Bullseye
Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2008
- Messages
- 1,598
I am pretty new to reloading but have handloaded about 1000 to 1500 in the past couple months. One thing I have noticed reading a lot of WonderDavid!'s posts are that you seem to me to be a bit excited and maybe a tad obsessed with trying different bullets. The 45-70 is very powerful cartridge and not something to be taken lightly.
I don't know how to put this, but I get a bit concerned with things being a bit more complicated having so many different samples. From a rookie myself, I have tried to choose 1 particular bullet and work with it from there. I am being more careful make sure my scale is correct, to triple read handloading data for each load I am working on and keeping notes on the carefully measured powder used, I check to see if my scale is still right on every 5 or 10 cartridges, I check type and check weight of the projectiles on my scale, correct primers, inspecting brass condition and length and overall cartridge length when done. After a couple successful cartridges are made, I make sure they cycle in my firearm with great care and safely. Again, after being triple sure I have not loaded them incorrectly, I'll check the manual again before going to shoot.
I wear safety glasses, ear protection, and make sure nobody is anywhere near my firearm before I point and shoot in a safe direction at a proper target.
I immediately inspect my firearm and brass for any damage and look in the barrel for any obstructions. If the load is fine, (which is generally in the lower suggested starting load of THAT particular powder and projectile), I can make some slight adjustments from there. I'll go through this again with the new adjustments and keep notes.
I guess what I am trying to say is ... Don't get too mixed up with a lot of different loads and bullets etc. For me, I have been trying to get each load down pat and be familiar with the load before moving onto another. My priorities right now are safety first and performance second.
I don't know how to put this, but I get a bit concerned with things being a bit more complicated having so many different samples. From a rookie myself, I have tried to choose 1 particular bullet and work with it from there. I am being more careful make sure my scale is correct, to triple read handloading data for each load I am working on and keeping notes on the carefully measured powder used, I check to see if my scale is still right on every 5 or 10 cartridges, I check type and check weight of the projectiles on my scale, correct primers, inspecting brass condition and length and overall cartridge length when done. After a couple successful cartridges are made, I make sure they cycle in my firearm with great care and safely. Again, after being triple sure I have not loaded them incorrectly, I'll check the manual again before going to shoot.
I wear safety glasses, ear protection, and make sure nobody is anywhere near my firearm before I point and shoot in a safe direction at a proper target.
I immediately inspect my firearm and brass for any damage and look in the barrel for any obstructions. If the load is fine, (which is generally in the lower suggested starting load of THAT particular powder and projectile), I can make some slight adjustments from there. I'll go through this again with the new adjustments and keep notes.
I guess what I am trying to say is ... Don't get too mixed up with a lot of different loads and bullets etc. For me, I have been trying to get each load down pat and be familiar with the load before moving onto another. My priorities right now are safety first and performance second.
