First Load Test

[cwbys4evr]

Woo hoo!

I have heard all along that most of the time hand loads will shoot better than manufactured but I did not believe it until now. Recipe 2 shot markedly better than recipe 1. I did have one squib round of the ten I loaded for recipe 2. It was easily detected and removed though. I couldn't believe the grouping I got with #2 - I'm not the best pistol shot, especially with my old SW40F that has been through I don't know how many owners, one of which did a bad trigger job to it. Usually I am all over the target but I was able to get 3-4 inch groups, which may not be great but is a marked improvement for me.

Recipe 1:
135 gr Nosler HP
5.7 gr Bullseye

Recipe 2
135 gr Nosler HP
6.1 gr Bullseye

Going to scrap recipe 1, it was all over the place. Will keep #2 and make the rest of my Nosler 135's with it, but will need something different as I have 150 gr Nosler coming.

 

[gamestalker]

I've been getting amazing accuracy using a 10 gr. charge of Longshot under those 135's your loading, and very good velocity as well. The charge range for that combination is 8.5-11.5 grains. And there is no possible way to accidentally double charge a case with that powder.

When you say squibs are you referring to an uncharged case? Or are you referring to a mis-fire? If you just started into reloading and have a squib right from the get go, you need to re-think your current process, and then incorporate safe guards into the process to completely eliminate such circumstances. It is an absolute must is to visually inspect each case after you have finished charging. Use a bright light so you can easily see the powder. The bad thing about a squib is that it could have just as easily become a double charge, or if the slide manages to eject the case & chamber live round, either way, you will have a KB!

If you are referring to a mis-fire seat your primers at least .004" below flush and that problem will completely disappear.

GS

 

[James2]

Sounds like you are off to a good start. Yes, we sure can fine tune our loads to our guns and get better accuracy.

As gamestalker said, work on your procedure. If you are loading single stage, get a loading board. When charging cases charge enough to fill the board, then hold it under a bright light so you can look into each one and be certain that all have powder and none are doubles. It is easy to see a difference if any exists. Now set the board by the press and move all other casings out of reach then seat bullets.

The reason I say move others away out of reach is that it us just too easy to grab one without powder and seat a bullet on it if they are within reach.
(Don't ask me how I know that!)

In any event, the last thing you should do before putting a bullet on a casing is look to see what the powder level is.

Enjoy the hobby.

 

[GT1]

In a whole lifetime of reloading 1 squib is 1 too many. I would suggest you start all over, from the beginning, re-organize your reloading bench, process, the way you think when you are reloading.

A mistake like that could cost you, or even worse, the guy standing at the next firing point.