Anyone reload ammunition?

[04JRB]

My wife got me a progressive reloader for christmas since I spend so much on ammunition.

It looks like Ill have a lot of fun gaining accuracy and saving money with this new addiction, LoL.

Who else reloads?

[barkingspud]

My wife got me a progressive reloader for christmas since I spend so much on ammunition.

It looks like Ill have a lot of fun gaining accuracy and saving money with this new addiction, LoL.

Who else reloads?

What caliber? I do most everything. The majority is 45 ACP though....

[RichardZ SS]

Avid reloader here! A progressive press is GREAT for shotguns and handgun ammo, but I still do my rifle ammo one round at a time. ;)

[04JRB]

Im going to be reloading .40 s&W, .270, 30-40 Krag, .223 for starters. I might reload 7.62x54r later too.

My wife got me a Lee Loadmaster, Ive read mixed reviews. It wasnt nearly as bad as some say to get it set up and running. the case feeder is a true PITA though.

I have had some reloading manuals for a while, so Im familiar with it to a point. But there is soooo much to learn yet.

Since I primarily shoot rifles, I may use the press as an indexing semi progressive and use it fully progressive for 40 s&w.

Ive been cheating on this site and spending a lot of thime on the firing line, the high road and some other sites too.

[housewolf]

I used too, as a matter of fact I have a bunch of stuff I would like to give away.

[RichardZ SS]

My biggest fear with a progressive press is dropping powder charges instead of weighing them out one at a time. I load my rifles right on the edge of max. and work up loads for each of them that are the most accurate and dropping charges is too much of a variation for me.

[TXRaider]

I used too, as a matter of fact I have a bunch of stuff I would like to give away.

HEY GET BACK TO WORK RANDALL!!! :)

[04JRB]

I used too, as a matter of fact I have a bunch of stuff I would like to give away.

depending on what you have, I need to get more stuff and would be VERY interested in that!

[greg'sgoat]

I used too, as a matter of fact I have a bunch of stuff I would like to give away.

I'd be happy to take it off your hands, I'll even pay shipping.


I've really wanted to get into reloading since prices have sky-rocketed. I'd mainly do it for .223 and .45 at the time, but add more down the line.

[barkingspud]

I still do it old school. i have a Rock Chucker press and can reload a TON of 45ACP in a typical session. I have a hard time finding a decent bullet though. I use 180Gr SWC's with a high Antimony content for hardness. Less fouling of the barrel. I typically shoot 400-500 rounds a session....LOTS of practice. I used compete in a lot of IPSC events. Stopped when I saw too many custom guns and really light loads. I prefer competing in events that are more true to life.

[04JRB]

My biggest fear with a progressive press is dropping powder charges instead of weighing them out one at a time. I load my rifles right on the edge of max. and work up loads for each of them that are the most accurate and dropping charges is too much of a variation for me.

this is a big concern of mine too. Ill obviously be starting with reduced loads, but I think Ill be checking charges every couple rounds at first.

Im nervous about a primer going off too.

[jamesbiz]

lucky :( . my girlfriend hates me having guns.

[TenEchs]

I shoot a 7mm TCU and a 7mm INT so I have to roll my own.

I also load 9mm, 45, 38/357, 41 Magnum, 357 Super Magnum, and 7mm-08.

I have an old Rock Chucker and have no problem turning out a decent volumn.

[nesikachad]

One at a time for me.

Don't reload pistol though. . .

[04JRB]

One at a time for me.

Don't reload pistol though. . .

I had a feeling that you might reload.

[TLS_Addict]

One at a time but I dont do pistols either. Like RichardZ SS said, I reload at the edge of max (and sometimes mas) depending if I can get them to shoot well.

Check your state regulations to make sure you dont get too much powder in your posession.

I know here in PA the max a single person can have is 10lbs without having a FFL.

[barkingspud]

10lbs is the norm across the U.S. I don't buy more than a few pounds at a time.....So, since we are on the subject. I load my 45ACP with 180gr SWC (high antimony content) with 10 grains of 231. Anyone else have a good competition formula?

[04JRB]

I was reading that you can get a C&R license from the ATFE and get nice discounts from places like midway.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/howtogety ourcurionrelicffl03/index.asp

[barkingspud]

I was reading that you can get a C&R license from the ATFE and get nice discounts from places like midway.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/howtogety ourcurionrelicffl03/index.asp

Bookmarked. Thanks!!!

[b727pic]

been awhile, but got a Dillon XL650 for the handguns, have most of the options including the over under charge alarm, and the auto feed...works like a champ!
.380ACP
9MM
38Super
.38sp
.357Mag
.44Mag
.445 supermag
45LC
45ACP

still use the RCBS for the rifle, have a shotgun progressive I haven't even used yet....someday when work demands slow down..

[04JRB]

been awhile, but got a Dillon XL650 for the handguns, have most of the options including the over under charge alarm, and the auto feed...works like a champ!
.380ACP
9MM
38Super
.38sp
.357Mag
.44Mag
.445 supermag
45LC
45ACP

still use the RCBS for the rifle, have a shotgun progressive I haven't even used yet....someday when work demands slow down..


From my readings between christmas and now, the dillon xl650 is the press to get. My loadmaster was a surprise gift, and Ive gotten past the worst part of getting it set up correctly. Im yet to make more than a few dummy rounds though.

[TSterling]

One round at a time with a rockchucker press.
30-06
.308
.243
.223
218bee

[nesikachad]

One at a time but I dont do pistols either. Like RichardZ SS said, I reload at the edge of max (and sometimes mas) depending if I can get them to shoot well.

Check your state regulations to make sure you dont get too much powder in your posession.

I know here in PA the max a single person can have is 10lbs without having a FFL.



Wow! As long as I've worked in the gun business as a gunmaker I have never known this.

I'm a baaaaaad man. . .

[barkingspud]

Anyone have any favorite formulas? I need to get my log book out and see...It's been awhile...

[nesikachad]

308 winchester:

155 grain Sierra M. King.
Lapua brass
Federal GM210 primer
46 grains of Varget
OAL of 2.800

Velocity of 3060 in a 30" tube.

good to 1000 yards.

300-338 Lapua

125 grain Nosler Ballistic tip
Lapua or Norma brass
115 grains of RL 25
105 grains of RL 22
Federal GM 215 primer

Seat bullet to put the boat tail/bearing intersect right above the neck/shoulder junction.

32" barrel gets you 4375 fps velocity.

devastation on a prairie dog field.

22-250 Remmy

35 grain Hornaday V max.
As much Varget as I can get in the case
Federal GM 210 primer.
Seat the bullet into the lands about .005"

Hammer out at 4600fps in a 28" tube.

Also brutal on a mutt field, jack rabbit, coyote, and NO RECOIL.

You see all the action through the scope this way.

Very graphic at 32X

6.5-284

142 grain Lapua Scenar or Berger VLD
55 grains 4350 Short cut
Federal GM 210 primer
Lapua/Norma brass

3150 fps out of a 28" tube.

1000 yard target round of choice and brutal on white tail deer when loaded with Hornady V max bullets.


yeah, I'm bored. I slummed the lounge almost all day today.

[barkingspud]

Hmmm...I need to find mine. I do 45ACP, 44Mag, 357Mag and 270Win.

[nesikachad]

I'm rattling all this off the top of my head

[barkingspud]

I'm rattling all this off the top of my head

I don't commit that kinda stuff to memory....Other than my 45ACP competition load...

[2K6 GTO]

Been reloading for over 30 years. Never had a primer pop with a press type reloader. I use the Lee Progressive for my handguns, it's no Dillon for sure. Lee's are very cantankerous (particularly with indexing) but will work OK, just pay attention. I always use a load that at least fills half of the cartridge, that way double loads will over fill. Extremely reduced loads have proven to be dangerous so they are good to stay away from anyway. With a Lee, I'm more concerned about "getting" powder then it double charging. Look at each cartridge to verify the charge has been delivered and spot check every so many rounds with a scale for that added peace of mind that the charge has not changed.
Welcome to the world of reloading. It's fun to shoot your own and you will save some money. I've reloaded my 9mm cases so many times that I've lost count. Shouldn't do that I know...But My Sig and Walther shoot them with out a problem.
Just keep your mind on what you are doing, stay neat, don't get careless and you'll never have a problem.

[nesikachad]

My reloading practices get fairly anal.

Ok, they get really anal.

First is selecting brass. Each case is weighed and sorted into sub lots.

Bullets are also done this way.

Instrumentation for this is a Denver Instrument laboratory balance.

Then we get to deboogering primer pockets, flash holes etc.

Now we can straighten necks.

Neck mandrel die that I made.

Now we chamfer the necks.

Forrester case trimmer for this operation.

Now I can begin sizing cases.

Redding comp dies for this chore.

Weigh each primer and sort into lots

Visually inspect primers. Federal GM's have a red dye coloring. I sort based on the level of coloring. yeah, its stupid. Screw you guys.

Seating primers is done with a Sinclair benchrest primer seating tool. Very nice.

Charges weighed and meters with the RCBS digital powder dispenser. (A MUST HAVE)

Now we seat bullets. Redding comp micrometer head seater for this chore.

That about covers it.

Cleaning is done first by running through a decapping die to get the prmer out.

Then I boil the cases in a commercial deep fryer filled with a high concentration of Simple Green cleaner. (DO NOT TRY THIS ON THE STOVE, the fumes'll damn near kill ya!)

Then polish in the tumbler.

100% visual inspection.

Gauge primer holes with "go" and "no go" pin gauges (home grown thing I do)

Now I can start loading again.

Yay, aint this fun?

It sucks sometimes, but I never, NEVER have a flyer with this process.

[barkingspud]

My reloading practices get fairly anal.

Ok, they get really anal.

First is selecting brass. Each case is weighed and sorted into sub lots.

Bullets are also done this way.

Instrumentation for this is a Denver Instrument laboratory balance.

Then we get to deboogering primer pockets, flash holes etc.

Now we can straighten necks.

Neck mandrel die that I made.

Now we chamfer the necks.

Forrester case trimmer for this operation.

Now I can begin sizing cases.

Redding comp dies for this chore.

Weigh each primer and sort into lots

Visually inspect primers. Federal GM's have a red dye coloring. I sort based on the level of coloring. yeah, its stupid. Screw you guys.

Seating primers is done with a Sinclair benchrest primer seating tool. Very nice.

Charges weighed and meters with the RCBS digital powder dispenser. (A MUST HAVE)

Now we seat bullets. Redding comp micrometer head seater for this chore.

That about covers it.

Cleaning is done first by running through a decapping die to get the prmer out.

Then I boil the cases in a commercial deep fryer filled with a high concentration of Simple Green cleaner. (DO NOT TRY THIS ON THE STOVE, the fumes'll damn near kill ya!)

Then polish in the tumbler.

100% visual inspection.

Gauge primer holes with "go" and "no go" pin gauges (home grown thing I do)

Now I can start loading again.

Yay, aint this fun?

It sucks sometimes, but I never, NEVER have a flyer with this process.

Yikes!! For Pistol rounds, I visually inspect to make sure there aren't any cracks in the case punch out the primer and away I go. I check my first few for length and powder charge and crank away checking random samples as I go.

For my 270's I measure the case, visually inspect and hand check each charge.

I tumble my brass every third time or so depending.

[housewolf]

My reloading practices get fairly anal....


Yay, aint this fun?

It sucks sometimes, but I never, NEVER have a flyer with this process.
This is pretty similar to reloading for bench rest shooting. Main difference I see is forming brass. We fire formed all brass and never resized anything but the neck after that.
FWIW... many (not all) BR shooters prefer the cheap little Lee primer press over the Sinclair... better "feel". I was shooting 6PPC and of course I haven't been to a bench rest match in... 12 years :wall:

BTW nesikachad, we share another hobby too, vinyl LPs.