I did it!!!

[Officers'Wife]

58 rounds out of the rifle with a grouping that while not as good as my brothers reloads is close enough to bring home venison for dinner! The soft lead left some barrel fouling but the beeswax seemed to make it easy to clean out. I'm beginning to think I can really do this!

The bad news is... this morning a certain unnamed jerk that shall remain my brother gave me two (2) 5 gallon buckets full of brass. Some are 38 special, some are 357 mag, some 38 super and more than a few 38 S&W. Sorting them all out will give a new definition to the word "forever."

On top of that, I can see I don't have nearly enough primers. I wonder if the guy at the gunshop likes homemade lumpia...

 

[Potatohead]

Nice work. Im willing to bet if some of us knuckleheads can do it, then you'll be just fine

 

[joem1945]

I try to keep 10K primers on hand. Surprising how fast you can go through them. If you have way too many cases there are companies that reload them and will buy them and pay shipping.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Lumpia? Did someone say "lumpia"? Home made? Damn!!

 

[higgite]

For homemade lumpia , I might see my way clear to sell you some of joem1945's stash! Just don't mention it to joem.

 

[Officers'Wife]

I try to keep 10K primers on hand. Surprising how fast you can go through them. If you have way too many cases there are companies that reload them and will buy them and pay shipping.

10k seems a bit excessive. Even if I branch out to the 32-20 I can't imagine firing 10k rounds in a years time. I'm thinking perhaps a thousand should last me quite a while.

As for the other two wags- yes, lumpia, on occasion I let out my inner Pinay. One of those grandmothers I mentioned earlier left me a number of recipes from Cebu. Keep in mind when my inner Pinay comes out it usually includes the butterfly knife, criticize my cooking at your own peril.

That reminds me, my uncle used to have a Brit military revolver that fired 38 S&W, I wonder which of my cousins ended up with it and if they would part with it... I certainly have the brass for it.

 

[Artofgolf]

Hmmmm, lumpia
Need powder? Darn, too far from the Windy City

 

[ReloaderFred]

There is a good market for both the .38 S&W brass and the .38 Super brass, so you may come out on top of this deal. Neither of those calibers are often seen for sale on the used brass market, so your time sorting it out may pay you some dividends. I just finished sorting out 3 five gallon buckets of brass I bought from the local club, so I know what you mean about tedious.

The short boxes cases of soft drinks come in work well for sorting brass. You just dump in a moderate amount of brass and it's easier to see what you have as you sort it into containers for each caliber. I use an old cake pan myself, with a wire basket I made to sift out the sand that just fits inside the cake pan.

I'd be interested in the .38 Super brass if you find it excess to your needs........

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: I've always found it prudent to be very, very nice to a woman who knows how to use a butterfly knife........

 

[mdi]

An old feller I worked for many years ago once told me when I was facing a long, boring project; "There's only one way to eat an elephant, that's one bite at a time".

Sorry, I'm born and raised Southern CA kid and don't know what "lumpia" is.

 

[Officers'Wife]

There is a good market for both the .38 S&W brass and the .38 Super brass, so you may come out on top of this deal. Neither of those calibers are often seen for sale on the used brass market, so your time sorting it out may pay you some dividends. I just finished sorting out 3 five gallon buckets of brass I bought from the local club, so I know what you mean about tedious.

The short boxes cases of soft drinks come in work well for sorting brass. You just dump in a moderate amount of brass and it's easier to see what you have as you sort it into containers for each caliber. I use an old cake pan myself, with a wire basket I made to sift out the sand that just fits inside the cake pan.

I'd be interested in the .38 Super brass if you find it excess to your needs........

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: I've always found it prudent to be very, very nice to a woman who knows how to use a butterfly knife........

I have a very nice Colt Commander in 38 Super that is my carry weapon. Thank you but I'll have to be selfish with it.

mdi- Lumpia is a spring roll, think of it as a Philippine egg roll.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I don't blame you one bit. That's a good combination, the Commander and the .38 Super. You'll be well served by both.

Fred

 

[Officers'Wife]

I don't blame you one bit. That's a good combination, the Commander and the .38 Super. You'll be well served by both.

Fred

I like it because of the multiple safeties on the platform and the cartridge doesn't beat you to death. It's a "hand me down" tool, my uncle bought it in ancient times then he and Dad traded it back and forth until they decided it was a "lady's pistol" and I ended up with it.

38 Super is my next project, Jerry (the gunshop guy) tells me he can get me a pretty good discount on dies & shell holder. I'm just wondering if it would be worth the expense to get the Dillon dies or go with a cheaper brand he's not discounting.

 

[ReloaderFred]

It depends on the press you're loading on. The Dillon dies will have the powder through expander, which means the powder drops through the expander while the case is at that stage. If you're using a progressive press, then those would work for you, but if you're using a single stage press, then they won't work as intended, but will still expand the case mouth when set up properly. Dillon doesn't make their own dies. They use jobbers to make them.

If you'll be loading on a single stage press, then just about any die set will work for you. Go with whatever works best for you. Since the .38 Super is a straight wall case (no taper), it's as easy to load as the .38 Special is.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Officers'Wife]

It depends on the press you're loading on. The Dillon dies will have the powder through expander, which means the powder drops through the expander while the case is at that stage. If you're using a progressive press, then those would work for you, but if you're using a single stage press, then they won't work as intended, but will still expand the case mouth when set up properly. Dillon doesn't make their own dies. They use jobbers to make them.

If you'll be loading on a single stage press, then just about any die set will work for you. Go with whatever works best for you. Since the .38 Super is a straight wall case (no taper), it's as easy to load as the .38 Special is.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I'm assuming by progressive you mean like the setup my brother has where you throw the lever and there are three processes going on at once. Mine is just a single throw, you do so many of one operation then change dies and do the next. My concern is the same for any other tool, quality of use, life and value retention. Call me mercenary if you like, (or rather join the chorus) but I figure it's better to pay the higher price once in a lifetime than the cheaper price every year. After all, my Dad and uncle each paid the massive sum of $6000 to buy tractors in 1963. Both are still in service, should I have a lessor expectation for reloading dies that are far less complicated?

(I also have 250 rounds of 38 Special in my brother's characteristic very shiny cases. Pity the poor Marlin that hasn't been used more than 3 or 4 times a year since we bought it. Sunday I plan to overwork it. Unfortunately a certain unnamed idiot that shall remain my brother is insisting I be on the range so he can set up some machine to "test" my loads. Time to get the "Tulala on board" bumper sticker. )

 

[orionengnr]

Congrats on the reloading--good job.

Sorting brass is therapeutic, and reloading is addictive. Nice combination.

Two five-gallon buckets is a lot of brass, and when you are done sorting you will probably be able to sell a good bit of it. If you keep 1000 of the .38Spl and 1000 of the .38 Super, and sell the rest, you may be swinging the handle on a new Dillon.

A thousand primers is a nice start. Ten thousand is a nice hedge against shortages, which are cyclical, or "unforeseen future events". Since it appears that everything you are loading uses small pistol primers or maybe small rifle primers, 10K is a nice stash...if you needed to stock SPP, LPP, SRP and LRP then doubling that total (5K each) would be more like it (IMHO). Did I mention that they make great trade/barter bait during shortages?

 

[ReloaderFred]

The single stage press you have will probably last longer than either of us will. I'm still using the used Hollywood press that I bought in 1963 from one of my college professors. I have several other presses now, but that old Hollywood is still much more than serviceable.

Dies are the same. As long as they're quality dies, they will last a lifetime, or more, if properly taken care of. As long as they're made by Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Dillon or even Lee, they will give you a lifetime of service. There are minor differences between the brands, but they all do the same thing, load ammunition. As long as you follow the instructions, you'll be fine.

The machine is probably a chronograph, which will measure the velocity (speed) of your rounds when fired from your Marlin. You're not going to wear that Marlin out, by the way. Both my wife and I shoot them in SASS matches, and put about 1,500+ rounds each through them per year. In fact, we'll be shooting them in two matches this weekend, so there's another 100 rounds each through our rifles.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Officers'Wife]

Congrats on the reloading--good job.

Sorting brass is therapeutic, and reloading is addictive. Nice combination.

Two five-gallon buckets is a lot of brass, and when you are done sorting you will probably be able to sell a good bit of it. If you keep 1000 of the .38Spl and 1000 of the .38 Super, and sell the rest, you may be swinging the handle on a new Dillon.

A thousand primers is a nice start. Ten thousand is a nice hedge against shortages, which are cyclical, or "unforeseen future events". Since it appears that everything you are loading uses small pistol primers or maybe small rifle primers, 10K is a nice stash...if you needed to stock SPP, LPP, SRP and LRP then doubling that total (5K each) would be more like it (IMHO). Did I mention that they make great trade/barter bait during shortages?

Since the brass "belongs" to my brother I can't really sell it. He is a bit protective of his empties and the fact he is even letting me "borrow" them is a sign of family loyalty. As for the 38 S&W as I mentioned before one of my cousins ended up with a British revolver that uses that flavor. Like as not that cousin will part with it and if they do the brass would come in handy.

As for two buckets being "a lot", it's a matter of degree. He has buckets stacked up three deep and ceiling high. Even though most are what he calls range brass. He even keeps the brass that can no longer be reloaded with the idea that someday he will have them melted down and cast into a plaque detailing our grandfather's military service.

I know, but he is my brother...

Fred,

Yes that helps much warming my mercenary little heart. What the machine is I have idea none, I stopped trying to second guess the guy a loooong time ago. To a degree I'm stepping into his world and he is going to give me the benefit of his experience even if he has to ram it down my throat. It's what big brothers do.

Later on, I will probably start loading for my Enfield and my hubby's .308 as well. That's for the future's consideration. For the moment I'm just trying to figure out what I'm doing enough not to waste time and product. Unfortunately, right after supper my hubby went downstairs where the press is. I may have the reloading taken away from me before I get the chance to start.

 

[blarby]

Fantastic, and we'll done.

I'm getting ready to do another run of powdercoat 158 swcs in the next month, if you'd like some to play with, just lemme know

38/357 is addictive !

 

[roval]

I now get what language tulala comes from. Thought it was eastern European initially. lumpia was my favorite vegetable dish growing up since it was fried. Unfortunately my wife never makes it.
agree with everybody on the primers . 1000 is just one box. If you order enough from powder valley you'll ne able to cover the hazmat fee and still save on the cost.

Used to keep a butterfly knife in my backpack during my long commute home in college in the PI. Dont know if I would have known how how to use it except show an attacker how to open it one handed but it did give me some comfort knowing it was there.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Fantastic, and we'll done.

I'm getting ready to do another run of powdercoat 158 swcs in the next month, if you'd like some to play with, just lemme know

38/357 is addictive !

Powdercoat? Like a tracer?


Roval, the lady (RIP) that taught me was most insistent that if the attacker sees the knife before you strike you defeat the purpose of having it.

 

[LiveLife]

Powdercoat? Like a tracer?

Powder coating lead bullet is coating the lead bullet with powdered paint and baking at 375F-400F for about 30 minutes. Coating replaces lube used on lead bullets and comparable in cost. Coated bullets reduce lead exposure and leading and barrels stay cleaner.

Since you like baking pastries and making Lumpia, baking lead bullets should be an easy crossover. Lumpia, yum. Now I am hungry for pansit.

This thread shows blarby using the "Cool Whip" plastic container rubbed on carpet to increase static electricity to coat the powder on bullets and baking in toaster oven even in high humidity environment - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9503486#post9503486

 

[Officers'Wife]

Powder coating lead bullet is coating the lead bullet with powdered paint and baking at 375F-400F for about 30 minutes. Coating replaces lube used on lead bullets and comparable in cost. Coated bullets reduce lead exposure and leading and barrels stay cleaner.

Since you like baking pastries and making Lumpia, baking lead bullets should be an easy crossover. Lumpia, yum. Now I am hungry for pansit.

This thread shows blarby using the "Cool Whip" plastic container rubbed on carpet to increase static electricity to coat the powder on bullets and baking in toaster oven even in high humidity environment - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9503486#post9503486

Interesting, my uncle had an annealing furnace that is probably still in his shop. I wonder if it goes down that low. Hmm, I wonder if the powder involved would support electrostatic depositing...

I'm beginning to think you guys are conspiring to get me to open up my uncle's workshop again! You all should be ashamed!

We had pancit palabok last week, I don't fix it often because in this area it's very hard to get rice flour for the noodles and I hate to substitute. I do make a lot of abodo however, even though apple cider vinegar is a bit heavy tasting. I let my inner Pinay out far more than I should but it's less fattening than when my inner Francais comes out.

 

[LiveLife]

Adobo, DANG! Now you are really making me hungry!

If I lived closer, I would bring over my pot of Chili Verde, Gumbo along with BBQ ribs and tri-tip.

I'm beginning to think you guys are conspiring to get me to open up my uncle's workshop again! You all should be ashamed!

We are ashamed for hooking you into this hobby, I mean passion.

Since it looks like it's already too late, just enjoy like the rest of us!

You know, life is short ...

 

[Officers'Wife]

Adobo, DANG! Now you are really making me hungry!

If I lived closer, I would bring over my pot of Chili Verde, Gumbo along with BBQ ribs and tri-tip.


We are ashamed for hooking you into this hobby, I mean passion.

Since it looks like it's already too late, just enjoy like the rest of us!

You know, life is short ...

Just keep in mind my abodo is Philippine not Spanish. And be careful, I smoke/cure venison hams with a secret mix that depends mostly on blackstrap molasses. I won't mention the flavor but after two meals featuring it my rabid anti-gun father in law bought a muzzle loading rifle and has harvest two deer of his own. I once made a barbeque sauce featuring wild honey, wild horseradish, wild onions and other assorted herbs and spices that made a Montana beef producer consider taking up milk production. Keep in mind that I've been competing with old-school farm wives and Catholic grandmothers since I was 13 and inspired by my own Grandmother that grew up feeding a family primarily on game. Add to the mix a great grandmother desperate to pass on her skills that at one time when her small restaurant baked pies had people lined up for four blocks. Compete with me at your own discretion.

OK, back on-topic- this powder coat thing reminds me too much of an electrostatic paining technique my uncle worked on for a while. I have just enough curiosity to wonder if there could be a crossover. I live in fear that I may have inherited the old man's OMB gene.

And last- another question- the guy from the gunshop called to tell me he has a shipment of CCI magnum small pistol primers he's putting aside for me. Is there an advantage to them above the non magnum primers? Would I have to start all over on the load I have that works so well?

 

[Blue68f100]

OK, back on-topic- this powder coat thing reminds me too much of an electrostatic paining technique my uncle worked on for a while. I have just enough curiosity to wonder if there could be a crossover. I live in fear that I may have inherited the old man's OMB gene.

Powder coating is a process where the powder is applied electrostaticly. So yes your familiar with the process. Since most don't have the equipment to apply the charge they tumble coat them.

Some powders require a Mag primer while most do not. Normally if you use a Mag primer in place of a std you may/will back off the load by 0.1gr. Mag primers normally have a heavier/harder cap to handle more pressure, and the burn duration is longer/hotter to ignite harder to ignite powders. A lot of reloaders started substituting used them when primers where hard to come by.

btw. Welcome to our madness..