Reload at the range?

[VanGoghComplex]

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to work up a .357 load. I have this notion to bring a hand press, dippers, trickler, bullets, powder, and a bunch of primed, flared, ready-to-go brass.

Last time, I loaded 100 rounds, 5 each of every tenth "increment" between the min/max span, but I felt that was overkill and a bit of a waste.

Any of you have experience working up a load at the range?

 

[moxie]

I've never done it myself, but have seen guys do it over the years. They say they like the instant feedback on how the loads are doing, really simplifying the process. You need to be able to control the environment, though, so that your loads aren't interfered with by the weather or by other shooters.

I suppose the perfect setup would be adding a chrono rig and reloading at the range. Complete reloading lab!

 

[VanGoghComplex]

My range is such that if I came at a low traffic time and asked, they would probably set me up in a sparsely populated bay and give me some space when assigning lanes. I'll try it out!

 

[joem1945]

I've got a portable set up if I want to reload at the range. Single stage press (Hornady L&L) and a wood mount that can be clamped to the bench. Battery powered scale and a bunch of primed cases and I'm all set.

 

[Reloadron]

I personally do not hand load at the range but my outdoor range is a range popular with the bench rest shooters and it's not unusual to see them hand loading while on the range. However, this is all rifle. I have never seen anyone loading for handgun on either my outdoor or indoor range. It would be easy enough to setup, just never observed it myself.

Ron

 

[243winxb]

Loading at the range

Loaded 30-06 at the range with this.

[/URL][/IMG] The enclosed outdoor range cabin had a kero heater. Great in Jan & Feb after hunting was over, to work up loads.

 

[Rule3]

Lots of bench rest guys do it. They have brass all prepped and primed. Bring powder and a measure along with a single stage press, Mount to the bench, or pickup tail gate,

For handgun I think it more trouble than it's worth plus it is to hot out for me,

 

[Reefinmike]

loading every .1 is a bit much.. Over a 2gr min to max variance, that is 20 loads for one bullet and powder combination. With all the bullets out there and the 4 or so true 357 mag powders- that is a TON of work!

I drop powder with a lee autodisk so what i typically do is load up ten rounds each for each disk setting within the min/max load data. Then I will weigh out 10 each right between the disk weights to see if im missing out on anything. I worked up some 357 loads this morning with lilgun and took them out over the chrony. 164gr powder coated bullets 1550fps 6" revolver, 2,000fps 16" carbine

 

[Jason75979]

I'm not sure I would do it, personally. I'd be too worried about wind and vibration interference with the scales or possibly blowing some of the charge out of the scale/dipper.
Add to that the distraction from gun blasts while performing these operations and you may well have a recipe for disaster.
Maybe indoor range would be better.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

@Reefinmike, I was kinda misleading in my post. I don't actually do it every tenth of a grain, but what I'll do is divide the difference between the min and max by ten, and use that as the interval. For instance, with a charge range of 4.0 to 8.5, I'll load a few at every half-grain step. 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, etc.

@Jason, my range is indoor and has copious amounts of behind-the-line space. I think I'll purchase a little tray table to bring in with me, rather than put my gear and powder on the firing line shelf.

 

[Jason75979]

That sounds much better VGC. I as well as the 4 friends ranges I frequent have a portable building close by set up for reloading. We do everything there as they all have a press installed just for load work ups.
But, I still jump from time to time. Especially when I'm seating primers and they're still shooting. We generally call cease fire when throwing charges though.

 

[dbmjr1]

There used to be a group of fellows, at the range I shoot at, that would all show up with beautiful .45/70's. They'd bring a handful of rounds each, and some components. They'd use Lee Wack-a-mole kits, and reload at the bench. They'd shoot some amazingly small groups, adjusting loads as they shot, for conditions.

They'd shoot 50-100 rounds, all with the same five or six pieces of brass.

 

[Rule3]

@Reefinmike, I was kinda misleading in my post. I don't actually do it every tenth of a grain, but what I'll do is divide the difference between the min and max by ten, and use that as the interval. For instance, with a charge range of 4.0 to 8.5, I'll load a few at every half-grain step. 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, etc.

@Jason, my range is indoor and has copious amounts of behind-the-line space. I think I'll purchase a little tray table to bring in with me, rather than put my gear and powder on the firing line shelf.

Why not just load those "steps" at home? Rather than haul all your stuff.

What are you looking for? Accuracy?, without a ransom rest it will be subjective.

Say 10 or 12 of each.?? Put them in zip locks and see how they do. Write down results, without a chrono not much you can tell due to human factor interference.

Can not imagine loading inside a indoor range, every shot whould make me flinch!

 

[gamestalker]

I don't usually get that involved with my handgun loads, but I do when I'm developing bottle neck loads. I bring a bunch of completely prepped and primed brass, my smaller RS5 press, C-clamp to mount it to the shooting bench, a scale, scoops, a dial caliper and then start working up. I've seen a good number of others do the same, so I know I'm not the only one.

GS

 

[SuperNaut]

I do it.

It's fun.

 

[PJSprog]

Not sure I see the benefits of doing it at the range. If you already have a predetermined interval, why not just load those at home before you go. As already suggested, just load 10 or 12 of each step, segregate them, and note the results. That's surely much easier than hauling all of your stuff to the range and spending paid range time for setup and tear-down, rather than shooting.

If you live a long way from the range, and plan on changing many variables, I guess I can see it. But, if you're close, and the only thing changing is charge weight, then I just don't see the point.

 

[mgmorden]

Never done it myself but I've been tempted.


Main thing is when I'm chronoing ammo. I generally am working up to a target power factor. I don't want to stop short (and end up with a non-workable load) so I usually end up loading at increments that I know will go well above my expected result.

As a result when I get home I often have a lot of bullet pulling to do. If I could just take a number of prepped cases out and then just up the charges as needed until I got where I wanted, it would simplify the process.

Also would help with sighting in the gun as usually I only have 5 of each increment - when I find my target load I usually have to go home and load more of them to come back and sight in the gun.

 

[jmorris]

Before I had a range in my backyard I used this setup for working up loads.





Start low and work up to the FPS I am looking for loading one round at a time (throwing a couple charges and dumping back into the measure after changes) until velocity I wanted was reached then crank out a few to compare with other powders and repeat.

Saved me hours the first time I used it.

The cake pan is to shield the powder scale from wind.

 

[mdi]

One thought; When working up loads I wanna be more precise with powder charges and use a scale to weigh charges. When I get that "perfect" load ,then I'll relax my tolerences a bit. A .1 grain jump between loads is pretty small and I would save that for final "tweeking" of a load, as I start with .3 to .5 grains between charges. Dippers are great but I prefer a scale for working up a load...

 

[dh1633pm]

I do a lot of shooting in my dad's back yard. He is 82. When testing, I bring up the components and use his press to load (CO-AX, same as mine) up test rounds for immediate feedback. Closest I get to loading at the range.

 

[stubbicatt]

For my schuetzen rifle I bring one (1) case, a pack of primers, decapper/recapper, a Harrels measure and bottle with IMR4227, and 100 cast bullets, my breach seater, and some targets, and I'm in heaven. Oh. Nearly forgot, note pad, pen, and spotting scope.

I run powder thru the measure at home and figure out what settings on the measure are minimum and maximum loads, make a note of it in my notebook, and enjoy a leisurely day shooting.

It is a lovely discipline, a holdover from bygone days.

Every once in awhile the high-power shooters will be over on the next range, all rolling around on the ground and whatnot, wearing straight jackets, and leather straps and all that rigamarole... There is nothing like a purely offhand discipline, shooting cast bullets on a 25 ring target, at 200 yards. Shooting from your hind legs as it were, with a rifle that is over 100 years old.

Sometimes when the wind is just right I hear Harry Pope or Dr. Hudson whispering to hold just a skosh more into the wind, "see" the target, concentrate on trigger let off... breathe... and wham!

 

[Alderman]

I'm lucky enough to have a range 40 yards from my reloading room.
I did have a press mounted on a Black and Decker Workmate for a while so I could take it where I wanted it.

 

[gamestalker]

It's not that big of a hassle really. Everything will fit in my range bag, and range time is only $8 for the entire day. So in one respect, it saves me some time, and allows me to test a couple at one charge or oal, rather than having to make a bunch up at one time, of which I may end up having to pull when I get home. Plus, I just really enjoy the art of reloading, and having the opportunity work with it at the range, just adds one more enjoyable aspect to the hobby for me.

And it also gives me an opportunity to inspire someone else to consider getting involved in the hobby.

GS

 

[rondog]

Reminds me of photos I saw of a motor home with a reloading bench in it.

 

[gamestalker]

Which reminds me of when my boys would reload shotgun shells while in route to our pheasant hunting territory. I had a portable bench with the Mec 600 Jr. mounted to it, the boys would sit in back and crank out pheasant loads while we made the trip west from Sioux Falls to Chamberlin, S.D.. Those little guys could crank out 4 or 5 boxes an hour on that Mec..

Ah, those wonderful memories.

GS