What did you do today in the world of reloading?

[Deavis]

Walked around in a big circle today, seemed like it would never end. Loaded 9, loaded 500, then 50n and base sized a bunch of 45 Auto.

Loading new brass in the 500 and it wasn't sized properly near the base, ugh. Now I have a Popeye arm on my right side!

 

[rp-]

Loading new brass in the 500 and it wasn't sized properly near the base, ugh. Now I have a Popeye arm on my right side!

Sounds like a new machine is in order

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[avvidclif]

Getting ready for Sat. Loaded 30 rnds of 308 and have 50 more to load tomorrow. Have plenty of 6.5CM. A range day with son and 2 gkids Sat. Possible SIL and his new 6.5 he wants to stretch out. It's like moving to go out and shoot. Between guns, ammo, toolbox, chronograph, pads, rests, spotting scope, bottled water, etc the back seat of the PU is full. Gathering it all up is a trick also. Before the Holidays I was rearranging the cave and I think I'm going to dedicate one shelf for the range gear except for guns and ammo. Just grab everything on the shelf.

 

[avvidclif]

Sounds like a new machine is in order

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Or a new brass vendor since it was new stuff.

 

[texasjohnboy]

Cleaned and lubed the Lee LoadMaster. Added lights to it from KMS squared, and put together a press cam from parts on hand (raspberry pi, Logitech C270 webcam, old monitor and some masking tape)
Gunna run 400 rds tomorrow on it.

 

[xdmikey]

Deavis, you don't have an automated sizer? I'd have thought you, if anyone, would.

 

[xdmikey]

Has anyone heard of or use a push through die for 9mm or 45?

I read in a forum someone said they use a push through die for all straight wall cases.

 

[benenglish]

Has anyone heard of or use a push through die for 9mm or 45?

I read in a forum someone said they use a push through die for all straight wall cases.

Sure. What did you want to know about them?

 

[xdmikey]

Mainly, do you use them?

After I posted I thought the 9mm can’t use one but maybe you know better.

How about 45; is it necessary/valuable? I’ve never had an issue with either, mainly 40s&w.

 

[xdmikey]

Thanks Ben

 

[Dawico]

Has anyone heard of or use a push through die for 9mm or 45?

I read in a forum someone said they use a push through die for all straight wall cases.

The main "need" is to remove Glock bulge but the necessity of that is a whole conversation of its own.

It wouldn't work on rimmed cases anyways though. I think you would still have to size 9mm cases since they are tapered.

 

[benenglish]

Mainly, do you use them?

I have used them. I don't anymore. Others may have reasons to use them but the only thing I got out of them was that they sized all the way down. If you're shooting, say, .40S&W out of a Glock and those mild bulges near the case head bother you then you should know that push-through dies will iron them out.

As for other cartridges, I never found a need for them in my low-volume reloading. Besides, they kind of screwed around with my bench processes.

Regarding 9mm, I seem to remember someone coming up with a sort of through-die resizing set-up but it's been years and I don't remember the details. Otherwise, the case taper means that 9mm doesn't work with such dies.

I'm sure some folks think they are the bee's knees but other than the aforementioned need to recycle consistently bulged cases, I never found a compelling need for them.

YMMV, of course.

Next up - roll sizing. Does anybody do that?

 

[SQLGeek]

I've only heard of it done for 10mm and its little special cousin.

 

[Deavis]

Has anyone heard of or use a push through die for 9mm or 45?

I read in a forum someone said they use a push through die for all straight wall cases.

You mean one of these?

https://www.facebook.com/118275018299400/posts/2628803077246569/

That is a stand alone machine for base sizing. Our Camdex processors also have a carbide ring for base sizing on exit but they are not as aggressive and lack the oomph to size foreign fatties. The delta in capability is significant but the Camdex does a pretty good job with the leverage it has.

You have to size the mouth on 9mm since it is tapered and you should run a sizing die over even straight wall cases because the base size won't remove restore concentricity perfectly, ie stepped on casi gs get close and the sizing die with a float finishes the job.

You cant load commercially with good results on mixed head stamp brass without base sizing. Roll sizing is another alternate that works for rimmed bases but you rarely find bulges a sizing die cant get out on a rimmed casing unlike 40 brass where everything seems to be bulged.

I've run roll sizers as well and they work but I do not like them for a myriad of reasons that dont apply to low volume use. However for sizing the bases of puffed up military 308 demo MGs, manna from heaven.

 

[xdmikey]

I figured you’d have to have one to stay in business.

 

[texasjohnboy]

Yesterday - loaded 400 rounds with the new KMS squared light and camera setup:

Shot from the camera:

Today - made empty brass out of several of them.

 

[avvidclif]

My tale.

Thursday I loaded up some 308's using once fired brass. WW Primers, 43.1gr Varget topped with some old 173gr FMJ match bullets(M118). I had tried some of the bullets previously and was not impressed. I went out to the range today to see how they did. Strange things happening. I shot about a 2-3" 5 shot group at 100 yds and was not impressed. I had a 14 yr old grandson with me so I turned him loose with it for grins. Gun was a Begara HMR with a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 BDC Scope. Previously the BDC had been spot-on out to 500 yds with factory ammo. (My son was 4/4 from 200, 300, 400, & 500yds using it).

The GS made his nest and at 200 yds using the 200yd dot put 10 in about a 4-5" circle. Moved to 300 yds and I tried using the 300yd dot. Figured out I was high so tried 1.5 dots and got it. GS then put 4 in the middle with my dope. On to 400 yds and he was 5-5 with 2.5 dots. Hmmm this stuff is a lot flatter shooting than factory. Moved to 500 yds and it was high using 4 dots. Back to 3 dots and he made 4/4 at 500 yds. See pic. They were low right but still hits.

Only regret is I didn't chrono the load but I can do that later. It was supposed to be 2600fps but it didn't shoot like it. No signs of pressure. From the way he was shooting it I think the big group I shot at 100 yds was the shooter. At 500 he was under 1 MOA.

Good time was had by all.

 

[Deavis]

Yesterday - loaded 400 rounds with the new KMS squared light and camera setup:
View attachment 196282
View attachment 196283
Shot from the camera:
View attachment 196284

Today - made empty brass out of several of them.

I have to say, cool as hell but really? Talk about first world problems in reloading!

 

[texasjohnboy]

I have to say, cool as hell but really? Talk about first world problems in reloading!

If you're curious - https://tamarintech.com/article/ciclop_scanner_focus_fix

also


+ https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Desktop-Widescreen-Calling-Recording/dp/B004FHO5Y6

$18

 

[xdmikey]

Is there another section in Reloading that has an intro to casting?

A buddy of mine heard I was looking to start and he said he'd loan me his to learn with.
I asked another buddy about casting and he said he stopped when he dealt with the wax rings so I told him there's a workaround: powder coating!

I spent some time on CB a few years ago and went back and it seems like there's no room for beginners now.