New to reloading - my first attempt

[jrou111]

Hey guys, been lurking over here for info for a while but during Christmas I ordered a Lee Loadmaster 44mag kit from grafs. I followed the vids on youtube and lee's site, had some problems, watched them all again, and finally loaded my first 10 rounds! I'll test them out tomorrow - 7.8gr Bullseye with a 240gr Berry bullet. Should make for an economical first attempt.

Still got to get the case feeder and bullet feeder working. I have a feeling I'll be picking up some more bullseye, some h110, win296, and lots of bullets and primers!


Thanks guys, you've hooked another one

 

[FieroCDSP]

Congrats!!! And welcome to the brotherhood.

 

[jfh]

Welcome, jrou111. Do a (google) search on Load-Master here, and you'll find lots of good discussion on making this press work right.

Watch the videos again on the case feeder setup. Start with getting the arm adjusted correctly. Then proceed to adjusting the two screws on the crank slider--but only after you've applied STP to the feeder.

The STP is crucial, IMO.

A second tip is to consider using a five-die setup--e.g., get a second decapper sizer to install over the primer anvil, and set #1 to decap only and #2 to size only.

Finally--and I speak from experience here--tackle the bullet feeder only after the press is running smoothly in all areas and you are well-acquainted with using it.

I've been successful in setting up a feeder for my 10mm turret--and unsuccessful with my 38/357 turret. Even with successful operation, the feeder is not a time saver, really--if you have the case feeder running smoothly, then the bullet feeder simply takes time to refill, etc., etc.

Save installing the bullet feeder for one of those "rainy day" projects when you feel like fiddling.

Jim H.

 

[jrou111]

The STP is crucial, IMO.

Boy are you right on this. I originally used regular w30 on everything. It was night and day when I re-lubed everything with STP!

BTW, I already got the casefeeder working properly with 3 of the 4 tubes (one is bent)

The case feeder was working great until the LM wouldn't index. That's fixed, so I feel confident that I can get it working again. The bullet and case feed are not a huge priority, because being a noobie I want to be involved in the timing/inspecting/everything else of the progressive operation. I can still turn out 100 rds in a few minutes without them!

 

[xsquidgator]

Congratulations on making the jump into reloading! I started about a year ago and it was sooo satisfying the very first time I shot some 38 off I'd made myself, and everything worked just fine! You're in for a satisfying addiction.

 

[jrou111]

Update - I picked up 500 Speer 240gr SWC locally for $47.99, 1lb of W296, and 1,000 CCI 350 primers.

I loaded another 50rds up, and will be trying them at the range tomorrow.

Now I'm wanting to buy another gun in a reloadable caliber just so I can reload more.

 

[The Bushmaster]

It does tend to be habit forming...

 

[scrat]

for sure it gets very addicting. Congrats though

 

[tinch]

My manual states a starting load of 8.1 gr bullseye be careful not to get too lite. Lite loads can cause increased pressures also. Good luck and welcome to reloading.

 

[tinch]

H110 and Win 296 are pretty much the same powder.

 

[jrou111]

Yeah, I picked up some W296 after doing to research and finding them to be the same. I fired off 50 rds today, and they shot well. It's only a 4 inch barrel so I don't want to destroy my hand.

BTW, Bullseye is very dirty. Dirtier than even wolf or cci. Is there any cleaner burning powder?

 

[tinch]

In my experience, all of Hogdons powders burn very clean.