Handlaoding

[PrairieGhost]

Sounds like you have a nice compact area to load in.

What kind of 45 are you shooting that 200gr bullet in and how does it work?

What about the 500gr 45/70?

Just now noticed I didn't answer you in this thread. I use the 200 gr in my Springfield XD, and in my model 1911 I pull the factory 16 lb recoil spring and drop in a 24 lb recoil spring and load the 200 gr to 1200 fps. For those reading this don't try it with the factory 16 lb spring because your frame will not last for a full mag load.

Hmmm don't remember my load with the 500 gr right off hand. I do remember I was not going real hot. Only about 1300 fps if memory serves me which it doesn't do to well anymore.

Since talking with you last I did purchase the heated base for my sizer/lubricator and am using harder lubricants. I also purchased RCBS Gold Medal Match full length neck bushing dies for the 6.5 Creedmoor. I also purchased head space gauges and only bump my shoulder .001 inch. Forester Ultra with micrometer heads for the 6.5X284, and Forester Bench Rest for the 308. Speaking of memory I keep reading that the Lee collet dies have zero run out. I ordered four sets and a couple months later stumbled upon six set of Lee Collet dies that I had forgot I had. Those were also new.

I had the Hornady bullet run out gauge. I didn't like it for multiple reasons so purchased the RCBS. Loaded rounds that measured .002 run out on the Hornady measured .008 on the RCBS. That's when I dropped some coin on better dies.

 

[Enslow]

Anyone use the redding shellholder set to adjust headspace? I have recently began doing that and is it easy to get the headspace exactly where i want it. Then once i know what the proper shell holder is for each gun i write it down and all of a sudden brass work is easy..

 

[krhuntin]

I did buy this from midway about a week ago, still havent received it in the mail. I am patiently waiting;:;banghead on the mail. You have to order kits for some reason. I think i spent around 50 something

Anyone use the redding shellholder set to adjust headspace? I have recently began doing that and is it easy to get the headspace exactly where i want it. Then once i know what the proper shell holder is for each gun i write it down and all of a sudden brass work is easy..

 

[Enslow]

They come in kits so you can bump your headspace incrementally by starting with the shellholder that bumps the shoulder the least. It is very exacting and easy.

 

[Petras]

The variances you get in seating depth (base to ogive) are likely caused by variances between individual bullets, even when they're out of the same box. Try measuring the bullets only from base to ogive. You'll see they're not entirely consistent, at least not down to the thousandth. Some bullets types are more consistent than others. For example, I found the 139 Lapua Scenar to be so amazingly consistent (at least within the same lot), that I now only measure the first couple after setting the seater. However, the 143 ELDX can vary .006 or more from bullet to bullet. This is why it's a fools errand to try to seat "right at the lands". You'll never do it consistently.


@Petras - I think you'll want to look into a micrometer seating die. I really enjoy the Redding for my 6.5. When I'm really focusing on precision, I'll back it off a few thousandths, seat the bullet, measure it, adjust the die, and seat it again so that every one measures exactly the same. With a micrometer die, you can do that easily with a twist of the die head.

I started out using the cheap RCBS dies, and if you're reloading for plinking or standard hunting ranges, they're just fine. If you're looking to shoot to 1000 yards or more, consistency is key, in which case, I'd look into Redding or Forester.

And while I'm at it: I'm not sure what your goal is for this ammo, but small groups at 100 yards are great, but may not mean anything at 1000. Your velocity must be consistent as well. For example, you can shoot tiny groups at 100 yards even when your velocity is swinging 100 fps from shot to shot. However, at 1000, you'll only hit when the chambered round happens to line up with the velocity you used to make your dope chart.

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not necessarily saying I want to shoot at animals out to 1000 yards, but it would be nice if, after more practice, I could reach out and get them out to 700 or 800 yards. What do you consider an acceptable ES if wanting to shoot long range? I understand that the smaller the ES the better. I saw an ES of about 27 fps. Is this acceptable?

 

[SDMF]

Run a ballistics table and see how far you have to be before your ES +/- causes you to miss your vital area/Target.

 

[Allen]

I load for my 25-06 and 7 mm Rem Mag. I now have a 243 in the family as well, so I may pick up reloading for it over the coming years. Problem is...I/we just don't shoot as much as I'd like to, and surely not enough to make reloading a big financial savings.

 

[2400]

I load for my 25-06 and 7 mm Rem Mag. I now have a 243 in the family as well, so I may pick up reloading for it over the coming years. Problem is...I/we just don't shoot as much as I'd like to, and surely not enough to make reloading a big financial savings.

Allen, I probably don't shoot many of the calibers I own enough to justify loading either. I really enjoy working up loads for different guns and making them as accurate as possible. For me reloading isn't about money, it's about getting the most out of each gun. I've already got everything to load except brass, bullets and dies so it isn't much money to load something different. If you buy Hornady dies you'll get a free box of bullets to help get you started!

 

[Downrigger]

:;:imwithstupid

I'm with 2400 on the reloading to get the most out of my guns and it's a fun hobby. I reload for 7 calibers now but am adding a .280 AI to the list for elk for my brother next month. Always exciting when you get to reload for a new gun and have almost a year to get it figured out.

 

[PrairieGhost]

Like you 2400 I load for performance. Accuracy is the main goal, but if I can get accuracy and speed even better. This years deer was at 850 yards. Ten minutes before I nailed a coyote at 575 yards. Coyotes don't move much when hit with a 210 gr bullet. I was using a suppressor so got away with shooting at coyotes and deer still moving around.

 

[2400]

I know we have to have more handloaders in here, so bump to the top.

 

[frozen4sioux]

I am quite amatuer at the reloading.
But have found a tremendous cost savings for me.
I load mainly for my Xbolt 270 WSM.
I use Barnes 130gr TTSX bullets. I've figured it costs about $120 to load 100 rounds.
The closest factory loads run about $45 per/20. so save about $100 per 100 rounds.

I just use an old RCBS rock chucker and RCBS full legth dies.

I have just simple hand case trimer and tools.

I have reloaded for .223 .45ACP .30-06 .243 .22-250 and have a shotshell setup too.

I do not find as much cost/time savings for reloading 223 as woring brass in that quantity really bogs me down.
I sure do enjoy both the savings and the consistency of velocity I get with the loads I have on the .270 WSM. The rounds perform better than I can shoot them.

 

[AR-15]

Use a Lee Breech lock hand press for my .380, 9MM, 357, 40S&W, 45ACP, works good, also have Lee Classic Turret, and a Redding T7 for the rifles and they work good to

 

[Tymurrey]

Just added another one to the reload list. Also bought my first 9mm but that’s for the new daughter so I have some time to get that one loaded for.

pic of the 9mm

 

[Wild and Free]

I had a super redhawk in 454 but didn't like how it shot not having a muzzle break it was just too hard to keep hold of, sold it and got a S&W XVR 460, much nicer to shoot.
Those Super blackhawk bisley Rugers are sweet though, did you have to wait long to get it or did someone have one in stock?

 

[Tymurrey]

It bites my knuckle under the trigger guard if I don’t have a glove or wrap my bottom finger under the butt to space out my fingers. I have been waiting on one for over a year but I got my ffl this spring and as soon as the distributor got it in I snatched it up for myself. Hoping to put a deer down with it this year, picked up some 240gr xtp mags and some 250gr Speer deep curls to try.

 

[Enslow]

Just shot some 210 grain test loads for my .300 win.. using RL-26. She has some kick haha.

 

[Tymurrey]

My go to load in my 300wm is 79.0gr of H1000 in Norma brass with fed 215’s pushing 208 amaxs at 2965fps. This is a hot load and shouldn’t be used in other rifles without building up to it. I didn’t show pressure signs up to 79.5gr but the es got higher and I didn’t gain velocity so I’m thinking I wasn’t burning all the powder. This was the powder charge that had the lowest vertical stringing when doing load development at 400 yards.

 

[lazyMlazyK]

I load for a 9mm, .22-250, and .30-06. Have a good load for the .22-250 with Berger 52gr match/varmint, and 180gr Hornady SST for the .30-06. Working on a 150gr Sierra load for the .30-06 and a 55gr Nosler load for the .22-250. Should be shooting a ladder test with the .22-250 Thursday or Friday night to find an accuracy node.

 

[2400]

My latest caliber to load is a 300 H&H Magnum. I noticed I haven't had my 338 Wim Mag out of the safe in at least 8 years so I decided to rebarrel it to 300 H&H Mag. I have the 300's big brother the 375 H&H and have 704 rounds through it so far.

I thought it would be a cool pair of "old school" rifles to have, shoot and hunt with.