Just curious, saw this posted in another thread and wanted to know how many subscribed to this philosophy.

For my hunting rifles, I am a serious desciple of this method. I take a long time getting these loads worked out and I really don't change anything once I am dialed in. I go so far as to buy a seperate bullet seating die, and won't re-adjust my dies once I am dialed in ( I will readjust benchrest calibrated dies ).

Here are some examples in my safe, and ammo locker: 7x57-150 gr Nosler partition, 30-338- 180 gr Nosler Partition, and a 200 gr Nosler Partition. 270 Win-130gr Nosler BT.

This doesn't mean I didn't shoot a lot of other bullets when I was working out the loads and rifles, it just means once I have my loads where I want them I leave them alone.

This doesn't really apply only to medium bores, I do this for the small and the big rifles I hunt with.

Also unless I have phenomenal groups out of my benchrest guns, I don't subscibe to this on my match rifles. But Sierra, Lapua, and Nosler match bullets are about as far as I wander afield.

This multiple-loads thing for a given rifle is mostly a waste of time, unless your idea of fun is continual experimentation. Usually, the one-rifle/one-load approach achieves the best results, especially in terms of familiarity and freedom from hassles. Time that I don't spend at the bench screwing with yet another load in the inane quest to trim another .025" off the group is time I'd rather spend in the gym, getting ready to hunt, or else it's time I can be practicing with my familiar rifle and load at the range getting ready to hunt.

I use the same 180 gr. Nosler Partition load in my 300 Win. Mag. for just about everything, from Oregon black bear to Texas whitetails to African eland to Alaska sheep to Sonora mule deer to Nevada elk, and it just-plain works.

I HATE complication..........

AD

It has merit for the one or two rifle guy. I am one of those gun nuts, so I buy a rifle for the type of hunting I want to do. Basically all of my rifles have a go to load. I practice w/ Speer, Sierra, whatever shoots close to my Nolser Ps. I have no problem shooting deer or antelope w/ my elk loads.

Having far more rifles than I have game or targets to shoot at, I have long since gone to the "one gun, one load" policy in that I simply don't need a particular gun to do more than one job. It also keeps me from having to constantly rezero my rifles for different loads.

If you own a limited number of guns and want a deer rifle to double as a prairie dog gun, then you need to load both a 100 grain Partition for your muleys and a 70 grain ballistic tip for your squirrels. Or, if you hunt both Texas whitetails and NM elk with your .30-06, you may need to work up good loads with a 150 grain Hornady SST and a 180 grain Barnes.

You Guys are all pretty right on. The gunwriter argument about a rifle shooting a slew of diferent bullets is baloney.

I however take it a step further, I select a caliber/cartridge around the bullet I wish to shoot. I guess when you acquire more than a few rifles you look for more specific performance from each rifle you own.

Jerry

I will have to second Allen's sentiments, I just do'nt have the time to fiddle anymore. I don't like adjusting and tweaking the scopes, I really want my hunting rifles ready to go.

I also have my brain regulated so to speak on certain rifles, I know them, know them well. When in the field I know what to expect on bullet drop etc. It takes a while and a lot of shooting to get to a point where you know exactly what to expect from a certain rifle and bullet combo. Way to much time is frittered away if you start experimenting again. To me once I have worked up my regular load a tiny bit of more accuracy, or 50 FPS gain is irrelivant.

338 Win Mag, 210 Nosler, 2916 fps, 2" high at a hundred yards, covers most of my bases.

270 Winchester, 130 grain Speer, haven't chrono'ed that load, but it's accurate, 1.5 high at a hundred yards, covers those bases that wern't covered before.

Once I realized, long ago, that Jack O'Connor was not the final and only authority on big game rifles/bullets, it slowly dawned on me that one rifle/one load was both much more practical and condusive to actually hitting what I aimed at. So, I have loaded one bullet/load for each hunting rifle for over 30 years and it works for me. I use NPs, TBs, SAFs, Kodiaks for hunting-even deer due to Grizzly presence-and whatever is cheapest for practice and I tune the loads and load in bulk for my serious hunting rifles.

I prefer medium bores with heavy NPs for almost everything and seldom use my smaller caliber rifles, except in late winter seasons....BUT, I "need" them all!!!

I've changed it around a bit. One scope, one load. I have 2 loads that I use regularly in one rifle, so I put on QD mounts and then have 2 scopes; one zeroed for each load. If one of those two loads won't do it for North America (and most African hunting, too), then I better drag out another rifle for which I have just a single load - hot and heavy!

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Eden:
You Guys are all pretty right on. The gunwriter argument about a rifle shooting a slew of diferent bullets is baloney.

I however take it a step further, I select a caliber/cartridge around the bullet I wish to shoot. I guess when you acquire more than a few rifles you look for more specific performance from each rifle you own.

Jerry

Boy, I like your thinking Jerry. I do it all the time when having something built can be for deer or elk,varmit or match rifles. I do have afew custom rifles that shoot more than one bullet weight well and alot of that is due to bullet jacket lenght. I also like to have my rifles throated for the bullet I want to use.

My two main hunting rifles are one load guns. My .300 H&H shoots 200grn NP at sub-MOA and my .338WM does the same with factory Federal 225grn TBBC's. Once I found a load that would work I didn't figure I needed to mess with it anymore. Particularly if it was a load that I knew would do the job.

I find that multiple loads including reduced loads add to the versitility of my rifles. That's why I do it.

Not that if one has dozens of rifles sighted in that each must have multiple loads for it.

Either you have the zeal to do it or not. For instance my favorite hunting gun is my drilling.



I carry multiple shotgun loads for it and they are loaded in the two barrels as such. In the rifle I have two loads available depending upon how big the game is.

I mean what can you say? "I only have one load for my gun" Oh, ok then.

I guess I'll chime in since my post on the other thread lead to this one.

For hunting, I follow the one load per gun philosophy, for my 480 revolver that's a 400 gr cast bullet at 1200 fps, for my 350 Rigby, it's a 250 gr hornady @ 2700 fps. Both loads in each gun are boringly accurate and shoot hot/cold clean dirty. Oh, I do carry some mild cast loads for both guns for small game, so I guess that messes up my contention of one load.

That said, I do use a bunch of different loads at the range. I find experimenting fun on the range, but don't want to experiment or complcate things in the field. In the field I want a load that I know what it'll do everytime, where it will land, and that I don't have to worry about which round is chambered.

I subscribe to the If it ain't broke, don't fix it theory. Even though I own several calibres, in recent years I have been using 7mm-08, 30-06 and 338 WM. More recently I find myself using the 30-06 more and more, 180 gr FS, 250 yard zero. I like simplicity.

For years I used a load for 180gr. NP's in my .300 win. used it on Brown Bear, Caribou, Moose, blk Bear, Sheep, Blacktail Deer and 1 Mule Deer.

Now that was back when I only had one Rifle (poor me), I would never dream of limiting myself to one gun these days.

-Ron

I like to try new ideas from time to time so different loads in the same gun is pretty common for me. Since I never shoot big game past a couple hundred yards anymore, the minor trajectory differences aren't detremental to my hitting the kill zone.

The only downside is all those bullet boxes with four or five bullets I never got around to using...

I like having 2 loads for each one of my rifles. One full power for normal hunting, and one reduced load that hits to the same approximate point of impact for when my kids are hunting with me from the elevated blind that I have just for that purpose.It isn't all that hard to get a reduced load, with the same bullet as the full power loads, to hit where you are aiming even at 200 yards.

I like to play with different loads, bullets, powders(canister and milsurp), cases, cast bullets...
But for hunting season, my Son and I sit down and load 100 rounds or so of a 30-06, rem 165 pspcl(bulk Midway box of 1000), win case, 60gns RL22(compressed low pressure), 2730fps and sub MOA in every 06 we have shot them in. They kill Deer and Elk very well.
In my Son's Rem 721 they all go in one worried out hole!!
It's nice to have interchangable ammo and a proven load that just plain works.(.)(period)
I have a safe full of guns and an overflow cabinet as well. So it's not a lack of options.

If you have a limited number of rifles having a load that takes the gun into a different category is a very good idea in case of difficulties. Thusly when my 7x57 suddenly lost accuracy the day before I was due to go up to Scotland for reds (later traced to a front action screw being loose) I was able to reach into the safe for the 6.5x55 and a box of 125gr partition handloads, consult my notebook, dial in the correct setting (normaly shoots 100gr ballistic tip) check zero and get hunting.

It's simple, have to play with them. Factory ammo changes from lot to lot, why shouldn't yours? Where is a guy going to buy 250 grain 348s anyway? Now that 270 grain bullets available, I'm going to play some more.

Depends on the gun..My 338 Win. will shoot 210 Noslers, 250 Noslers, 300 Woodleigh softs and solids, GS Customs flatnose solids and Northfork 270s all in the same hole, with 3" up and down...the 210 Noslers are 3" high and the others are 1 or 2 inches high with the 300 dead on at 100...

My 300 H&H will print 200, 220s to the same POI and my big bores will mostly print most loads close...

If you have a rifle that won't do this then the one gun one load is the way to go...but I have over the years kept certain guns for what they can do in the accuracy dept. and the ability to put most loads in the same POI...It took some doing but I love to buy, sell and trade guns, so it was a natural progression for me...and now I have a Searcy double that will do the same thing, that was the second coming for me.

Like Ray, it depends on the gun. I have a 30-338, that uses one load: 180gr Partition and 4831. I have a 30-06 that uses one load: 180gr Partition and 4350.

My 9.3x62 regularly uses three loads: 250BT for antelope out to 300, 286 Partition for just about anything inside 200 yards, and 286gr Woodleigh RNSP and solids for buffalo. All three use the same sight setting, which would be appropriate to the load and range (+2.5"@100yds for the BT, +1"@100yds for the partition, and dead on for the Woodleighs.) It is the only rifle I have that will do this.

So, I'd say that it depends on the rifle. Kudude

Interesting topic !
I think a theory is a probqbly good for most guys, I mean If you have a varmint load for your varmint rifle lets say , a 22/250, A deer load for your deer rifle a 270, and an elk load for your elk rifle , lets say a 300 win.
But I have 12 rifles cause I like rifles , and i like working up loads for them. I generaly have a a favorit load for a given rifle, my .257 robers load with a 100 grain tripple shock is great for its deer hunting purpose but a little expensive for a coyote hunt. I am real partrial to a 162 grain Hornady in my 7X57 mauser, But i can see shooting lighter bullets might have an advantage some times . Its just a kick to play around with rifles bullets and powders...tj3006

I generally tinker all the time with my loads from one season to the next. Moreover, I switch guns all the time throughout the season. It's part of the fun for me. Also, I tend to shoot a lot simply because I have left over loads I want to get rid off, so get a lot of practice. I probably waste more premium bullets than most people. The one gun, one load approach sounds very reasonable, but I have never had a problem using the variable approach.

-Lou

"One Gun, One Load" is the way to go. Once I've got a rifle dialed-in for a certain load that will accomplish the primary task of that rifle then I don't typically ever change it. I usually choose a heavy-for-caliber bullet. Forever fiddling around with different bullets and loads just sets you up to never really KNOW the rifle or load very well. It's damned hard to memorize several different trajectories etc if you keep changing. My all-purpose 180gr 30-06 load will do the job of lighter bullets easily v the lighter bullets not necessarily being up to what the heavier bullet will do. Yes it's trajectory is a bit greater, but if you learn your load it doesn't make that much difference. Keep things SIMPLE... Stay with one load and you'll become one with the rifle and be able to do wonders with it in the field.

My 30-06 is sighted in 2" high at with factory 180gr W-W Power-Points (they clock 2700fps in my M77/MkII). This is a good all-purpose load and I use it primarily cuz someone GAVE me 600rds of it several years ago. So why not put it to use???

My .375 H&H I use the good old 300gr Hornady RN at 2500fps. It drops everything I'm likely to use it on right in it's tracks. When the new Interbond version of this bullet comes out this summer I'll work up a load for it then since it may not shoot the same as the old Interlock does now.

My .450 Marlin uses the 405gr Rem JFP at 1900 fps and will handily flatten any critter in my stomping grounds (mtn lions are common around here).

I won't list the others, you get the idea...

I am the very proud owner of a CZ 550 American in 7x57mm. My rifle likes, no loves, Hornady SSTs in 162 grain configuration and H414 powder. I can achieve 2,815 fps average with my 23.5 inch barrel. My rifle also loves the 160 grain Nosler Partition with the same powder, but not nearly as much as it does the SST. The SST is, which I do everything exactly right, less than a half minute of angle at 100 yards and when the wind isn's blowing, it will print into just a tad over 2-inches at 300 yards. Although I like the partition better for elk, I have used the SST on elk with no problems. In fact, the SST has been used on elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, coyote, wild turkey (in Texas where a rifle is legal) and wild pig. I really have no need to develop any other load. My CZ has a 1x8.66 barrel twist, which the experts tell me is what the heavier (160 grains and up) projectiles like, so that is why I shoot only 160 or so grainers in it. I will try other bullets, but only in 160 grain configuration, just to see how they shoot in my CZ. That's my 2-cents worth. Tom Purdom

I only have one big game rifle, and use it for all my hunting in Alaska, mostly moose hunting. The bullets I use the most are the 230 grainers (FS), but I have killed moose with 250-grain A-Frame, and 250-grain Nosler.

I load a few 275-grain A-Frame each year, just in case I need them (I hunt moose in bear country). I never readjust the scope, since all my handloads hit from 1" to 2" above the bull's eye at 100 yards. If I shoot the 275 grainers, all I do is to hold over just a tiny bit past 200 yards. The rest hit the 100-yard mark in the same general area. Most of my moose have dropped to one well placed shot, from 100 yards to last year's 325 yards.

And no, i am not saying that I am a long range hunter. I am telling you that targets such as moose offer quite a large killing zone within 300 yards. No need to hold over if you don't want to, just aim on the area you want to hit, and within 300 yards the .338WM with a 250-grain or lighter bullet will hit the same spot a .30-06 with a 180-grain bullet hits. It's that simple.

To me, using different weight bullets with one rifle amounts to becoming proficient with it, and learning its limitations.

I'm with PaulH and Lar45. Give me a solid load in a rifle and after I'm comfortable with the trajectory, I love to play around with bulelts and powders. A usual trip to the woods includes maybe 25% "practice," and the rest fiddling with alternatives. I figure, I shoot much more than I hunt. I don't buy the rifles just to hunt with them, and sitting around shooting groups with the same load all day just doesn't do it for me. But, yeah, definitely with any new-to-me gun, first order of bidness is bullet/powder/charge/seating and then getting to know it.
BTW, Lar45, I'm with you on the 165g/RL22 conbo, though I like it a wee warmer. Excellent powder for that round.

I am tempted all the time to mess with my 165-2730fps 06 load. I should be able to 200fps more from the round.
My son says we should just build another 30-378 if we want a long range gun. I picked up a Win M-17 30-06 and we will probably use this. I'm thinking of a 30-34" bbl from Pac-Nor and loading 180 Barnes X.
I did one a few years ago and used the 22" 06 barrel, the velocities were around 3400 with factory 180X ammo. With a home built box, I could get 3 down without a swell in the stock.

One gun, one load.
So what if it's 180g and 3400 fps?!
Once you get used to that 4" drop at 500yd you should be able to hit a thing or two.
:O

I dont use one gun one load unless the rifle will only shoot one load well. For example my .338 wm shoots 250 np exactly two inches lower than 160 x at 100 yds and i mean directly below in a perfectly straight line and they both use the same charge of 4831 coincidentaly. so i dont see why this is not a good plan. i have another .338 that only likes balistic silvertips so i dont load for it i just buy em.

Typically I have one favorite load for each rifle. It is usually a load that is accurate, uses a good general pupose bullet and is at or near max velocity for that caliber. I do load a different load for specific purposes. For instance my favorite load for the 270 Win. uses H-4831 powder, 150 gr. Nosler Partition bullets, velocity Approx. 3,000 fps and will shoot into 1 to 1 1/4". This load works well for me on elk, deer, moose, sheep goat etc. When I went to old Mexico for Coues deer, I switched to a 130 gr. NBT that shot into .5" at over 3,200 fps. "I'm a professional at this so don't try it at home!" I shot the same load on Vaal rhebock in the Karoo of SA. Both these animals are often shot at very long range 400+ yds. Both are small 100 lbs. for Coues and 55 lbs. for Vaalys. I wanted a bullet that was more accurate at long range and opened quick on small animals. For my african DG rifles I also needed two loads one with softs and one with solids.

465H&H

One load per gun makes total sense. Only problem is my mother always claimed I didn't have enough sense to pour piss out of a boot with the directions printed on the heel. I generally have an old reliable load that I gravitate to for hunting. In the off season I like to play around with loads for my own entertainment. The way I look at it is it gives me one more reason to get to the range and shoot.

Jeff

I subscribe to the 1 gun, 1 load theory--it gives me excuses to buy more guns....
My current favorites are:
.338 RUM 225 TSX----elk (shoots a 225 grain bullet as flat and as fast as a .270 shoots a 140....whoa....)
.30-06 180 TSX ----utility-loaner gun (Cant think of really anything in NA that this wouldn't kill...)
.270 130 TSX ----Open country whitetails (Welcome to the Palouse...bring your range finder....)
.300 savage 130 XLC ----closed country whitetails (What the **ck are all these stickers???...OUCH!)
.223 40 Nosler BT------coyotes, bobcats (and other critters to be named later......)

IV

I don't do that myself. My last attempt to find that one good load gave me five different choices to pick from.

I once took a 300 win mag deer hunting with six different loads. Shot five deer with five different loads on that trip. A week to Kodiak island.

I have been too busy working to do a lot of hunting which is mostly by bow anyway. So I like to entertain myself with working up different loads for my rifles.

I used to play with loads and had great fun. When I got older I son't want the complication as to "What load is in there today". I have a Remington 700 30.06 that is sighted for Federa1 180gr Nosler partitions and a ZKK sighted for 165 gr. My 9.3 is sighted for a Norma duplication load of 286 gr Nosler partitions. My Weatherby 300 Mag is sighted for 180 gr Nosler partitions. The 338 is sighted for Federal 250gr Nosler partitons.
The only rifles I play wirh loads are the 22 Hornet and 223, 222, and 224 Weatherby mag. Well, sometimes I play with the 243 and 6mm Rem.
Reloading for hunting rifles doesn't have the charm for me it did 20 years ago. I still play with pistol calibers.

I like messing around with different handloads and factory loads. But, once I find that perfect combination I like to stick with it. It is easier for me to justify the purchase of more rifles (to my wife) when I do this.

Nope,
too much to tinker.
I have old reliables that are always on standby.

one gun, one load

i am a classic example as i keep all my rifle stuff in africa, but don't live there.

currently on way to hongkong, but had to check in on my favourite site before i got on the bus.(airbus)

I use any 180gr 30 cal load. normally winchesters in preference to any other brand. coming out of 30-06 commercial mauser with a 3X9 burris ff2. that should handle anything up to wildebeest easily. With practice i may try it on an eland one day....but only if i have the confidence and my potential eland biltong is within 200m.

been shooting some 150gr pmp stuff due to lack of availibility of preffered load in last hunt. PMP standard stuff is alright, but the bullet construction isn't up to much, just touch a bone or twig and all you get are shredders.

just secured some 180 ww powerpoint boring ammo, but it works and that is what counts. I wish the laws here would allow me to keep rifles and reload sigh........

good hunting
I am dying of PSD (post safari deppression)
tm

This is how we accumulate so many fine rifles! Yes, only one load is permissable, that way if you need to shoot another bullet weight, you obviousily need another rifle to do it with.