Recent content by BobC

Has anyone used the the Oregon Trail - Laser Cast reloading manual? How does it compare to others? Any strong points that other books don't cover as well? I'm particularly interested in moderately heavy-for-caliber cast bullets, e.g., 265 in .44, 255 in 45 AR / ACP, 255 & 300 in 45 Colt...

A year ago, a T/C vendor mentioned to me that T/C would be producing rimfire barrels for the Encore in 17 mach 2, 17 HMR, 22 LR, and 22 mag. The bore would be offset in the barrel so the cartridge rim would align with the existing center-fire firing pin. I saw some 17 cal rf barrels in...

All: Thanks for the feedback. From my initial reading on Mauser conversions, I was focused on matching the .473" cartridge rim of the 8x57 and consequently chose a cartridge based on the 30-06. I didn't think there would be an issue with overall length unless changing to a magnum...

I'm contemplating a project to convert a 8x57 K-98 Mauser (Yugo) to .338-06 and sporterize it. Given the cost for me to purchase a barrel wrench and chamber reamers, I'm thinking of having a commercial firm / gunsmith re-barrel the action. Any recommendations for barrel manufacturers (or...

I have loaded plated bullets using the recipe for lead bullets and got a bullet stuck in the barrel (twice). Costly and embarassing. Now I use the starting loads for jacketed bullets.

Last weekend I was looking in Lyman's 48th Ed Reloading Handbook for 45-70 loads for a 300 gr lead bullet in my T/C Encore. The 1886 Winchester/1895 Marlin section offered loads for a cast 293 bullet with several powders. All had a range from start loads to max loads of 4 - 6 grains of powder...

If you can't lower the die enough to get a crimp, perhaps you can raise the brass. RCBS sells extended shell holders #8956 is the extended version of the #6 shellholder normally used for 38/357. http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=8&s3=75 Never played with one of these. But...

I also was so unfortunate as to get a stuck bullet. Used minimum load data from the Lee reloading book for 38 Spl with 158 SWC lead and 4.0 Unique. Actual bullet was a 158 plated truncated nose. Bullet stuck about 2 inches from muzzle of a 8 3/8 barrel. Local gunsmith had to remove the...

I have come to enjoy shooting heavy-for-caliber bullets in my 44s & 45s. Thinking it would also be fun to shoot heavy bullets in my S&W model 27, I recently acquired some 200 grain, 357 diameter, "copperized" truncated cone (plated lead) bullets from National Bullet Company. I now realize that...

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp This isn't a complete list but its the best I've found. Same info is reformatted and attached as a MS Word file

If shooting in a semi-auto or pump gun, or if loading on a progressive press, then shell geometry is critical and hulls must be in good shape. However, I shoot over/under shotguns (for fun, not competition), and load on a MEC 600 manual press. As long as the shot stays in place and I can...

If you intend to weigh the powder charge for each individual cartridge, then the following technique won't help, but it may be helpful for setting up "production line" assemblies. Assuming that the powder measure is throwing consistent charges and you want a more accurate reading: throw a...

From what I have been able to learn, the "crud ring" in front of a 38 spl or 44 spl in a multiple-use cylinder becomes a hassle for chambering and extracting the 357 magnum or 44 magnum. A hassle, but not a danger. In the 454 Casull, however, the much higher pressures have been known to...

Cost benefit will depend on the price you have to pay in your area for commercial shells vs for reloading components. A simple MEC 600 Jr reloader (my recommendation) will cost close to $100. Do the arithmetic to figure how much you can save per shell by reloading, then figure how many...

Die sets which are expressly marketed for progressive reloading machines may not include the mouth expander die (progressive reloaders perform the mouth expansion operation at the same station where powder is dropped).