Custom ammo developer

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Jason Doyle

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Evening all. I've only ever used factory ammo but I'm keen to have some ammo developed for my .270. Is there someone reputable in the Yorkshire area that would develop a load for a specific gun? Any what are the usual costs of this service?
Thanks in advance.
 
I know my reply is not really the answer you want, but have you not considered reloading yourself?It really is not the black art some portray it as, and it is quite a satisfying and absorbing part of rifle shooting, what part of York's are you from bud?
 
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I would never trust anyone else other than myself, unless it is factory stuff.

It's not only your rifle at risk but your life.
 
Hornet said:
I know my reply is not really the answer you want, but have you not considered reloading yourself?It really is not the black art some portray it as, and it is quite a satisfying and absorbing part of rifle shooting, what part of York's are you from bud?
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Yea I might look at getting into it but have never done it. Lived in Ireland all my life and its not possible to do there except in very specific circumstances.
 
I have considered this for my retirement activity but these are the conditions: The customer ships the rifle to me, his dies, the info on his press, and the bullet he wants to use. I then charge him a crap load of money to develop a specific load. Send Chrono data and groups but NO loaded ammo. I ship his rifle back to his dealer and he proceeds to load. A service for the rich who want the distinction of handloads without actually having to do any work other than assembly. ;) ~Muir
 
Muir said:
I have considered this for my retirement activity but these are the conditions: The customer ships the rifle to me, his dies, the info on his press, and the bullet he wants to use. I then charge him a crap load of money to develop a specific load. Send Chrono data and groups but NO loaded ammo. I ship his rifle back to his dealer and he proceeds to load. A service for the rich who want the distinction of handloads without actually having to do any work other than assembly. ;) ~Muir
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I reckin there's a business there alright! My situation is I don't really want to load my own, I have no experience of reloading and dont have the time to get into it right now BUT I'd love to find out if rounds loaded by an expert were really that much better than factory ammo. I've always used factory as we couldn't reload in Ireland where I lived. Now I'm in the UK I'd like to find out if top quality hand loads can make a difference to long range accuracy.
 
Generally Speaking: No.
(I can hear the eyebrows furrowing) Factory ammunition is made to provide the highest standard of accuracy, within the price point, in any weapon it is chambered for. I am a very experienced handloader and I have nothing but respect for factory ammunition and it's capabilities. I have often said that if I could afford to shoot Hornady 140 grain Match in my Creedmoor I wouldn't reload. Like wise for the Federal 175 grain Gold Medal Match 308. These rounds will deliver excellent accuracy in most decent rifles.

Can handloads make a difference in one particular rifle? Perhaps. If you're getting bughole groups now with factory ammo, perhaps not. Only one way to find out and it's not letting anyone handload your ammo for you. The #1 rule of reloading: Never shoot anyone else's handloads.~Muir
 
Muir said:
The #1 rule of reloading: Never shoot anyone else's handloads.~Muir
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More rules for the outdoor gentleman...

Rule No. 2 - Never ever, under any circumstances lend your chainsaw to anyone; "You will not know I have used it". Yes you ruddy will!
Rule No. 3 - Never take an empty game bag with you when beating for Hares; "I say, would you mind awfully if I put my brace of hares in your bag"?
 
@Jason Doyle it's a pity I'm not closer as I would gladly gave helped you reload.

Alan Maughan is a very well respected rifle builder and shot and he might be able to help, not sure how close you are to him but he's in the North of England somewhere I think. His Facebook page might be the best way to get in touch and see his skills on show.
 
Talk to Simon Mearns at Precision Rifle Shooting - he's up near Sunderland and does load development work for your specific rifle. He'll do a day session where you work up a load together and talk you through the reloading process as you go. Highly recommended - nice chap and a very good shot! Not sure if he's got a webpage but he's on FB - he's done some work for me and I'd not hesitate to use him again. He works closely with Alan Maughan I think and I suspect Alan would send you his way but worth a try with them both (Alan is about halfway between Hexham & Newcastle).

I can't recommend Brock & Norris - I had a poor experience there and wouldn't use him again.
 
75 said:
Talk to Simon Mearns at Precision Rifle Shooting - he's up near Sunderland and does load development work for your specific rifle. He'll do a day session where you work up a load together and talk you through the reloading process as you go. Highly recommended - nice chap and a very good shot! Not sure if he's got a webpage but he's on FB - he's done some work for me and I'd not hesitate to use him again. He works closely with Alan Maughan I think and I suspect Alan would send you his way but worth a try with them both (Alan is about halfway between Hexham & Newcastle).

I can't recommend Brock & Norris - I had a poor experience there and wouldn't use him again.
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Seems to have gone pretty quiet on the appreciation society.:norty:
 
I stand to be corrected by someone with more direct knowledge but I’m not convinced you could find someone to sell you hand loads as I have a feeling it falls foul of the proof acts (or is considered to by the proof house at any rate).

A course, as recommended above may be a good option as it may allow you to find out what you should be loading whilst supervised.

I also wonder if there would be a work around if someone loaded them for you and charged for their time in developing the load, but let you have the cartridges for free but that may be rather ‘grey’.

Muir’s idea seems a good one, as you’d clearly be paying for the information alone.
 
Jason Doyle said:
Evening all. I've only ever used factory ammo but I'm keen to have some ammo developed for my .270. Is there someone reputable in the Yorkshire area that would develop a load for a specific gun? Any what are the usual costs of this service?
Thanks in advance.
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There's a range North Wales that does range days one on one & on the web page they offer a custom load service. That could be a great day out for you. Go on... you know you deserve it.
There are bullet weights your twist will favour & small group of powders that keep popping up for certain calibres. What grain bullet does yours like, maybe select a single base powder suited to that (for barrel life) & try with a shooting reloading buddy that can show you how to get started.
 
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