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Mbaker78
02-17-2018, 04:09 PM
I loaded up the 144 64gr soft points I had for 223. Now I’m going to have to come up with some more brass before I can load the ~1000 62gr soft points I have.

Also loaded up a subsonic test set for blackout using 240gr powder coated bullets and 1680. Six sets from 9.3 to 10.8gr, it doesn’t look like much powder in there ;)

WarEagleEd
02-18-2018, 07:28 PM
I removed the primers from that .45 LC brass I found at the range and ran them in the tumbler with some .45 ACP brass. I have them drying on top of the dryer (which has a load of towels in it). I also cleaned the guns I took to the range on Friday. While disassembling one, I dropped one of the pins that held the trigger group in the receiver. Of course, it bounced off my shoe and went through a gap in the boards on the deck. I spent about 20 minutes looking around for it under the deck, though I did find it and was able to get on with cleaning that gun.

lightman
02-22-2018, 10:18 AM
After taking a break I'm back to processing pistol brass. Working on 45's for a while. I tumble 5# at a time and try to size that many while the tumbler is running. If I beat the tumbler I'll take a break. Trying to do 3 batches a day. Trying to stretch this out to spring but ready to be finished.

gandog56
02-24-2018, 08:23 AM
It was .44/.45 cleaning day. Got a load of .44 magnum, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt drying just out of the wet rotary tumbler. Tomorrow will be size and final polish them.

WarEagleEd
02-25-2018, 09:31 PM
I wet tumbled the rest of my .45 ACP brass stash (about 3 pounds) and a few .30-06 cases, too. I also primed 100 9mm cases. I fired my GAMO pellet rifle at a soup can a few times this afternoon. That was about it for the last two days.

gandog56
02-26-2018, 07:59 AM
Debating opening one of my spam cans of Mosin Nagant ammo and putting them in some empty 50 round rifle plastic boxes I have. It sure is a pain opening one of them cans.

Mbaker78
02-26-2018, 05:25 PM
I actually opened my first one of those cans a few weeks ago... I was sweating a bit by the time I got it open :p

gandog56
02-27-2018, 06:57 PM
Reminds me of buying my first spam can of 7.62X54R. Actually I bought a case of two spam cans. It was Czechoslovakian silvertip light ball in green lacquered steel cases. Bought the case from my gunsmith for $100 for 880 rounds total. When I look at the price of a spam can nowadays I always remember to cuss out Obozo for causing gun and ammo prices to skyrocket, and his Russian ban for making spam cans scarce. Anyways I sized up all the .44 mag, .45 Colt, and .45 ACP after drying out from the wet rotary, sorted them by headstamp, and bagged them. Found a .41 magnum case had somehow wormed it's way into my .44 magnum cases.

Hostile79
03-01-2018, 06:42 PM
Loaded up some 9mm Nickel cases with Winchester Slivertips and a CcI#500 with power pistol. Nice and shiny!

Mbaker78
03-02-2018, 06:33 PM
I have a similar loading of nickel/silvertip for 300aac, 308win, and 458 socom. They’re pretty. I’d like to get a box of silvertip a for 223rem also ;)

Mbaker78
03-03-2018, 03:32 PM
Just a heads up, grafs has $10 hazmat when you buy at least 4lb of powder.

I just ordered 3lb of TAC and 1lb of IMR4227, along with small and large pistol APS strips for my hand primer. From another site I ordered 1000 165gr HP xtreme .40cal bullets, 500 230gr HP xtreme 45cal bullets, and 500pcs of mixed 223 brass.

Once it gets here I’ll have plenty to last me a while.

gandog56
03-07-2018, 06:49 AM
Well, since we elected a Trump instead of a Clinton, I am pretty well stocked up on everything just in case she who would be empress was ever elected and caused widespread shortages like what happened every time Obozo got himself elected.

lightman
03-10-2018, 07:34 AM
Just finished sorting and washing the latest range brass haul. Lots of crusty, bent and corroded stuff thats been there all winter that probably is headed for the scrap barrel. I did find a few 308's and a few 10mm, a nice change from the usual 9mm, 40's and 223's. But plenty of them too!

WarEagleEd
03-12-2018, 07:21 PM
I labeled containers of brass that had somehow avoided the labeling process in the past. That was it.

gandog56
03-13-2018, 08:00 AM
Better than me. I have been fighting a persistent pneumonia. I finished third course of antibiotics and the VA FINALLY sent me to see a real doctor after they got me a CT scan of my lungs. He said it is persistent to aspiration pneumonia, and he thought instead of the ten day courses of antibiotics, they are going to put me on a month long course. But I can't start the new course until I give them 3 sets of sputum samples. For three days, I have to hack up crap into some cups twice a day, turn them to the lab, THEN start the antibiotics. If they can't grow anything from the samples, they're talking about sending a tube down into my lungs to find the infection and take direct samples. I haven't even been inside my loading shed for a solid week.

SafetyJoe
03-13-2018, 11:06 AM
Heads up, there's a great deal on primers at cabelas right now. S&B primers for $18.99 and there's a free shipping promo code for orders over $50, but you still have to pay the $20 hazmat fee.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/SELLIER-BELLOT-PRIMERS-BRICK/2002898.uts

knightflyer
03-13-2018, 11:41 AM
Whoa, great lead there Joe! Thanks! BTW, I checked with Cabela's to see if that was an online only or if it was good in-store too. The sale price is only for online and this is a Hotbuys sale that runs from 03/12/2018 to 03/13/2018.

SafetyJoe
03-13-2018, 12:05 PM
I went to my local cabelas and they only had a couple boxes and it didn't ring up as the sale price, but I pointed that out to the cashier and she looked at the online price and then adjusted the price I had to pay down to the online sale price so even though it wont ring up as the sale price you can still get the sale price in the store if you point it out to the cashier.


Whoa, great lead there Joe! Thanks! BTW, I checked with Cabela's to see if that was an online only or if it was good in-store too. The sale price is only for online and this is a Hotbuys sale that runs from 03/12/2018 to 03/13/2018.

Mbaker78
03-14-2018, 02:46 PM
From what I’ve heard, cabelas will always match their internet prices.

Mbaker78
03-17-2018, 03:14 PM
Deprimed and reamed (as needed) about 600 pieces of 223/5.56 range brass. I hate crimped primers...

SafetyJoe
03-17-2018, 09:34 PM
Dillon super swager makes it easy.


Deprimed and reamed (as needed) about 600 pieces of 223/5.56 range brass. I hate crimped primers...

Mbaker78
03-18-2018, 06:45 AM
Dillon super swager makes it easy.

Had one, had a problem with overswaging, sold it and got a CH4D swaging set. The CH4D had an issue of mangling rims on 5.56 (I’m kind of hamfisted, I know), so I sold that and just use a Lyman reamer in a drill. It’s every bit as quick as the super swage was and about $99 less ;)

SafetyJoe
03-18-2018, 01:01 PM
RCBS makes a reamer that has an over travel stop. I use a ballistic tools swage gage when adjusting the dillon super swager and I also sort my brass by head stamp ahead of time. That way if I'm swaging lake city brass I can adjust the dillon super swage and it's good for all that lake city brass. If I switch head stamps I'll adjust it again for those.

Here's what that RCBS reamer looks like
308

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012921650/rcbs-trim-mate-case-prep-center-straight-cone-military-crimp-remover-small


Had one, had a problem with overswaging, sold it and got a CH4D swaging set. The CH4D had an issue of mangling rims on 5.56 (I’m kind of hamfisted, I know), so I sold that and just use a Lyman reamer in a drill. It’s every bit as quick as the super swage was and about $99 less ;)

HARDSHOOTER
03-18-2018, 01:55 PM
If you have a bi-mart near you they have an ample anount of cci primers and zero hazmat fees. Good luck

SafetyJoe
03-19-2018, 12:19 AM
Yeah, lots of stores will stock the CCI primers, but they usually cost around $30 per brick. That sale at cabelas was for only $18.99 per brick. That's probably close to 50% less than CCI primers.


If you have a bi-mart near you they have an ample anount of cci primers and zero hazmat fees. Good luck

62chevy
03-19-2018, 08:13 AM
Yeah, lots of stores will stock the CCI primers, but they usually cost around $30 per brick. That sale at cabelas was for only $18.99 per brick. That's probably close to 50% less than CCI primers.

Around here its $40 or a bit more for a brick. Much cheaper online.

Mbaker78
03-19-2018, 06:11 PM
Sized, trimmed, and tumbled around 770 pieces of 223 brass last night. Today I went out and unloaded all of my test sets.

5.0gr HP-38 is perfect for both 165gr 40s&w and 230gr 45acp. So those are good to load up.
At 20’, I shot 15 rounds of 40 into about a 2” circle, so I’m happy with that because I’m not that great of a shot. I also shot a 1.5” group of 8 with the 1911. The 45 shield didn’t do as well, but I’m still happy with the 4” group it shot.

My wife will be having a hip replaced next month, so I’ll probably have plenty of time to actually load up some decent amounts of ammo while she is recovering since I’ll be taking a couple weeks off work.

Mbaker78
03-23-2018, 09:20 AM
Hand primed almost 700 pieces of 40s&w and almost 500 pieces of 45acp. Now my hand is sore... maybe actually I’ll load some of it up in the next few days ;)

SafetyJoe
03-23-2018, 10:33 AM
That new lee bench primer works great. Keeps my hands from getting sore.


Hand primed almost 700 pieces of 40s&w and almost 500 pieces of 45acp. Now my hand is sore... maybe actually I’ll load some of it up in the next few days ;)

Mbaker78
03-23-2018, 12:05 PM
I’m not a fan of the lee trays. I use an APS strip hand tool, but I have been looking at the APS bench tool.

gandog56
03-24-2018, 06:44 AM
Bought some kind of super "Uni-chuck shim fit inserts for my kinetic bullet puller from Quinetics. Just had the shed sprayed to prevent any termites.

WarEagleEd
03-24-2018, 08:35 PM
I knocked out a few primers yesterday and, today, I ran some dirty range brass in the old Lyman Turbo 1200 vibratory tumbler to get the crud off. I haven't used that tumbler in a few years, but it did the job.

gandog56
03-26-2018, 05:28 PM
I see Midsouth Shooter's is selling Franfort Arsenal rotary tumbler kits for $159.

That is CHEAP!
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00122909544/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-rotary-tumbler-(stainless-steel-media-tumbler)?trk_msg=P8OE61GBPBA4104A6OAROI76JK&trk_contact=LKFGO8I1JFH5TGUHLFHNM5FQSG&trk_sid=K7LSM0E3NH6IJM1U7TP0P4VBN8&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=turn+your+images+on+and+shop+frankford+ar senal+rotary+tumbler+sale&utm_campaign=Frankford+Arsenal+Rotary+Tumbler+Lowe st+Price+EVER!

WarEagleEd
03-26-2018, 07:01 PM
That is pretty cheap, comes with 5 lbs. of stainless steel media, too.

Yesterday, I tumbled some more range brass in my vibratory tumbler to get the range grime off. Later in the afternoon I decided to reload some more 9mm rounds. In the process I realized that I only had 22 115 gr. full metal jacket bullets left. I couldn't find any Speer 115 gr. TMJs online, so thought I would go by Academy today and get some Hornady 115 grainers. Nope, they only had hollow points. I do have some 95 gr. 0.355" bullets I use for .380 Auto reloads, but I didn't want to reset my seater die to load those (it was getting too late). I may use them next weekend, if I get to do any reloading.

Mbaker78
03-30-2018, 05:45 AM
Loaded up the last of my prepped 40 brass, got 610 rounds total. Changed the press over to 45acp and I’ll start loading up what brass I have prepped for that.

It’s nice to have bullets to load when I want to ;)

lightman
03-30-2018, 11:17 AM
Processing some new 300 Winchester brass that I got in a trade. I resize and trim all new rifle brass and I'll debur the flash holes and uniform the primer pockets.

gandog56
04-01-2018, 10:55 AM
Sort through some 10mm and .300 AAC Blackout cases for prepping them for reloading. Cleaned the guns I shot yesterday.

WarEagleEd
04-02-2018, 07:06 PM
I did manage to find 2 boxes of Speer 115 gr. TMJs at a store in the city where I work. I bought them both, but didn't have a chance to load 'em up this weekend. I did sort my stash of ammo Saturday and today so I know exactly what I have on hand and how much.

gandog56
04-09-2018, 08:59 AM
I did manage to find 2 boxes of Speer 115 gr. TMJs at a store in the city where I work. I bought them both, but didn't have a chance to load 'em up this weekend. I did sort my stash of ammo Saturday and today so I know exactly what I have on hand and how much.

Is that 9mm??

WarEagleEd
04-09-2018, 04:12 PM
Is that 9mm??

Yes, it is.

Happyguy
04-09-2018, 11:17 PM
Picked up about 1,000 10mm bullets and 2,000 45 ACP bullets. I cast some 45 Colt GC bullets to try in the 450 Bushmaster after powder coating them.

gandog56
04-10-2018, 06:32 AM
Picked up about 1,000 10mm bullets and 2,000 45 ACP bullets. I cast some 45 Colt GC bullets to try in the 450 Bushmaster after powder coating them.

I didn't know you did 10mm. You like it? I must, I have 4 10mm Pistols, a Mechtech CCU to make one of my 1911's into a 10mm Carbine, and a TNW Aero 10mm carbine.

Happyguy
04-10-2018, 08:06 AM
I have 3, a Glock 40, a RIA high capacity 6 inch Target and an AR that takes Glock magazines. I order the 26 round Glock 45 ACP magazines, bend the feed lips and I now have 30 round 10mm magazines.

Mbaker78
04-10-2018, 08:44 AM
What’s your setup on the 10mm AR? I’ve been debating a 10mm, 45acp, or 40s&w AR for a while.

Been looking into the new frontier armory upper and lower sets.

Happyguy
04-10-2018, 11:50 AM
I went with Angstadt upper and lower. Any non impingment set up you go with count on chamfering the barrel so that you don't have feed issues, just chamfer don't remove a lot of metal. I was having feeding issues due to there are no feed ramps on blow back barrels. I made one out of Bandit Barrier material and the issues went away and I can use stock Glock mags without issues, no having to adjust 10mm mags to get the right feed angle to go straight into the chamber. A friend of mine is a great machinist, not how he makes his living, and he will use the feed ramp I have and cut me one from stainless. The Angtasdt lower has a milled spot just in front of the barrel which lets me anchor the feed ramp.

Mbaker78
04-10-2018, 12:33 PM
Cool, I’ll have to look into them.

WarEagleEd
04-10-2018, 07:55 PM
I didn't feel well today, so I didn't go to work. I didn't do much, but I did remove the primers from about 70 pieces of LC .30-06 brass.

lightman
04-13-2018, 10:35 AM
I'm sorting brass today. I picked up a bunch of mixed brass at a gravel pit and it looks like I may have to fire the compressor up and blow out the pea gravel and cobwebs.

gandog56
04-14-2018, 01:17 PM
I'm sorting brass today. I picked up a bunch of mixed brass at a gravel pit and it looks like I may have to fire the compressor up and blow out the pea gravel and cobwebs.

I've picked up brass like that. I've picked up brass that looks like green steel laquered cases the corrosion was so bad. Sometimes I am still amazed what the wet rotary tumbler can clean up.

10mm's I have a Dan Wesson Razorback 1911, a Fusion Firearms 10mm long slide 1911. an RIA Tac II 1911 with bushingless bull barrel, a Tanfaglio Witness full size steel, a TNW Aero 10mm Survival carbine, and a Mechtech CCU I use my Dan Wesson as a lower for to make a 2nd 10mm carbine.

Mbaker78
04-15-2018, 01:51 PM
Hand primed over 700 pieces of 223/5.56 brass.

WarEagleEd
04-15-2018, 05:36 PM
I finally finished removing primers from 260 pieces of .30-06 military brass. I sized 100 pieces of .45 ACP brass in preparation for reloading, whenever I get around to it.

gandog56
04-16-2018, 06:52 AM
I took out a set of cloth drawers I was storing brass in and put in a set of wood ones. The cloth drawers were deforming with all the brass I was storing in them and the drawers were falling down from their brackets into the drawer below them. I found the nice set of wood drawers at a yard sale for $6. One less drawer but they are deeper and it holds just as much, with a smaller footprint in my floor space.

lightman
04-16-2018, 10:25 AM
Its always nice to improve ones storage space. Every time I do I get a big since of accomplishment!

Today I packaged up a box of brass to mail out on a trade with another member. And I guess I'll get on the phone to Lee and see if I can get another pin for my unbreakable universal decapping tool. Don't ask!!! A Lineman can break anything, even a retired one!

gandog56
04-17-2018, 05:41 AM
Found a set of white drawers at a yard sale for $6. So I replaced a set of cloth drawers that I was storing all my rifle brass in. The cloth drawers were bulging out because I had to much weight of metal in them and the drawers were falling out of their tracks into the drawer below it. I went from 4 drawers to three, but the wood drawers were deeper and they held just as much. The whole set of wood drawers has a smaller footprint, giving me a bit more floor space.

Mbaker78
04-18-2018, 07:21 AM
Haven’t done anything for a couple days, probably won’t for a bit either. The wife just had a hip replaced, so I’m tending to her for a couple weeks until I have to go back to work.

LEP
04-18-2018, 08:57 AM
Sorting some brass for trade. Somebody needs to learn the difference.
311

lightman
04-18-2018, 11:14 AM
I've found 300 Winchester cases like those before. I wonder what their thoughts were?

Mbaker78
04-22-2018, 12:37 PM
Not doing anything on the bench today, just wanted to bump this one back up past the spam.

lightman
04-22-2018, 01:21 PM
Yeah, off day for me too.

Mbaker78
04-22-2018, 05:46 PM
It’ll probably be a few more days at best before I make it down to the bench... I’m still waiting for my wife to get a bit more ambulatory after her hip replacement. She’s getting around alright, and I think she’s tired of me following her everywhere, but I’m still not ready to leave her alone completely yet.

WarEagleEd
04-22-2018, 07:49 PM
I sized some .45 ACP brass.

Happyguy
04-23-2018, 12:06 AM
I sized some 50 Beowulf, 6.8 SPC and decapped some 460 S&W and 10mm. I also picked up some 10mm bullets.

Mbaker78
04-24-2018, 11:49 AM
Got down to the bench today while she was taking a nap, loaded up 180 rounds of 45acp.

WarEagleEd
04-24-2018, 05:20 PM
I put a Caldwell brass catcher on an AR in .300 Blackout. I think that is reloading related, since all that caught brass will end up being reloaded someday.

Mbaker78
04-24-2018, 07:09 PM
I put a Caldwell brass catcher on an AR in .300 Blackout. I think that is reloading related, since all that caught brass will end up being reloaded someday.

Close enough for me... I’m guessing you’re talking about the rail mounted catcher? I have one and a mount on each AR upper i have. It’s amazing, when I remember to put it on ;)

WarEagleEd
04-24-2018, 08:09 PM
I’m guessing you’re talking about the rail mounted catcher?

That's the one.

lightman
04-27-2018, 07:46 AM
Still feeling kind of wimpy today. Taking shifts at sorting through a tub of range brass. Probably decap some of it and start tumbling. Looking through it mostly to find stuff to add to my trades.

gandog56
05-01-2018, 07:26 AM
I put a Caldwell brass catcher on an AR in .300 Blackout. I think that is reloading related, since all that caught brass will end up being reloaded someday.

I have one. I also bought some extra bases. I can use it on both my AR uppers, my Mechtech CCU, and my TNW Aero 10mm carbine.

Since I have my new Ruger Super Redhawk 10mm revolver coming in today I have been making some new warp speed 10mm rounds to try out in it. I finally got around to using some of the homemade swaged .40 cal bullets I conned either Happyguy or BTSniper to give me a few to see if I may want to start trying to roll my own. I have had them for a while, but I had SO many reloads already made I was trying to shoot a little of them down before I made any more. He gave me 35, all hollowpoints. They average about 153 grains so I used a recipe for 155 grain jacketed loads. Got these in a separate ammo box I am going to call Ruger only as these were loaded pretty near a maximum using Blue Dot powder. Still have about 465 180 grain Hornady HAP projectiles so I think I may crank out some more with my normal semi-auto loads.

Happyguy
05-01-2018, 11:26 AM
Let me know how you like the Redhawk in 10 mm. I have owned a couple of S&W 610s but they just seemed a little fragile.

gandog56
05-01-2018, 03:11 PM
Since the Ruger uses the same frame as their .44 magnum, I would guess it is more than strong enough. I have wanted a 10mm revolver for a long time. I go tonight to pick it up.

Bench wise I just ordered 100 Greek HXP .303 Brit cases.

gandog56
05-03-2018, 06:15 AM
Had 12 6 round moon clips for my new 10mm revolver, so I made 72 rounds of some pretty stiff 10mm loads and filled them all.

Mbaker78
05-03-2018, 07:01 AM
Finished loading the box of 230gr Xtreme HP bullets (roughly 300), then switched the press over to blackout and loaded up 90 rounds of 240gr subs. I think tonight I’ll load up some 458 socom and see if I can get some of the bugs worked out on that upper.

I’m planning a range trip next week, should be decent weather, maybe my new scope will be in before then.

gandog56
05-08-2018, 06:42 AM
I have about 5 guns that need to be sited in, including the new Ruger. Just can't seem to find the time. Between doctor visits of mine, taking my mom to hers, and an attack of sciatica, I just can't seem to get out to the range.

Mbaker78
05-08-2018, 10:09 PM
Today was the first real range trip I’ve had this year... I burned through a lot of ammo...

Happyguy
05-09-2018, 08:26 AM
Went to the range and burned up a bunch of 10mm and 223 and spent yesterday loading 300 223 75 grain bullets. Today is 10mm for loading between visits to the hospital.

Happyguy
05-10-2018, 12:04 PM
Loaded 200 10mm today. The primer stud on the 550 broke so I guess I will be loading 300 blackout for the rest of the day. I called Dillon and they are sending the part plus a couple of extras. I can't complain the machine has been working for the last 18 years.

Hostile79
05-11-2018, 04:59 PM
I love my 550. It's not the fastest but it works well for me.

DukeInFlorida
05-17-2018, 01:19 PM
Got a PID controller for my RCBS Pro Melt casting pot. Running it through it's "auto tune" function, whereby it checks to see what kind of amperage it needs to most accurately control the Pro Melt. It does that by bringing the pot up to it's set temperature, and then down to room temperature, THREE TIMES! Glad I only had the pot half full of alloy. The heating portion goes fast, and is quite accurate. However, the cooling down part if painfully slow. Wish this was winter here in Florida, instead of SUMMER. I have a small fan blowing on the pot to assist with the cooling rate. The room is up to 92 degrees. Wowser. And, I still have another whole cycle to get through.

When the controller gets tuned to the pot, I'll be able to start an Excel spreadsheet, by mold, and document the exact proper operating temperature. By setting that on the controller for each mold, I should be able to eliminate the trial and error setup every time I run alloy through a different mold. Been drooling forever to get one of these, and this one is an excellent one. I got it in a Group Buy at our sister forum, CastBoolits.gunloads.com. The price was right, and the quality of the workmanship is par none.

If you find yourself needing/wanting a PID controller for your casting pot, contact HATCH at CastBoolits:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?277-HATCH-Automation

lightman
05-19-2018, 09:16 AM
Not just today, but this week I resized about 700 223/5.56 cases, swaged the primer pockets and trimmed them. Today they are getting tumbled and hopefully tomorrow I will load them.

Just about every week, sometimes every day, I'm going thru my brass stash and depriming, sorting and tumbling cases. This batch of 223's is for a Prairie Dog shoot!

gandog56
05-20-2018, 09:16 AM
I am still waiting to get over another aspiration pneumonia that I picked up...AGAIN! I almost feel like I can make it to the range and not cough my lungs out, but I still have no energy to like walk out and post some targets. Dang it, I have a new 10mm revolver for 3 weeks now, and I STILL haven't even fired it! I have like 3 pistols with scopes I need to zero in. All my reloading is all caught up, I need to make me a BIG old pile of empties to process.

lightman
05-20-2018, 01:10 PM
Sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Hope you get back on your feet soon and to the range.

gandog56
05-21-2018, 05:02 PM
The brass fairy made a visit to me today. I was cleaning out my car trunk and I came across a bag of 100 PRVI Partizan .303 Brit cases. I have NO idea why they were there or where they came from. Anyways I decapped them all and threw them in the wet rotary tumbler. They are cleaning up now.

I was thinking I may feel good enough to finally get my butt to the range, when I looked at the weather prediction. Heavy thunderstorms tomorrow, Wed., Thurs. Fri. and Saturday. Ya win some, ya lose some.

Happyguy
05-21-2018, 11:21 PM
Cappie, you are getting old and forgetful!

62chevy
05-22-2018, 06:56 AM
Cappie, you are getting old and forgetful!

Happens to the best of us. =(

gandog56
05-22-2018, 08:24 AM
At least I REACHED old to get to forgetful!:rolleyes:

gandog56
05-26-2018, 08:46 AM
Continuing to swap out my cardboard boxes of reloads to plastic cases. Wideners just had a sale on plastic cases so I just got of box of new ones in. Continuing to final process my mystery .303 Brit cases by trimming them all to length, and chamfering inside and out.

gandog56
05-28-2018, 08:28 AM
Spent the last three days making an Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for all my reloading. Got tired of trying to remember which manual had what recipe with this weight projectile and this powder. Finished up the rifle, and got to 10mm on pistol. It's been a LONG time since I created a data base and it's taking me way longer than it should. I should finish it all by today. So instead of searching for the manual it will all be in one three ring binder.

DukeInFlorida
05-29-2018, 04:06 PM
In the very early 1970's, when I first started reloading, I had all sorts of sheets of paper tucked in my reloading books. Was always seemingly losing them.

A few years ago, I dug them all out, and correlated them by dates, and built an Excel spreadsheet for the exact same purpose that you did. I have included formulas for doing standard deviations on velocities for those times when I am seeking specific velocities. Other times, I have lots of comment tags for my load development for rifle cartridges to go with specific rifle barrels. I make new entries every time I reload a cartridge, even if it is a dupe of something I did just a few months earlier. That way, I have documented every single reload session.

I just recently also build a separate spreadsheet for my entire gun collection. As I get older, I am sure it will someday help my family deal with my massive collection, especially military vintage rifles. I have included comments about how I came to own the various guns, modifications (if any) that I have made to them, reload guidance (I do a lot of cast boolits for rifles and pistols) pointing to the excel spreadsheet for that, and advice on what I think the gun is worth (should my kids decide to part company with any of these fine guns. It would also serve to help with any insurance claims or loss of any type. I am adding images of the guns, including closeups of serial numbers. All of this easy to do in an excel spreadsheet.

Also, recently, with my acquisition of a PID controller for my casting pot (as previously reported), I have also built a new Excel spreadsheet for PID controller settings. That is going to save me a ton of time when casting!

I'm happy to hear that you have done the right thing. For those less Excel friendly, you can do the same thing in a three ring binder. Have a tab for every caliber, and start documenting your reload sessions. Tape smaller sheets onto the appropriate areas to add detail to any reload data that requires it.

And, most importantly, refer to your documented reload data when you begin your next reload session. No need to reinvent wheels or make reloading mistakes.


Spent the last three days making an Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet for all my reloading. Got tired of trying to remember which manual had what recipe with this weight projectile and this powder. Finished up the rifle, and got to 10mm on pistol. It's been a LONG time since I created a data base and it's taking me way longer than it should. I should finish it all by today. So instead of searching for the manual it will all be in one three ring binder.

gandog56
05-30-2018, 08:02 AM
Spmewhere I downoaded a phone app that is basically a gun DB, It has what gun, what caliber, serial numbers, where bought, final dispositions if they were sold, traded, gifted, stolen, or lost. I haven't started using it yet but it looks kind of cool. Finsished all my Excel data bases. I mean dudes, it's been so long since I made one it was almost learning how to do it again. So I have been continuing swapping out my cardboard boxes of reloads for plastic ones. I still have ammo I made in 2006. (I went a little overboard making my practice .357 magnum .38 special DEWC loads.}

DukeInFlorida
05-30-2018, 09:22 AM
All my "high volume" ammo goes right into ARMY type ammo boxes, BULK. 380 auto, 9mm, 38 Specials, 357 Magnums, 44 Specials, 44 Magnums, 357 Sig, .40 S&W, 45 ACP, 223 Rem (on stripper clips), 300 Blackout (also on stripper clips), etc, etc, etc. . I have dozens of easier to handle BULK boxes of ammo that I can take to the gun range. Nothing more sad than feeding a semi auto, and emptying a 50 box in three mags!

The only stuff that goes into plastic boxes are the specialties: 25 ACP, and all the custom matched ammo that is load developed for specific handguns and rifles.

gandog56
05-30-2018, 05:29 PM
My problem with that is I rarely take only a few guns to the range. I usually take LOTS of guns of various calibers. So big army boxes stuffed with all the different calibers I take would be a little prohibitive. I usually take only maybe 100 rounds each.

DukeInFlorida
05-31-2018, 02:21 PM
Oh golly, I'd go through 100 rounds in 3 minutes


My problem with that is I rarely take only a few guns to the range. I usually take LOTS of guns of various calibers. So big army boxes stuffed with all the different calibers I take would be a little prohibitive. I usually take only maybe 100 rounds each.

gandog56
06-01-2018, 11:18 AM
That's the thing though, 3 minutes 20 guns. Plus the time waiting for range stops so I can post new targets, then waiting for the range to go live again, plus the hour drive to get to my range, and the hour drive back, then as soon as I get home, clean the guns, sort the spent brass, and start processing it. Makes for a pretty full day.

DukeInFlorida
06-02-2018, 09:26 AM
I am obviously blessed. My range is only 20 minutes from my home, and is a private range. There's no "stopping and starting" to deal with. When you are on the range, the range (shooting bays) is mine! I can draw from holster, engage as many threat targets as I want. And, if I can legally own it, I can shoot it at the range.

MY Gun Range (http://www.volusiacountygunclub.com/)

gandog56
06-02-2018, 04:48 PM
Yeah, my range is good for anything BUT tracer/incendiary and .50 BMG. Plus they have a 1000 yard range. Full auto? No problem. Tannerite?...OK if you follow a few simple rules such as warning the other shooters there will be a big boom.

gandog56
06-03-2018, 12:24 PM
Went to a gun show today. I pretty much only looked at one gun, a Remington 1911 10mm, but while I was there I got a 1 lb. jug each of Hodgdon Varget and Hodgdon H110. Then I bought a bag of 240 .40 cal. 160 grain SP's. When I got home, 4 new Ruger 10 round .22 LR magazines for my Mark IV came in, so I tried out my new little handy tool to load the magazines up. Little sucker worked great, and it will ALSO fits my Browning Buckmaster magazines.

lightman
06-06-2018, 10:02 AM
Started processing a second batch of 1000 223's. About 1/3 way through trimming them. Had to stop and rest the ole fingers! Since I retired my hands have gotten a little softer! Hopefully I'll finish trimming them today and possibly tumble them.

Mbaker78
06-06-2018, 06:08 PM
Deprimed all of my 458 socom and 45acp brass the other day, just need to get them in the tumbler.

Picked up a bond arms 38/357mag derringer that also came with a 22lr barrel and 50 rounds each of 38 and 357 mag. So now I’m going to have to get the stuff to load up 38spl at least, I doubt I’ll shoot much full power 357mag from it.

gandog56
06-08-2018, 12:13 PM
Still swapping out all my cardboard boxes for plastic ones. Finished up my 10mm today, still had one cardboard box of reloads left but no more plastic cases. I almost guessed right on the amount of plastic cases I needed for the 10mm. Tomorrow I get to stack all the newly loaded cases up by date on my ammo shelves. I think maybe Monday I may finally get my butt to the range weather permitting. Have to shoot that Ruger 10mm revolver I bought for the first time. As a matter of fact, I think it will bee 10mm day. Going to take ALL my 10mm's. That will be a LOT of 10mm cases to process when I get back. That would be:
Dan Wesson Razorback 1911
Rock Island 1911
Fusion Firearms Hunter long slide 1911
Mechtech CCU
TNW Aero Survival Rifle
Tanfoglio Full Steel Witness
Ruger Super Redhawk 10mm

Was thinking I will take my Swedish Mauser and both my Lee Enfields, too.

gandog56
06-14-2018, 01:01 PM
Did go to the range. But it was really hot and muggy, so while I took all my 10mm's, I only took my Swedish Mauser 6.5mm. Started processing all the 10mm brass from my range trip.

lightman
06-23-2018, 09:10 AM
Been back from a Prairie Dog trip for a week now. Started resizing and tumbling the brass that I shot. Since its gotten hot I started sorting through my brass stash again. De-priming and tumbling stuff that I forgot about having and looking for stuff to add to my trade list. I'm starting to think that 9mm's breed if not kept separated!

gandog56
06-23-2018, 07:48 PM
Finally got done reboxing all my .38 special/.357 magnum reloads. All nice and new big old stickers indicating date made attached to the fronts where it's easy to see, with all the recipe information on new stickers on the tops. Now it's the turn of all my .45 cal stuff, but first I need to order some more plastic ammo boxes.

lightman
06-24-2018, 10:40 AM
Finished up the 223's and started resizing the 38 supers in my stash. I forgot about the pressure that they work at and how hard they are to size. My end up lubing them.

gandog56
06-26-2018, 07:13 AM
Somehow on one of my brass scroungings at my range I ended up with a couple few .38 super cases, which I don't shoot. But with only 5-6 of them, ain't enough to trade for something else. Ordered a whole BUNCH of more ammo boxes today as I continue to swap out my old ragged cardboard ones out. Its .44 and .45 reloads turn next.

Mbaker78
06-28-2018, 11:11 AM
Loaded up the last of my 240gr subs for 300aac, and the last of my 300gr ballistic tips for 458 socom. Next I’ll switch the press over and load up some 223, but I need a place to store it once it’s loaded... I’m out of boxes and stripper clips :/

gandog56
06-29-2018, 07:37 AM
Speaking of boxes, I just got a new load in. Transferring my .44 Russian, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt to plastic boxes from cardboard ones.

gandog56
07-02-2018, 12:11 PM
Man! I have a LOT of .44 special, .44 mag, and .45 Colt. And when I am done with THAT I get to start on the .45 ACP.

SafetyJoe
07-07-2018, 03:16 PM
Loaded up some 137 grain homemade NOE powder coated lead bullets into 300 blk brass using alliant 2400 powder. Because I buy the 2 cent S&B primers from cabelas and buy my powder in bulk my total cost per shot is only 5.8 cents each. Not bad considering I'm getting over 1000 ft. lbs energy at the muzzle. Hornady ballistics calculator says the maximum supersonic range for this load is only 375 yds, but for under 6 cents per shot I'm happy with that.

315

Mbaker78
07-12-2018, 02:24 AM
Loaded up just shy of 500 rounds of 223, 62gs SP. Had nowhere to put some of them, so I loaded up a handful of magazines. Not an issue with identification since each different caliber gets its own magazine type. Pmags for 223, lancer L5s for blackout, and metal GI mags for 458 socom.

Bent up the feed lips on my last 2 GI metal mags to help the socom feed.

Built a dedicated lower for the socom last week, so now I don’t have to swap them back and forth. Best part about it is that it was free, just worked a few hours in my buddy’s shop for the lower and parts I didn’t already have around.

Hopefully I will do some unloading this weekend, it’s been a while since I’ve had a good range day to pointlessly burn through some ammo.

gandog56
07-12-2018, 06:53 PM
Hopefully I will do some unloading this weekend, it’s been a while since I’ve had a good range day to pointlessly burn through some ammo.

Me too, but I have not been well. I have bad pain running up my thigh into my butt on the right side. And MRI showed a mass pressing on my spine on the L4 vertebrae. And with my history of three prior cancers that ain't good. I have a lot of tests and stuff coming up, bone scans, biopsies, appointment to make with a neurosurgeon. But cie la vie. I finished up reboxing all my .44 and .45 Colt reloads. I have maybe 12 boxes to start on my .45 ACP, .40 Cal S&W, and 357 SIG, but will need a LOT more.

62chevy
07-12-2018, 07:45 PM
Took our 9 year old grandson to the range today and unloaded some 45 acp, 308 win and a ton of 22 lr. He called my rifle a sniper rifle, LOL.

Mbaker78
07-13-2018, 03:44 AM
Back pain is no fun at all... I had a severely herniated L4/5 Disk that I had to have surgery on a few years back. Much better now, and I’m trying to be more responsible about what I do to my back... I hope everything comes out as favorable as can be expected for you.

lightman
07-13-2018, 04:54 AM
Me too, but I have not been well. I have bad pain running up my thigh into my butt on the right side. And MRI showed a mass pressing on my spine on the L4 vertebrae. And with my history of three prior cancers that ain't good. I have a lot of tests and stuff coming up, bone scans, biopsies, appointment to make with a neurosurgeon. But cie la vie. I finished up reboxing all my .44 and .45 Colt reloads. I have maybe 12 boxes to start on my .45 ACP, .40 Cal S&W, and 357 SIG, but will need a LOT more.

Wishing you Luck and hoping for the best! I know that when you back is out of whack nothing feels good.

lightman
07-14-2018, 07:23 AM
Took a little break from the loading room to work on my Dove Hunting place last week. After while I'll finish sizing those 38 Supers that I came into. Its about too hot to shoot or cast. May as well do something in the loading room.

gandog56
07-16-2018, 08:15 AM
Started on transferring all my .45 ACP reloads from cardboard Ammo boxes to Plastic ones. Got in three big ammo boxes, going to take all my spamcan 7.62X54, get them out of the metal tins and paper wrapping, and put them in a couple. I also have way too many .270 reloads so I will probably load them in the third.

lightman
07-16-2018, 05:21 PM
Started on transferring all my .45 ACP reloads from cardboard Ammo boxes to Plastic ones. Got in three big ammo boxes, going to take all my spamcan 7.62X54, get them out of the metal tins and paper wrapping, and put them in a couple. I also have way too many .270 reloads so I will probably load them in the third.

What brand plastic boxes did you choose. I like MTM and have a bunch but wow, I'd hate to have to buy them all at once!

Mbaker78
07-17-2018, 11:33 AM
I live about 25 minutes from MTM, still have yet to go there and see if I can get them cheaper than through a retailer.

gandog56
07-19-2018, 06:27 AM
Let me know if you do and can, I need a WHOLE bunch of 100 round .45 ACP/40 Cal/10mm boxes. And I like MTM boxes, especially the black ones with the florescent green tops.

Mbaker78
07-19-2018, 12:06 PM
I have about 12 of them in that size and in various colors that need filled back up. I just lack the components and time to do so right now. They’re actually the only boxes I buy.

gandog56
07-20-2018, 05:30 PM
Just set up a meet for a guy for Sunday. He bought all the stuff to reload, but then decided, nyah, I don't want to do it. For $325 I am getting a RCBS Turret press and RCBS Powder dispenser still in the box, never been opened, an 8 pound jug of Ramshot True Blue never been opened. And all kinds of empty brass cases he had saved up, I don't even know What calibers except 5.7X28, .308, 5.56 and .45 ACP, the 5.7 I do not reload. So look at my trades after this weekend to see what I want to dump.

Mbaker78
07-20-2018, 08:02 PM
I’m debating changing my 308 over to 300WSM, anyone else have one that can give some feedback on what to expect?

DukeInFlorida
07-22-2018, 07:19 AM
Finding brass for the oddball chamberings is always my own deterrent for such a move.
A young friend , who happens to own a reloading supply shop (and thought he would have no issues with brass) just sold his 22 Nosler (at a significant loss) because the brass was expensive to buy, and virtually un-available at the range as once fired brass. Also, the selection of bullets to be used in the chambering was very limited. And, as he found out, there was virtually NO ADVANTAGE to going in that direction. He was on a mission to make 22 caliber bullets more accurate at staggering speeds.
There are lots of examples of WILDCATS that have been tried, some even making it to commercial production. Seldom do they succeed.
Of course, everyone has the God given right to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be. Good luck if you give the 300 WSM a try.


I’m debating changing my 308 over to 300WSM, anyone else have one that can give some feedback on what to expect?

gandog56
07-22-2018, 12:38 PM
Just got finished hooking up with the guy who bought all the stuff to reload for his .300 AAC Blackout. Suddenly wife informs he she was pregnant, so he decided the timing was wrong, and he decided to sell it all off. For $325, I got a new RCBS Turret press, an RCBS Uniflow powder measure, 2 plastic jugs of various shot brass he had picked up, and an unopened 8 pound jug of Ramshot True Blue Powder. I will have to move things around on my bench to mount this second press. The ONLY presses I have ever used before were Lee. Going to be interesting to see the differences. Right now I am headed out to my reloading shed to sort through the empties, decap them, and start cleaning them.

gandog56
07-22-2018, 03:20 PM
Just got finished hooking up with the guy who bought all the stuff to reload for his .300 AAC Blackout. Suddenly wife informs he she was pregnant, so he decided the timing was wrong, and he decided to sell it all off. For $325, I got a new RCBS Turret press, an RCBS Uniflow powder measure, 2 plastic jugs of various shot brass he had picked up, and an unopened 8 pound jug of Ramshot True Blue Powder. I will have to move things around on my bench to mount this second press. The ONLY presses I have ever used before were Lee. Going to be interesting to see the differences. Right now I am headed out to my reloading shed to sort through the empties, decap them, and start cleaning them. Spent 3 hors sorting and started to deprime brass. Put a load of .308 WIN and .300 AAC Blackout cases in the wet rotary. Decapped stuff till all I had left was a BIG jug of 5.56. Started to try to decap some 5.7X28, but I don
t have a shellholder small enough to retain them in the press. Tried to start punching them out by hand because I have some spare pins from my Universal decapping die. That got old real fast. Since I don't reload them anyways, I'm just going to clean them in corncob instead of the wet rotary.

WarEagleEd
07-23-2018, 04:00 AM
tarted to try to decap some 5.7X28, but I don't have a shellholder small enough to retain them in the press. Tried to start punching them out by hand because I have some spare pins from my Universal decapping die. That got old real fast. Since I don't reload them anyways, I'm just going to clean them in corncob instead of the wet rotary.

I have decapped 5.7 X 28 before and used the same shell holder used for .25 ACP, if you happen to have one of those. Of course, if you did have one you probably would have tried it already.

I haven't done anything reloading related latetly, nor will I anytime soon, as Uncle Sam has sent me on an all expense paid "vacation" to the desert. Hopefully, my comment above will count as "doing something reloaoding related."

Ed

DukeInFlorida
07-23-2018, 07:57 AM
(sad face here)

Please don't decap the 5.7's. I use them, with the spent primers still in, as donor jackets for 30 caliber bullets. Willing to trade for them. Also, please don't bother cleaning/tumbling the 5.7's. They have, if you don't know, a special plastic coating on them which gets damaged when you tumble them.

My process for making the bullet jackets includes annealing them to burn off the plastic coating, SS pin tumbling to get them clean, and running them through a few steps. I'm making 150 grain and 168 grain 30 cal bullets. So, please don't ruin the 5.7's by decapping or cleaning.



I have decapped 5.7 X 28 before and used the same shell holder used for .25 ACP, if you happen to have one of those. Of course, if you did have one you probably would have tried it already.

I haven't done anything reloading related latetly, nor will I anytime soon, as Uncle Sam has sent me on an all expense paid "vacation" to the desert. Hopefully, my comment above will count as "doing something reloaoding related."

Ed

Mbaker78
07-23-2018, 01:22 PM
I think 22 Nosler was kind of a fart in the breeze, all the “cool kids” are going toward 224 Valkyrie.

I don’t think brass would be a huge problem for 300wsm because it’s for a bolt action and I wouldn’t be losing it to ejection or overworking because I could neck size. I could buy 100 rounds or so of loaded ammo and maybe another 100 pieces of brass and be set for a while. Bullets are rather standard 30 cal. The initial buy in would kind of suck, but still be cheaper than 338 lapua ;)

WarEagleEd
07-23-2018, 10:14 PM
So, please don't ruin the 5.7's by decapping or cleaning.

I have traded them to people who had no complaints regarding missing primers.

Ed

lightman
07-24-2018, 05:56 AM
I think 22 Nosler was kind of a fart in the breeze, all the “cool kids” are going toward 224 Valkyrie.

I don’t think brass would be a huge problem for 300wsm because it’s for a bolt action and I wouldn’t be losing it to ejection or overworking because I could neck size. I could buy 100 rounds or so of loaded ammo and maybe another 100 pieces of brass and be set for a while. Bullets are rather standard 30 cal. The initial buy in would kind of suck, but still be cheaper than 338 lapua ;)

The 300 WSM may be the one WSM that survives. I have not had a hard time finding brass for mine. I even find it at the range occasionally.

SafetyJoe
07-24-2018, 09:45 AM
I’m debating changing my 308 over to 300WSM, anyone else have one that can give some feedback on what to expect?

I base all my caliber choices on the availability of brass. That's why I feel if I need more power than 308 I'll just get something in 35 whelen because I can convert common 30-06 brass for it. If I wanted something flatter shooting I would go with 7mm-08 or 260 remington because I could convert common 308 brass for those.

Mbaker78
07-24-2018, 06:41 PM
I’m looking for something with more distance than 308, I’d like to take it out to a mile if possible. But this is down the road, I still need to stretch the 308 out to 1k+...

SafetyJoe
07-24-2018, 07:05 PM
I’m looking for something with more distance than 308, I’d like to take it out to a mile if possible. But this is down the road, I still need to stretch the 308 out to 1k+...

260 remington because you can use the really good 6.5mm bullets and convert easy to find 308 brass.

gandog56
07-25-2018, 04:48 AM
I'll be sizing and final polishing a bunch of .45 ACP cases, and eyeballing a big plastic jug full of 5.56 wondering if I will decap and run them all through the wet rotary tumbler. It will take me a LONG time to decap them all. While they are running I'll probably size and final polish some .300 AAC and .308 I already ran through the wet rotatory.

gandog56
07-27-2018, 05:38 PM
Continuing to swap plastic ammo boxes for old cardboard ones with .40 cal. Separated a buch of fully processed .45 ACP cases by headstamp and bagged. Made an awesome trade with SaftyJoe and received from him today 164 7.7 Jap cases and a bunch of .303 Brit. I'm going to start processing those by sizing and final polishing and bag them up. Ordered me some more .40 cal/10mm/.45 ACP 100 round plastic ammo boxes

DukeInFlorida
07-28-2018, 05:49 AM
OK, I know some of you are anal about small details. And, that's fine if you are that way. However, after decades of testing, I find absolutely NO difference in performance between brass that was decapped prior to cleaning, and brass where the primers were left alone during the cleaning process. So, as a RULE, I never decap primers before cleaning in either media or SS pins. The exception to that RULE is when I am dealing with anything that requires removing the primer crimp. Which, in this instance is 223 Rem. Virtually all of even the commercial 223 Rem brass gets crimped primers. So, I have to do those before doing the decrimping with the Dillon S8uper Swage 600.


I'll be sizing and final polishing a bunch of .45 ACP cases, and eyeballing a big plastic jug full of 5.56 wondering if I will decap and run them all through the wet rotary tumbler. It will take me a LONG time to decap them all. While they are running I'll probably size and final polish some .300 AAC and .308 I already ran through the wet rotatory.

SafetyJoe
07-28-2018, 08:05 AM
I do the wet tumbling method with stainless steel pins and decapping first does 2 things for me. One is cleaning out the primer pocket and the other is making it easier for the water and soap to be rinsed off. When it comes to most handgun brass I don't bother decapping 1st anymore because I rinse off the soap in a hand crank media separator with the top removed while holding a garden hose that's spraying on the tumbler while I'm turning it. The basin fills with soapy water and I drain it off and repeat the process a few more times until all the soap is gone. Drying my brass is done in my green house on a large mesh drying rack I made that can hold 50 to 75 lbs of brass.


OK, I know some of you are anal about small details. And, that's fine if you are that way. However, after decades of testing, I find absolutely NO difference in performance between brass that was decapped prior to cleaning, and brass where the primers were left alone during the cleaning process. So, as a RULE, I never decap primers before cleaning in either media or SS pins. The exception to that RULE is when I am dealing with anything that requires removing the primer crimp. Which, in this instance is 223 Rem. Virtually all of even the commercial 223 Rem brass gets crimped primers. So, I have to do those before doing the decrimping with the Dillon S8uper Swage 600.

Mbaker78
07-28-2018, 09:29 AM
I’m finding about 60% of the 223 and all of the 5.56 is crimped. I used to use a super swage, but I’m too lazy to sort by headstamp and readjust it every time, so I was getting a lot of overswaged cases. Now I just ream the crimps out with a cheap Lyman bit and a cordless drill. It’s faster and seems more consistent.

lightman
07-28-2018, 10:35 AM
I have had 2 different swaging tools and a bunch of different cutters. I keep going back to the cordless drill and 45º carbide countersink. I hate all the 223 ammo that has crimped primers. I've gotten where I scrap most of it.

lightman
07-28-2018, 10:38 AM
Back to what are you doing on the bench. I just finished resizing over 1000 38 Super cases. These were more difficult to size than most pistol brass so I lubed them.

SafetyJoe
07-28-2018, 02:28 PM
RCBS makes a decent crimp reamer because it has an over travel stop. I sort my 556 lake city brass to be converted into 300 blk and I use the dillon super swage on those, but I still double check each one with the ballistic tools primer pocket go / no go gauge and if one is not quite done I'll ream it to get it that last little bit. I also started reaming some S&B and herter's HS revolver brass just because those pockets seem to always be very tight.

316

gandog56
07-29-2018, 05:23 AM
I got a TON of rifle brass to process, but I am not doing so well healthwise right now. I may go out to my shed and do a bit, at least get my 7.7 Jap and .303 Brit in the wet rotary.

gandog56
07-29-2018, 05:25 AM
OK, I know some of you are anal about small details. And, that's fine if you are that way. However, after decades of testing, I find absolutely NO difference in performance between brass that was decapped prior to cleaning, and brass where the primers were left alone during the cleaning process. So, as a RULE, I never decap primers before cleaning in either media or SS pins. The exception to that RULE is when I am dealing with anything that requires removing the primer crimp. Which, in this instance is 223 Rem. Virtually all of even the commercial 223 Rem brass gets crimped primers. So, I have to do those before doing the decrimping with the Dillon S8uper Swage 600.

Really Duke? I have had cases before I got the wet rotary that the soot was so thick the newly inserted primers were either sitting too high, or were VERY tough to even get one in without crushing it. Stainless steel pin media fixes THAT problem. Only other option is to use some kind of tool and scrape the soot deposits out one case at a time, a rather monotonous job.

DukeInFlorida
07-31-2018, 01:01 PM
really,
never had any sort of issue with cleaning primer pockets . Or, should I say, never any problems without cleaning them.

gandog56
08-01-2018, 08:52 AM
really,
never had any sort of issue with cleaning primer pockets . Or, should I say, never any problems without cleaning them.


Well, I DO have some 30 year old .38 cases that have been literally reloaded hundreds of times. Them soot build ups can really build up, you hear where I'm coming from?

lightman
08-01-2018, 05:38 PM
Had a front come through and the temps went from mid to high 90's to low to mid 80's and the humidity went way down. So, me and a buddy set up the smelting rig and melted around 400# of reclaimed shot. Ended up with 384 Lyman style ingots and 12 ingots from a bread stick mold. It was still hot and a cold beer was really good after we finished and put everything away. Shoulda waited for winter but its done! Now, to find that Aleve!

Hostile79
08-02-2018, 07:24 PM
Well, I DO have some 30 year old .38 cases that have been literally reloaded hundreds of times. Them soot build ups can really build up, you hear where I'm coming from?

I have the soot buildup in 44 magnum cases primer pockets after a couple firings in my revolver.

gandog56
08-03-2018, 03:44 AM
I have had 2 different swaging tools and a bunch of different cutters. I keep going back to the cordless drill and 45º carbide countersink. I hate all the 223 ammo that has crimped primers. I've gotten where I scrap most of it.

What's wrong with swaging it out? While it adds one more step it will get you lots of brass. Plus you only have to do it once. You can use anything from a finely ground screwdriver to a swage die set. I use the RCBS swage die set.

gandog56
08-03-2018, 03:47 AM
I don't know, I use the cheapest primers possible, usually Wolf or Tula. They leave HARD sooty carbon in the flashholes. When I splurge on like Winchester or CCI it's not so bad.

lightman
08-03-2018, 04:25 AM
What's wrong with swaging it out? While it adds one more step it will get you lots of brass. Plus you only have to do it once. You can use anything from a finely ground screwdriver to a swage die set. I use the RCBS swage die set.

I guess there are so many different degrees of crimps that I have never totally been satisfied with swaging. And 223 brass is so plentiful that I don't have to mess with crimped stuff. I've swaged my share of it and I agree its not a big deal. The military brass like LC and WCC work well but the FC stuff wears out so quickly its hardly seems worth the work.

DukeInFlorida
08-03-2018, 06:57 AM
Don't lose sight of the fact that when you deprime the cases, the primer knock out pin goes through the flash hole, and completely cleans that out. ALL of the flame will reach the powder. Like I said, I never have any issues, and never clean the primer pockets.

gandog56
08-03-2018, 02:56 PM
Don't lose sight of the fact that when you deprime the cases, the primer knock out pin goes through the flash hole, and completely cleans that out. ALL of the flame will reach the powder. Like I said, I never have any issues, and never clean the primer pockets.

Well, I have had problems fully seating them from soot built up on the sides and the bottom of the case around the flashhole. I have crushed many a primer before I got a wet rotary tumbler.

Hostile79
08-03-2018, 08:28 PM
Well, I have had problems fully seating them from soot built up on the sides and the bottom of the case around the flashhole. I have crushed many a primer before I got a wet rotary tumbler.

That was my problem as well in my 44 magnum. I think build up in the primer pocket caused a lot of issues.

gandog56
08-04-2018, 05:18 AM
Counting brass for a swap. Continuing to swap boxes with .40 cal and 357 SIG hand loads. Ordered more plastic boxes.

lightman
08-22-2018, 10:03 AM
Not much, also counting brass for a swap. Decapping some other stuff. Just hiding out in the loading room.

lightman
08-31-2018, 11:29 AM
Packaged up and mailed some brass for a trade. Packaged up and mailed a shell holder for a trade. Started getting the BBQ grill, fish cooker and electric clay target thrower ready for the Dove Hunters that will start arriving any minute now. Looking forward to a fun weekend.

lightman
09-03-2018, 10:06 AM
Sorted and decapped some brass that I just picked up. Cleaned a Remington 1100 that I was lucky enough to get dirty over the weekend, Dove hunting. Prolly have a nap after while, the last 4 4am mornings are starting to wear on me.

Mbaker78
09-03-2018, 10:42 AM
I think I have about 250 round since the last cleaning on my 930, I’m curious how long I can go between cleanings before it starts messing up.

gandog56
09-06-2018, 06:33 PM
Just before I got sick I bought me a Lee Loaded in 12 gauge to start reloading shotshells again.

Mbaker78
09-07-2018, 01:57 PM
Over the last few days I’ve deprimed and reamed probably 1500 pieces of 5.56 brass that was all given to me... I’m gonna need more bullets, powder, and primers...

gandog56
09-12-2018, 05:09 PM
Over the last few days I’ve deprimed and reamed probably 1500 pieces of 5.56 brass that was all given to me... I’m gonna need more bullets, powder, and primers...

I possibly have even MORE .223/5.56 brass to process. I may or may have enough projectiles. I know I have enough powder left.