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Posted: 6/25/2017 4:18:45 PM EDT
[#1]
Went this morning tested my M855A1 loads. Got some good data.
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Posted: 6/25/2017 6:15:24 PM EDT
[#2]
Friday I primed all my 7.62 cases. Today I put together 100 with 175 SMKs and IMR4895. With the temps running right at 100* it was getting a little too toasty in the garage so I called it a day...at least until the sun goes down.
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Posted: 6/25/2017 9:17:26 PM EDT
[#3]
I sized 200 .40 S&W cases on the LnL AP. .40 is just exactly in between the case feeder's drop tube sizes; it's a snug fit for the small tube, but a very sloppy fit for the large tube. I guess I need to figure out what size a "medium" tube would be, and cobble something together. Anyway, though the tube thing slowed me down, I now have the brass for my test loads sized. Next comes de-bulging, not because any of these cases has a noticeable bulge, but because I want all of them as uniform as possible.
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Posted: 6/25/2017 9:20:19 PM EDT
[#4]
Purchase a Frankford Arsenal Case Prep Center and Rotary Tumbler.
When they arrive, I'll process some Wolf Gold and 300 WM brass. |
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Posted: 6/25/2017 9:58:38 PM EDT
[#5]
Messed with AR-Comp in a bolt action .308 a bit with a few bullets. Not sure what to think yet. Definitely not as accurate as Varget with the very heavy bullets, seems promising with the 168's.
Figured out an oldie but goodie bullet may be the most accurate I have found in my 7 mag. Plain old 162 gr. Hornady Interlocks shoot < 3/4". Good enough for this guy. Once again impressed with RL-26. It is good stuff. |
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Posted: 6/26/2017 8:15:13 PM EDT
[#6]
I puzzled out a workable case feed drop tube for .40 S&W on my LnL AP. .40 fits way too tightly in the standard "small" drop tube, and way too sloppy in the "large" tube. So what to do? Find a tube that is half way between the two. I did that.
I need to tweak it a bit, but it does everything it needs to for .40 - and I suppose for 10mm if I ever go that route. Pictures when I finish it. |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 6/27/2017 11:32:24 AM EDT
[#7]
Bought some .40 brass on the exchange. A LFRB and a MFRB so I have the capacity to build up my right arm a bit and shoot for days.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 6/27/2017 3:53:36 PM EDT
[#8]
Yesterday I re-primed about 100x 308 cases because I tumbled them in walnut media AFTER I primed them to remove case lube
 . Found a ton of blocked flash holes and learned my lesson to prime after tumbling the case lube off.
Research shows mixed opinions on whether to leave them be or not, but I figured for the time it takes to worry about it I could re-prime this lot and not make that mistake again. I also "thought" that I full length sized my first batch of 7mm Mag rounds. Went to the range a couple weekends ago and found that none would chamber. Went home and used my fancy headspace gauge to determine that they were not sized at all. I have since broken down the 30 cases, resized to properly bump the shoulder, and now will re-load them this week. |
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Posted: 6/27/2017 7:06:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: FB41]
[#9]
Added 2 more addicts to the addiction.
They're set up now to load .223, .300 BO and 12 gauge shotshells. MEC and RCBS made a lotta money from them this past weekend! 
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Posted: 6/27/2017 9:35:15 PM EDT
[#10]
I worked a bit on the home-built .40 drop tube I made yesterday. I am not sure whether I'm going to do anything beyond just making it fit where it needs to go, but I'm getting closer to having it finished.
Then I sorted another 300 .40 cases by headstamp. I had the idea that I might make up a second batch of 200 cases with the same headstamp, but halfway through the sorting I remembered that I'd already concluded that this lot (originally >500) didn't have anywhere near 200 of another headstamp. Ah well, I have a good inventory of how may of what headstamp I have. 
I also did some research on loads. I haven't gotten any new data from any bullet makers, but I'm feeling fairly comfortable with most .400" bullets of a similar type being very close in length regardless of maker. |
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Posted: 6/28/2017 2:39:08 AM EDT
[#11]
I loaded 700 rounds of 40.
180 hp. I love my 40s. Up next is 10mm. |
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Posted: 6/29/2017 2:48:02 AM EDT
[#12]
I sorted through a 5 gallon bucket of pistol brass today, have a second bucket to work on tomorrow.
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Posted: 6/29/2017 7:04:39 PM EDT
[#13]
Loaded up 400rds of 9mm. Need to get some more powder for some 223.
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Posted: 6/30/2017 12:12:38 PM EDT
[#14]
Loaded 500 rds of 90g Gold Dot 6.8
Really need to see about a caliber change kit in 6.8 for my 650. Been single staging all my 6.8 stuff. Takes way too long. |
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Posted: 6/30/2017 6:04:39 PM EDT
[#15]
Finished sorting the second 5 gallon bucket of pistol brass, second bucket took way longer than the first.
I'll be making a bunch of brass this weekend at a match. Gotta start filling the next bucket! |
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Posted: 7/2/2017 4:58:33 PM EDT
[#16]
Spent some time working up to what I hope copies my favorite 308 Hornady TAP load.
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Posted: 7/2/2017 5:58:49 PM EDT
[#17]
I bulge-busted 200+ .40 S&W cases. I got a slow start because it's important to not just read the directions, but also to follow them.
I thought I had the crimp sleeve out, really I did, but that case just wouldn't go...through the crimping sleeve. I had to use a large punch and a mallet - with some colorful language added in - to get the case out. My good old Rock Chucker was up to the task, not so much my arm, OR the brass case. Fortunately, once I got my head on straight, it was a quick task. None of the cases took much effort, and only a few took noticeably more effort than any of the others. |
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USA
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Posted: 7/2/2017 6:22:16 PM EDT
[#18]
I got set up to load some 223 match loads using 80 gr Sierra MatchKings.
I clean the brass, installed the 223 tool head in my 550B, checked and adjusted all the die settings (headspace, powder charge, seating depth). I then resized all the brass and trimmed it on my Giraud trimmer. That trimmer is awesome (250 cases in about 15 minutes without any struggle). I re-tumbled the cases to remove the lube and am now ready to load. |
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USA
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Posted: 7/2/2017 6:32:31 PM EDT
[#19]
P.S. - I finally found my BERGER Bullet reloading manual. It has loads for my 6XC and their 105 gr bullets using Ramshot HUNTER powder.
According to Berger, my prior work did not take me anywhere near the max loads for HUNTER. I may reload some additional test rounds at higher charge weights to see where it takes me. Thus far, HUNTER did not do as well or better than H4350. Maybe at higher charge densities it will come into its own. |
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Posted: 7/2/2017 7:07:11 PM EDT
[#20]
Loaded 250 Hornady 62 gr FMJ with Tac this afternoon
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AL, USA
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Posted: 7/2/2017 7:28:19 PM EDT
[#21]
I worked on depriming, tumbling, and storing a bunch of 6.8spcII, 40S&W, and 300blk brass
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Posted: 7/2/2017 8:48:27 PM EDT
[#22]
We had folks over for supper, so it wasn't until later that I de-lubed my .40 cases and switched back over to the LnL AP (smallish bench, one Inline Fabrication Ultramount riser...). Then I tidied up a bit and worked on load plans. Should be good to go with putting together my test loads soon.
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Posted: 7/2/2017 9:05:50 PM EDT
[#23]
haven't loaded much last few weeks, took a break of sorts.
Broke the dry spell and today: 1. worked up some ladder loads of 62 gr .223 projectiles with AA2230 powder 21.5, 22, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, and 24.0 gr 2. cranked out another 150 or so 9mm on the Dillon 650 Next goal is to set up the 550B for 40SW, then get around to trimming some 762x39 brass, reloading related but not actually reloading |
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Posted: 7/2/2017 9:18:14 PM EDT
[#24]
I found a big box of really nasty 40 brass I "lost" when I moved. Cycling it all through my tumbler now. Also, prepping 150+ lbs of range scrap for the next smelting session.
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Posted: 7/3/2017 10:44:22 AM EDT
[#25]
Discovered that the Cabelas exclusive Savage 308 that I paid $420 out the door for may be the most accurate out of the box firearm I've ever come across.
The first group I shot after initial zero (with ammo loaded for another rifle) ended up printing about 1/2". I imagine it'll tighten up with a custom loading. Tried some Federal LPM Match primers in the 458 SOCOM with good results. Closed the groups up a hair. Need to test some other bullets still. The whole myth of all Federal primers being soft is a bunch of bull. These act almost identically to Winchester LP primers excepting the fact that they are a little hotter. |
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Posted: 7/3/2017 1:54:29 PM EDT
[#26]
I picked up a lbs of Reloder-16 to try in 6.5 Creedmoor and 2 lbs of Blue Dot! First time I have seen Blue Dot on the shelf at my LGS in a couple of years.
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Posted: 7/3/2017 2:02:18 PM EDT
[#27]
Yesterday loaded a box of 6.5 Grendel, some 44 mag, and started loading a box of 45 shotshells, they are sized and primed.
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Posted: 7/3/2017 9:23:02 PM EDT
[#28]
Been busy
1. went to range today and test fired my 62 gr projectile .223 loads with AA2230 powder all went bang and couldn't tell any real difference function wise 2. also shot some 9mm reloads in my 9mm Colt carbine, so generated some 9mm brass along with the .223 to be sorted and tumbled 3. some dudes at the range were shooting .223 and I asked if they wanted their brass, they said no, so scammed another 200 rds maybe of once fired .223 
4. Been putting trimming 762x39 brass for a long time and finally got around to it. Sticking point was to dial in the Giraud trimmer. For some reason the die body for the 762x39 case holder accepted standard lock rings with no problem. However I wanted a Hornady lock ring and it would go about 2 turns then jam. I mucked with it over an hour and forced the lock ring on from both directions, evidently Hornady rings are tighter than standard non locking die rings. Dialed in the trim depth using a Wilson case gage, wasted one piece of brass by trimming too short. A few tweaks and it's trimming perfectly 5. Tossed some .223 brass in the tumbler |
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Posted: 7/3/2017 9:38:33 PM EDT
[#29]
Loaded some 300 Blackout rounds, also tumbled around 600 38 Special cases, received my Missouri bullet order today as well. Will be loading some reduced power loads for my newly acquired pre model 10 5 screw
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Posted: 7/3/2017 10:25:28 PM EDT
[#30]
Finally got around to loading up some 9mm subs with N-320. Definitely a bit more quiet and less smoky than TiteGroup which had thus far been the quietest, cleanest powder I had found.
Very pleased with the results. Now I have no idea what to do with 12 lb. or so of TiteGroup I have... Maybe some 308 subs just for S&G. |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 6:09:30 PM EDT
[#31]
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Posted: 7/4/2017 8:00:23 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AssaultRifler:
For some reason the die body for the 762x39 case holder accepted standard lock rings with no problem. However I wanted a Hornady lock ring and it would go about 2 turns then jam. I mucked with it over an hour and forced the lock ring on from both directions, evidently Hornady rings are tighter than standard non locking die rings. Today I thought about loading any time I had the chance. But it was a more than full day at work today (healthcare has no real holidays), so I didn't get anything done about it. |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 8:40:03 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By GHPorter:
I've found lots of things with standard lock ring threads (7/8-14), including the metal drop tubes for Hornady's LnL case feeder. I've had all positive experiences with Hornady lock rings (I bought a 6-pack of them just for my Giraud's case holders), but sometimes they come with the cross bolt a bit tight. I also had one that needed a tiny nudge with a flat blade screwdriver to open up enough to use - maybe the machinist had a cold that day. Today I thought about loading any time I had the chance. But it was a more than full day at work today (healthcare has no real holidays), so I didn't get anything done about it. |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 9:27:48 PM EDT
[#34]
Got in some 200g .45 bullets from Midway. Tomorrow I'll probably tumble a bunch of brass so I have a bunch ready to go for my days off.
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Posted: 7/5/2017 9:33:55 PM EDT
[#35]
I set up the LnL AP for my .40 loading project. I adjusted the powder measure's PTX system to give me the correct flare, adjusted the RCBS seat/crimp die to just seat bullets (which will change with different loads), and the Lee FCD to properly (and lightly) crimp the bullets.
Then for grins I broke out the RCBS bullet feeder die and configured it for .40 caliber bullets. Then I adjusted it to feed the Rainier bullets I'm using. It was pretty easy, honestly, but the proof will be when I'm actually loading. That has to come later, unfortunately... |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 9:44:00 PM EDT
[#36]
Got my next batch of M855A1 test rounds loaded using H-335.
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Posted: 7/5/2017 10:16:11 PM EDT
[#37]
Carved out some time for a range trip and test fired my first reloads, .38 Special with plated 158 gr SWC.
No issues observed so time to work up a full ladder.  Attached File |
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Posted: 7/6/2017 9:06:35 PM EDT
[#38]
I loaded up my first .40 S&W test loads. Since I had the press all set up, all I had to do was adjust the powder measure. It went well, and I'm ready to test these as soon as I can get to the range when it's not a) overflowing with people and b) not 398.5ºF without shade. The second may take longer to find than the first.
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Posted: 7/7/2017 8:35:37 PM EDT
[#39]
This evening I just did some clean up. Since I'm changing powders for the next run on my .40 S&W project, I also took the opportunity to clean, not just empty, my powder measure. I used my shop vac to ensure that any stray granules of the previous powder were history, along with dust, etc. I also wiped down the inside of the hopper, which had gotten kind of dark with graphite over time.
Given the time tomorrow, I hope to put together loads with at least two more powders for testing in .40 S&W. The press is ready, I have all the components...all I need is some free time. |
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Posted: 7/7/2017 10:47:20 PM EDT
[#40]
Cleaned up the bench tonight and got out the Mec press to load some 12 ga shells this weekend.
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Posted: 7/7/2017 11:46:47 PM EDT
[#41]
Sized/deprimed a bunch of .45 brass to load this weekend.
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Posted: 7/8/2017 1:49:58 AM EDT
[#42]
Made some more test loads of .38 spl with 158gr SWC over varying charges of WW231.
I also installed a Lee primer and powder measure onto my turret press. So far I had been using the press as a glorified single stage, but moving towards running it as a turret press. |
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Posted: 7/8/2017 2:23:10 AM EDT
[Last Edit: demoMouse]
[#43]
UPS delivered my press today! :D
So I set it up and after a short trip to Home Depot and some fun with the drill, I started depriming this:  Attached File |
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Posted: 7/8/2017 3:57:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: muta4warrior]
[#44]
Found a few things while setting up for the local fun show today..
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Posted: 7/8/2017 7:58:32 PM EDT
[#45]
Loaded 200 of these. An exact copy of Hornady 168 grain TAP.
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Posted: 7/8/2017 8:24:35 PM EDT
[#46]
Loaded up 250 1 oz 12 ga target loads. Swapped presses to load up 200 380 Auto with 100 gr plated rn-fp and BE-86.
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Posted: 7/8/2017 10:33:00 PM EDT
[#47]
Loaded some powder coated 165 gr RNFPHB and some 200 gr SWC's in 45 ACP today.
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Posted: 7/8/2017 11:33:27 PM EDT
[#48]
Prepped and loaded 40 rounds of .45-70 with my home cast and powder coated 405-grain bullets.
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USA
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Posted: 7/8/2017 11:58:24 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Trollslayer]
[#49]
I got set up to load some 6mm cartridges but decided to wait for my next round of load development test results.
Assuming the test results are acceptable (pressure), the next consideration that will come up is whether the 3000 fps I expect to see is really any better than 2600 fps. The trade off will be reduced wind drift at 3000 fps versus extended barrel life at 2600 fps. |
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Posted: 7/9/2017 12:44:45 AM EDT
[Last Edit: demoMouse]
[#50]
Decapped 2100 .40 brass.
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