Finally Started Reloading!

[Made-In-TX]

I've been lurking around here for a while and decided I would go ahead and introduce myself.

So I'm getting back to shooting again for the first time since getting out of the Marine Corps over 10 years ago. I picked up a Sig P320 Compact 9mm (I have to say that I LOVE this firearm!)
and my finace liked it so much that I got her one too, then my dad shot it and he had to have one...

Knowing that I wanted to get back to shooting a lot, and my fiance wanting to also, we decided to start reloading.

First things first, had to have a bench so I picked up a workbench from Harbor Freight for $120


Then I built a shelf for it


I did quite a bit of research and decided to go with the Lee Loadmaster. For the money and my budget, it wound up being the best fit. I knew ahead of time that I would need to do a
few things to make it run right, which wasn't a problem for me. I also picked up a 6" mount from In-Line Fabrication.


I also added a 4' T5 light to the underside of the top of the shelf and a LED light strip to the press. I have plenty of light for loading, working, cleaning and whatever else.


Well as far as the load, I decided to go with the X-Treme 124 gr FP, W-231 & CCI 500 primers. I plunk tested and found that 1.070" was the longest OAL that still worked perfectly. I worked up loads with 3.8, 4.0, 4.2 & 4.4 gr.


I got out and shot a few of each earlier today and had no feed issues, FTE or any high pressure signs at all. I'm hoping to get to the range later this week to test for accuracy.
From what I've shot so far, I'm very happy. These X-Treme bullets are super nice with a really tough, thick coating over good hard lead.

I do have one question though... I have had a near impossible time trying to find load data for my exact components. Would I benefit any from, or have any issues by, shortening
my OAL by 0.010-0.020" and maintaining the 4.4 gr charge or keeping the same OAL and trying a 4.6 gr charge?

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to getting going in reloading and soaking up as much knowledge as I go. I also have 500 X-Treme 124 gr HP that I'm planning to work up with some VV 3N37 once that comes in.

 

[kcofohio]

Made-inTX, welcome to THR!

Your reloading bench looks great!

As for changing your charge; If you shorten your COAL by .020", I'd drop the charge a .1 or .2 gr. (Hodgdon list a Berry's 124 gr. RN, COAL 1.150", max charge 4.4 gr. with 31,900 PSI) If I remember correctly, the FP is .050-.060" shorter than the RN. So for the same load pressures, the FN would be around 1.090-1.100" COAL.

At 4.4 gr. with the cartridge at 1.070, you may be near max standard pressure.

Hope that helps.

 

[Walkalong]

I load the X-Treme 124 Gr HP at 1.060 and they work in my guns at that OAL.

I looked at the Hodgdon online data for 124/125 Gr bullets and W-231, and 4.4 Grs might be pushing it, much less 4.6, but it is hard to say really. I run mine at around 1050+ FPS.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9892970&postcount=30

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6195350&postcount=11

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9897359&postcount=10

That set up looks very nice and should serve you well. Welcome to THR

 

[joneb]

Nice bench and addition
Is it shaky at all ?

 

[Nature Boy]

Welcome to the addiction

 

[baseball2013]

Nice setup and welcome to reloading. I considered getting the same bench but decided to use an old desk already in the house.

 

[drband]

Like your setup! Welcome to the madness![emoji33]

 

[PJSprog]

Great first post, MiTX! Nice setup. Welcome to THR and the loading addiction.

 

[Artofgolf]

Your bench looks better than mine
Very nice setup.

 

[Nature Boy]

I've looked at that workbench at HF. For the price they ask for it, I don't know how they cover their material/labor/overhead, cost of shipping it from China and still make a profit.

 

[snapshot762]

Looks like you are off to a good start, and welcome!

 

[bfalcon00]

Yeah nice setup. Looks better than mine does.

 

[Candyman87]

Was just looking at that bench yesterday for reloading in the new place. How stable is it?

 

[mdi]

Welcome to the wonderful, often frustrating and confusing world of reloading. Sounds like you did your research. You might want to attach your bench to the wall solidly, to prevent any wobble, but you'll know soon if that's a problem.

Now quit foolin' around on yer 'puter and shoot some of yer hand made, custom ammunition!...

 

[Made-In-TX]

Wow! Thanks for all the warm welcomes and compliments y'all! Haha, didn't expect all that.

As far as the bench goes, it is super sturdy and stable with no wobble at all. I debated attaching it to the wall but haven't had a need to. It's near impossible to beat, for the money. When I was assembling it, I put Gorilla Wood Glue on every joint that I had to assemble. It comes with 4 drawers on the front, which aren't very deep, so I combined the 2 on the left side into one deep drawer by leaving the bottom out of the top one and using some hurricane ties to attache them together.



I also appreciate the input on my loads. I'm probably just going to leave my max loads as they are until I can get to the range and really get a chance to shoot for accuracy to see what's going to work best. I do know that I love tinkering and reloading just falls right into place with how my mind likes to work haha.

 

[joneb]

I put Gorilla Wood Glue on every joint that I had to assemble

Those polyurethane adhesives work well on wood. But if the wood has finish on it, it may be a superficial bond. If so you could plywood the back and sides of the bench.

 

[gamestalker]

Welcome to THR Made-In-Tex!

Sounds like your off to a really good start, and also sounds like you've done your home work, which is always a big plus to an enjoyable future in reloading.

I really need to expand my current bench, and that right there looks like a good plan, thanks for the idea.

Hope to see ya around here.

GS

 

[ToppDogg]

Nice setup and welcome to THR!

 

[Nappers]

Awesome start!! I have been considering that bench a long time!! Have fun reloading! You come to the right place for help.

 

[roval]

i use the same bench and I used the HF discount you get in magazine for 20 or 30%. I did attach mine in the middle to the wall by using a single shelf bracket right behind my progressive press. I also couldn't mount one of the drawers as i put my other press on the right side and this was mounted on the surface without a stand so the handle and linkage was going to interfere with opening that shelf.

your shelves look good

 

[Lerk]

Nice! I started reloaded with my Lee Challenger on a 2"x6" clamped to my $5 desk with a spanner Vise-Grips lol Luckily my apartment manager was supportive of my reloading habit

I wish I could find some W231/HP-38 around here to reload with, my go-to 10mm load is out since my 8lb ran out...hopefully HS-6 or Universal prove to be nice replacements...

 

[Dudedog]

Welcome to THR and reloading, lots of great people here.

Nice looking bench from HF, I thought about one but don't have the space for it.

I am using RMR 124 FN but like 4.0 HP38 (same as 231) with plated. Nice soft shooting load functions all my 9mms fine. I also tested 4.2 and 4.4 but had better accuracy with 4.
As mentioned earlier you can shorten the OAL a bit if necessary just back off the powder charge.
I use an OAL that will plunk in all my 9s since I don't want to mess with having loads for a specific gun that won't chamber in the others.
As mentioned earlier different bullets of the same weight have different profiles and given the same seating depth inside the case will result in different OALs.



I like HP38/231 but if you are after max loads in 9mm I think you would be better served by a slower powder, CFE pistol, Power Pistol and Longshot come to mind.
Longshot works really well for MAX loads in 9mm. (can't be be beat for that use IMO) I have not used 3N37 but it is supposed to be good for heavy 9mm loads as well.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I have an aversion to anything Harbor Freight...but that does look like a nice bench, and you have it all set up smartly!
Resizing rifle rounds is where you'll really test its sturdiness, i think.

Some people cant stand it but;
My favorite powder for 9mm is Unique.

 

[shovel66]

I usually don't purchase Harbor Freight for quality either, but...I bought that same work bench 3 years ago and it worked out so well for me that I went back and purchased another to use for my reloading bench. Have a blue progressive press on a "strong mount" along with a 6" bench vise mounted to the bench and it is rock solid. I use the drawers for case gauges, digital calipers, spare parts, primer pickup tubes, etc.

I'm out of town for another couple weeks and don't have a picture of it to show you.

You will be happy with your bench for years to come. Enjoy.

 

[Lagamor]

I really like your bench. Looks like a good set up. When you go to buy bullets again you should look into Bayou bullets. I've had great results with them and significant cost savings.
Some people might disagree, but you don't really need a cooper jacket until you get to magnum velocities.
Their 124 & 115 grain bullets work great, and I've been really surprised by their lightweight 95 grain bullets. They make fantastic plinking rounds.
Welcome to the hobby, and best of luck to ya!