Have been working all winter to try and get my inventory built back up for fair weather shooting but this winter has been an open winter so I've been shooting up everything as soon as it's loaded. I've got 2000 38 Specials, 500 357s, 1000 45 auto and auto rim to load. I'm behind on 41 mag, 44 Special, and 45 Colt. Finally got my 43 Spanish, 38-55 and 45-70 done. Need more 32 S&W and Long, 32 Mag, 327 Fed. Mag. and 32-20. Got about 5000 boolits of various calibers to size and loob and I need to cast some more 32 handgun boolits. I need more 454 round balls for use in 45 auto rim, fun at close range. Got a can full of 270, 30-30 and 8MM cases to size and load. I noticed my 338-06 inventory is not as healthy as I'd like.
Seems that being retired just isn't enough, I used to get paid holidays and sick leave to do this kind of stuff. Don't get those paid off days to get caught up on my casting, loading, etc. any longer, that must be why I'm so far behind.
Reloading
Moderator: Ridgerunner665
47 posts
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.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm Location: North Central Montana |
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New to reloading. Starting with a Lee single stage press. At this time i will be reloading 45 lc. Have a Winchester Mod. 94 trapper in 45 lc. Black powder hunt with a 50 cal. with 45 bullets. A die question. Lee offers a 3 die set,and a 4 die set for 45. What is the pro and con for 3 and 4 die sets? There is a lot of powders out there. Any advice on powder with a 16 inch barrel. 1 in 16 twist on my Trapper i think.
Thanks. |
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.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm Location: North Central Montana |
The 4 die set includes the Carbide Crimp die in straight wall hand gun cartridges such as your 45 Colt. The CCD is not a real necessity most of the time, it can be useful depending on your bullets and your guns chamber. If you are going to shoot jacketed bullets you will never need it, it comes into play with oversized cast bullets, but even then, very infrequently.
A note: The Carbide Crimp die is not the same as the Factory Crimp die listed for rifle cartridges. It pays to be aware of the differences and know what is meant when others speak of them seemingly interchangeably; they are not the same and not interchangeable in name or function. Reloading is fun and rewarding well out of proportion to the cost savings. The Lee set up is good and will serve you well and Lee customer service is tops. Lots of videos on Youtube and the Lee site to help you get thru the beginning phases. Good shooting!!!! |
.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm Location: North Central Montana |
Been busy this summer, doing some shooting but also coaching a father and son duo the basics of hand loading their '06 and 243 ammunition. Good students, especially the 12 year old.
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I also cast and reload for several pistol and a few of my rifles. I don`t really do it for saving cost just enjoy it and also getting a custom load.
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I've been reloading Rifle cartridges for many years, mostly for .308 Winchester, .307 Winchester, .303 British, .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, .222 Remington, .300 Savage.
I got started because I found it was the only way to get ammunition for my model 1876 .45-75. It took me a few years to find the brass and dies for it, but it finally all came together. The end result was well worth the wait, it is very cool being able to fire the hunting rifle originally owned by my great great grandfather made in 1883. Nobody else in my family ever thought it would be revived after laying silently in the back of a closet without ammo for 60 or more years.
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Awesome reply Skinner. I share your passion |
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Awesome story thanks for sharing
"Im just a Peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many guns"
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I've been casting and handloading for almost 40 years now, the two go hand in hand. Shotshell reloading, I'm fairly new at, I've only been at that for about 5 years. I cast for everything I own .30 and over, rifle as well as handgun.
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Copper BB
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:20 am Location: Long Island, New York |
I've been reloading since 2009. 30-30, 45-70, and 30-06. Very relaxing and keeps me in ammo.
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Krag96,
Chicken - egg question Lube 1st, gas check/size 2nd, final lube 3rd Sincerely, newbie |
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Well, it depends on your method. Using a lubrisizer such as a Lyman 450 the gas check goes on, then rammed down into the die, lube applied in the die under pressure, and punched back up. The LEE dies that only require a reloading press, the lube has to be applied before the gas check, run straight through the die and captured in a container provided with the die. Currently the only cast bullets I gas check are what I cast for .30 rifle with muzzle velocities over 1,600fps. Gas checks are expensive really not needed IF the bullet is properly cast and lubricated. Lyman's "Orange Magic" is one of the best lubes I've ever used, but does require a heater under the lubrisizer to flow into the grooves. There are several methods for applying lube, pan lubing, tumble lubing, and die lubing. For all you need to know about casting and related topics check out castboolits.com Lots of friendly helpful folks to guide you along, and no question is a dumb question there. |
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I'm using lee lube and size kit with gas check, I finished the 1st batch with lee alox, I'll using IMR-3031 with 22gr. - 1595 (low) to 29.5 - 2181 (high) I'll find out this weekend which will be the sweet spot
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I have a few of those myself and think they work very well for the price. I don't use the liquid alox that comes with them though, I prefer to pan lube with SPG as the bullets I run through them are plain base low speed. What cartridge are you loading for? If a .30-06 I've had very good luck with IMR 4227 under a Lyman 311332, 180gr cast bullet with gas check. IMR 4227 is my favorite cast powder for rifles, it just works so very well with them. Good luck on your venture this week-end. |
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Ok, problem is when I set depth it's good, but on occasion the neck gets disfigured from the edge of the gas check. What is up ? help !!
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Are you flaring the cases before loading powder and bullet? If not, LEE makes a universal expander die, or you could buy a long Lyman M die, or RCBS makes a very nice one with different size inserts. I have the Lyman M and the RCBS, but have not tried the LEE yet. The LEE can be had for under $15.00 and most likely works fine.
How was your accuracy? Did the cartridges feed and chamber okay? Another solution could be a larger expander ball in your sizing/de-capping die, (changing a .30 to .303 may work) before flaring. |
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When I bought lee die set it had decapper/seat/cripper only. I figured it was like my 270 set, I found/order an expander die that will be here this Wednesday. I'll be going to the range this week and see which groups best/fps. Thank for the information
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Loading cast bullet rifle loads requires a different set of rules and sometimes tools.
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You might try backing the seating die out a bit farther, and also make sure your cases are all trimmed the same. It looks like you have way too much crimp in the picture, that car cause issues with shoulders and necks.
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Have been loading and casting for nearly 40 years. Extends my time spent with my hobby, but does NOT save me money. Costs just as much to shoot, only putting more rounds down range for the $. This, however, is not a bad thing. Cast and load for 38/357. 44 mag, 45ACP, 243 and 30/06. Load for 9mm, 32 WS, 223, 300 Win Mag and 223 WSSM.
Pic above looks like you need a Lyman M die or the RCBS version. The Lee only flares the mouth, does not expand the neck, and depending on the size of the expander button in your sizer die you may be sizing your bullets down when seating them. There have been discussions of this on other forums and the rule seems to be .002-.004 smaller inside neck diameter than bullet diameter. |
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I have both the Lyman "M" die and the RCBS expander die, of the two I like the RCBS. Seems smoother and different size "plugs" can be used in the same die body.
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Myself as well. I have a number of older bullet molds for several different calibers .22, .25, .30, .32, .38, .44 & .45. I sent you a pm regarding the 299153. w30wcf aka w44wcf (black powder)
aka Jack Christian - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13 NRA Life member .22 W.C.F.; .30 W.C.F. ; .44 W.C.F. cartridge historian |
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