Everything about Reloading.

[jeepsnchainsaws]

Check Graf & Sons in Mexico Mo. I recently bought 4064 and Power pistol there.
I buy it at the store but it's been available on the website as well.

Graphs has been my happy place for YEARS! They have never seemed to be short on anything. I have done tons, literally, of steel fabrication for there facility, stairs, handrail, gates. I've definitely spent more than I have made there! Great family!

 

[sawfun]

I would like to set up a mec for 10 guage. *f-word those shells are high

My buddy got mine after I sold him my BPS and Super Goose.

 

[sawfun]

If you haven't done much loading I'd highly recommend spending time on a single stage press first so you get all the steps down pat.

Learning on a progressive could be a little intimidating at first, but still doable. Once you get in a rhythm on a progressive things really go smoothly though

I agree and generally recommend a single stage is best to learn on, or at least a manual progressive like a 550. The auto indexing on my 650 can be tricky until you get it set properly. I cannot imagine both setting it up and having to learn to reload at the same time. And that's coming from my 30 years with a single stage and 20+ with the 650.

 

[srb08]

I agree and generally recommend a single stage is best to learn on, or at least a manual progressive like a 550. The auto indexing on my 650 can be tricky until you get it set properly. I cannot imagine both setting it up and having to learn to reload at the same time. And that's coming from my 30 years with a single stage and 20+ with the 650.

I have a buddy who tried to learn on a Lee Pro 1000, even though several friends told him it was a bad idea. It cost him a nice 2nd generation Colt SAA and part of an index finger.

 

[Genius]

I have a buddy who tried to learn on a Lee Pro 1000, even though several friends told him it was a bad idea. It cost him a nice 2nd generation Colt SAA and part of an index finger.

Ouch....

Lee has their place, I'm not knocking them at all. I really like their turret press. It's a good press if you're comfortable reloading. But from what I've seen of the 1000.... Not the best press at all, especially for a beginner....


I'm sure there are plenty of potential Reloaders out there thinking they'd learn on a progressive press and picked up a Lee cause it's way cheaper that a Dillon or Hornady and got scared away from the hobby.

 

[srb08]

I've had good results with powder coated bullets but don't care for how they look, especially the lip stick bullets. Here are a couple of loaded rounds in 45-70.
On the left is a 300gr from Acme. The right is a 405gr from MBC.

I have two other bullets to work with but would like to get a few more.
Clockwise, starting top left, Speer 400gr, MBC 405gr pc, Acme 300gr pc and MBC 405gr. I plan on using the plain bullet with Unique for reduced recoil loads.

 

[Locust Cutter]

I will have a .45-70 someday. I'm actually a bit interested in getting a Contender or Encore pistol or rilfe in .357 Maximum, especially now that Starline brass is available for it. I love the .357 and the Maximum isn't far from a .35 Remington. The straight walled cartridge is another plus as far as reloading is concerned...

 

[srb08]

Do any of you guys use laboratory grade scales for reloading?
I have two Dillon digital scales, one is 20 or so years old and is starting to have issues. I also have an Ohaus 304 analog triple beam, the model with the dial.
I've been thinking about a laboratory grade digital but just can't convince myself that I need to spend $600+ on a scale.
If any of you guys are using lab grade scales, I like to hear how you like them and which make and model you have.

 

[Deets066]

Ok, so I order some wads from cabelas. Winchester AA for 1-1/8 oz loads.

This is what I end up with.



WTF are these

 

[srb08]

Ok, so I order some wads from cabelas. Winchester AA for 1-1/8 oz loads.

This is what I end up with.
View attachment 66532


WTF are these

I used those for light loads with Super Lite powder. If memory serves me, the shot cup is a bit shorter and the legs are a bit longer than a standard white AA wad. Or maybe it's the other way around. It's been a while.
I used what I had left with Clays after Super Lite was discontinued.

 

[czar800]

I'm going to start reloading.223 and need to buy a set of dies.

What dies and powder are you guys happy with for .223?

 

[sawfun]

I'm going to start reloading.223 and need to buy a set of dies.

What dies and powder are you guys happy with for .223?

If you are loading for a semi auto, you probably want small base dies. I use Winchester 748 in both my 308 & 223. Personally I use RCBS IN MY SINGLE stage press or Dillon carbide dies in the 650. My powder choice was due to 748 giving my good accuracy and being ball powder it flows well in the powder thrower.

 

[srb08]

I'm going to start reloading.223 and need to buy a set of dies.

What dies and powder are you guys happy with for .223?

I bought a set of RCBS small base dies, when I started loading for my AR's. I've since added a set of Hornady and don't see any advantage to the small base dies.

If you're going to be using military brass, either get a bunch of extra decapping pins or a universal heavy duty decamping die. I got tired of replacing pins and bought the universal die. Money well spent. You'll also need to remove the crimp on the primer pocket. There are a number of units available to accomplish this task, ranging from a hand held cutter (an RCBS chamfering tool works but is tedious) to the bench mount units. I started with a hand held unit but upgraded to the Dillon bench mount super swage. If you're doing a lot of brass, the Dillon is worth the money but it's not cheap.

I load 55g and 62g bullets for my .223s. I buy Hornnady 55g and Prvi 62g.
I've used a number of powders. I've had good results with Varget and H4895. I used 2230 for a while, because it was inexpensive but switched to CFE 223 and haven't looked back. It helps keep copper fouling to a minimum.
Get yourself a drop in case gauge. I've had some military brass that, even after resizing, wouldn't drop into a case gauge. They're cheap and will keep you out of trouble.
If you're planning on loading in bulk, a progressive press ( a Dillon 550 works well) is the way to go.

 

[srb08]

My powder choice was due to 748 giving my good accuracy and being ball powder it flows well in the powder thrower.

Agree completely, Ball powder does meter better.

 

[Genius]

My goto for 223 in my AR is H-335. I picked up some CFE-223 but haven't had a chance to work loads up yet

 

[srb08]

My goto for 223 in my AR is H-335. I picked up some CFE-223 but haven't had a chance to work loads up yet

I agree H335 is a great powder for .223.

 

[amberg]

Took some time to load up some throw away hulls for dove season, Here is four boxes of once shot Universal hulls from last year. Got about 4 more cases of Remington and Winchesters already loaded.

 

[ARPILOT]

Dillon 550 for 9mm,45acp,38 spcl, & 223
RCBS Rockchucker for 6x47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6BR, 223, 270 Win, 300 BLK, 30-30 Win
MEC for 12ga
Giraud case trimmer

 

[FergusonTO35]

Yesterday I found what might just be the perfect .40 S&W load, at least for my tastes. Tried it out in my Glock 22 yesterday and it is very accurate, has mild recoil, and empties land 3-5 feet away. The chronograph data indicates it is on par with the .44 Special, should put the smack down on anything in the Bluegrass within pistol range.

4.2 grains Bullseye, .401 Lee 175 grain LTC, CCI primer, 1.115 OAL
Low: 892.2
High: 927.5
Average: 910.5
Extreme spread: 35.28
Standard deviation: 13.15
Energy: 322.10 ft. lbs.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I will have a .45-70 someday. I'm actually a bit interested in getting a Contender or Encore pistol or rilfe in .357 Maximum, especially now that Starline brass is available for it. I love the .357 and the Maximum isn't far from a .35 Remington. The straight walled cartridge is another plus as far as reloading is concerned...

Henry now has a single shot .45-70 that is pretty sweet. I have a 1979 Marlin 1895, lotsa fun!