New Handloader/Reloading junkie

[mroyal98]

I've been thinking about it for a long time and happened to have some money available from a recent performance bonus at work. I went to an estate auction in Orange and picked up a lot of goodies - dies and bullets and a MEC shotshell loader (haven't gone there yet.) And then, it was Cabellas and me on a shopping flurry. The press is the Lyman turret and its working great. I think calling my first bullet a thousand dollar bullet is not too far off the mark, but I am setting up for a number of calibers (30 M1, 9mm, 45ACP, 38Special, 30-06, and 243 to start with). I was lucky enough to not buy *too* much that I don't need but I may have gone a little overboard. I reckon you have to pay for the education along with the components.

I'll try and display some pics of my workshop and my $1000 first bullet (30-06) which my wife promptly took from me and put it somewhere for a keepsake. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been experimenting with 30-06 loads between the min and max of the bullet/powder combination I am using. Very interesting! Early results are the lighter loads produce the tighter groups in my gun (Savage 110).

I'm going to be working up a number of handgun loads and a few long guns as money becomes available (I am broke because my CMP M1 Gerand just hit my bank account). Maybe I'll share that experience in another thread. It should arrive in the next week or so.

Okay, lets try some pics.

[Vahunter]

Iv'e had that reloading "disease" for a little more than 25 years. Looks like a nice setup you have there and you can't go wrong with using Lyman and RCBS equipment. I can recomned a good bullet for the '06 for deer hunting. 150 grain Sierra BTSP, it's accurate and does a number on deer. Speaking of deer, you ready for 'em ?

[mroyal98]

Here is a short video of my first reload (after a number of pulls and measurements.)

http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk20 ... hop002.flv

[mroyal98]

Iv'e had that reloading "disease" for a little more than 25 years. Looks like a nice setup you have there and you can't go wrong with using Lyman and RCBS equipment. I can recomned a good bullet for the '06 for deer hunting. 150 grain Sierra BTSP, it's accurate and does a number on deer. Speaking of deer, you ready for 'em ?

What Deer?




Thats my neighborhood buddies.

Here is my stand



Hows it looking down there?

[mroyal98]

Iv'e had that reloading "disease" for a little more than 25 years. Looks like a nice setup you have there and you can't go wrong with using Lyman and RCBS equipment. I can recomned a good bullet for the '06 for deer hunting. 150 grain Sierra BTSP, it's accurate and does a number on deer. Speaking of deer, you ready for 'em ?

The first powder and bullet for me was a crap shot, because almost everything would go back-order and I was ready to get started. I ended up with the IMR 4831 and the Nosler 180 grain ballistic tip green. Turned out pretty good as the powder burns clean and although 180 is a little high for deer, there are rumors of bear... I am getting best groups on the 53 and 54 grain load, but they are too close for me to decide yet.

What are you using with the Sierra 150? (and aren't you glad I am done with photos?)

One of my questions is the minimum lengths for casings and overall length. I started with the max or just below and had a couple of tight chamberings though they did fine in the action. One my second batch, I kept the cases around 2.487 (max is 2.494) and overall at 3.30 (max is 3.340).
I don't have a head space measurement tool, but the second batch worked great. Do you have a standard that you use (max minus .xxX?)

[zephyp]

Nice setup Marion. I cant wait to set up my new bench. Right now I'm stuck with make shift in a tiny apartment. Young has already agreed to let me take over the garage in our new house...

[allingeneral]

Congrats on your keepsake Marion! Nice setup you've got there. Be safe!

[Vahunter]

I'm using IMR3031 in a .308 and it does quit good. I try to seat the bullet to where it's just touching or barely off the lands. If it's hard to close the bolt I back off until the bolt closes easily and check accuracy from there. Getting ready to put in food plots in a week or so. The bear rumor must be true since they extended archery and black powder season plus added a few days for rifle. Wonder if I could grow donuts in a food plot?

[zephyp]

Wonder if I could grow donuts in a food plot?

[mroyal98]

Hey Boo boo,
Whats the best load for a 30 oughta be a 60 inch pic-a-nic-basket?

Oh Yogi, you know you're a push-over for those empty tires filled with used McDonalds french fries oil. That's why they chain them to trees.

Yea, but that's doughnuts to a smarter-than-the-average bear.


Hmm, food plots - eh?

[mroyal98]

I'm using IMR3031 in a .308 and it does quit good. I try to seat the bullet to where it's just touching or barely off the lands. If it's hard to close the bolt I back off until the bolt closes easily and check accuracy from there.

Have you tried different seatings beyond what barely fits off the lands? I guess that max is close to my lands on the savage 110 since I have had a couple of hard bolt locks with the first batch and none with my second batch. Is there any fine tuning there, in your experience?

[SgtBill]

Where did the shell's come from prior to the first re-loading. Were they new, once fired Etc.
Bill

[mroyal98]

I have both new (Winchester brass) and once fired - mostly Remington (some now twice). I have loaded (and shot) about 50 thus far with about 5 of them new brass.
I'm getting a little powder residue on the neck outside that doesn't happen with the commercial, but everything else looks fine.

[Vahunter]

I'm using IMR3031 in a .308 and it does quit good. I try to seat the bullet to where it's just touching or barely off the lands. If it's hard to close the bolt I back off until the bolt closes easily and check accuracy from there.

Have you tried different seatings beyond what barely fits off the lands?

That's when it usually gets hard to close the bolt.But If by beyond you mean a shorter OAL, yes Iv'e tried it and sometimes it works better than touching the lands. Depends on the rifle.

[mroyal98]

That's when it usually gets hard to close the bolt.But If by beyond you mean a shorter OAL, yes Iv'e tried it and sometimes it works better than touching the lands. Depends on the rifle.

I experimented over the weekend and the shorter OAL didn't seem to change my results. I am pleased with my load with 1/2 inch at 100 yards, so I think I'll load up for the season. Maybe one more touch on the sight next time out for confirmation, but I think I'm good to go.

[CCFan]

I just loaded 40 rounds this past weekend for the .30-06... my buddy was telling me I'd be hooked, and offered to tutor me on his equipment to see if I thought I'd like it... I'm hooked. Haven't made it to the range to test the loads out yet, but looking forward to testing it all and learning from all of the hand loaders here...

[mroyal98]

Shot my hunting hand loads to sight in my 30-06 last weekend.
Two out of three were within 1 inch of each other and both about 1/2 inch from dead center at 100yds (one on each side about 1/4 high.) The third one was about two inches to the left of center (about the same height), but that one was shot by my bro-in-law. He's an eagle eye and can outshoot me easily when not shooting from a bench rest, but I'm getting to know my long guns pretty well. I shot a last one at 50ys and was about 3/4 inch above dead center. Seems like a pretty good trajectory to me.

As long as I don't bang it around, I'm good to go.