Author Topic: Any reloaders here yet? (Read 17086 times)

sqlbullet · « **on:** October 18, 2008, 10:48:13 pm »

In the interest of being a good community member, I will offer my possibly lame attempt to get this forum moving. Any other reloaders here? What do you load, load for, load on?

I shoot 10mm. Frequently. In large quantities. And so does my wife. We burned 200 round the other night on date night in about 45 minutes. As I am not wealthy, or even well to do, I reload to keep up my habit.

In addition to 10mm, I have loaded some 300 win mag, and a few 223.

All my reloading so far has been on a Rock Chucker. A friend recently bought a Square Deal B that is going take up residence in my reloading shed, since he doesn't have room for a dedicated space in his home.

I have reloaded the 10mm in 155, 180 grain lead, and 180 and 200 grain FMJ. Primary Blue Dot for the powder, but been playing with Unique lately. 300 win mag eats 165 grain and 180 grain bullets over Reloader 22. The 223...55 grain over Varget. Haven't made it to the range yet with any of these.

Thinking about starting to cast my own bullets. Even reloading, feeding my wife's thirsty gun is proving to be a financial challenge.

What about you?

WeTheArmed.com

Dustinthewind · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2008, 12:25:47 am »

Howdy sqlbullet another reloader here. Glad to see the reloading forum up and running. I have many calibers that I reload for but I mainly shoot 9mm, .45ACP, .223 and 7.62x54r although in the the 54r I shoot mil surp. I have also thought about getting into casting as the price of bullets has gotten so high, although there are still some fair deals out there on cast bullets.

Dave R · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:24:25 am »

Glad to be here with the reloaders! I started reloading when I inherited a .17/.357mag custom rifle. Now, 'most everything I shoot is reloaded. Took my first hog with a load I made for my K-31.

Looking forward to learning from you.

Pat-inCO · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2008, 01:43:23 pm »

I do 9mm, .357, 10mm, .45ACP, .223, .270 and.308. I use the Rock-Chucker for rifles and the Dillon SDBs for the pistols.

I also like Blue Dot for 10mm. I use Unique for 9mm and .45ACP.

Found that 25Gr of Varget under a 52Gr Match HP from Hornady does very well. It churns out just over 3Kfps and does an easy 1/2MOA. Have a friend that tried this combination and his comment was "That REALLY works!", so we were both happy. YMMV

{Edit} Just read the statement about max loads. The max load listed in my book is 26Gr of Varget for the .223 under a 52Gr slug. I found that the accuracy went all to (bleep) if I went beyond 25Gr. It also produced a compression load, which I - DO NOT - like. 25Gr just fills the case to the neck and no more. Once again YMMV, use at your own risk. {/Edit}

TWBryan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2008, 03:08:31 pm »

I reload .38 spl, .357 mag,.45 acp,and .223. Those are the regular calibers,I've got dies and stuff for other calibers I don't reload too often. I use a Dillon 650 and a Rockchucker.

JesseL · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2008, 05:31:43 pm »

I reload for 9mm, 38 Special, .41 Magnum, .500 S&W Magnum (for my father in law), .223, .22-250, 6mm Remington, 6.5x55 Swede, .30-40 Krag, .30-06, and .308 Norma Magnum.

I do a little casting, mostly for .38 Special. I'll probably get some molds for the .41, 9mm, .45 ACP, and .500 Mag one of these days.

I really love that casting scrap lead and loading Titegroup or Bullseye means I can shoot 38s cheaper than .22 rimfires.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2008, 07:48:13 pm »

Lifetime reloader here. Started out wiping case lube off 30-30, 30-06, and 44 mag cases for my dad before I was old enough to go to school.

I currently load for somewhere around a dozen calibers. If it fits in a wheel gun, I either do or have pretty much loaded all of them, except the new S&W monsters. Now, if one of you fine gents were to donate say, 500-1000 500 S&W cases, I'd be required to go buy the gun and a set of dies.

I'd be silly to load for a gun I don't own now, wouldn't I?

I'd load for more calibers than I currently do, but there's only only so much money, so many hours in a day, and only so much space in the reloading room.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2008, 08:59:06 pm »

Sqlbullet-

Quote

my possibly lame attempt

I think not. I understand you're a fan of 10MM? If that's true you'll have to try hard to be lame.

Omit · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2008, 09:19:20 pm »

I got into reloading about 4 years ago, I use a Lee Turret press and Lee dies. Seems I load more 45 ACP than anything else. 357 and 45 Colt run about neck and neck. My newest aquisition is a 1952 336RC in 35 Reminghton, so now I'll have to get set up for that. Any of you have a sweetheart load for it?

GeorgeHill · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2008, 10:04:18 pm »

I've been a reloader before, and I will again.
This time however, I wont be just reloading small calibers and handgun rounds. I'll be reloading everything. And everything I'm reloading for will be all about accuracy. Not volume of fire.
It's going to be different.
I'll be buying a Hornady press soon. Single Stage. Reloading will be one shell at a time.

Miggy · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2008, 10:05:23 pm »

Another reloader here. 9mm and 38spcl with Lee equipment.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2008, 10:10:25 pm »

George, a suggestion- Get an RCBS rockchucker supreme press. DEAD SOLID press there, absolutely no flex when mounted to a solid surface. Hornady can supply your bullets. Now that's a happy combo. And should your ogreish heart desire, and you screw the die bushing out of the press? POOF! Ready for standard 50 BMG dies.

xsquidgator · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2008, 09:37:20 am »

Reloader and bullet/boolit caster here. I started reloading just 9mm/357, but now reload everything I have except rimfire and shotgun. I like the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press, especially for handgun rounds.

Casting is worth trying if the cost of the projectiles is getting to be a bit high. If you're like me and wanted to just try it as cheaply as possible to see if you like it, you can get into casting for not much. Get a Lee pot (probably a 20 pounder though not the 4 or the 10), some of their 2 cavity moulds, a ladle, and you could be in business. Later on I got the nice-to-have stuff like a lead thermometer, hardness tester, ingot mould etc, but you don't HAVE to have that. Just as reloading is fun all on its own, I've found casting to be fun too. And scrounging for lead has been enjoyable too. I work in a medical center and have been able to get hundreds of pounds of scrap lead (mostly radiation shielding that got thrown out) that has happily turned out to be an alloy similar to wheelweights and not just pure lead.

I reload so I can shoot, even making a good living I'm shocked at what even the cheap stuff costs for factory ammo. 4 to 5 cents each with my cast bullets just feels right, I just couldn't go burn through 200-300 rounds in a weekend if I was doing storebought.

Bozo · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2008, 10:54:06 am »

Hi all. I just found this link at another forum. I am a handloader from way back and also cast .45 bullets. I am simple, still using the old rock chucker, never found the need for speed. Pretty much whatever I shoot, rifle and pistol I reload for. With the rising costs of ammunition reloading is as much a necessity as it is a fun hobby.

It is good to see a new well laid out forum start up. I look forward to learning from the members and will contribute wherever I can.

GeorgeHill · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2008, 09:48:20 pm »

Quote from: THE NORSEMAN on October 19, 2008, 10:10:25 pm

screw the die bushing out of the press? POOF! Ready for standard 50 BMG dies.

That sold me, right there. Because that means .338 Laupa as well.

Fred Garvin · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2008, 10:10:00 pm »

I've been rolling my own since 1974. I currently reload .38spl,.357 mag, .44 mag, .45 ACP, .223, .22-250, .243, & .30-06. I've got dies for a lot of other stuff . I'll probably start reloading 9mm soon so I can aford to shoot my CZ's. I use a Rockchucker for everything .

ridata · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2008, 12:27:31 am »

Quote from: xsquidgator

4 to 5 cents each with my cast bullets just feels right

4 to 5 cents per round, or is that per bullet you cast? What caliber?

BruceRDucer · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2008, 12:48:55 am »

Good job, sqlbullet. Nice to meet you.

I'm in the early stages of learning Shotshell, reloading, usually 12 guage.

Hi everyone. Have a happy.

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2008, 12:56:22 am »

Ridata, you can indeed shoot that cheap, assuming a couple things:

1. Your casting equipment has paid for itself already.
2. You're reloading a case you already have.(And not factoring the cost per use of it into this)
3. Free lead source.

All you need is powder and primer.

twistedkitten · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2008, 01:40:14 am »

Hi,

Another newbie here,

Just started reloading. Primarily 9mm, 357, 45, and 44 mag.
i have started out with an RCBS single stage Rock Chuker and have been having a great time learning.

i have loaded about 300 rounds so far , mostly 9mm and 357. I just went to the range today and tried my first 44 mag loads .
i used Nosler 240 g jsp's and the Nosler recipes with AA #5 Boy was that fun.

i really am enjoying loading and it's giving me a great appreciation for slight variables, and how it effects the overall accuracy.

i'm sure i'll be checking in with a plenty of questions.

thanks in advance

THE NORSEMAN · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2008, 01:55:11 am »

Welcome to WTA, twistedkitten. If you want specific info on one of those calibers, feel free to start a thread saying so. With 357 and 44 I'd have something for you, and if by 45 you mean 45 colt, I may have some ideas there as well.

g.willikers · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2008, 05:30:46 pm »

Yup,

.38 and .44 on a Lee single stage.
.45ACP, now, (and .38 super in the past), on a Dillon Square Deal.
If it weren't for reloading, all my range time would be with .22.
No complaint about .22, still do lots of it.

NCLivingBrit · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2008, 08:12:11 pm »

I hesitate to call myself a reloader, yet. Yeah, I have a press, dies etc. etc..... But I've only loaded 10 rounds so far. If I ever remember to take them when I go shooting, I might load some more, my first test batch was just to see if I could complete the process safely.

If/when I finally get going, I'll be reloading .223 Remington (the 10 rounds), 9mm and possibly some tinkering with 7.62x54r for my scoped Mosin.

twistedkitten · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2008, 08:44:02 pm »

Thanks Norseman ,

I haven't started loading my 45 acp yet, but when i do i'm sure i'll have questions and i know where to go.

Thanks

Mike

txgho1911 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 21, 2008, 09:16:49 pm »

.45acp with 230 fmj
With over 6gr PowerPistol This is max or over in some books.
With 4.2 gr clays This is max or over in some books.
Universal Clays is my favorite @ 5.5gr
Used unique and and a few others.

45-70 loads for a Marlin 1895g with the brake ports. Hearing protection required.
I have a ton of loaded ammo I would love to share except I would not let anyone use these in any other rifle. IMR powders are used under 300gr jhp and some boolit loads as well.

Wow I got the BOLD correct the first time.

"Niethier WeTheArmed.com or it's staff are responsible for use of this data. You, and you alone, are responsible to verify what loads are safe in your gun"

Author Topic: Any reloaders here yet? (Read 17086 times)

NCLivingBrit