ReeferMac

19 rounds are ready for testing!   Weighed each charge, 3.8-3.9 gr. of powder, couple came in at 3.7, only one hit 4.0, but I picked it up and put it back down and it said 3.9.... think the scale might be a little flaky (Frankford Arsenal, but a cheaper model). I did zero it to the reference weight before use (but that sucker's like 50 grams...) OAL was a little sloppy, 29.7-29.3 mm's... will that have a dramatic effect on the pressure's? I noticed sometimes pulling the shell down after seating the bullet was a bit difficult, felt metal scraping, other times it was pretty smooth... is this the die 'crimping' things? The bullets are seated firmly in there, not going to just fall out. Dunno when I'll get around to testing it, maybe have to swing by the range on my way home from work one night.   Is gunpowder in the vacuum cleaner really a big deal? Should I use my shop-vac or the wife's roller-brush model? I'd rather replace the shop-vac if I'm going to kill one of them... :D   - K  

Up first at 11, a Kingston man was admitted to Roane County Medical Center this evening...   :D (j/k)   - K

Thanks Guys!   - K  

Follow up: Powder Question!   I've got a fresh bottle of TiteGroup that lists 4.8 grains of powder for a 115gr. Speer Gold Dot HP and CCI 500 Primer.   I'm using Berry's 124gr. FMJ and CCI 500 Sm. Pistol Primers.   .... start out at 4.5 grains of powder, load 20-shells, see how they perform, adjust as needed? (mind the variance noted above of +/- 0.2 grains on the powder measurer)   Using rounds in S&W M&P 9 Compact, possibly Ruger LC9s   - K  

First attempts at reloading here, couple issues. I've got an RCBS Single-stage press and Hornady Custom Grade 3-piece Die Set for 9mm.   1- Decapping doesn't seem to be working for me? Not a huge deal, I've de-capped most of my brass offline w/ a hand-held, but following YouTube vid's, etc., I've been running the brass through that die, b/c it also re-sizes, right? Whenever I attempt to de-prime a piece using the die in the press, the de-primer gets pushed backwards up the die? I've tried tightening it down, but doesn't seem to help. Again, not a show-stopper, I've got bags of de-primed brass already. But I should be running it all through that die to re-size, regardless of primer, correct? Resizes the entire length of cartridge inside dimensions?   2- Belling die seems to be working OK. I've set it to very slightly widen the mouth, I can just barely slip a bullet in there by a hair, whereas prior to belling, it will not go into case. Over-belling a few cases while setting up was obvious (huge curl, tossed that brass)   3a- Seating bullets - haven't even tried this yet, darned die's got too many adjustable parts and pieces! Can anyone explain (in simple terms!) how all the adjustable parts should be set? Do I still set the die into the press by raising the ram and screwing it in until it touches the mount plate, then fiddle w/ the other 2 components to seat the bullet?   3b- Crimping - I've got 1000 plated bullets from Berry's Bullets, and do not see any visible cannelure, do I crimp them when seating (and of course, how do I set the die to do that?)   4- When do I seat the primer? After the 2 sizing dies? Can I slip the primer in the little cup as I'm lowering it from the belling-die (e.g. bell and prime on the same movement)?   5- How tight should I be on the powder measuring? I've got an old Lee Perfect powder measure from a friend, in testing on some powder it was oscillating from 3.9 to 4.2, when I was trying for 4.0 grains. MOST of the 20-or-so charges I measured were at 4.0, but there was some variance.... is that an acceptable tolerance? I'm just loading for target/practice handgun, not competition or anything like that.   Thanks for the help!   - Kevin  

  Welcome to the banana republik of the USSA!   - K  

Does this fine gentleman have a retail store or other means of conducting business besides trade-shows?   - K

Welcome aboard Steve! You have found a fantastic group of people here at TGO. I'm a member at Oak Ridge Sportsman's Association. I would be happy to take you out to the club to have a look around and shoot.   - Kevin

  Small women and children have been known to cower when I raise my voice! LOL!   Tactical Fat... have to remember that one, LOL!   - K  

I'm a pretty big motherfucker and have a gun! I'm pretty sure the rest will take care of itself! :D   (j/k)   LOL! Like many, I consider myself fairly well rounded in many aspects, but am always learning. One skill I've developed that has served me well, and I'm certain will continue to (whatever may come) is tenacity!   - K  

  I can't say about the 'my media' thing, but I've been using this website to post pics to the internet for discussion forums and such:   http://postimage.org/   Pretty simply to use, generates codes for you to copy/paste. And it's free-as-in-beer!   - K  

Thanks Dude! I'm not so concerned about the spec's on the ammo, just need cheaper target loads so I can go more often! I will only carry commercial hollow-points for self-defense, even though I _did_ get my free box of 100 rds. from Hornady's rebate program on the die's. They were only 115gr. however, and I liked the performance of the 124gr. on the ballistics tests I saw. I did end up getting a box of Berry's plated for reloading. I'll bring a handful if I end up seeing you on Sat.! Thanks again.   - K  

Hmmm.... Hornady Custom Grade Dies. Titanium Nitride sez on the box...   Purdy brass? Bawhahahwhahahhahahahaaaa! No, not a concern of mine!   Have to admit, I was curious if it was a requirement for the powder to burn properly? I mean, I can see the carbon/fouling add contamination, and I suppose _technically_ it reduces the volume inside the casing (so increased pressure?) but honestly, I mean, the thing's going to BANG, right?   - K  

Cost was a big factor in the 'setup', just don't have the cake these days, so I tried to use what was available. The wood was left-over from the big reef-tank I had back in NY. At this point I have almost all the bits and pieces needed to start reloading, just need some case lube and to clean up the brass. Plan on using Lemi-shine vs. buying a tumbling setup (again, $$$), got plenty of de-primed cases, they just need to be cleaned (or can I reload cartridges w/o cleaning them?) Thanks for the idea's!   - K  

Welcome! Almost landed south of Knox when I came down here. Ended up West, instead. It's a great area, the mountains by you are fantastic! You're right about one thing, TGO is a great group.   - Kevin

OK, it's not really a "Bench", more like a board, that I can clamp to a table or bench.... but we're in a rental house right now, so I don't have a workshop, or other permanent area I can setup a reloading table.... I took a piece of some 1" Maple I had, bolted a borrowed RCBS press to it, and made some cut-outs for ammo-boxes. I have multiple boxes like the one in the picture, figured that would be easiest when working on a batch of shells (can move from left to right through the press). I've got room for the scale, and may try getting a powder-measurer to simplify.... Any idea's or suggestions on modifications to make? - K

There is a long, large trail of bodies behind the Clinton family bersaguy....   https://www.truthorfiction.com/clintonfriends/   - K

  Agreed. Reminds me of the current political hot-potato surrounding the bathroom debate. To hell w/ the millions of normal people, we need to infringe on their privacy so that 0.3% of the country's population isn't potentially offended. (Yes, it is THAT small a percentage, I looked it up).   - K  

I F'ing love it!!!!  :clap:   - K  

What will you be shooting? Primarily pistol I take it, but will rifles/shotguns ever make an appearance?   - K  

  Hey hey, spent 4 wonderfully pickled years in Oswego myself! Managed to get a bachelor's somehow?   Welcome to TN, you've found America! I finally got wise and voted w/ my feet last year as well. Spent the last 20 around Rochester area.   Great resource here at TGO, and a great group of people as well.   I'm putting down roots in Kingston now, about a half-hour west of Knox-proper.   - Kevin

Sorry for your loss Bigun. Will be thinking of you and your wise words.   - K

I've been to Highwalker's class and it is time well spent. Besides getting to meet a kind, knowledgeable, and friendly guy, it is in a beautiful part of TN, and you can learn a thing or two as well! You also get to meet and talk to other like-minded folks (and possibly meet a few TGO'ers). Lemme know if you need help w/ the brownie's... :D   - K

  Ummmm...  yeah, lack of registration, etc. Take it from a former resident, you have NO IDEA how restrictive the gun laws up there are, especially in/around NYC/Manhattan/Long Island.   - K

Finally got that sucker, eh? Where's the pics! :D   - K