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Post your reloading tips, trick, shortcuts, suggestions
#1233816
02/11/10 12:07 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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Posts: 14,768 |
Share some of those special tip, tricks, suggestions, money saver, etc, you have picked up along the way.
Last edited by jeh7mmmag; 09/24/13 08:13 PM.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1233849
02/11/10 12:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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1. CHANGING CALIBER AND RESETTING YOUR TRIMMER. I always make standard to set my trimmer out of a piece of brass that I trimmed to correct length. Mark it with the "trim to" and "maximum length" and spray paint red. Makes setting trimmer easy and fast -just put brass standard in trimmer and slide cutter up against neck and set lock collars. Standard can also be used to set caliper for checking case length. . 2. PRESOAKING TARNISHED BRASS Tumbling dirty and tarnished brass. I like deprime with universal deprimer, and presoak tarnished brass in a solution of: 1 gallon of water 1 quart of cider vinegar (might even add some fruit fresh [citric acid]) 2 spoons full of laundry soap 1 spoon of table salt(helpsto keep from turning brass pink)
Soak in plastic jug (make sure they are fully submerged)for 1 to 12 hours. Drain on collander, dump on towel, roll around to remove excess liquid and tumble. Primer pocket Carbon is easily removed when you presoak.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1234261
02/11/10 03:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,395
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 42,395 |
Because I have a single stage press. I will deprime and resize as many pieces as I can. I rarely leave once fired brass that hasn't been resized and deprimed laying in the drawer.
I'll trim, chamfer and deburr, and reprime all of it. Put it in the box it came in if it's once fired brass from ammo I purchased. I do have some brass that I purchased that came in a bag. I went to Academy and bought some of their ammunition carriers (50 round) to neatly hold the new brass that has been primed and is awaiting a load. I'll go ahead and put a label on it with the necessary information and leave the bullet, powder info, OAL, and date blank. That way when I know I'm about to have a day to go do some shooting I can load up what ever I need to experiment with or load up an already proven load to try at differnet ranges.
I've only been doing this for about 6 months now and love learning more about it. It is a bunch of fun.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: J.G.]
#1234394
02/11/10 03:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250
catfishatc
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250 |
Because I have a single stage press. I will deprime and resize as many pieces as I can. I rarely leave once fired brass that hasn't been resized and deprimed laying in the drawer. Been considering doing this - I have a single stage as well but use two different primers so I would definately have to keep organized - gonna watch for ya'lls tips because I haven't been doing this long enough to offer any up
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: catfishatc]
#1234875
02/11/10 01:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,796
fastliberator
Veteran Tracker
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WHen using a single stage press. After brass has ben prepped and primed, I drop my powder charge and seat bullet befoer moving to the next piece. I never drop powder in multiple cases then seat multiple bullets. I have left powder out befoer.
When loading pistol ammo. I have a dowel rod that fits int the brass. When I get my powder charge right, I put the dowel into the brass and mark my level on the dowel rod. Then I check each piece after that to ensure I have not double charged any.
Those of you who do not stand behind our millitary, please stand in front of it!!!
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: fastliberator]
#1235053
02/11/10 02:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,058
bigjoe8565
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Jun 2008
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I started using spary lube for my rifle cases. This product really speed up the process.
Ronnie
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: bigjoe8565]
#1235573
02/11/10 05:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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I have heard using spray lubes on cases in a zip lock bag works good. I have used mink oil boot wax and neuteral shoe wax (lanolin), and it also work very well if you apply by rubbing some on fingers. LUBING RIFLE CASE NECKS: I have a small 35mm film canister that has bird shot and motor mica (white graphite or plain graphite) mixed in with shot. I just stick neck of brass down in shot and the graphite adheres to inside and outside of neck.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1237044
02/12/10 02:15 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,090
elkhunter7x6
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,090 |
I primarily resize with Lee Collet dies. With these dies it is not neccessary to lube cases thus I dont have to spend a bunch of time cleaning lube from cases. Also, I dont have to trim as often when sizing with the collet die. As a bonus, my groups tightened up.
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: elkhunter7x6]
#1237094
02/12/10 02:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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I primarily resize with Lee Collet dies. With these dies it is not neccessary to lube cases thus I dont have to spend a bunch of time cleaning lube from cases. Also, I dont have to trim as often when sizing with the collet die. As a bonus, my groups tightened up. And necks are not worked as hard (expand, resize, expand), Rounds are more concentric because they are sized around a dead center mandrel. They are some good dies. Are you also using LFC dies on rifle loads?
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1237142
02/12/10 02:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
OP
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1237826
02/12/10 12:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,090
elkhunter7x6
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Yeah I built my own with Autocad.
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: elkhunter7x6]
#1244288
02/15/10 05:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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THE BEST, LATEST, RELOADING DATA, AND MANUALs (FREE)
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1248673
02/17/10 04:31 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 809
Jon
Tracker
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Tracker
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BRASS CARTRIDGE CASE WEIGHTS Feel free to add to to the list. Weights are average of mixed head stamp with primer. 9mm, 59.46gr/ea, 117.7cases/#, 8.5#/1000
38spl, 68.06gr/ea, 102.8cases/#, 9.7#/1000
40s&w, 70.1gr/ea, 99.9cases/#, 10#/1000
.357mag, 78.3gr/ea, 89.4cases/#, 11.2#/1000
.45acp, 89.58gr/ea, 78.1cases/#, 12.8#/1000
.223, 95.28gr/ea , 73.5cases/#, 13.6#/1000
.44mag, 114.38gr/ea, 61.2cases/#, 16.3#/1000
50bmg, 865.26gr/ea, 8.1cases/#, 123.5#/1000 DISCLAIMER: Above list is not my original work and was found on the internet. Citation to the originator would be given except that the exact same list shows up on multiple forums posted by different people. Kudos to whoever did the original. My own work confirms that 9mm, .40, .45, and .223 were all well within expected margin of error for these stated weights. Due to manufacturing variances found with different head stamps, the larger a sample size that is counted and weighed will yield results closer to a universal average. Due to the limits of my scale, I checked 10 random batches of 100 9mm and found they all weighed different amounts. I then averaged to a weight/thousand and found the stated 117/lb average to be accurate for a random mixed lot of 1000 9mm cases. Somewhat smaller batches of .40, .45, and .223 yielded very similar but not absolute matching results. I have not checked the entire list, but based on the ones I did check, I believe the weights listed are more than close enough for use when buying, selling, or trading brass to determine count/lb. or weight/thousand. I suppose I could have simply said Source: the Internet, but thought an explanation of how sample size can effect the resulting average weights might be helpful. Probably splitting hairs if considering 1000 case quantities but maybe not to all. Most of the time, a weight of only 10 or 20 averaged should probably get a close enough estimate for a person just wanting to get some reasonable idea when looking at buying brass by the lb. Most people selling or trading in bulk always throw in extras anyway but who the heck is going to count 1K-5K cases which is why bulk is often sold by the lb. YMMV ...Jon
Last edited by Jon; 02/17/10 05:47 PM. Reason: added disclaimer
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: Jon]
#1283033
03/04/10 02:32 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250
catfishatc
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250 |
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: catfishatc]
#1284664
03/04/10 07:46 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,941
maximum
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I don't think anyone mentioned keeping a log I feel that is the single most important thing to do when you reload regardless of the kind of tools or components you use The fellow that showed me how to reload many years ago said to keep a log and I'll always have something to refer to if I had any questions come up about a batch of ammo I loaded,or I could refer back if I came up with a "magic" load,etc. I didn't do it for a while until I caught myself on some ammo I accidentally overloaded. if I hadn't had a note to refer back to I might have injured or killed myself or someone else. You might load something that works great in your own firearm that might work for someone else,or may be too hot for another firearm,etc.
keep a log! ! !
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: maximum]
#1284673
03/04/10 07:49 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,941
maximum
Veteran Tracker
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I should make it clear I meant a WRITTEN log in addition to whatever computer files you may have
I also put a slip of paper in the box of ammo with load info regardless of outside box markings
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: maximum]
#1285468
03/05/10 12:50 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16,740
KC
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 16,740 |
I'll second that. I also color code my brass whenever I get new stuff. I just take a Sharpie and color them blue, black, or red. Then, everytime I load those, I make note of it in the log. That way, I know exactly how many times my brass has been loaded, no guesswork...
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: KC]
#1285485
03/05/10 01:01 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250
catfishatc
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250 |
I'll second that. I also color code my brass whenever I get new stuff. I just take a Sharpie and color them blue, black, or red. Then, everytime I load those, I make note of it in the log. That way, I know exactly how many times my brass has been loaded, no guesswork... I have just been writing the number of loads on them with a sharpie - colors sounds more fun!
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: catfishatc]
#1286971
03/05/10 05:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,423
NTRP
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,423 |
a Giraud Trimmer will drastically reduce your brass prep time. I can trim, chamfer, and debur 200 pieces of brass in 15 minutes taking my time.
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: NTRP]
#1287498
03/05/10 08:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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Giraud Trimmer Wished I had one. Thanks and Keep them coming.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1292983
03/08/10 02:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,750
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,750 |
James, my favorite trick is to call you and ask.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#1311974
03/17/10 12:00 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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James, my favorite trick is to call you and ask. Thanks for all the brass Dave. I still owe you a coffee.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1312016
03/17/10 12:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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Thumbling, Walnut, and Corn Cobb Media discussion
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#1312047
03/17/10 12:44 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 680
686ppp
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
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Only keep one can of powder on the bench at a time. I mixed win. 231 and 748 while loading 40 s&w. I threw the whole bunch away. Lesson learned.
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Re: POST YOUR RELOADING TIPS, TRICKS, SHORTCUTS, SUGGESTIONS
[Re: 686ppp]
#1312079
03/17/10 12:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
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Only keep one can of powder on the bench at a time. I mixed win. 231 and 748 while loading 40 s&w. I threw the whole bunch away. Lesson learned. Excellent Rule Ruined some powder myself. Also: Alway keep your powder in original well marked container with lot number.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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