Recent content by JohnMc

That's a plunk test, yes it's an OK test. Case gauges are better, or Lyman makes an ammo checker.

Good tip! I set mine like that so long ago, I forgot. :)

I mix headstamps for plinking ammo and run into the odd few that are shorter, those don't flare as much as their taller siblings. If the bullet doesn't go in nicely, set them aside and adjust the expander die for them. Or chuck 'em.

Separate seating and crimp dies or just one? It sounds like your seating die is crimping(most will, if set that way). .378 is OK.

Also are you using jacketed bullets? I ask because you said you felt that some didn't seem flared at all. I got away with under flaring at first because of copper jackets. My first loads with plated bullets taught me the error of my ways, shavings aren't cool. I read the Lyman manual again and...

I flare until the bullet just goes in, I don't recall the measurement, but I flare a bit more for cast bullets. I taper crimp to .380. Do you have a case gauge? They're good to have.

I too have one for the 9x18 collection, they are great for the time period, except for the double action trigger, they're really pretty to me. I am also tempted to get a second while they're cheap. I do think the P-83 is easier to shoot, but to me, the recoil's not bad. The 9x18 is the upper...

Thanks for the tip, but I can't do the mod; I sold the gun a year ago. I got so bent out of shape at the wear on the mag catch, off it went. (It went to a dealer, who knew about the mag catch, which is why I got less than $150, I think.)

I had a first generation one, but the plastic mag release started to wear out. There is an aftermarket metal one, but you have to take it out if the gun goes to S&W for service, as they apparently chuck them out and replace with factory plastic. M'eh.

Not for nothing, but that made me laugh, actually out loud, and I can relate; my 20-ish year-old Savage .270 is not going to a new home any time soon.

A good bit of truth, that.

Sorry, but no cats in the reloading room! Media looks a lot like litter to them. Heck, piles of brass work for them too. I've had to shoo our cat away from brass air drying in a pile. :)

Yeah, the bulk modern stuff is what I "bulked up" with after the crisis, pun intended. It could be quality control, or lack thereof, to try to meet demand after 2015 or so. They probably figure it's going to get burned up toot-sweet. Back to topic, I'd live to see a quarter bore, center fire...

My data is from stuff I've tried to store after the "great shortage." The failure rate seems to have gone up over time so, yeah, it's anecdotal. It's bulk Rem or Federal. Because of that, I did some searching online and read that the primer compound can fall out/flake out of the rim plus .22...

Not to mention that rimfire ammunition doesn't age as well as center fire.