Finally got around to it!

[JSmith]

Last January I decided I needed to take up handloading if I was ever going to shoot my S&W Model 29. So I spent some time in the learning process, and eventually got a Lee Classic Turret press and die set, RCBS Uniflow powder measure and a case length gauge, scale, and various and sundry other tools and accessories. I want a scaled-back target load for my .44; I chose Berry's 220-gr. plated flatpoint bullets, 9 gr. Winchester 231, CCI large pistol primers, in new Winchester brass. I'm looking for ~1000 fps with that projectile.

Berry's recommended seating those bullets to OAL of 1.560 - 1.565; data.hodgdon.com puts OAL at 1.610. My first batch gauged as follows:

Max OAL: 1.6099
Min OAL: 1.5959
Max-min: 0.014
Avg OAL: 1.6066
Median OAL: 1.6067

Consistency (rounded to nearest 1000th)
O.A.L. Number of cartridges
1.5959 1
1.601 3
1.603 4
1.604 1
1.605 5
1.606 13
1.607 7
1.608 8
1.609 12

As I am new to this, I don't know if that is good consistency or all over the map. It looks pretty uneven to me. Obviously, each cartridge should be identical to every other, but how much variance is acceptable? What should I do to achieve better consistency? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[kutter]

Just for the sake of discussion, did you measure your bullets to see if they were all uniform in length? I would be willing to bet there are variances there.

In addition to that, the bullet shape will not be identical from one to the next which will also impact length since how the seating die pushes on the individual bullet will impact how deep it is.

Statistically speaking the bulk of your reloads fall within 2/1000ths of one another. Personally I would think that is pretty good and am very happy when I get results like that. It is not a 1000 yard rifle after all. All of them did fall within Max and Min overall length so they should all be safe to shoot. Having said all that, I am not a revolver guy, I load almost exclusively for auto rifles and pistols.

Are you just wondering why it was not more consistent?

 

[JSmith]

Actually... I did not measure the bullets. I have 900 more in a tupperware box so I think I'll measure a few and see.

Are you just wondering why it was not more consistent?

Pretty much. That, and if/how it can be made moreso. I thought it might have something to do with how firmly I was pushing the press handle; I had a few that measured in excess of maximum so I put them back in the press and squished them again; they measured fine after that.

 

[gamestalker]

If your not trimming all of your brass to same lengths, it can throw OAL off quite a bit when you crimp.

GS

 

[T Bran]

Do these bullets have a cannenurle on them. If they do line a few up on the bench and eyeball them. I recently saw a photo here of some bulk bullets that were all over the place as far as the height of the groove.
Just an observation of something that would make me batty.
T

 

[kutter]

T Bran he said he was shooting Berry's .44 which I believe do not have a cannelure on them, and looking at the pic it looks like even if they do he would be inside them.

After thinking about it I think it will boil down to one of two things, the shape of the bullet and how the die rest against it and is he completely stroking the press to get complete seating every time.

Just my .02 for what it is worth, remember free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it

 

[Walkalong]

That is not really a big enough spread to worry about. If you have a seater plug that fits the bullet better it will probably tighten up some, but if they do not shoot well like this, it isn't the OAL spread that is causing it. A .005 spread would be something to shoot for. Less is better. Your die should be set up so the press handle "bottoms out" or "cams over", so that will not affect OAL.

I load some plated bullets in .44 Spl, and I give them a taper crimp.

 

[James2]

It is pretty common for the OAL to vary some. Nothing to worry about. A very slight difference in bullets and how they contact the seating punch is why there is variation. Most bullets do not hit the seating punch at the bullet tip since seating punches are concave to align the bullet.

When I load, I adjust the die to get the length I want on the one I am playing with, then seat bullets. No use worrying about those minor differences. You know they are going to be there, and it really doesn't matter.

 

[JSmith]

Thanks for the feedback! Thinking about some of the points made above:

1) Berry's doesn't put a cannelure on their plated bullets. They say the plating is thin enough that a putting on a cannelure would weaken the bullet there; they also advise not launching them at more than 1200 fps.

2) I wouldn't think bullet length matters much to OAL; a shorter bullet would seat shallower in the case but the cartridge should come out the same length.

3) I used new brass so I didn't think case trimming would be required. I've been told that case trimming shouldn't be necessary in a handgun cartridge I wasn't really pushing.

Anyway... I fired my first hundred handloads at the range this morning, and I was entirely satisfied. There's still a nice flash-bang-kick (if I didn't want flash-bang-kick I'd shoot a .22) but my arms and shoulders aren't as tired and the bullets went where they were aimed. The flatpoint bullets punch nice clean holes, too.

I can see handloading becoming a habit. On the way back from the range I went to my friendly neighborhood gun shop and got another turret plate and a die set for the .357. Berry's should ship the bullets I just ordered on Tuesday morning.

 

[ljnowell]

How much did it cost you when you finally got it? I got mine here for 14.99!!

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=7

 

[Cherokee]

Congratulations JSmith !! Reloading is great. I use 9 gr of 231 with a 216 gr cast bullet in my 44's, a really accurate load for me. You OAL variances are really OK.

 

[hAkron]

How much did it cost you when you finally got it? I got mine here for 14.99!!

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=7

That took me a full 2 minutes

 

[ljnowell]

That took me a full 2 minutes

I was starting to wonder if anyone would! The rest of that site is pretty funny too.

 

[4895]

Nice looking ammo! Congrats on getting the bug. As mentioned before, the seating plug on your die may not fit the bullet contour as good as it could. I wouldn't sweat that small margin in mid range target ammo. That being said, I would bet that you will have no problem with those rounds and will enjoy finding a load that you really like.

If you get a chance, try some Unique with those bullets. About 11-12 grains or so will shoot like a dream in .44 mag. To me it feels like a bit less recoil. Very smooth. Good luck.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

JSmith,
Great to hear your first reloads shot so well. You do realize reloading is an addiction there is no cure for, right? LOL

I'm just curious, what not use lead bullets? They are cheaper and they shoot just as well or better than Berry's bullets. If you buy the correct size and hardness you will get little to no leading.

 

[JSmith]

ArchAngel, I can't shoot lead because the range I use is an indoor facility with a "no lead" policy, exceptions made only for shotguns.

You do realize reloading is an addiction there is no cure for, right?

Yep. Fill 'em up, shoot 'em, fill 'em, shoot 'em, fill 'em... it's a never-ending cycle.