Did that damage the bullets?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mbaker78
JTD
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Did that damage the bullets?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mbaker78
JTD
Oh yeah. But they were undersized cast bullets, so they just went back in the pot to make some more.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
it turns out that a factory crimp die is no good for cast bullets. They were sized to .401, the ones pulled after running trough a FCD measured .397-.399”, so I was getting really bad leading after as few as 60 rounds.
Ok. On bullets I’m going to toss I use pliers. Ones I want to save get the inertia hammer out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mbaker78
JTD
This week at work, kicked my ass. But I was able to find some time to get a few things done. I loaded some test loads for the 7.5x55 and 257 Roberts AI. Loaded some hunting rounds for the 7x57 with 120gr FP and IMR3031. I found a nice load for the 30-40 krag with 180gr Sierra RN and IMR4831, and loaded up some of them to sight the rifle in with. And finally, I processed my 30-40 range brass I got from Wes a couple months ago.
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JTD
Well, Christmas slowed me down completely, but was able to get out in the woods. I got a nice 10 point, and my son got his first deer, the doe my 10 point was chasing. Now that Christmas is over, company has gone back home, and I cleaned my bench off, I’m back at it.
I prepped and primed 50 new 32 Winchester special brass, got some 35 Remington test loads made up with 200gr Hornady RN, and I’ve got 61 7.62x54R brass prepped and in the tumbler.
Feels good to be back!
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JTD
I've just finished up short samples of cast bullet loads in 30-06 and 300 Win Mag. Headed out with those plus some loads for 22-250 tomorrow. Next on the list for cast bullets is 375 H&H. I always have something cooking like these.
Most of my loading has been handgun loads with cast bullets. Mainly 45ACP and 38 Special for our informal handgun matches. Being retired there's plenty of time. Being broke, jacketed bullets for all these calibers forces some cast bullet economy measures.
How did those cast loads turn out? What are you loading in your 375?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mowgli Terry
JTD
First up the 300 Mag was just starting. The rifle is a T/C Dimension. The bullet is the Lyman 311332 with 29 and 30 grains of SW Buffalo that loads like AAC-5744. Accuracy was not good but these were starting loads. Better accuracy is expected as the charge is increased. There was an interest in seeing how cast bullets worked in a 5R barrel. Brass was Hornady using Winchester standard LRP'sQuote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
The 30-06 rounds were fired in a Ruger Number One A 1980's vintage. Remington brass was used with Winchester Standard Primers. Bullet is 311332. The top load was 29grs of Shooters World Buffalo. This load made a seven shot group at 2" excluding one flyer. I need to do another run of these bullets. This lot of bullets was water quenched and lubed with 50:50 sized .311. I was satisfied with improved accuracy with the Ruger.
I the 375 H&H was started some time back with poor results. The bullet is an antique Ideal 375248 two cavity mold. The bullets will be sized .378 out of the gate. I'm still doing homework on the 375 H&H. The rifles will be a Ruger Number One H and a CZ550. First time out with these rifles was not good. Project was put on the back burner. Also, in the mix at some point will be a 35 Whelen.
Ive been tempted to pick up some shooters world buffalo rifle. Ive really only shot cast loads in my revolvers and my 45-70 rifles, but I’ve always been fascinated with cast loads in other rifles. I’m planning on getting some cast bullets for my 30-40 krag and 32 Winchester special.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mowgli Terry
The 35 whelen is a favorite of mine. I can’t wait to hear of your cast adventures with it.
JTD
These projects are sequential but the time line is no so exact. Buffalo works like 5744. Likewise, 5744 has worked very well in my 45-90 and 45-110. I have used it mainly in 45-90. My use with Buffalo is recent for the 30-06 and 300WM.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
It’s starting to sound like FB land is going to be rid of all us dangerous shooting enthusiasts, at least it sure feels like it! Hopefully we get some new members here to share, teach, and learn!
Finally got the last of my Christmas gift cards spent and got some fun things to play with. Still wanting to play with the seating depth of my 150gr E-tips in my .30-06 as I’ve mentioned before( also have a post about them in the reloading for hunting forum ) been wanting these for awhile and just never jumped on them. So now I gotta find the time to get back to my bench!
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Anyone else use these? I can’t say I own too much Hornady equipment, but these sure make sense to me.
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I use these extensively for quite a few years and love them! You will not be disappointed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbotto
Excellent purchase! Those will come in very handy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbotto
I’m ready for the move off of Facebook. Ive been phasing it out for over a year. I only keep it because of Wes.
JTD
I sure hope so JTD!Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
I’m still there for friends and family and I do admin a Savage Rifle Owners group, but I’m scaling it back too. Less time in screens for me and more time doing real things.... My forum use isn’t going anywhere!
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I hope you aren’t going anywhere. You are one of the regulars that I enjoy hearing from.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jbotto
JTD
You guys can’t get rid of me that easily! Haha!Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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I make my own modified cases from brass fired in my chamber. I recon it gives me a better read but I can't provide any concrete evidence of that truth. Regardless, for the price of a drill bit and a tap which I had to seek out at a machine tool supply house I can make as many modified cases as I like.
For the price of a tap and drill bit you can make all the modified cases you like and make them from brass fired in your chamber or sized in your die, whichever you prefer.
That’s a great idea. Especially for wildcats or oddball calibers.
JTD
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
It's an oddball tap that you won't find at the hardware store. If I recall correctly (it's been 10 years or more) I had to order mine from a Machine Tool supply house.
Intermountain Machining Supply (ims.supply)
I'm sure there is something similar in your neck of the woods.
I had thought about that, but I figured if I took on one more little project like this, I’d never get to it and my poor .30-06 would be cussing me from the safe as it gathered dust. I’ve got to knock out a few more of my little garage projects before I tackle this. I’d like to own the tap for this though, as I’d be able to do my own in the future. When I placed the order they had .223, .243, and .30-06 in stock so that’s what I started with as I reload for all three. This will get me started until I want to play with some others later this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauser
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Just finished 190 rounds of 300 blackout with 110gr vmax, for my brother. Now I can get back to my projects.
JTD
I finally got some trigger time yesterday. Spent a few hours with the chronograph and the 300 blackout as well as the Ruger Super Redhawk, 44 mag and special. The 300 is an 16" AR shooting suppressed yesterday. I shot a wide array of reloads, both super and subs and it cycled and fed every one perfectly. Subs are certainly a different animal when reloading, but I am having a blast with it. The Ruger is just a pleasure to shoot, this is the first time shooting my 44 special reloads in it and was gathering speed data rather than shooting groups. I was shooting at 75 yds because I was set up there for the Blackout and would have had to move to another range to get a closer target. I can do ok with the 44 mag at 75, but the special opened up pretty much. Plus, a couple of my 44 special loads were pretty lethargic according to both recoil and the chrono, lol. At any rate, was a good morning of therapy followed by cleaning 2 very dirty guns.
Sounds like you had a great time, and some research and development done.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
Have you ever tried loading 44 special loads in 44 magnum brass? I quit loading 44 and 38 specials years ago, and just use the magnum brass for both.
That’s nice that all of your loads cycled your AR. A lot of people struggle trying to get the subs to cycle. What kind of velocities were you getting with the subs?
JTD
JTD, I never thought of loading special loads into magnum brass, but that would have to help with the buildup that happens in the cylinders because of the short "special" brass. I had a little of that fouling to deal with when cleaning yesterday. As far as the Blackout, I have some subsonic loads as slow as 875 fps that still cycle good with bolt hold open on last shot. Yesterday, I was low 900's up to low 10's. This is a 16" barrel with a pistol length gas system and an adjustable gas block that I just don't have to mess with. I have found that 1680 is dirty and loud, but my fav by far is IMR 4227, it is both cleaner and oh, so quiet!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
Excellent to know about the 4227.
The main reason I quit using special brass was because of that build up. Hated it. My son and I went to the range today. When he shot the 357 with my 158 cast with red dot load, he smiled and said “that’s kicks like a 22”. I load my 44 the same way, but with unique. I also like keeping up with one kind of brass.
JTD
I made that decision when I started with a .357 almost ten years ago. Decided I’d never reload a special for a magnum revolver. I have done light loads with the longer brass but for moat of my loads I go for a heavy special/light magnum levels and shoot LSWC out of both a .357 and .44 now. I love not having to have to switch or adjust dies back and forth. Also I don’t redevelop the carbon ring that would get in the way of proper loading. If I ever get a “special” only revolver, I’ll start loading special brass but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon.
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I had a great weekend. Lots of gun time. I loaded some hunting ammo for my 8x57, 150gr Hornady sp with IMR4064. I loaded test loads for 7.5x55, 375 whelen improved, and 6.5x55. I also may made up some test rounds for 45acp, and after shooting them today, I am very impressed with 230gr Xtreme RN with 4.9gr of W231 at 1.250”, in both my Glock and 1911. I got most of my starline 45-70 brass sized this morning too.
My 13 year old and I went to the range today, for pistol day. We took 9mm, 45acp, 357, 41mag, 44mag, and 45colt. We had a blast. It’s nice to see him improving every time we go out, he’s still got a ways to go but he does well.
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JTD
Xtreme 230gr RN and W231 is my go-to in both of my 45's for range day. I use 5.0 gr with an OAL of 1.265. With 9mm, I find the Xtreme HP does better than the RN, but not so with the 45's. That recipe is solid in both my Shield 45 and my Sig P227.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
I tried 4.9gr of 231 with bullets loaded at 1.270” and 1.250”. The ones at 1.270” shot great, but had trouble cycling in my 1911. The 1.250” load gave it enough pressure boost that everything cycled perfectly. It sure makes for an accurate soft shooting load.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyeralan
JTD
I love that round nose bullet!Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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I am always afraid that I will end up with a load that might not ignite the powder with too much empty space. I had that problem in 45 colt once. I guess it boils down to choosing the right powder.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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What powder did that happen to you with?Quote:
Originally Posted by muforester
JTD
185gr xtp, 8gr Unique.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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Yeah, I guess this is something I hadn't thought about. One of my 44 special loads that was really soft was with Unique if I recall correctly. Thanks for a heads up on this, it make sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by muforester
Ive used down to 7.0gr of unique in 45 colt with 250gr cast, and 44 magnum with 200gr cast. Ive never had a problem with unique in those big cases. Maybe since the 185gr is such a short bullet, it increased case volume just enough to cause a problem.
JTD
I think that is what happened. Those 185gr xtp are short.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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Been a slow week for me. I finished prepping my starline 45-70 brass. Prepped and primed 100 45colt brass.
Next on the list is to load those 45 colts with trail boss and 250gr cast rnfp, load a mess of 45acp with 230gr xtreme rn and w231, load some 45-70 test loads with 325gr ftx, and prep a bunch of 41mag brass.
It has been a little slow for me too. I did a small batch of 9mm and prepped some 44 mag brass. I did start cleaning a bunch of brass though.Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff
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What’s next to do for you?
JTD