learned about how changes in loads could make the groupings open up and tighten. That velocity was interesting but it didn't have a direct correlation to accuracy. I found by accident that a little slower bullet was more accurate and again by accident, caused less bloodshot.
About that time, my friend shot a nice meat buck with a 300 win mag again loaded to painful velocities. I helped him skin it out and found bloodshot not only between the muscles but in the muscles with a rib to rib shot. The meat loss was horrible. After discussion of my accidental discoveries, he slowed his rounds down, experimented with 220 gr bullets and also found better accuracy and bloodshot with slightly slower bullets.
My goal has always been more meat in the freezer vs trophy and I hunt in dense forest cover but occasionly I get a 300+ yd shot in a meadow.
I have brought this up with some and was informed bloodshot was irrelevant and they purposely shot through both shoulders so they had less to pack out with a quicker anchor. I guess I'm just not wired that way.
In times of higher velocity and lighter bullets, I'm likely not to change. I'm just sharing options. Your choice!
About that time, my friend shot a nice meat buck with a 300 win mag again loaded to painful velocities. I helped him skin it out and found bloodshot not only between the muscles but in the muscles with a rib to rib shot. The meat loss was horrible. After discussion of my accidental discoveries, he slowed his rounds down, experimented with 220 gr bullets and also found better accuracy and bloodshot with slightly slower bullets.
My goal has always been more meat in the freezer vs trophy and I hunt in dense forest cover but occasionly I get a 300+ yd shot in a meadow.
I have brought this up with some and was informed bloodshot was irrelevant and they purposely shot through both shoulders so they had less to pack out with a quicker anchor. I guess I'm just not wired that way.
In times of higher velocity and lighter bullets, I'm likely not to change. I'm just sharing options. Your choice!