Moment of accomplishment.

[leadchucker]

I spent a good deal of time and money the past couple of month or so reading, accumulating manuals, equipment and supplies, setting up the bench, mounting the press, sorting, and cleaning up brass.

I figured I was finally ready to load some ammo. I didn't realize all the tedious little tasks that have to be just right. I ruined several casings and bullets figuring out how to set bullet depth and crimp diameter. I spilled and wasted a few ounces of powder figuring out how to adjust and use the powder measure and scale. And that was before I even dared to set any primers. I ruined several more casings practicing setting primers, using old spent ones.

I spent all day Friday futzing with everything. :banghead:

Overall, it was a good day though. I actually finally loaded 23 rounds of ammo.

 

[daorhgih]

"What A Feeling!"

I liken it to the announcement by wife, "We're PREGNANT!!" The fun is just beginning! Congrats! Dao.

 

[918v]

The round on the low right is overcrimped.

 

[leadchucker]

The round on the low right is overcrimped.

The case diameter miked at .372-.373 all along the area where the bullet is inserted, including the case rim.

 

[918v]

even at the very edge of the case mouth? Are you measuring with the blade part of the jaws of your dial caliper?

 

[leadchucker]

Yep, using the blade edges of a Starrett dial caliper, on the very edge of the case rim. I looked every round over with a loupe and a caliper.

I assume you are basing your conclusion on the way the light is hitting the edge of the round. It does look rounded in that picture.

I held a metal straightedge to the side of the case, and held it up to the light. The only distortion is the bulge from bullet insertion.

I am convinced the case is straight all the way to the edge. If you have further doubts though, please speak up.

 

[918v]

The light makes it look like you roll crimped into a cannelure.

 

[TheCracker]

Sounds like you are getting it all figured out! Also sounds like you have good sense by taking your time as well.

Welcome to reloading! It's just as much or more fun than shooting to a lot of us who like to tinker and build things.

 

[rfwobbly]

Great job!

Your assignment for next week: 35 rounds.

 

[1SOW]

It took me a week to finally learn to set up the LEE powder scale!

Congratulations---Life is gooood!

 

[Toforo]

Time to TEST FIRE those rounds before you make hundreds of them and find a (previously unknown) issue!

p.s. you DO own a .380, right?

CONGRATS and good shooting!!!

 

[psyshack]

Congrats on the first 23. Will be 2300 before you know it!

 

[leadchucker]

Time to TEST FIRE those rounds before you make hundreds of them and find a (previously unknown) issue!
p.s. you DO own a .380, right?

Well, I FINALLY got the chance to go to the range and actually shoot up my first reloaded rounds. They all fired and cycled the LCP perfectly. Fairly accurate too. I shot some factory ammo after I shot these handloads, and in comparison, it felt like my loads were probably a little anemic. But that's good. That's what I had intended. I made a point to collect all the brass from these and look them over good. Clearly no signs of over pressure. SUCCESS!

Yep. My intention was to make just a few, and go test them before I made a big batch. 25 are easier to disassemble than 100.

Now I'm gonna go load up a couple of hundred. Except for my self defense ammo, NO MORE FACTORY AMMO FOR ME.

 

[NCsmitty]

NO MORE FACTORY AMMO FOR ME.

Well done, be safe and have fun.



NCsmitty

 

[gamestalker]

Except for SELF DEFENSE ammunition? Considering your first batch has been a sucess why would yu choose factory over your own for S.D.? A hand loaded S.D. catridge can be talored to your desired performance. Myself, I won't carry anything but my own for S.D. and haven't in many, many, moons. Trust yourself and your ammunition. I think most will agree that reloads if properely loaded are superior to factory, hands down.
But any hoo, those loads look good and it appears you ahve a good handle on the process.
Good job and welcome to reloading!

 

[Sturmcrow]

So you do not subscribe to the idea that using handloads will potentially contribute to a shyster attorney someday convincing a hand-picked jury that you went out of your way to make your gun even more deadly?

Myself, I think we have enough odds against us already in the event that we need to defend our choice to employ deadly force. It does not cost that much to pick up a box of DoubleTap to use for SD, compared to 20-life. After all, you won't likely need to shoot the bad guy more than 50 times.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

It is a very good feeling. There are milestones that you'll remember if you're anything like me. I remember the first sub-moa group with my handloads and even more exciting, the first deer taken with a handload.

It's good times for sure.

 

[Bmac1949]

Gamestalker the best reason to use factory ammo for SD is that if you ever have to defend yourself in court for shooting someone and you have used reloads the lawer for the other side will accuse you of using "cop killer" bullets on your assaliant, no matter what the case. I use federal hydroshock for my .45 ACP and I doubt if I could come up with anything better at the reloading bench and I don't have to consider the rest.

 

[Sediment]

I'm with Bmac on this one. The chances are just too high for a snake attorney will use any angle possible to put you in the clink in a SD shooting. Cop killer bullets, extra deadly bullets, bullets made to cause suffering, poison bullets, etc... The list goes on and on of the things you DON'T want to happen to you in a SD scenario and the aftermath.

I keep my SD handguns loaded with Gold Dot HP's and use my own for everything else.

 

[dbarnhart]

"Considering your first batch has been a sucess why would yu choose factory over your own for S.D."

Call up your local police department and find out what ammunition is authorized for their officers' duty weapons. Then use exactly the same. That way if you ever end up in court after a 'serious social situation' you can say that you are using the same ammunition your police department uses.

 

[altitude_19]

I am rocking back and forth in sheer hysteria for fear that this has become another "handload vs. factory SD ammo" thread.

 

[ljnowell]

.....

 

[Sturmcrow]

The story of Harold Fish is enough for me. He was convicted for 2nd degree murder despite his testimony that it was self defense and evidence that the victim had a history of mental illness. The prosecutor stressed the fact that Mr. Fish was carrying a 10mm Auto loaded with hollowpoints and that clearly he was gunning for trouble. His argument was based on the weapon having a reputation for increased stopping power and those hollowpoints. No, they were not reloads, so far as I know, but the example is valid enough for me.

Incidentally, the AZ law was changed so that the prosecutor is required to prove that such an incident was not self defense, rather than the burden of proof being upon the defendant. The law was passed retroactively and he was freed. (or he was freed based upon a higher court decision, I read both).

For myself, I keep my 10mm loaded with DoubleTap (that I bought back when they were less than $0.50 a round) and practice with HAP's that I reload up to nearly the same power.

 

[ljnowell]

.......

 

[altitude_19]

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