I have become a wuss.

[Blammer]

I have been shooting cast boolits for so long I forgot what it's like to shoot jacketed ones.

Getting ready for my Elk hunt this fall I needed a good backup rifle and load.

I looked toward my Rem 700 in 8x57 and my Rem 700 in 30-06 as viable backups for the trip.

After a bit of rummaging and digging in the man cave for components to get a good jacketed load I discovered a few things.

Many years ago I already developed a good jacketed load for my 8x57, and lo and behold I found a partial box of loaded ammo that was good to go! So in the range bag it went.

I also discovered I have NEVER developed a jacketed load for my 3006. All I ever shot in it was factory then proceeded to load up cast in it.

Soooo, not having anything heavier in 30-06 than 150gr factory fodder I did some research and worked up a load test with 180gr Sierra's and some 150gr Hornady's.

Merrily I head off to the range to go shooting.

(I also drug along the 25-223 AR with some ammo)

After getting all set up and picking the 30-06 first with the 180gr Sierra's with a 'beginner' load of IMR4350, I pulled the trigger the first time in a LONG time on a jacketed.

Sufferin Succotash It's been a LONG time since I've been kicked like that!

then I had to do it 24 more times, with progressively more powder....

Sheesh!

then the 8x57 with full house 200gr Nosler loads, did that 10 times...

After shooting many years of "reduced" cast bullet loads I have become a wuss.

so the empties went in the tumbler to get prepped to load up a batch with the chosen load and a bunch more will be cast boolit loads for some trigger time.

oh yea, the hard earned results.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Targets/30%2006/3006_180Sierra_zps4d520b8a.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/blammer8mm/media/Targets/30%2006/3006_180Sierra_zps4d520b8a.jpg.html)

[Vulcan Bob]

Rather than say "wuss" I would say "refined". Looks like you have that ought six dialed in, nice shooting.

[texassako]

Funny how that works, and it doesn't take long to lose the feel. I had the same issue helping finish off an open spam can of 7.62x54r in an M44 after shooting cast only for a year in that cartridge. I kind of forgot about that blast and thump.

[lylejb]

Try a 300 mag with a 180 sierra, and a case full of 4831

[fastfire]

OR....... try a .338 Lapua w- 300gr Berger OTM........Prone!

[Bullshop Junior]

Why shoot reduced case loads? Shoot full power loads so you don't have to worry about that.

[gray wolf]

300gr Berger OTM........Prone!
That should/will leave a mark.
I vote for refined.

[Iowa Fox]

Blammer you have just gotten smarter over the years is all. I still shoot a few, not many, jacketed in the 22 cal. Thats for the AR and Long range varmint rifles when they get shot.

[fredj338]

Yep, recoil, rife or handgun, has to be worked up to & then practiced for best result. Hard to shoot powder puff lads then saddle up the bucking bronco & stay on. Looks like the ole 06 still shoots though.

[bayjoe]

Did you cry or just want to cry?
I'm not laughing at ya, I'm laughing with ya

[smokeywolf]

Very nice shooin'. Yep, you have to be a little bit of a masochist to say "OUCH! That was fun!" Took about a week for the bruise on my shoulder to disappear last time I shot warm loads in the model '86 45-70 SRC.

[Wayne Smith]

Hey Darrell, wanna borrow my 405 Winnie??

[Shuz]

Hey Darrell, Looks like you are good to go with the .30-06 as a back up, but you are gonna slay an elk with the .35 Whelen and a cast boolit, right?

[Blammer]

Yep, primary is 35 whelen and cast.

[dverna]

I have been a wuss for a long time. Even a sporter weight .308 gets to me after a box. I had to put a muzzle brake on the .300 Mag. Probably one of the dumbest rifles I have ever purchased. It will shoot just under 1.25 MOA but I hate shooting it. With the brake, it sounds like a .50 and without the brake, it hurts. I do not hunt big game. May need to one day, but hope that day never comes.

My favorite rifles are lever actions with cast bullets. Cheap and fun to shoot.

Don Verna