Loading for Multiple Rifles

[Enfield47]

I have multiple rifles sharing the same calibers (.223, .30-06, .303 British) and am in a quandary about load development for each caliber. The rounds will all be used for plinking - no competitive shooting or hunting. Should I just go with a load that works, call it good and crank out a bunch of rounds? For example, in my .223 rifles I have been using 24 gr of Benchmark and a 55 gr bullet.

What has been your experience loading for multiple guns of the same caliber?

[jdmstuff]

I use the exact same load for my .223. I use my reloads for plinking too and they work fine in all of my guns.

[JagerDog]

In .223, I pretty much develop the loads in my Kimber bolt gun. In the AR, they are what they are.

[russt]

The only thing to watch out for is excessive pressure in different guns.

[stevec223]

I've had pretty good luck finding one load for two rifles... Making double the rounds laddering up and taking both rifles to the range... For AR loads out of the book,,, i test them in my bolt and single shot and have found they work very well also more often than not,,, and one AR load hits a lower node and cloverleafs in bolt and singleshot ..(dont use bolt gun loads in AR !!)....i,m mainly making hunting rounds though ,,, so i'm happy with sub-moa... And i usually dont expect or need max fps for loads when developing for two rifles OR pistols.. Just loading for one gun you can get as detailed as your patience will tolerate !!!!!... Cheers..

[Enfield47]

For .30-06 should I develop the load around my Garand or 1903A3? I created a ladder test using between 47-49 gr of IMR 4064 with a 150 gr bullet and they worked in both rifles. I do have the Garand Gear gas plug so I don't have to worry about hot loads damaging the rifle if I need to go to a hotter load.

[koehn,jim]

I develop different loads for each rifle. I have found that they each shoot their best with a slightly different load. they will all shoot the same caliber but not as good as they could. It depends on how accurate you need to be and how much time you have. I am retired and enjoy the loading and the challenge.

[stevec223]

Unfortunatly my garand load dosent shoot worth a damn out of my bolt guns !!!! ...Its just hit and miss sometimes.... Ladder up a test run on your bolt gun and find its favorite... If its garand friendly ,,,give it a try... You might want to share powders with both guns or not,, depending on results... Good luck !!! ... Cheers..

[mark501w]

I generally load for the individual gun some times the loads cross over. Pal lengths usually vary.

[alfred1222]

i use 1 223 load for all my AR's

[thenodnarb]

For Garand / Bolt gun, my plan i to load for the garand and share the ammo with the bolt gun for plinking since the bolt gun can handle more pressure. If I develop a hunting load for the bolt gun, it will have a different bullet anyway to help identify the difference.

[Divernhunter]

Why use a hot load for plinking in an old rifle? More recoil, wear and tear for a rifle(both) that is hard and costly to replace.
For hunting I use hot loads with different hunting bullets(in modern firearms) but in my mil surplus firearms I prefer mild loads. Less recoil, wear and tear plus more enjoyable to shoot longer. If I am just plinking with the hunting rifles I like the mild loads for the same reasons also and cheaper bullets.

[Enfield47]

If you create an individual load for each gun, do you guys keep the brass separate or just mix it up and FL resize each time?

[gunboat]

Almost all my weapons are not auto so I generally keep brass separate and neck size only --
Most of my loads are also cast so i do bell mouth my rifle and pistol brass --

[sr71brd]

If you create an individual load for each gun, do you guys keep the brass separate or just mix it up and FL resize each time?

It depends. I work up a load for each rifle & keep the brass separate. In the case of my 30-06 loads, my Garand prefers 47 grs. of IMR 4064 under a M72 173 gr. match bullet, sized w/ a small based die. My 03A3 & 1917 Eddystone both like 46 grs. of IMR 4895 under a M2 152 gr. ball bullet, full length sized. On the other hand, all my rifles chambered in 8x57 Mauser are happy w/ 39 grs. of IMR 4350 under a Prvi 198 gr. FMJ bullet, full length sized to the smallest chamber. When reloading a cartridge that I only have 1 firearm for it, I neck size until it gets hard to chamber, then full length size.