Livefast123 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) After the excitement of ordering myself a new Rossi 92 16" in .44 Magnum I realised I would need something to shoot through it! Having been impressed with my .223 Lee loader I decided to buy another one, the Lee site warned that the process required a lot of force, I thought, how bad can it be....... A large package arrived from Kranks containing the loader, 100 starline cases, cast boolits and a case length gauge. After lubing the cases I put them through the sizing die and soon realised that the cases needed to real wack to resize, a proper arm workout by the end. Moving on to the priming and I had reached about the 10th case and it required as much effort to get the cases out as in. I must have hit the tool a little off centre and BANG, a large pistol primer detonated (first with either tool). After checking that all body parts were present, changing boxers and washing the soot from my hand I proceeded without incident. I flared the case mouth with the tool provided and placed the 5gr charge of Titegroup inside.I seated the 200gr RNFP boolit manually before using the seating tool to seat it at it's final depth......job done now just need the gun! Again I'm really impressed with the Lee Loader and it's ideal for my 50 round sessions at the range. I'll be developing an expanding fox round next which should be interesting. All in all I think it went pretty well for my first go at a pistol case. Edited January 22, 2014 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Hey....well done Say, you may not need an expanding for fox! A good wide flatpoint or semi Kieth style and I bet a .429 slug is going to do them a treat. The FMJ with a sharp cornered flat point from PPU worked surprisingly well in my 357! Yer know your loader.......I often wondered if a simple press could be fashioned so a lever fixed to a board or steel plate could assist the sizing process! A bit like the set up blackpowder revolvers shooters remove the cylinder and use a little levered press! U. Ironic how "live fast" and "die young" go together so easily. I personally can't believe anyone uses one of these things and expects any kind of consistency from their ammo. Used one have you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Ironic how "live fast" and "die young" go together so easily. I personally can't believe anyone uses one of these things and expects any kind of consistency from their ammo. ...yip! YOU'd think so....but you'd be wrong. There was a world record for the most accurate .38 Special ammo; made using a Lee Loader, which was in the Guinness Book of Records for over 7 years. http://leeprecision.com/reloading-kits/lee-loader-pistol/ Cannot get more consistent than that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Not sober best be quiet then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) I've never had any issues with ammo consistency although I do weigh my charges which probably helps. Got to agree though, there is something sobering about hammering on a live round....however the primer was my mistake, not seating it straight in the seater. I've not had one go off in 500+ rounds of .223. I'm sure that a few on the US forums have connected them to an arbour press to help out, could be an idea to try out at some point. I'm sure that soft lead .430's would do the job fine and a whole lot cheaper as well. Edited January 22, 2014 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Been tempted to switch to lead myself....just a little bullet upset would be enough to do the job! Many Americans take deer with just a Keith type and hard cast. Got a camera? That Rossi 92 is going to be a joy to tote U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I certainly have and as soon as Highland Outdoors deliver it to the RFD I'll get a picture. Planning on getting a Skinners peep sight and slicking the action. I'm going to slug the bore as well to see what bore i'm dealing with. I wonder if a .454 ball will squeeze down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I could send you a few .440"! I know folk do do small game loads with ball. Lee do sizing dies that I think a 440 would pass through. U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Silly question but I assume you've crimped them?, can't tell from the photo. 5gr of TiteGroup will be a very low load, I use 5.4gr with the same 200gr bullets and it gives 884fps with my Henry Big Boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Not silly at all but yes I did crimp them using the tool, just forgot to add to my post! I'll only be using these at 25m and it was listed as the starting load at roughly the fps you mentioned so I thought I'd give the rifle a shakedown with them. How do you find the titegroup performs? Lee list a load from 5 - 6.6 grains for the cast 200gr. Underdog, that's a kind offer and one i'll accept. Never thought of a ball in cartridge but I suppose it would work, how would you crimp the ball in or would you seat it deep with as small charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Easily under 1" at 25m, certainly more accurate than I can shoot them Only thing to watch if you're thinking of Foxing with the 44 is it has a very loopy trajectory so make sure you try a few out on targets to work out your hold-overs at longer distances. Hodgdon list 5 to 10.8gr but bear in mind the velocity and pressure data is based on using a pistol, I've shot 10.5gr in my Henry and it has a decent kick to it The GM bullets from Kranks are very good in my 44. I started off with a Lee Loader back in the 80s for my S&W 29 (Dirty Harry!!) as I remember it didn't take much force to resize, maybe it's just because they are virgin cases. Starline are excellent cases, much better than the PPU cases. You are using large pistol primers not rifle?? Edited January 22, 2014 by phaedra1106 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I couldn't decide which to use as it is a pistol round shot from a rifle showing my newness to reloading. Shop said there was no difference but I remember reading somewhere that pistol primers are softer. Would you recommend rifle? I intend to do a lot of practice before turning to live creatures as the round is new to me and totally different to .223. Hopefully once the cases are fire formed they will easier to resize, not that it was a problem, but the banging annoyed the Mrs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Think the large rifle n' large rifle primers are not interchangable, unlike the small ones.....think the large rifle are hotter than the pistol versions or was it a cup height thing....not sure now. The cups are tougher though! http://www.chuckhawks.com/primers.htm Pm me your address sir. If you do get the ball sized and seated just try popping them out with some fast powder. A wad of tissue paper between the ball and powder maybe. Some cowboy action shooting bullets are very soft too! http://www.westernshootingsupplies.com/page23.htm U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) No, the 44mag is a pistol round so large pistol primers are correct I use Lee Progressive presses for my 44 mag and 300 aac Blackout rounds, easily churns out 100 rounds in under 20mins without hurrying (which is never a good idea when you reload!). Edited January 22, 2014 by phaedra1106 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Just so happens that WSS is about 5 minutes away from my parents house and I never even knew it was there! I'll probably upgrade to a press in due course, mind you I would probably end up shooting double the rounds. Do you find that the powder measures equally with the progressive press, that would be my only worry. Edited January 22, 2014 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) I use Lee powder measures on my presses, no problems with TiteGroup or Viht N310. The only things I don't use on the progressives are the built-in priming system and a full length sizing die. I de-cap, clean, resize, clean again, prime the cases with an RCBS Universal hand priming tool then put them into the press feed tubes. You should have minimal case stretch with those low loads and Starline cases, I check mine every 5 loads and very rarely get a case which needs trimming. The Lee turret press is a good choice for smallish batches, I use the 4 hole Classic version as this has extra height and can load 308 ammo without the bullet catching on the turret as it rotates. Here's a photo of the presses, Edited January 23, 2014 by phaedra1106 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 That's a awsome reloading setup! I think that I may get a Lee autoprime and a perfect powder measure as that would speed things up considerably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaedra1106 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Wouldn't recommend the Lee Autoprime, even the new one is pretty poor. The RCBS costs a lot more but is excellent and doesn't use shell holders. I got it because I load a variety of calibres and sometimes need to do a couple of hundred rounds at a time. However, if you're going to use a press then I'd suggest the Lee on-press primer system, it's pretty good http://www.titanreloading.com/priming-tools-and-shell-holders/lee-safety-primer-feed-large-small The Perfect powder measure is very good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I've also been looking at the Lee hand press in addition to my Lee loaders and you can get a ram prime attachment for that. My Mrs is rather anti reloading and the only reason I get away with it is because I can pack away all of the kit, space is a big issue hence not getting a press so far. I think I need a trip to the states as the stuff is nearly half price compared to ripoff Britain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I've also been looking at the Lee hand press in addition to my Lee loaders and you can get a ram prime attachment for that. My Mrs is rather anti reloading and the only reason I get away with it is because I can pack away all of the kit, space is a big issue hence not getting a press so far. I think I need a trip to the states as the stuff is nearly half price compared to ripoff Britain. Ha ha I am banished to the cubard under the stairs. But am working off a work mate at the moment not had the time to build my desk. Maybe a fold up bench or a small work mate is a good platform to work off. And can be tided away with ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 If you decide to go to dies and press but don't wish to have abench conside the Lee hand press, cheap and small. I have one and sit infront of the telly sizing! I have a Lee hand priming tool and it is brill! Had for twenty years! U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) I think for the volume of rounds I go through (100 reloads a time) the hand press will be the ticket and won't end in divorce. I see that all the normal Lee dies fit and it comes with the quick release bushings as well. I see kranks have a bundle for £47 + dies Edited January 23, 2014 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGray Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Hi, I've been using the lee hand press since I started reloading only 3 years ago. Started off small in case it wasn't my bag. Can't fault any lee equipment for reloading pistol rounds. I load 9mm 357mag & 44mag. I process the cases in stages breaking it down seems to be the way to go with hand press tools. One day I'll buy a turret press.. (Off topic) to clean the brass I've found citric acid bought from Wilko's mixed with a bit of hot water is very good indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.