Reloading questions for a newb

[BJung]

Preppers care about skills over most things. That's not my motivation but I figured I'd point it out. No intention to be crass but some times I am.[/QUOTE]

I save my money for tools, primers, and powder. Since this photo was taken, I've filled all these bags with backup bullets. One bag of each loaded ammo and marked ingots. The two weights on the label is the manufacturer's cast weight/ actual bullet weight for all the bullets in that bag.

 

[BJung]

The nice part about casting your own is that if you have ones you don't like toss 'em back in the pot and start over. I recommend powder coating, a lot less messy than lubing. You're off to a great start, your bullets look great. The Lyman 225gn data will be fine to use.

One tool the OP is missing is a tumbler. A tumbler can be used to clean brass and used to PC cast bullets.

 

[kmw1954]

*UPDATE* so i wasnt very happy with the pan lubing process

Because my boolits are comming in at 224 grains with lube im gonna use the load data for a 225 grain cast RN from lyman. Please correct me if im not correct on this

From the pictures it looks like you are doing most excellent. Bullets show good color and no wrinkles. I use the Tumble Lube method even with regular lube grooved bullets and that has worked well for me. Have made it to the Cast Boolits website yet?

 

[TacticalBacon]

From the pictures it looks like you are doing most excellent. Bullets show good color and no wrinkles. I use the Tumble Lube method even with regular lube grooved bullets and that has worked well for me. Have made it to the Cast Boolits website yet?

Yes i have as matter fact alot of info that helped me along the way durring casting where tip i read on that website it is a great source of info

 

[TacticalBacon]

The first problem im running into is my dummy round passes plunk test at 1.215 OAL and my load data calls for 1.272 OAL so based on what we talked about before i will need to reduce my charge slightly correct?

Im also concerned my working OAL is below a min OAL but lyman doesnt publish a min OAL or as long as i reduce my charge its not a big deal?

 

[TacticalBacon]

So that being said maybe a starting load of 5.0 CFE pistol instead of 5.5 i say this because my lee disk gives me an option of a .40 slot on disk that throws 5.0 and .43 slot that throws 5.5 i dont have an in-between

 

[AJC1]

The first problem im running into is my dummy round passes plunk test at 1.215 OAL and my load data calls for 1.272 OAL so based on what we talked about before i will need to reduce my charge slightly correct?

Im also concerned my working OAL is below a min OAL but lyman doesnt publish a min OAL or as long as i reduce my charge its not a big deal?

You start at start, no modifications needed.

 

[TacticalBacon]

You start at start, no modifications needed.

So would that mean the such a small difference in OAL is not big enough to warrant modifying powder charge?

 

[TacticalBacon]

One tool the OP is missing is a tumbler. A tumbler can be used to clean brass and used to PC cast bullets.

I do want to get a tumbler i hear its much better than a ultra sonic cleaner

 

[AJC1]

So would that mean the such a small difference in OAL is not big enough to warrant modifying powder charge?

A start load is intended to be a place where using the bullet listed should be safe from Sammi minimum to Sammi maximum oal. It's specific intent is to be the beginning. What is the purpose of a below minimum load?

 

[TacticalBacon]

A start load is intended to be a place where using the bullet listed should be safe from Sammi minimum to Sammi maximum oal. It's specific intent is to be the beginning. What is the purpose of a below minimum load?

My OAL needed to pass plunk test was 0.063 shorter than published OAL im unsure if that is a min or max OAL in lyman book

 

[TacticalBacon]

A start load is intended to be a place where using the bullet listed should be safe from Sammi minimum to Sammi maximum oal. It's specific intent is to be the beginning. What is the purpose of a below minimum load?

Im assuming the OAL on the main caliber page is the max OAL



And the OAL on each bullet is the min OAL for that load

If thats the case my working OAL is Shorter than Min and warrants a charge reduction?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Im assuming the OAL on the main caliber page is the max OAL View attachment 1137799



And the OAL on each bullet is the min OAL for that loadView attachment 1137801

If thats the case my working OAL is Shorter than Min and warrants a charge reduction?

Insert the word “industry” after the words min/max in the above and you will be closer. You can also use the word “recommended” but really SAAMI ( https://saami.org/) is a manufacturer’s and industry group, not a regulatory or standards agency. Start with the minimum charge weight for the type and materials of the bullet you’re using and set the seating depth for as close to the recommended depth for that bullet as possible without impairing your gun’s function. Deeper seating may raise pressure minimally but by starting low you give yourself a huge margin of safety.

 

[kmw1954]

You start at start, no modifications needed.

From what I am reading the data being used is not the exact bullet it is meant for. Specs do not exactly match.

TacticalBacon., what I would do is load up a couple they why they are with the powder charge and seating depth and then test fire. What this test will do is check that the charge is strong enough to cycle the gun. I have had starting loads for cast pistol bullets and even plated bullets that would fire perfectly but would not completely cycle the slide. Then when pumped up a .1 or .2 it works fine. But in this case I don't believe you will have a problem. Then again you can always start reducing the load until it will no longer cycle the slide fully and then you will find what your minimum charge will be.

Work up slowly and watch for pressure signs or excessive barrel lead fouling. If it would make you feel safer go ahead and reduce .2gr and start. What parameters does it show for the powder being used?

 

[AJC1]

Start at start and build a single box increasing charge in .2 grain increments. I often load the intire range with a box. In an auto I load 5 and in a revolver 6 ate each increment. Your first trip is just about testing function, and accuracy. If you decide a load is to hot as you work up just stop. I highly recommend a brass or copper rod and a mallet/deadblow hammer. If you squib your ready to fix it. Never pull the trigger a second time until your positive the target has a new hole from your last round.

 

[AJC1]

Im assuming the OAL on the main caliber page is the max OAL View attachment 1137799



And the OAL on each bullet is the min OAL for that loadView attachment 1137801

If thats the case my working OAL is Shorter than Min and warrants a charge reduction?

The oal in the picture is Sammi max, and the oal on the load page is as tested. That relates to the associated pressures they gave. That only impacts the maximum charge. If your significantly shorter you should stop early.

 

[TacticalBacon]

* Update*

We have success!!!!!!

So it took some trial and error as the press is not perfect and things needed tinkered on, also i now need a new chain for the powder disk lolol

So i used the disk slot of .43 which through a charge of 5.4 -5.5. Which is the closest i could get to the load data starting load using the crappy cheap lee auto disk measure. I will be upgrading my powder measure very soon any recommendations?.



The first test boolits where seated at 1.215 and i loaded 3 at first. This is when i notice what everyone is talking about, in order for the boolits of this mold to pass a plunk test it must be seated really deep in comparison to factory rounds and you can clearly see when they are sitting side by side with a factory HP, that the cast boolit is a big boy.

I think i agree with a past statement in this forum, that this mold was not truly intended for 45 acp and more intended for 45 colt, they work but not without having to mod the seating depths alot so much so that its almost uncomfortable mentally.

I took my first 3 cartridges out back to my backyard range, loaded them into my pawn shop 1911 American Tactical Titan, as i care less if it blows up over my pride and joy EDC, and with alot of wincing, looking away and firing with my left hand push waaaay out lol

Bang!!!!

I open my eyes look back at my hand saw the slide in battery on next round, it cycled!, my hand was still there and nothing but smiles swept over my face, and i think there was a breif moment i bunny bounced like a school girl lol

I then went full grip aim down sights, and plinked the last 2 round on steel and i began thinking of all the new possibilities.

I think thats the fastest i ever looked and found my spent brass, it was no longer trival now it was the meaning of my life

I run back in my house walk up to my wife showed her my spent brass and said " Ha, i have evolved into the apex predator i can not be stopped now " and went back in my gun room sat down checked my powder throws again, then started cranking out more rounds

though i think something got bumped or moved as my seating depth is slightly deeper now but only by -0.003

 

[kmw1954]

Now you're hooked!!!

 

[TacticalBacon]

Now you're hooked!!!

Indeed that was a fun experience i really liked the casting element of it. But all of It gave me a glimpse of how things used to be and how much harder it was to enjoy what we take for granted today by simply driving to a big box store grab a box and go home and shoot em up

Now i cant wait to get more dies and molds and start making cartridges for my other firearms not gonna lie 338 lapua would be alot cheaper if i could make it instead of buy it

 

[AJC1]

Indeed that was a fun experience i really liked the casting element of it. But all of It gave me a glimpse of how things used to be and how much harder it was to enjoy what we take for granted today by simply driving to a big box store grab a box and go home and shoot em up

Now i cant wait to get more dies and molds and start making cartridges for my other firearms not gonna lie 338 lapua would be alot cheaper if i could make it instead of buy it

I'm keen on the Lee 230 cone. It's a cheap mold and works really well. Would not recommend either 200.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

and i think there was a breif moment i bunny bounced like a school girl

First, congrats!! Huge step forward.
Second, it’s a shame you didn’t get that on your phone as a video. It might even be worth using UToob to see it.

 

[kmw1954]

These are the 45ACP that I am casting and shooting. The wadcutter has gone away because I could not get it ti cycle in my Witness.

 

[TacticalBacon]

View attachment 1138036 View attachment 1138033

These are the 45ACP that I am casting and shooting. The wadcutter has gone away because I could not get it ti cycle in my Witness.

SWC is what i almost bought before i bought the RN but because of my inexperience i was basing my purchase off of looks and to me the 452-228-1R was what i thought looked the closest to a factory FMJ

I think my next 3 purchases will be a SWC mold, a better quality powder measure, and a powder check die for peac of mind

 

[TacticalBacon]

First, congrats!! Huge step forward.
Second, it’s a shame you didn’t get that on your phone as a video. It might even be worth using UToob to see it.

Yea i was so excited to test the cartridges that i forgot all about the video, but i will shoot more of them to today and i will put it on YouTube if i can figure out how

My apologies ladies and gentlemen

 

[TacticalBacon]

Thank you to everyone here who helped me along the way, your information was so crucial and valuable to me

Im sure there will be many more questions to come as my reloading venture continues but thanks to all of you great reloaders i understand the fundamentals, and now its just honing and widening my skills to new calibers and velocities