reloading newbie

[hughes35e]

So my wife bought me a reloading kit for my birthday. She's already complaining that I spend more time researching than I do with her, and I haven't even reloaded anything yet. But my marriage issues are not my top priority right now, getting this press humming is. The kit is a Lee Precision Challenger Breech-lock turret press kit. It comes with a crappy powder funnel, and a crappy scale, and hand primer tool. I also have a set of Lee .223 Pacesetter dies. For a starter run, I've got 100 rounds of .223 once fired brass, and a box of Federal 55 grain fmj. For powder, I ended up w/ a lb of Alliant Reloder 10x. The problem is my manual doesn't have this powder listed. On Alliant ' s data center, they don't list loads for my bullet. Unlike the Hodgdon's data center, Alliant doesn't give a minimum and maximum value for powder weight. So my question is if I load my cases with the 23 grains listed using 55 grain fmj instead of the 55 grain speer softpoint listed, am I going to blow my face off? I know I would benefit from a class, but for financial/geographic reasons, that isn't an option. If anyone wants to be my reloading "sensei", I'd be honored.

 

[Reloadron]

Hornady 9th Edition
Alliant RL-10X
55 Grain Bullets to include V-Max, FMJ-BT W/C, SP W/C, SP, SP-SX and pretty much any 55 grain FMJ bullets.
Powder: Alliant RL-10X
Start Load: 19.5 Grains
Maximum Load: 22.2 Grains

I would likely start around 20.0 grains and work up. The Hornady 9th may be conservative and your 23.0 grains may be fine. However, we start low and work up so I would not start with 23 grains. The C.O.L. should be around 2.200" for the bullet you have.

It's all new so resist the urge to hurry up and take your time. Keep doing the homework as you obviously have been.

Ron

 

[Gadawg88]

From Alliant data book: "The powder charge weights listed in our data tables are maximum. For rifle and pistol loads, the maximum powder charge should be reduced by 10% to establish a minimum or starting powder charge."

23 gn of Reloader 10x is max charge. Start low and work up in steps of 0.3 to 0.5 gn toward max. I usually stop just short of max. Look for signs of pressure. Lots of good info here on that if you need it. Just search the archives.

By the way, you mention your press is the Lee Precision Challenger Breech-lock turret press kit. I am not aware of such a press. Is it the Challenger Brech-lock single stage or either the 4 hole turret or Classic turret press?

 

[243winxb]

20.7 gr would be Alliants starting load, after reducing the maximum by 10%

 

[jwrowland77]

My wife used to gripe about that when I first started. I simply asked her if she'd like me to blowup my gun and kill myself instead. That seemed to stop the complaining. Lol.

 

[THEWELSHM]

My wife bought me My lnl a few years ago. She is good with me reloading on a Saturday as she cleans house and polishes floors So Im relegated to the Garage ( loading room) and yard for 4 hrs

thewelshm

 

[SwaneeSR]

I reload down in the basement utliity room. I guess if given the choice between me hanging at the bar playing pulltabs or reloading at home, I am thinking she prefers the latter. Although the bar and pulltabs might ne less expensive.

Anyway. More on topic, you may benefit from upgrading your scale. I started with the Amazon $20 electrinic scale that has worked well for a couple years and pretty acurrate and matches my beam scale.

It does cost a little to get the initial setup, but after you get started, you van acquire more stuff one at a time.

 

[witchhunter]

Most any 55 grain jacketed bullet can be substituted EXCEPT lead or plated bullets. Always start low and work up looking for pressure signs. There are a lot of reloading experts here. We are always trying to help out the FNGs. Feel free to PM me with any specifics that I can help you with. Take your time, first comes right then comes fast.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Alright noone yell at me. There are some good videos on You Tube for each basic press type and the basics. There are a few THR threads on the topic

Welcome to Reloading! What a great wife you have to get you started.