How do my first loads sound?

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Soybomb

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So I'm just getting started and have tried to work up some loads from several sources and think I've got them down but I'd feel better having some experienced eyes go over them before I start putting powder into brass. :D

1st load: .38 special 148gr remington cast wadcutters with Bullyseye. Just a plinking load, 2.6 to 3.1 grains max. Maybe make 10 of 2.6, and 2.8 or 2.9, check for over pressure and accuracy, run which ever works better. I have no interest in working toward a max charge here. Seat flush, crimp with lee factory crimp since they're going in an airweight.

2nd load: 5.56 remington 55gr fmj over varget. Again a plinker, 25.5 to 27.5 max. I assume seat to put cannelure in neck and be as close to saami max length as possible. How would this be best worked up? 25.5, 26.5, 27, 27.5? Also these are going into nato brass, how does that change my loading?

3rd load: 5.56 hornady 75gr bthp over varget, going for an accuracy load here and from most sources it looks like 22.5 to 25 gr. No cannelure so seat to 2.260 inches and use lee factory crimp? These will be going through an ar15.

Finally I want to work up some 10mm fireballs. I have brand new starline brass, nosler 150gr jhps, winchester large primers, and blue dot. 150gr is a little light so I'll be using data for 155gr jhp's as a starting point. It looks like 10.8 to 12 max, so maybe make 5-10 rounds at 10.8, 11.5, and then 12. If those all still fine maybe try a few 12.2 and perhaps even 12.4 and 12.6 eventually since I'm using a lighter bullet and keep watching for pressure signs. I've heard mcnett from double tap has safely used 12.8 of bluedot under 155 gr gold dots. It seems like there is a lot of potential here if I'm willing to work it up slowly and carefully. Seat to just under saami max of 1.260 and crimp with lee factory die.
 
I don't know about the pistol rounds.

The 223 stuff seems cautious enough. I don't think you need to crimp those bullets which don't have canellures. You might arrive at your accurate load, and try a couple crimped and a couple not crimped and see what sort of difference that makes on target.

HTH.
 
1. As said, the long time standard wadcutter load is 2.7 gr of Bull. I doubt you could tell a difference in the range of 2.6 to 3 without a very accurate gun in a Ransom rest and see no need of fooling around.

2. If I were loading .223 hardball I would use a Ball powder which will meter better than Varget. As to brass, weigh some and compare with a common commercial type. If it is heavier, it is thicker and has less volume, calling for a reduction in powder charge. The old rule of thumb was 11 grains of brass = one grain of powder, but that was for big cases like .30-06. That is what starting loads are for.

3. Check the Hornady data for OAL with that 75 gr bullet. I know that the 75 gr A-max cannot be seated to magazine length, the case mouth would be out on the ogive. Most bullets heavier than 69 grains are meant for single loading in the slowfire stage of a match. The main exception is the 77 gr SMK which is made for magazine loading, originally for shooting at foreigners, but it is a good target bullet too.

4. I know nothing about 10mm. A friend got some impressive velocities out of Blue Dot in .45 ACP +P, though; so you probably have something to work with.
 
The 223 stuff seems cautious enough. I don't think you need to crimp those bullets which don't have canellures.
That actually brings up a good question. I've heard both "never crimp bullets without a cannelure" and "crimp everything that goes into an autoloader, you'll be fine with the lee crimp die."

Thanks for the feedback so far! I'm not too worried about metering yet, I'm starting cheap so each charge will be dipped, weighed and brought to proper weight, dumped and capped with a bullet before repeating on the next case.

I sadly don't have the hornady book yet so those, those numbers are coming from lee and hodgdon. I did somehow get lucky and hear that the a-max was too long before ordering and bought the non-a-max bullet!
 
I don't know where you're shooting, but, I couldn't hear them from here!:evil::neener:

Sorry couldn't resist, must be the spring fever!:cool:
 
I don't know where you're shooting, but, I couldn't hear them from here!

Sorry couldn't resist, must be the spring fever!
Give me some time to get a 10mm load worked up and we'll see ;)
 
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