Starting the new year off right IMHO

[FROGO207]

I have invited a couple different shooters over on New Years day to get a hands on taste of reloading. One wants to start with 40 S&W and the other with 38 SPL. I will take the time to show them the steps along with hands on and answer all questions needed. Basically a private reloading class like I give at the local range but with more one on one time. There will be some grill time there as well when that time comes. Then we will go to the range and they will shoot some of the ammo they made up. Then back to make more and go for accuracy loads. Best way to spend New Years day I can possibly think of. So what are you gonna do for New Years that's firearms related? Do tell.

 

[glc24]

Excellent Frogo!!

It would have been nice for me, to have someone like you when I started in '13. Pretty much did it all on my own other than what I could gather from the 'net and forums like this!
I also started with 40 S&W for my very first pistol. A Gen4 G23! I feel I did OK reloading, going on 5 years now!

 

[RandyP]

Kudos good sir.

 

[kcofohio]

Not the New Year, but after. I talked with a guy before Christmas. He was expecting to get a Hornady SS kit. He was quizzing me about reloading for a 223 bolt action. I gave him an open invitation for any help or pointers. Hopefully he started reading the manual before we see each other again next week.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Excellent Frogo!!

It would have been nice for me, to have someone like you when I started in '13. Pretty much did it all on my own other than what I could gather from the 'net and forums like this!
I also started with 40 S&W for my very first pistol. A Gen3 G23! I feel I did OK reloading, going on 5 years now!

As long as you didn't lose fingers or eyes, your good to go

 

[Axis II]

I really wanted to go test some blackhorn 209 and 300gr XTP out of my CVA optima 50cal but its raining and the benches will be soaked.

 

[WestKentucky]

I started around 1996 with a very simple but effective “class”. Dad had been reloading since the 70s and beat it into my head to do everything very methodically, one step at a time. 20 rds of .256 winmag loaded on a whack-a-mole Lee set. Move rounds from a .45 acp plastic tray to another as the step gets completed. Deprime all 20. Inspect the necks for cracks. Resize all 20. Reprime all 20. Charge all 20 cases and set a bullet upside down in the casemouth. Flip bullet and seat as I go til all 20 are done. Take the loaded rounds to the Mazda b2000 with a pizza box and a magic marker. Dad will drive and bring the rifle.

Once we got to the farm he would park at the house and lesson 2 started... hold clutch and brake, turn ignition til truck started... I was 13.

Then lesson 3... be close enough to the scope to see it clearly, but don’t get whacked. Deep breath, half out, hold on target, squeeze trigger slowly.

Mine was around Halloween though, getting ready for my first year actually hunting during deer season. Got a 7 pt basket rack at 80 yards that year.

It sounds like you and your buddies are going to have a good time. I hope memories are made like when I learned. Get them to start hanging around here some of you can.

 

[thomas15]

So what are you gonna do for New Years that's firearms related? Do tell.

As far as 2018 is concerned, I had a number of competition goals for the year, I hit all of them and more so I'm happy there. So looking back at the year I want to continue and move forward some.

Tomorrow being January 1 I'm going to commence my revised dry-fire routine which will be a bit more organized and detailed than last year.

Today I received in the mail 10,000 of the coated bullets that I use for steel challenge, this, along with ammo I have loaded and bullets I already have will get me through the upcoming season. Tomorrow I will spend some time reorganizing my reloading area. I need to inventory my components.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

 

[HDMontana]

I really wanted to go test some blackhorn 209 and 300gr XTP out of my CVA optima 50cal but its raining and the benches will be soaked.

Should be a good combo. I had a new Optima that I sighted in back in October. Same bullet and powder. Used 100 grains 209. 1st shot was 10 inches high at 100 yards. Not sure how I did it but after one scope adjustment, the second shot was mostly in the bullseye. 3rd shot overlapped 2nd and 4th was 1/4" off the last 2. Could have covered the last 3 shot holes with a 50 cent piece. Those CVA optimas are shooters.

 

[Axis II]

Should be a good combo. I had a new Optima that I sighted in back in October. Same bullet and powder. Used 100 grains 209. 1st shot was 10 inches high at 100 yards. Not sure how I did it but after one scope adjustment, the second shot was mostly in the bullseye. 3rd shot overlapped 2nd and 4th was 1/4" off the last 2. Could have covered the last 3 shot holes with a 50 cent piece. Those CVA optimas are shooters.

I purchased the Optima V2 stainless thumbhole after going to purchase a new Nikon XR Muzzleloader scope for my 2005 optima. I found the gun, new with the Nikon scope for $250 and the scope was $200. Guy at the shop said he sold the gun and scope to a guy a month prior and he needed money so he sold it back to them. Anyways, I started off with 777 pellets and 250gr shockwaves and the best group I could get at 100yards was about 5'' with those and various other bullets. I thought man, this is why this gun was brought back and sold so cheap! My buddy had me try some of his 777mag pellets and the groups shrunk to about 2'' at 100yards. I purchased the BH209 breech plug, did some research over on a muzzleloader forum and found i could buy .452 sabots from harvester or cabelas and 50 .452 reloading bullets for pretty cheap. I tried the crush rib and smooth sabots and the gun seems to like the smooth sabots the best. 100gr of BH209 and the 300gr xtp shoot 1'' groups at 100yards and sometimes under. Last year I shot a medium size doe about 50-60yards through the heart! She ran maybe 10ft and dropped. The blood trail from the first impact to the last step was impressive!

I like to check the rifles with 10shots or so each year so ill knock the dust off it this week and head to the woods Saturday and Sunday with it.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Sounds like a good idea, but the high here today is 22ºF...sorry I'm not inclined for recreational shooting outdoors at that temperature! Especially in a grassland where I can't build a fire to warm up around safely.

 

[cheygriz]

Good on you. Froggy.

I started loading at 14, back in 1958, and I had the benefit of half a dozen old timers who were serious bullseye competitors at our hunting/shooting club. Starting off from the very beginning with advice from highly experienced people made the learning curve much, much easier, sand safer. I wish all new loaders had the benefit of good instruction.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There is nothing like seeing it done and going hands on to learn almost anything. I like it!