What did you do in the reloading room recently?

[Jay77]

Not certain if its the light or not but those look like the necks need a wee bit of a crimp to get rid of the belling

I had the same exact thought but I tried to force the bullet into the case and there was enough neck the bullet didn’t budge. I’m using the RCBS seating / crimping die. I’m going to throw a generic Lee 308 crimp die in the single stage and test a few with the bell reduced. I’ve shot hundreds like this with no major issues.

 

[mac1911]

For big old cases with a low case fill, the seating depth isn't crazy critical - I can run it through GRT (some day I'll splurge and get QuickLoad)

I have quick loads on my computer, but my computer won’t boot. It’s an old computer Windows 7 Pro. I basically kept it just for quick loads. I was also working on getting the pictures off of it, but I suck at anything computer. I’m not sure if I could somehow get a reboot for Windows 7 Pro to get it up and running again.
I use it for quick loads and my scope

 

[northny]

I’ve been procrastinating trimming brass.

So I knocked off the rest of 6.5 CM today

Tomorrow will do the 308 (less than 300)

(Still putting off the pile of .223 till last)

 

[steve8140]

I know the feeling, I recently trimmed these 223 cases and am dreading swaging another batch.

 

[ddeck]

I just did about 1500 cases of 223 on the FA Trim and Prep center. I use a K&M Shell holder to hold the brass and it's pretty easy (but time consuming).

I have found that FC brass in 223 rarely needs to be trimmed and I'll be running some more tests to see how true that is (actually quantify it). The LC 223 also seems to always be under 1.750. I had read on some forum this was generally true.

I've also identified the "non crimped" headstamps for 223/556 and can sort those out so I don't have to swage. Headstamps aren't perfect for this, though, since some are crimped. The ones that say 223 have a 556 version as well.

Vast majority non crimped
RP
GFL
PMC
A USA
Hornady 223
Super Vel
Sig
S&B 223
Fiocchi (this is a separate one from GFL)
PPU (one with no date)
U (this is one that looks like a horseshoe that goes to the edge of the brass)
Norma 223

The rest will get blasted through the APP for swaging...that's a quick process

 

[pastera]

I had the same exact thought but I tried to force the bullet into the case and there was enough neck the bullet didn’t budge. I’m using the RCBS seating / crimping die. I’m going to throw a generic Lee 308 crimp die in the single stage and test a few with the bell reduced. I’ve shot hundreds like this with no major issues.

If they don't give you a problem chambering the no harm - no foul

 

[pastera]

I have quick loads on my computer, but my computer won’t boot. It’s an old computer Windows 7 Pro. I basically kept it just for quick loads. I was also working on getting the pictures off of it, but I suck at anything computer. I’m not sure if I could somehow get a reboot for Windows 7 Pro to get it up and running again.
I use it for quick loads and my scope

If the drive is good then a cheap USB adapter can get your data off.
Or boot from a live cd/DVD and pull data (but you do need to be familiar with linux)

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

Just made some 45-70 with 3031 to test out a mid range load. Maybe 1300 FPS.

 

[northny]

Just made some 45-70 with 3031 to test out a mid range load. Maybe 1300 FPS.

View attachment 961012

I would like this multiple times if I could. A plinking load for my 45-70 is always on my to do list, but never gets done. I wind up just taking the 30-30 for lever gun fun

 

[p..]

I would like this multiple times if I could. A plinking load for my 45-70 is always on my to do list, but never gets done. I wind up just taking the 30-30 for lever gun fun

Those look awesome, but with the price of 3031, that's like $0.40 a round just in powder.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

I would like this multiple times if I could. A plinking load for my 45-70 is always on my to do list, but never gets done. I wind up just taking the 30-30 for lever gun fun

12 grains of unique. Best plinking load there is!! From a 405 to a 535 it’s great.

Those look awesome, but with the price of 3031, that's like $0.40 a round just in powder.

I’m shooting 3031 from the early 90s in metal cans. I have some of the new fangled stuff in plastic bottles too.
I didn’t pay for any of it either. I’ll start worrying when I run through the 6 pounds I have.

 

[steve8140]

Made my first 38 special rounds. Had CFE Pistol and Titegroup on hand so started with the CFE Pistol.

Using RCBS carbide dies with a roll crimp. Only thing I noticed was the resizing die leaves the cases a touch thick at the base. The die is threaded in and locked down where it just barely makes contact with the shell plate.

Overall good process and look forward to testing them.

Also, pic of host gun. I’m hoping to make mouse fart subsonic rounds as well as regular plinking ammo.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

Made my first 38 special rounds. Had CFE Pistol and Titegroup on hand so started with the CFE Pistol.

Using RCBS carbide dies with a roll crimp. Only thing I noticed was the resizing die leaves the cases a touch thick at the base. The die is threaded in and locked down where it just barely makes contact with the shell plate.

Overall good process and look forward to testing them.

Also, pic of host gun. I’m hoping to make mouse fart subsonic rounds as well as regular plinking ammo.


View attachment 961264View attachment 961265View attachment 961266

You’re gonna love loading 38. Now get some lead so you shoot twice as much as the jacketed.

 

[DW357]

Didn’t @whacko have an issue with stuck bullets in 38 spl when using 158 gr JHPs/JSPs? I might have that wrong

 

[whacko]

Didn’t @whacko have an issue with stuck bullets in 38 spl when using 158 gr JHPs/JSPs? I might have that wrong

You have a good memory. Yes......I obtained some published data for jacketed 158 grain projos using 700x powder forb38 special. They worked in my snub nose......but would stick in the bore of my henry carbine.

Be careful with 158 grain jacketed and 38 special using faster powders for rifles!

 

[whacko]

Made my first 38 special rounds. Had CFE Pistol and Titegroup on hand so started with the CFE Pistol.

Using RCBS carbide dies with a roll crimp. Only thing I noticed was the resizing die leaves the cases a touch thick at the base. The die is threaded in and locked down where it just barely makes contact with the shell plate.

Overall good process and look forward to testing them.

Also, pic of host gun. I’m hoping to make mouse fart subsonic rounds as well as regular plinking ammo.


View attachment 961264View attachment 961265View attachment 961266

Where did you get load data for 158 grain jacketed in 38 special for cfe?

Be cautious using 158 grain jacketed in 38 special loads in a rifle! I've had problems with that combo with projos not exiting the bore. Copper jacketed projos have more friction contacting the rifling....combined with a 158 grain and fastish burning powders.....stuck projo city in rifles from my experince. The load i ran into problems with went thru my revolver no problem and was actually quite accurate.....but would stick in the bore of my henry carbine.....and this was published data for 158 grain jsp not me free lancing.

You say you have titegroup......that's one of the fastest burning powders there is.......I'd be leary of trying that powder on a jacketed 158 .38 load thru a rufle. Have a wood dowel ready....

 

[pastera]

You have a good memory. Yes......I obtained some published data for jacketed 158 grain projos using 700x powder forb38 special. They worked in my snub nose......but would stick in the bore of my henry carbine.

Be careful with 158 grain jacketed and 38 special using faster powders for rifles!

CFE isn't very fast but I agree with keeping the loads at the higher end.

 

[whacko]

CFE isn't very fast but I agree with keeping the loads at the higher end.

I just checked and the hodgedon website has load data for jacketed 158 using titegroup.......I find that interesting as 700x is a similar fast burning powders and it definitely gave me problems using published data in a henry rifle.

I know my lyman 50th has plenty of load data for 158 grain projos in 38 special but only in cast projos! 158 grain jsp for 38 soecial......crickets lol.

 

[steve8140]

@whacko Thanks for the advice.

The load data I have came from two Hodgedon books and confirmed on the website.

 

[ddeck]

There is a specific listing for 357 magnum in Rifle versus pistol in a lot of books.

I have not seen that for 38 special. I also haven’t compared the 357 loads to see the differences.

 

[whacko]

@whacko Thanks for the advice.

The load data I have came from two Hodgedon books and confirmed on the website.

View attachment 961291View attachment 961292

Exactly......the data i used was also published data. I'm saying be careful when you fire those thru your rifle.......if you get one stuck in a lever action its all too easy to rack that lever, chamber another one, and kaboom or bulged barrel.

 

[whacko]

There is a specific listing for 357 magnum in Rifle versus pistol in a lot of books.

I have not seen that for 38 special. I also haven’t compared the 357 loads to see the differences.

After me experience using jacketed in 38 special for rifle loads i swore off jacketed for use in my henry in .38 loads. For my rifle it's

38 special...... lead projos only
357..... jacketed projos only

 

[whacko]

@whacko Thanks for the advice.

The load data I have came from two Hodgedon books and confirmed on the website.

View attachment 961291View attachment 961292

See that load for 700x......that's what I used......and it WILL stick in the bore of a henry rifle......every f***ing round!

Be careful with jacketed 158s in 38 loadings thru a rifle.....published data and all.

You say you have titegroup as well.....that's a fast powder I'd be leary on using that thru rifle with your jacketed 158s

 

[xtry51]

Always check your press before you restart a process. You don't know what kind of diabolical entity might be altering your setup. I caught you Toad. I knew you've been trying to kill me. I'm on to you....

 

[quinnjalan]

Follow up on my last post. I went away from using t-track as I didn’t want any movement when working the presses. Here a collage photo that shows the before (top left), during and after. Last thing is to mount the case and bullet hoppers on the wall.



Here’s a close up shot. Mk7 Evo and Dillon 750 on the near end and my bow press in the stored position on the far end.

 

[p..]

You have a good memory. Yes......I obtained some published data for jacketed 158 grain projos using 700x powder forb38 special. They worked in my snub nose......but would stick in the bore of my henry carbine.

Be careful with 158 grain jacketed and 38 special using faster powders for rifles!

I also stuck a bullet in a J frame, trying to come up with a low recoil load for a friend. I was getting speeds from 192 fps to 634 fps, super inconsistent ignition, and finally one stuck in the barrel.
Don't do this:
38 Special
3.8g Win 231
Winchester SP
Berry's 125g plated FP

 

[whacko]

I also stuck a bullet in a J frame, trying to come up with a low recoil load for a friend. I was getting speeds from 192 fps to 634 fps, super inconsistent ignition, and finally one stuck in the barrel.
Don't do this:
38 Special
Win 231
3.8g
Winchester SP
Berry's 125g plated FP

That's real inconsistent load lol

The problem with the 38s i made back then was copper jackets was actually a published load for 38 special. Jacketed 158 and fast burning powder. Worked great in a revolver.....but thru a long barrel in a rifle the extra friction of the copper jacket over a longer bore distance.....the fast powder ran out of steam before the projo exited the bore.

 

[MC56]

Always check your press before you restart a process. You don't know what kind of diabolical entity might be altering your setup. I caught you Toad. I knew you've been trying to kill me. I'm on to you....View attachment 961304

4.0gr of cat litter under a 124gr fmj coming right up.

 

[Ripshot]

After a few months break, I finished some 6.5 Creedmoor that I had cleaned, anneald and sized last year. Now I've started my first 38 special. I picked up a beautiful 686 plus 3-5-7 5" (already installed a Power Custom Trigger kit) I bought dies and some other goodies.

I'm going to start with 6.5 grains of CFE pistol under 124 FMJ.

 

[steve8140]

After a few months break, I finished some 6.5 Creedmoor that I had cleaned, anneald and sized last year. Now I've started my first 38 special. I picked up a beautiful 686 plus 3-5-7 5" (already installed a Power Custom Trigger kit) I bought dies and some other goodies.

I'm going to start with 6.5 grains of CFE pistol under 124 FMJ.

View attachment 961575View attachment 961576

Keep us posted how you like those RMR bullets. RMR is typically my go to bullet source. Waiting for a sale and I’ll be buying 8k assorted bullets that are sitting in my cart.