Today at the Bench.....

[Harter]

I have another tray of workups for the 25 .
I'm exploring ;
Brass . After more digging I came up with 20 EW42 matched cases , a few WW and a few Super X. I loaded 5 ea with 12 gr Unique, plain base , and gas checked in the assorted cases .
Powder .
Throwing caution to the wind I started 1.5 gr below 120 jacketed data with the 125 gr cast and IMR 4831 with previous OAL . The idea being maybe this is just one of those barrel and bullet deals where it really wants to have a full snort and run wide open . Basically the load should pick up velocity where the Unique leaves off and about 8,000 psi less pressure with a longer push . The approximated velocity should be around 2400 to start into 2600 fps .

Herco data is like hens teeth . 300 gr data for 45 Colts is almost as bad .
Unique however runs from 6-7.0 for standard and up to 10.2 for Ruger/Contender up to about 25kpsi . The loads are primarily for that stupid 1-32 twist in the Rossi M92's . The SWC , 250-255 gr , in particular and to a lesser degree the 255-265 RNFPs don't return to subsonic well . I'm after a just barely sub sonic with enough heft to do what it needs to do . Anyway I started off with 7-8.5 gr of Herco that delivered round holes at 50 yd but probably only about 600 fps MV so I have this batch loaded 8.7 , 9.2 , and 9.6 gr mostly because thats where the measure hit . Typically what Herco data there is takes about another 1/2 gr over Unique for the same velocity in pistols ,it gains a little in longer barrels wo gaps . The Herco is slower and slightly bulkier . It should get me right into the window of 975-1025 fps .
If it works out I'll have to buy a 300 gr mould .

[JeffreyDeGraff]

I looked in an old Alliant pamphlet I have laying around. It has 7.2gr of herco with 300gr xtp for 670fps at 12,500psi. I don’t know if that is helpful or not.
For years when using herco the rule was to use unique data plus 1/2 a grain.


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[Harter]

I downloaded "the complete 45 Colts" manual and Lyman 38 to go with the real copy of the 43 , 48 , and 50th , 3 printings of the Hornady 68',72', & 82' , Speer #12 ....... The limited data , there's data for duplex and triplex loads in 454 in the Ackley book but Herco and 300s is nil ..... An experiment in a slower neatly wedged between 2 workhorses . That and I have about 5-6# of the stuff for the cost of about a gallon of gas out of route on a 800 mile road trip .

[JeffreyDeGraff]

The last 4 weeks or so, I finally got some reloading done. First I loaded 414 9mm with 115gr Rainier HP and Ramshot Zip. Next was 486 9mm with 124gr Xtreme HP and Titegroup. Last was 466 10mm with 165gr Rainier HP and Autocomp. I loaded all these on my 4 hole Lee turret press and using my RCBS Lil’ Dandy powder measure. Today I sonic cleaned and annealed 261 pieces of 32 Winchester Special brass.


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[Flyeralan]

Yeah, I have got to get back at it. So much life happening lately, my Mom passed a few weeks ago and my fifth grandchild was born on Thursday. All on top of adding a new puppy (who is quite a handful, lol) to our household a while back. I am hoping things settle to a new normal soon so I can get back in the shop. I have a new bore scope ready to see if I can see anything that is making my LRPV so finicky as of late. Also I am in the market for a new Marlin 1894 from Ruger that was just officially released/announced last week. I also have a snub-nosed 357 that I have done very little with since I bought it. So many projects, so little time.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

Yeah, I have got to get back at it. So much life happening lately, my Mom passed a few weeks ago and my fifth grandchild was born on Thursday. All on top of adding a new puppy (who is quite a handful, lol) to our household a while back. I am hoping things settle to a new normal soon so I can get back in the shop. I have a new bore scope ready to see if I can see anything that is making my LRPV so finicky as of late. Also I am in the market for a new Marlin 1894 from Ruger that was just officially released/announced last week. I also have a snub-nosed 357 that I have done very little with since I bought it. So many projects, so little time.

You definitely have had a lot going on. I’m very sorry to hear about your mother, and on the other hand, congratulations on grandkid number 5 and the new puppy. What kind of pup did you get?

You definitely have a lot of work to do, but it will all be there waiting for you when life irons itself out.


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[Flyeralan]

You definitely have had a lot going on. I’m very sorry to hear about your mother, and on the other hand, congratulations on grandkid number 5 and the new puppy. What kind of pup did you get?

You definitely have a lot of work to do, but it will all be there waiting for you when life irons itself out.


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Thanks, Jeffery! We got a Miniature Schnauzer and he is a great puppy so far, but he does have a bit of an attitude. I am starting the install for an in-ground fence system tomorrow so he will have the freedom to run off some of his energy.

[JeffreyDeGraff]

Thanks, Jeffery! We got a Miniature Schnauzer and he is a great puppy so far, but he does have a bit of an attitude. I am starting the install for an in-ground fence system tomorrow so he will have the freedom to run off some of his energy.

He will be a lot of fun. That underground fence is perfect for letting him tire himself out.


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[Harter]

I got out to shoot a little yesterday. The 57' M70 I had taken completely down to to clean up 30+ yr in the field and a scope change shot well . Just a few old Cramer , Pope designed 150 gr cast about 1000 fps to make sure the barrel and scope were pointed the same direction. Then a few 4350 fueled 312-155 Lees approaching 2500 fps MV. Not stellar brag worthy groups but good enough for for meat in the freezer if it's coyote or bigger inside 250 yd .

Dad's 25-06' ......... In an effort to figure out the flat line groups I loaded 7-10 in 5 different cases of the 260-120 NOE with 12 gr of Unique. Of course the second runner up for most unlikely to aquire showed the best results , Winchester Super X. Also present was formed EW 43 , W-W , FC , and current Win.

The cast bullets are the NOE 260-120 FP, my alloy scales at 125 gr ready to load . This test set was fueled by 42,42.5, 43, &43.5 gr of IMR 4831 taking in to account the additional case intrusion and extra weight, the loads seem to show a direction. Down . All of the powder burned , no leading , and we got a lesson about case length. Another Prima Donna .......just what I needed. The 42 gr load put 2 touching in 2 groups and the one I threw away . Case length is the only difference this was from weigh lotted new virgin Remington 1972 25-06 brass . 2 of them were 2.510 with the remaining 18 2.483-2.486 . The .510s look to be out in the ball seat .

The next tour I guess will be 41.6 , 41.8 ,42.2 , 42.4 gr . It'd be an accomplishment to get the 25-06' with a 1-9" shooting 2 MOA at 2500 fps .

[Harter]

Went back did a bunch of measuring after neck sizing in a 6.5-257 AI die with a the .257 expander in it . I took all 19 survivors down to a uniform 2.485 . I was surprised to see 10 so long and only 2 that didn't even get a kiss . I'm glad I wasn't shooting a full bore 4350 load at 3200 fps MV...... It's good to finally have a place to work from that might do what I promised Dad .