I am offically a reloader!

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

snapshot762

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2013
Messages
145
Location
South Dakota
After a year in the making and much reading I finally have my own reloading room set up! I Finally got to set up my Dillon 550b last week, setup was easy enough I followed the DVD that was ordered from Dillon as well. In no time I had a few dummy cartridges made up. For my first rounds I used data off of the IMR ballistics website. I used:

Win cases
CCI small pistol primers
4.9 gr of IMR SR4756 (starting load)
Berry's 124gr RN plated bullets
1.150 COL.

Good news was that all rounds passed my case gage and fired fine, no squibs. Bad news was every shot caused a stovepipe jam. I worked up 5 more loads of 5 rounds, each at the 1.150 COL, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and the maximum load of 5.4 grains of powder, but have not been able to get to the range to test them yet. It feels good finally getting to make my own ammo!
 
Congrats, snapshot762 :D

Put a few downrange & post some pics so we can see how the new ammo is performing ;)
 
Last edited:
congratulations. you are now officially addicted to reloading. there is no known cure.

murf
 
Welcome to the fold!

Just be sure to keep a stiff, firm grip on the weapon. Let the slide and recoil spring do there job. No limp wristing. That was my major stovepipe cause.

be safe and keep checking your loads, oal's and everything.

be safe.
 
Congratulations on your first loads.

I'm not sure if you used the 124 gr BERB HBRN TP load data, but I used this data for a normal 124gr plated RB bullet, and I have a feeling the listed COL could be a bit high since all my shots were weak. I did not have any stovepipes or FTF, but it seemed it was close to not ejecting properly.

I received some recommendations to bring the COL down and see if it has any impact, and it is something I am going to try before going higher with the powder.

It will be nice if there is somebody that has bought these 24 gr BERB HBRN TP bullets, and can maybe post the actual length of them. That will then show if the length is more than your bullets, which means you could seat it a bit lower.

Good luck and be safe.
 
Congrats! The Dillon RL550 is a great press. I have 3 RL550's set up for small primers (mainly 9mm), large primers (mainly .45acp), and .223. Your stove pipes are more than likely from being a weak charge. Most of my 9mm loads, and .40s&w loads are at or below start charge. My loads will not function a factory pistol. I run 13lb recoil springs vs 17lb factory recoil springs in my Glocks just to get my loads to function. Work up your load, and you will find a load that works well for you, and your firearm. Not always will the start charge work for you. Welcome to the addiction !
 
Artofgolf said:
Grabbed a random 8 out of the box; measured 0.600 ~ 0.601 for all ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information! Now I don't have to call Berry's tomorrow. I don't want to hijack this thread, but the Xtreme 124gr RN I was loading has length of .5875" ~ .59". So it looks like the COL can be decreased from 1.15" to around 1.138"~1.14" to get the same seating depth and should be ok at the low end of the range.
 
vaalpens said:
Congratulations on your first loads.

I'm not sure if you used the 124 gr BERB HBRN TP load data, but I used this data for a normal 124gr plated RB bullet, and I have a feeling the listed COL could be a bit high since all my shots were weak. I did not have any stovepipes or FTF, but it seemed it was close to not ejecting properly.

I received some recommendations to bring the COL down and see if it has any impact, and it is something I am going to try before going higher with the powder.

It will be nice if there is somebody that has bought these 24 gr BERB HBRN TP bullets, and can maybe post the actual length of them. That will then show if the length is more than your bullets, which means you could seat it a bit lower.

Good luck and be safe.
Click to expand...
That is the load data I was using. I still have a couple cartridges loaded with the 4.9 starting load that I haven't taken apart yet. Would it be safe to shorten them to 1.140"? I was under the understanding that shortening the round that much would require a reduced powder charge.
 
Last edited:
snapshot762 said:
That is the load data I was using. I still have a couple cartridges loaded with the 4.9 starting load that I haven't taken apart yet. Would it be safe to shorten them to 1.140"?
Click to expand...

I will leave it up to the more experienced reloaders to comment on how safe it is to lower the COL from 1.15" to 1.14" with the load you have.

I did send an email to Berry's to ask about the length of their hollow base vs flat base bullets since I wanted to lower the COL, and they responded with the following:

we recommend a COL of 1.160” for both the flat base and hollow base
Click to expand...

So Hodgdon's recommend 1.15" COL, but Berry's recommend a COL of 1.16". Go figure.
 
Well first of all this is the forum to be on if you want to be lead astray. The members have in fact led many young and innocent people who thought maybe reloading might be fun.... Well let me tell you I was one of those innocent young people. Then was led to the dark side and for the last couple of years don't really know if I reload to shoot, or if I shoot to reload. The forum showed me no mercy and I was indeed led astray... Now I warn you if you are unsure I suggest you run as fast as possible so therefore there will be more powder for me... I even went so far as to trade off bricks of 22 LR for bullets and brass at a pawn shop... I am so totally lost now I am constantly looking for primers, powder, and I even bought ammo from Wally world just to get the brass...... Be afraid be very afraid as you walk down this road of reloading. Remember I tried to warn you before you were too lost..... Acutally I am trying to hog all the powder and bullets for my own addiction....
 
+1 on the above post AND what ever you do DON"T start casting. The next thing you know, you will be searching for wheel weights to melt for ingots to cast! There are not enough to go around.
 
Congrats, now you can really save some money!:D

I bet you'll end up losing those stovepipes as you climb the ladder. (though i did not double check your data-Im assuming you started at the start load, correct:)). I will double check it against mine when I get online at home later-I have many 4756 loads and love it in 9mm.
 
Just got back from the range, Success! All rounds fired and cycled well, Loads at 5.0-5.2 were all on paper and gave decent groups, Loads at 5.3 and 5.4 grains were far less accurate. No signs of overpressure in any of the fired cases. Looks like I need to load more for testing in the 5.0-5.2 ranges! Having all of them cycle is a good feeling!

targets.jpg
 
Last edited:
Congrats snapshot! Welcome to the fold! Now the obsession with getting the perfect load begins! Lol
 
snapshot762 - Congrats on a great press!
I have the same one & love it.

I'm a bit concerned about the replies.
snapshot762 did not say what caliber in his initial post.
This is where things can go horribly wrong when we assume.

It's kinda obvious he or she is asking about 9mm Luger/Parabellum.
But what happens if we're wrong?

I'm not flaming anyone, just something to think about.
 
snapshot762 said:
Just got back from the range, Success! All rounds fired and cycled well, Loads at 5.0-5.2 were all on paper and gave decent groups, Loads at 5.3 and 5.4 grains were far less accurate. No signs of overpressure in any of the fired cases. Looks like I need to load more for testing in the 5.0-5.2 ranges! Having all of them cycle is a good feeling!

targets.jpg
Click to expand...
Now Snapshot, you do know that the object of all this is to hit that little green circle right in the middle, correct? :D
 
Hondo 60 said:
snapshot762 - Congrats on a great press!
I have the same one & love it.

I'm a bit concerned about the replies.
snapshot762 did not say what caliber in his initial post.
This is where things can go horribly wrong when we assume.

It's kinda obvious he or she is asking about 9mm Luger/Parabellum.
But what happens if we're wrong?

I'm not flaming anyone, just something to think about.
Click to expand...
Yes, loading for 9mm. Forgot to put that in the original post, sorry.

Potatohead- I got close with one!;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

1TwistedGimp
  • Locked
Need a load check, pretty please...
Replies
10
Views
675
gamestalker
G
J
  • Locked
Winchester 231 for .45 ACP loads
Replies
19
Views
29K
TonyT
T
L
  • Locked
9 mm accuracy what to expect?
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
littlebob3
L
K
  • Locked
First rounds question
Replies
12
Views
546
RidgwayCO
R
Delta608
  • Locked
New to Reloading with Ejection Problem
Replies
8
Views
513
distra
D
Back
Top