First Handloads went downrange today.

[PO2Hammer]

First a big thanks to all who helped me out here.
I shot my first handloads today.
I've been shooting nearly 20 years, so it's about time!
I loaded thirty rounds of .357 brass with 158 grain XTP's and the starting load of Titegroup good for about 1,000 fps IIRC.
I shot them first out of my Handi rifle and was rewarded with a 50 yard group of 1-1/4". Very satisfying to say the least. Then I trusted them enough to load up my revolver and plink away. No muzzle blast, very moderate recoil and again great accuracy out to 50 yards plinking at snowballs.
Unlike factory ammo, there was no unburned powder in my revolver.
Checking my Redding 10X measure with a scale every now and then, the Titegroup never varied by more than 1/10 grain. Always right on.
I have to credit the Titegroup powder and my Redding competition dies and measure for such good accuracy from my first try, and all of you who helped, a big thanks.

 

[MCgunner]

Sounds like a good time. I capped a couple of hundred rounds today myself, pistols.

Some powder is dirtier than others. Titegroup is not one of my powders, but it sounds clean. I unleash 45 rounds of .357 today, hot charge of H2400 behind a 158 grain cast, gas checked bullet. That stuff is dirty. My nickled Taurus M66 looked like I'd been shooting black powder when I got through. I use 2400 in several loads and it shoots well, though. 296 is probably a better powder for hot magnum loads in .357, but tradition is tradition I reckon

 

[tenbender]

Congrats

I remember when I sent my first reloads down range. 20 years ago now
that I think about it. I recall my wife telling me I had a S#&t eatin' grin on my face
that lasted the duration of our range time. The more you reload, the more
you will be rewarded with accuracy and savings you cannot find in most
commercial ammo. Here's to wishing you many years of safe, cost effective,
extremely accurate handloads!

 

[The Bushmaster]

Me too...20 years ago I sent my first hand loads down range...I get the same feeling every time I send more of my hand loads down range...I haven't bought factory rounds in that same period of time except to have a base to start from when I have bought a new calibre...I use Remington (+P for handgun) as my base load comparison. I especially enjoy when a fellow shooter at the range asks if mine are handloads. Most get real excited...

Welcome to the world of handloading PO2Hammer....Keep us posted as you progress...