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Couldn't figure out why my OAL and powder throw were all over the place, especially on a Dillon [LOL]. Till i noticed the shell plate platform assy was loose[facepalm]
Full take down, clean, inspect, Blue Loctite on applicable threads. Damn things like new again. . That ones had lots of mileage on it.
Created 100x .308 for pig hunting.
created 250x .223 for yote killing.
"And now for the sporting news: Pig and yote numbers have been inexplicably decreasing in the state recently, wildlife management is stumped"
Loaded 950 rounds of x-treme bullets 147 grain round nose 9mm. Gotta love the speed and efficiency of a Dillon 650!
It would take a LOT more than my itty bit of ammo to drop the numbers by any significant amount. It certainly is a target rich environment, though!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha2
Make sure every thing stays tight , or you'll be banging your head against the strong mount ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by NFATrustGuy
Loaded the remaining 70 rounds last night, for the match today. They were very accurate for me. Now I've switched to X-treme and will have to start all over again working up loads. Currently tumbling 212, 40 S&W cases.
I saw you mention that in your previous post. I am considering running about 500 rounds of .223 tomorrow so I'll be sure to give it all a good once-over before I get started. Thanks for the heads-up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo
Loaded my first batch of 100 rounds of 9mm. Loaded them in single-stage mode, where I resized/deprimed/primed them all, then ran thru them all thru the expander/charging die, then seated the bullet on all rounds, then crimped all rounds. Before adding the bullets, I was able to inspect all the charged cases side by side to ensure they all looked right.
I'm using the lee auto-disk powder measure with the adjustable charge bar. After adjusting it, its takes a few charges to settle in, then it seems to stay very consistent. For the first 50, I measured the powder charge of each round. For the next 50, I just measured every 5th or so, or if something didn't feel quite right. I was trying for a charge of 6.0gr, and the entire time I never saw a charge under 5.9, or more than 6.2. Most were 6.0/6.1.
I think by the next batch I'll feel comfortable starting to use the auto-indexing mode on the press. I'll probably single-stage the first 10 or so, so that I can weight the charges, then go auto-index after that.
Rod, I've got a couple thousand Extreme 147gr on the way, what load are you using?
I got the heavy-plated version so I wouldn't have to deal with the slower velocity thing.
50 223 52 grain barnes xlc and 100 speer 52 hollow points 27.3 grains cfe. My 1/9 twist likes these. It exhausts my stock of them, but I'll only use them when it matters. Couldn't find a charge that wasn't within 1 tenth of a grain on my lee pro disk. As always.
Headed back to make 100 308 168 hpbt. Hopefully the wife sleeps in a little while longer before I have to start honey do's.
I used TiteGroup 3.2 grains. I did a 60 round ladder to test loads... at 3.0, 3.2 and 3.4 grains. My XDm 5.25" seemed to like the 3.2 and 3.4 equally well so I picked the 3.2 and ran with it. My OAL was 1.160" +/- 0.005"Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha2
I'm using x-teme's UPC #819304313149 bullets.
I've still got about 700 rounds of loaded 115gr Montana Gold bullets and another 2000+ of the Montana Gold RN's sitting in the box. I like the feel of the heavier bullet as I'm trying to improve my skills in faster shooting. I'm trying to get to a point where I won't completely embarrass myself in a 3-gun competition... I should probably start shooting my shotgun at some point.... Hmm...
Finally shot my test 45acp loads. I did 5 steps from 7.0gr to 7.8gr of AA5, 230gr bullets. I ran a magazine of factory ammo first, then the test rounds. Even the 7.0gr felt hotter than factory. They all ran good and accuracy looked good. The 7.8gr seemed to have a little bit of primer flattening, but it was barely noticable, so I might be imagining thing. I won't be working up that high anytime soon, so not worried about it. Loaded up another batch of test loads, this time at 6.6gr and 6.8gr.
I switched the press over from .223 to 9mm........waiting for dem boolits!
Roll sized/Case-pro a couple thousand pcs of 38 Super brass for a friend.
Then I loaded a bunch of 38 Special subsonic ammo with Titegroup and 147 zero bullets and a couple thousand rounds of 9x19 ammo for my Smith 929.
How many grs of TG and OAL. My suppressor is real close to approval. I have a bunch of 158 HC lead sitting here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoser
I started with a start load and went down quite a bit. I bumped up the crimp to be sure the load generated enough pressure to get the bullet clear of the barrel/can. Very quiet. Like Hollywood quiet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo
Prepped and Primed all the brass from the ammo I shot up at SHC this weekend, well most of it anyway, I think I lost probably 15 or so pieces. But 200 pieces of my usually meticulous brass prep for my match ammo was quite enough for one day.
Then loaded up 50 rounds of it for testing purposes with 123 gr Lapua's. Just to see what I can get out of it. If I can get the speed I'm looking for, with a low SD and good group, I may consider switching to them down the road. We'll see, it's not like the 139's I'm currently shooting are doing poorly, but it's more to satisfy my own curiosity.
Tomorrow night, I'll have to load up enough to ensure I have plenty ready to go for Steel Safari.
I had a good time with the 123s. I was able to get them going 2900 out of my 20" gas gun before I saw any real pressure signs. I decided that I probably shouldn't be pushing them that hard. I now use the 142 SMKs, but I have a small stock (maybe 100 or so) of the 123s left that I should burn up.
The 123s and 139s are a lot easier to acquire.
What powder are you using? (I ask this question a lot, just to satisfy my curiosity of what others are using)
142s in a gas gun suck.
I shot 1K of Sierra's 123 out of my bolt gun. I got shamed into switching to the 142's, but I liked the 123's a lot. There was a bit less recoil and muzzle blast (pre-can days) which made the gun a little easier to shoot. I know I gained some ballistic performance by switching to the 142's, but I'm not convinced it made any real world difference.
yep... finding that out. They work awesome in my bolt gun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoser
I've got a few other weights/types that I'll give a try.
H4350, but also doing some testing with RL17, but not comfortable switching to it until I can test the load at over 100° ambient temp. Because it's pretty much inevitable that I'm going to run out of H4350 and not be able to re-supply as soon as I'd like. I've also found a really good load with the RL17 but have no idea if it'll get nasty (pressure/big velocity swing/lose consistency) when the temp goes up or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBelly
I'm mainly testing the 123 Lapua because when you put pen to paper on them, because the BC is so close on them to the 139, I figure if I can pump up the speed on them a enough, while keeping good groups/low SD, etc. it will be a ballistic advantage to run them vs the 139. I honestly don't think I'll get enough speed to make it an advantage, but we'll see. I'd need to gain a solid 200 fps over the 139 that I'm currently running @ 2830 fps while maintaining all the other goodness of my current load.
I was finally able to order some powder (thanks to powder valley) and some (montana gold) bullets. Starting next weekend I will finally enter the world of reloading!
Finally had enough time to clean up after too long away. Cast and powder coated some new bullets. Loaded up some in 38 special and tested out the rounds (worked great!). Also got some tax stamps back for toys, so finally fixed the CNC spindle index electronics on my lathe so that I can thread some tubes :)
Attachment 45437
Made shiny.
Thought of my reloading room from a long way away.
Woke up early and turned 2,000 pcs of 5.56 brass into 300 Whisper/Blackout brass.
Then loaded up some more 9x19 for my revo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoser
Sheesh. That would take me two weeks.
Ran a pile of test loads at the range. In my 260 I managed to get the 123 gr Lapua's up to 3148 fps, with an SD of 6.4 and no signs of pressure. 5 shot group came in at .402" With that speed, this load will shave off 1.8 mils of elevation and .2 mils off a full value wind @1200 yds as compared to my current load with the 139 gr loads.
Pretty sure I'm going to load up a bunch for the next Raton match and give them a whirl in real conditions.
147gr 9mm arrived, but the PITA state shoot is going on this weekend, so must wait...
Bought a Dillon LARGE sized media separator today, half priced, couldn't pass it up.
I am pretty sure you could take any 10 of us and not be half as setup as Hoser ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
90 minutes or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
I'd be willing to wager on it ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hound
Breaking in new bullet mold blocks. Suck-o.
I didn't know you had to to do that. What does it entail?
Got my Lee Tuuret press set up and loaded 500 9mm 115gr FMJ rounds. AND.... I got out and tested some new .308 loads.
You want to ensure the cast rounds are clean and as evenly shaped as possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha2
http://www.reloadingtips.com/how_to/mold_warmup.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TeAteu2VZ4
I don't ever smoke a mold block unless it's having trouble letting go of bullets. For the most part, it's not needed.
When you get a new mold, the oils from machining are usually still present hidden in the nooks and crannies. I wipe out the cavities with rubbing alcohol, but it still takes a lot of casting before they stop coming out all wrinkled. Basically, my first session with the mold is getting it hot and getting it to drop pretty bullets.
Loaded and crimped 200 rds of .40
Loaded 10 different loads of .223 for testing.
Loaded 4 loads of .308 Barnes TTSX for testing. The book says 45.5gr max, but I started compressing powder at 43.0gr.
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