Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles What handloads will you be working on for 2024?

Like the title says, what's on your list of handloads you've qued up to work on in 2024?

I'll be working on 2 cartridges:

First, I'll be revisiting my .257 Roberts and the 3 bullet weights I rely on - 110 gr. NAB / ELD-X, 115 gr. NPT, and the 120 gr. NPT.
They all are currently using H4350 and I'm going to be tweaking the existing loads, then giving StaBALL 6.5 a try in all of them.

Next is developing a couple of "Scandinavian" loads for the 6.5CM. Namely the Norma 143 grain Bondstrike and the Norma 156 grain Oryx.
Both using Vihtavuori N555, and both using Norma / Lapua brass. Regrettably, I don't know of any "Scandinavian" primers to use, so it will be Federal / CCI.
Target MV for the 143 grain Bondstrike is ~2,700 fps, and for the 156 grain Oryx ~2,600 fps, both from a 22" barrel.

I know something else will inevitably pop up, but these 2 cartridges are at the top of my list for 2024.

Fun question. A few load projects:

6.8 Western in browning xbolt SR. Shoots factory loads well so not been in a hurry to load for it to date. Plan on 165 ablr or 155 lrx and most likely h1000 and rl26. Oddly in my other 6.8W my trial with 165 ablr handloads did not go so well despite the fact that the factory 165’ablr shoots marvelously. I went with 175 tgk there. Bought a new ablr seater plug for dies from sps so maybe that will help

Have a couple 30-06 need to load for. An original M70 EW and a early 2000 700 BDL recently bought. Have always just used factory loads in these guns despite doing a lot of handloading for 30-06 have had in past. Probably set up one to shoot 150s and the other to shoot 180s. Not sure yet

Lou

405 gr cast bullet in my 2016 Remlin 1895 45/70

200 gr cast bullet in my 1957 Marlin 35 Rem.

Might dive into building a fly weight bolt action deer rifle and might have it done in time to work up a load. Still deciding on chambering.

45-70 with a Hammer 250 gr. bullet

243 WSSM with a Barnes 80 gr TTSX bullet

257 Weatherby with. Barnes 101 gr. LRX bullet

6.5 CM with a Barnes 100 gr. TTSX bullet

I'll be trying to find usable powders and projectiles
for the old established loads I worked up and
settled on a long time ago.
If I can, I'm going to load how ever much of
everything I can find and afford so as not to
be bent over by bullet and powder companies
again when they decide to discontinue something
that I need to make accurate fodder for my
firearms
Whatever I can't load what I figure is a lifetime
supply for, will be traded off or sold

None for myself.
I've picked up 2 customs to be put away for my 2 grandchildren for future use.
- Rem 7 in 250Sav gonna try 110gr ELD-X
- Mauser 98 in 257Bob AI gonna try 115gr BalTip
Then for my son a Vanguard 300WinMag gonna try 125gr BalTip

I'm gonna try IMR 4350 in all 3. The 300WM has given good results in the past with that bullet and powder combo, in other rifles. I'll have play a bit with the 25's.

I'm with you Ranger, I like a good supply of ammo on hand, along with the components for the future. Several friends and family laugh at how I go slightly overboard. But I don't go to the store to buy ammo, sweat price hikes, or discontinuing products. And go shooting whenever time allows.

Fun topic.

Good shooting,

R.D.

6.5mm Grendel, 6mm ARC, 221 fireball & 17 fireball - all in bolt action rifles may be enough.

I’m going back to bonded bullets and solids. Doing some loads for 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, and .308 Winchester.

I’m also doing a new F-T/R .308 Winchester.

I actually did my load development in August of ‘23, but never had the opportunity to test it on game.


So, it’s “game” on for next year……pun intended. 😉 memtb

Going to give Staball 6.5 a go in the 30 06

Have to find some Berger 115 gr. bullets to try in the 6mm creedmoor.

I need to load some 270’s and 338 Federals

6.5CM with 143 ELD-X and some 140 seconds from Midway.

Helping a buddy of mine with a .38-40 WCF.

Helping out another buddy with a 6.5mm Grendel.

Plan on trying 160 gr Speer Hot-Cor bullets in my .280 Rem. This rifle shoots OK with a variety of 140 gr. bullets in front of a case full of RL-23, but I haven't yet found a load that gets me excited.

Continuing with workup started with a Barnes 120 gr. TTSX load in one of my 7mm08 Rems using Big Game. Playing around now with seating depth to see if I can tighten groups a touch more.

A custom model 70 7mm STW. I had an STW when they first became popular in the late 90’s. But was not a hand loader back then. I also have a big, heavy 300 win mag that I had built last fall that I need to start on.

Still working with a Win 88 in 284. I got a load last year that works but plan to tinker some more.

Have been dabbling off and on with other powders in the 358 Win since IMR4320 got discontinued. I've got a supply of 4320 but it won't last forever.

Dale

I'm GTG with components for quite awhile. What I don't like to do is prep brass when I'm in the groove developing loads, so right now I'm busy prepping brass.
I've got ~1,100 pieces done, with ~900 pieces yet to do. This is brass across 7 cartridges.

Main goal is to perfect the 139 Scenar/6.5 PRC load. I have RL26 and Retumbo.

.300 Blackout, .450 Howell, 7x57 Mauser, 7mm Dakota.

I just wrapped up a load today in my 7-08 using Varget and 120 gr. Barnes TTSX. I’ve been working on that load for nearly a year now. I’m also going to redo my load for it with StaBALL 6.5 and 120 gr NBT. I’m going to get serious on developing loads for my 6.8 Western and a load for my .280 Rem with 140 gr NBT. Then load development in 6 ARC, 6.5 Grendel and .223/5.56 in my gas guns. Last, but not least work on 10mm hard cast loads for bear protection.