First reloading yield

[RooftopKorean]

I was a little slow getting started as the auto drum wouldn't keep steady at 42.0 gr on a powder drop so I had to do about 10 drops, there ultimately was a variance of 0.2 to 0.6 but not enough to push even half way to the next load fps. I used Federal 210 large rifle primers for the reloads.

A couple of times I had to end up using the bullet puller because the auto drum didn't drop powder because the beaded wire slipped and didn't reset the drum. It ended up being a good lesson on how to pull bullets.

The progressive press was easy to get the hang of, next I need to figure out how to get the casing feeder to work with casings this large if it is possible.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Here's my batch of 223. It went rather fast this time except for when I noticed that primers weren't sitting properly because the idiot I am didn't ream the pockets or clean them.

Have to pull bullets on four bad primer seatings.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I was doing the same thing last night......but no bullet pulling.

 

[Getzville 068]

I was loading .45-70 last night.

I don't shoot more than three boxes of .45-70 rounds each year, but with this quarantine I've had time to reload even these seldom-used rounds.

But no reloading .223 for me. That's the one round I buy.

 

[RooftopKorean]

I was doing the same thing last night......but no bullet pulling.
View attachment 70743

That looks like 6.5 cm.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

That looks like 6.5 cm.

6 Creed. Loaded up some 6.5 for my buddy's rig this morning.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Wooo... Hornady red tips I'll be loading my V-MAX 55 grain next.

Hopefully my order from MidwayUSA with my Hornady 45-70 FTX bullets will come soon so I can load up the Hornady brass.

Not gonna lie, I'm kind of afraid to shoot my own stuff. Anyone else had that apprehension the first time?

 

[Chevusa]

Wow. Sounds like a huge pain in the ass! I wouldn't have the patience for it. I like to click the button and have 1000 round cases delivered to my door instead. I'm not sure how much cheeper it is when you factor in all of the startup money for tools then add in all of the time spent. I'm sure I pay a little more doing it my way, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Wow. Sounds like a huge pain in the ass! I wouldn't have the patience for it. I like to click the button and have 1000 round cases delivered to my door instead. I'm not sure how much cheeper it is when you factor in all of the startup money for tools then add in all of the time spent. I'm sure I pay a little more doing it my way, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

It definitely saves money for the larger calibers I shoot as well as the uncommon WW2 calibers like .303 British and 7.5x54mm. It's definitely an investment into tooling up but I got some great deals, especially on my Loadmaster. I got it with 3 extra tool heads and a bunch of shell plates for DIRT cheap. It was cheap enough that I was able to buy various upgrades for the press.

I also find it to be therapeutic and relaxing.

 

[repete]

Wow. Sounds like a huge pain in the ass! I wouldn't have the patience for it. I like to click the button and have 1000 round cases delivered to my door instead. I'm not sure how much cheeper it is when you factor in all of the startup money for tools then add in all of the time spent. I'm sure I pay a little more doing it my way, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

You dont save money, but you do get to have a lot more ammo on hand! started reloading thinking I'd save money, then I started casting my own bullets figuring I'd save even more, so now I have thousands of dollars in brass lead powder and other stuff and I'm still looking for the "savings".

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Wooo... Hornady red tips I'll be loading my V-MAX 55 grain next.

Hopefully my order from MidwayUSA with my Hornady 45-70 FTX bullets will come soon so I can load up the Hornady brass.

Not gonna lie, I'm kind of afraid to shoot my own stuff. Anyone else had that apprehension the first time?

Nope. Pay attention loading, chamber, and send it.

 

[meketrefe]

I am having problems with the AAC 400 "watchout!" lol

 

[Kent Goldings]

You should buy a primer pocket swager. 223 ammo usually has crimped primers. The first time you reload 223 you need to swag the pockets.

I’ve pretty much exhausted my supply of powered, primers, bullets, or brass trying to stay sane at home. I also have no more room in my cabinet to store it.

I still have a couple thousand rounds of Norma TAC 223 on hand. I’ve saved all the brass from a couple of cases and reload. It’s great brass.

I reload these Sierra 69 grain Match king HP with 25 grains of Hodgdon H4895. It is as large a bullet as the Savage Axis 2 can stabilize. But, It stays supersonic out to 800 yards.

I broke down and ordered a progressive press for 9mm.

 

[RooftopKorean]

You should buy a primer pocket swager. 223 ammo usually has crimped primers. The first time you reload 223 you need to swag the pockets.

I’ve pretty much exhausted my supply of powered, primers, bullets, or brass trying to stay sane at home. I also have no more room in my cabinet to store it.

I still have a couple thousand rounds of Norma TAC 223 on hand. I’ve saved all the brass from a couple of cases and reload. It’s great brass.

I reload these Sierra 69 grain Match king HP with 25 grains of Hodgdon H4895. It is as large a bullet as the Savage Axis 2 can stabilize. But, It stays supersonic out to 800 yards.

I broke down and ordered a progressive press for 9mm.

I used the RCBS pocket reamer to get rid of the crimped primer pockets on all my 223. I do that, then clean my primer pocket with the RCBS small primer pocket attachment on my Hornady Case Prep Trio.

 

[Kent Goldings]

I used the RCBS pocket reamer to get rid of the crimped primer pocket on all my 223, I do that, then clean my primer pocket with the RCBS small primer pocket attachment on my Hornady Case Prep Trio.

I used a pocket reamer before. I think the swager is less fussy.

 

[RooftopKorean]

I used a pocket reamer before. I think the swager is less fussy.

Not fussy for me since I am already doing the primer pocket cleaning anyway.

 

[kev74]

Wooo... Hornady red tips I'll be loading my V-MAX 55 grain next.

Hopefully my order from MidwayUSA with my Hornady 45-70 FTX bullets will come soon so I can load up the Hornady brass.

Not gonna lie, I'm kind of afraid to shoot my own stuff. Anyone else had that apprehension the first time?

I remember being more than a little nervous when I shot off my first few reloads.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I am having problems with the AAC 400 "watchout!" lol

View attachment 70792

Looks like you may be running into a head spacing problem. Just a guess though.

 

[meketrefe]

Looks like you may be running into a head spacing problem. Just a guess though.

I think it is more like a backspacing problem.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Here's some freshly made 6.5 Creedmoor, thanks to Carlos Hathcock for the brass.

 

[Acer-m14]

I am having problems with the AAC 400 "watchout!" lol

View attachment 70792

just add some skittles before the bullet .. AAC 400 Rainbow ..

 

[Vantrepes]

Wow. Sounds like a huge pain in the ass! I wouldn't have the patience for it. I like to click the button and have 1000 round cases delivered to my door instead. I'm not sure how much cheeper it is when you factor in all of the startup money for tools then add in all of the time spent. I'm sure I pay a little more doing it my way, but I'm perfectly fine with that.

The saving money part is nice, but not all of the reason to reload. You can load cheap plinker ammo below factory cost, or you can tune the load to get the best performance out of a specific gun at about the standard cost for premium performance.
Personally, I like it. It's kind of my zen time.

I remember being more than a little nervous when I shot off my first few reloads.

I'll be honest, I shot my first 5 reloads with the rifle sandbagged down to the bench, and only my left arm above it

 

[repete]

I am having problems with the AAC 400 "watchout!" lol

View attachment 70792

Looks like you crammed a .38 wadcutter in there! Is that your version of a .357AR Mag?

 

[dwa12479]

The saving money part is nice, but not all of the reason to reload. You can load cheap plinker ammo below factory cost, or you can tune the load to get the best performance out of a specific gun at about the standard cost for premium performance.
Personally, I like it. It's kind of my zen time.

I'll be honest, I shot my first 5 reloads with the rifle sandbagged down to the bench, and only my left arm above it

My first ever batch that I loaded by myself with no supervision... I forgot my hearing protection on the first round. Holy fuck did that scare the shit out of me. It wasn't the first time I'd ever shot without ears, but I definitely was jumpy and not expecting the decibel level.

 

[dwa12479]

Here's my batch of 223. It went rather fast this time except for when I noticed that primers weren't sitting properly because the idiot I am didn't ream the pockets or clean them.

Have to pull bullets on four bad primer seatings.

View attachment 70738

If you're prepping and loading lots of cases, a prep station is an excellent investment. I have this one from Lyman, it made doing large batches of rifle cartridges fun again.

Lyman Case Prep Xpress Case Prep Center

The Lyman Case Prep Xpress Case Prep Center is the only "All-Inclusive" system on the market, providing all of the necessary accessories from...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[RooftopKorean]

If you're prepping and loading lots of cases, a prep station is an excellent investment. I have this one from Lyman, it made doing large batches of rifle cartridges fun again

I have the Hornady Case Prep Trio, RCBS cleaning brushes (Sm, Med, Lrg) and both small and large pocket reamer bits.

 

[RooftopKorean]

First few .458 SOCOM. Thanks for the brass @Carlos Hathcock





Sorry about the super large pictures before, I was posting from my phone. I've sized them down

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

First few .458 SOCOM. Thanks for the brass @Carlos Hathcock

View attachment 72328

View attachment 72329

There ya go. Now go blow some shit up with it.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Just got done reloading all of the 7.5x54mm french brass I had. Thanks @kev74

Although I think I am developing a problem. I am enjoying this WAY too much

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Take it from someone who's been down the path. It'll fade some.....but I still enjoy it. For the first few months I would be in the garage until 11:00 every night. Enjoy it.