First time reloading

[Robin128]

Would it be fair to say that one might crimp lead heads for revolvers and lead/soft points for under-levers?

I have several manuals including Speer's and Hodgdon's but the best I've got is the Sierra Manual...well worth the investment IMHO.

Rob

[Robin128]

Tisme,

I am currently reloading 38sp, 44mag, 223rem and 308win. Have reloaded 30/30, 357mag and 45acp.

Consistency is the key to reloading...all the same brass, same case length (ie trimmed), same primers, same COAL etc etc.

When working up a cartridge you need to be sure of your objective...is it an accuracy or a hunting load you are developing? If you are only ( )trying to put bullets in the same hole on a piece of paper at a distance, you may be surprised that such an optimised accuracy load may not be as powerful (energy, veolocity) as a hunting load. Make up about 6-10 cartridges of the same load, within stated max load variables...RTFM (amount of powder etc). And another 6-10 with 0.1gn powder more, and so on...but no more than max stated in manual.

You will find, in increments of 0.1gn that your accuracy improves to a point and then starts dropping off. Buy a Stoney Point overall length guage to determine distance to the lands in the barrel. I found that a set distance to the lands improved accuracy again, to a point...eg 15 thou gap/jump.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1263 ... NGTH_GAUGE

Buy some second hand or new micrometers...

http://www.mscjlindustrial.co.uk/CGI/INSRCH?N=4137

HTH



Rob

[tisme]

Thanks guys for all the great info. I am making them for fox and using V max 55grs in the .223. I will now try different loads as so far I have only used to starting loads.
Thanks again for the tips
Pete

[ronboy]

Hi Tisme, It's my understanding that a pistol primer is a lighter construction to a rifle primer so do not try maximum loads with pistol primers. A friend bought a 44 underlever rifle from me, which was a competition winner, he was getting problems with it, mainly misfires. We got down to investigating and he was using rifle primers. Having reloaded for at least 45 years I have come to some conclusions, use a reloading tray, shine a torch light into each case to see if there's powder or a double load and make sure all primers are facing the correct direction for entry into the cases and get some scale weights. all the best for the new year ronboy

[tisme]

Yet more help, Thanks.
This forum is so full of knowledgeable people. A really big thanks to Alan today for coming over and giving me lots of tips. While he was here we loaded 20 Hornet rounds to his spec, that seems to work very well. This afternoon I loaded 80 .223 rounds.
Confession time. I did mess up big time on one round, I put it above the holder when putting a bullet into it, not in the holder. Result a very stuck squashed round.
It sounds really boring but I really enjoyed today. Thanks Alan

Pete

[alan108]

Well done Pete,at least you can laugh at your mistakes. :lol:
Thanks for today,it was great to assist you.Shame about that bl**dy fox,if it had been clearer we may have had chance to show what my .204 can do at 260 yards. :(
I look forward to coming down again and having an evening at the foxes.
I enjoyed the cuppa,and get mobbed by the dogs.

best wishes,

Alan :)

[Ovenpaa]

When you forget to lube the case when you are full length sizing and it rips the rim off and leaves it well and truly stuffed inside the Die let me know and I will explain how to get it out

Notice and I say 'when' and not if.....

[alan108]

Oh yes, done that on one (and ONLY one) occasion,what a job to get it out! :shock:

Alan :)

[Ovenpaa]

Well as you have done it once you should be OK from now on, however for the record...

Drill the base of the stuck case through the primer hole and tap it to M8. Get an M8x50 set screw (bolt) and a suitable sized piece of tube that will bear on the base of the die (I used a metric socket as it was handy and robust, grab a couple of penny washers to stop the bolt head disappearing through the middle of the socket and screw the bolt through the washer, socket and into the bottom of the stuck case and it should just jack the case out.

You can always use imperial gear instead but being married to a Viking I am all metricated (I have also run Japanese/German motorbikes most of my life)

Alternatively you can buy a bit of kit that does this but I preferred my way

[tisme]

I look forward to this Not

The one I got stuck was quite easy to get out. I just removed the top of the die and tapped it with a hammer and punch.

Every since loading the rounds yesterday it's bee foggy, I can't wait to try them.