Many, many, MANY thanks to all of you who took the time and patiently provided such helpful pointers, advice and other suggestions. You helped making my first reloading venture safer and more self-assured!
My first 10 home-made rounds seem to have been a success
. For a (rough) comparison I used two targets at 12 yards. The image below is pretty much self explanatory.
Looks like I'm an equally-bad shot whether it's commercial or home-made ammo. The reloading was as good as it could be; shooting on the other hand - not so...
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One thing I was a bit concerned with after the reloading was how the case looked where the bullet is seated (see image below). It looks a bit bulged, but I could not feel it. The neck size (tension?) was at 0.376", and OAL 1.156". The "plunk & spin" test looked and felt good. I did use Lee's 4-dies carbide set. Was crimping incorrect here?
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Anyhow, it was an incredible day of first reload and testing; the fact that I came home with all appendages intact was definitely a bonus !
(and yes - I DID do the Macarena upon my return
)
Cheers, Zevi