spandit Posted July 20, 2014 Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 Still quite low on the learning curve but decided to load up 15 new rounds today, with 3 different loads (21, 21.7 & 22.5 grains of H322) First mistake was using too much lube, which meant the cases were all wet and had to be dried before I could prime/load them. Second mistake was trying to prime Federal brass. Subsequent reading shows that the primer pockets are very tight or crimped, so when I tried to prime one. It ended up deforming the primer. Trying to get it out again resulted in a stuck case in the die and obviously the brass and primer were ruined. Third mistake was not holding the flat based bullets level enough when seating, which resulted in one deforming the neck of a Sako case, which is obviously scrap Ran out of time before I could fire them too (and only loaded 5 in the end). Still, I'm sure I'll get nothing but praise on here from certain people (I won't name them or the county of the same name) for admitting my mistakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon69 Posted July 20, 2014 Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 Still quite low on the learning curve but decided to load up 15 new rounds today, with 3 different loads (21, 21.7 & 22.5 grains of H322) First mistake was using too much lube, which meant the cases were all wet and had to be dried before I could prime/load them. Second mistake was trying to prime Federal brass. Subsequent reading shows that the primer pockets are very tight or crimped, so when I tried to prime one. It ended up deforming the primer. Trying to get it out again resulted in a stuck case in the die and obviously the brass and primer were ruined. Third mistake was not holding the flat based bullets level enough when seating, which resulted in one deforming the neck of a Sako case, which is obviously scrap Ran out of time before I could fire them too (and only loaded 5 in the end). Still, I'm sure I'll get nothing but praise on here from certain people (I won't name them or the county of the same name) for admitting my mistakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx10mike Posted July 20, 2014 Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) what you loading a 17 hornet i found with the 17 cals a heavy champher helps.or have you got really big hands? Edited July 20, 2014 by zx10mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted July 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) what you loading a 17 hornet i found with the 17 cals a heavy champher helps.or have you got really big hands?Those are .50 cal - I'm a giant .223rem... Edited July 20, 2014 by spandit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 20, 2014 Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 If you can...get a little Lee chamfering tool for the case mouth. Helps flat based bullets start in. Good choice of powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted July 20, 2014 Report Share Posted July 20, 2014 Not trying to pick fault mate but 2 of them loads are using less powder than my .222 i use H322 and am using 22.2grain of it, keep going at it and it will all come together I have had 1 or 2 mistakes Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 Not trying to pick fault mate but 2 of them loads are using less powder than my .222 i use H322 and am using 22.2grain of it, keep going at it and it will all come together I have had 1 or 2 mistakes Colin Just going by the Hogdgon data centre and what's on the bottle. The Lee reloading data is similar and many of the Americans use similar figures. Thought it best to work up. Have a chronograph on order anyway - not sure how this is going to save me any money! Try 0.3gr increments on small cases, 0.7/8 gr is a big jump, Thanks for advice, I'll do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 Not trying to pick fault mate but 2 of them loads are using less powder than my .222 i use H322 and am using 22.2grain of it, keep going at it and it will all come together I have had 1 or 2 mistakes Colin I wanted to say that but aafter getting shot down so many times I give up.Did tthe op mention bullet weight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 55gr V-Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 By cross referencing three sources you may be able to sneak up to 24.5grn! Go steady after 23 mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 All these reloading bits are costing me enough, don't think another calibre is on the cards! Has Kent been banned or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pestcontrol1 Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 and breath Yes as mr fister said smaller powder increases are best but keep at it and you will get there there is loads of knowledge on reloading on pw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 trying not to giggle.....seriously don't fret, I shot a 222 bimbling along at just 2850 for yonks! It'll do just fine on your doses in 223. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 55gr V-Maxyeah sorry should of asked bullet weight i could be wrong but some heavier bullets seem to use less powder don't know enough about reloading ro say why i only use one weight bullet 50g so have only ever looked into that so as to not confuse myself or tempt myself to change what i do as it works for me,and as already been said small increments Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 I think heavier bullets are more reluctant to start moving so the pressure builds behind them, hence less powder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 They have greater bearing surface when comparing like for like designs, hence more friction, hence more pressure, hence less fast powder or equivalent slower powder to put it as simply as possible makes sense thanks Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 With crimped primer pockets I used to use a small chamfer tool to ream out the crimp, always remember and make sure that you are aware of and familiar with the signs of excessive pressure indicators also mic up your cases for length to avoid any head space issues. I also used to weigh the bullet heads and put them into batches by weight tolerance, you might be surprised at the differences in your box of one hundred heads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 I don't reload anymore but used to reload all my own pistol ammo. I had many examples of deformed rounds, buckled cases and mouths etc. Not many mistakes with a single stage press, but with the progressive it was relatively easy to churn out 'bin' fodder, hence the bullet puller! Once you get into the swing of a routine things will operate more smoothly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fieldwanderer Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 Doubtful but many of us live in hope Nail, head Anyways, for what it's worth, I wouldn't lube before priming as you're increasing the chances of dirt entering your die and causing headaches I tumble used brass, lube and resize (when full length resizing), trim (because sizing changes case length slightly, trimming comes after resizing) and chamfer (I use an rcbs tool as I didn't get on with the lee one) tumble again (removes lube and gives primer pockets a bit of a clean) I found any lube on cases can give "false" pressure signs, even if you thought you'd wiped it all off. prime (careful no media is stuck in flash holes) then load them with powder and bullet I don't claim to be any sort of expert but I've been loading my own for a year or so now and the above "system" seems to work well. If you're spraying lube, do it on a couple of sheets of kitchen towel (one on top of the other) and roll the cases on it too - ensures an even coat and not too heavy. I also noticed you're mixing brands of brass (or seem to be), I'd avoid that if I were you - you need consistency if you're working up a load or you'll end up starting over. Sorry if any of that seems a bit patronising, I hope it helps anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 I just reloaded some to try out on a friends .223. 26 grains of Accurate 2460 (50 grain bullet). I worked them up from 24.0 grains to the 'do not exceed load' of 26.0. Mine liked 25.5 best his 26.0 a worthwhile test. No signs of over pressure on the 26.0 though. Several "wouldnt chamber" despite case resizing and trimming and deburring. I reckon there is quite a bit of variability in spent cases. My reloading stuff doesnt like federal cases either - I've had several bent and improperly seated primers. I think the "wouldnt chamber" relates to a bit of over pressure on the resizing die - funny how it works for most cases and not for a few (5 out of hundred were too tight). The end results were 7 shots from both guns covered by a 10p piece at 100yds 5 of my friends within a 1p circle. Nice when things go well. I'll be reloading 50 for him. My hornady electronic scales are a bit sluggish and I reckon about 0.1 grain out occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 (edited) Finally got round to firing some test loads today. Only did 5 (55gr V-Max) but at the minimum load (21.0gr H322) I got an average of 2817fps, with an SD of 32.6 (average ME 969 ftlbs) To get a comparison of sorts, I fired some 50gr Sako FMJ which were a lot faster, average 3259fps (SD 101.2) Don't know how important SD is and I know 5 is too small a sample really but glad the chrono worked even in bright sunshine. Took the rest of my Federal cases and spun them in the lathe with a broken centre drill. Gave the pockets a small chamfer and then the primers went in smoothly. Next trial is to fire against Hornady's own 55gr V-Max with a higher load so I can make a proper comparison Edited August 5, 2014 by spandit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I'm afraid not. ES was 247 for the Sako... Speeds for the 5 home loads were: 2765, 2810, 2849, 2838, 2823 Speeds for the 5 Sako were: 3172, 3277, 3255, 3173, 3419 Bear in mind, these were more or less free hand (I was resting on a chair but the rifle wasn't supported by anything apart from my hands). Had been a bit worried that I'd crimped too much as bullets were slightly deformed but they seemed accurate enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Be interesting to see how the readings will be from a proper rest. Going to order one imminently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Got some 21.3 and 21.6gr loaded up ready (those are factory Z-Max in the middle as somebody wanted the box ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 How do you remove your lube from your cases after sizing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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