Gumby0961
Member
Think I got most of it loaded into the trailer. Next challenge is the safe and its contents. Time left in CA is getting shorter, yay!!
What have you done in the reloading room today
- Thread starter horsemen61
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.45Coltguy
Member
That's some good info right there. Thanks for posting the pics also.@Charlie98 @DMW1116
The fire-lapping is being performed on my two Flat Top Blackhawk's; a .44 Special and a 45ACP/45 Colt. As Charlie said this is done in an effort to remove the tight spot in the barrel where it's screwed into the frame. I use Wheeler Bore Lapping Kit from Midway, beginning with 220 grit then finishing with 600. The end game is to have the cylinder throats the largest, as in .0005" larger in diameter than the bullets being used, then the rear of the groove diameter slightly enlarged when the tight spot is lapped out, then the barrel very slightly taper to the muzzle. Not only does this reduce and in many cases eliminate leading,, it also greatly increases accuracy.
Here are before/after photos of a Uberti Hombre .357 I did. I first cut the forcing to 11°, then fire-lapped. Last week I fired some of my plain-base bullets cast of air-cooled wheelweights over 1300 fps with zero leading.
Before-
After-
Hope my explanation is understandable.
35W
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,150
Rifle scopes have been around since 1844 (Chapman) so they are “authentic” but until the gassing of tubes with inert gas and the use of seals came around in the late 1850’s they were not practical. That’s bumping up against the cartridge era.
Magnification and parallax adjustments were much later.
I think it makes sense and shows some bureaucrat actually did their homework.
Charlie98
Member
Charlie98
Member
I've got an old Bushnell variable power scope I have on a universal mount... that's what I use it for, too. I think it's been on just about every rifle that can take a scope at one time or another...
The 180grn is my favorite weight for the .357... I'll bet it will be wonderful in the 1894!
35 Whelen
Member
The .44 is finished. I can now drive a oiled .451" lead ball into the muzzle then easily push it all the way through the barrel with a flimsy aluminum cleaning rod. Success!That's what I was afraid of... I wish you success!
35W
Charlie98
Member
My .44 Flattop was, I felt, a lost cause. Very sad, because it was a right handy little pistol.
King Medallion
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2021
- Messages
- 352
Had good intentions, watched an episode of GOT instead.
.45Coltguy
Member
If you would, what is your intended load for those three bullet weights in your 30-06? Have loaded all three for different critters when I hunted.
Lennyjoe
Member
.300 WSM Savage showed up this week so doing some calculations and measurements to start reloading some rounds.
AJC1
Member
Sizing 6br cases... apparently most of these are .040 to .050 shorter than trim length 
Loaded 50 108 eldms wi5h 30.0 varget. Only high class presses here...
Loaded 50 108 eldms wi5h 30.0 varget. Only high class presses here...
45/30-06OKIE
Member
I really like Accurate 2700 powder... Flows like water and is pretty much always dead nuts on every time out of our rcbs chargemaster. I've shot max loaded 165gr soft points out of my M1 and they only go right at 2700ish fps right in nfront of the muzzle so that's actually somewhat tame compared to what some factory spec ammo should go but don't take my word for it. I just like the balance of speed and raw oomph factor of the 165gr bullets. And the Hornady Boat Tail Soft Points are relatively cheap and seem to group pretty well. And I don't hunt, just shoot for fun lol.
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Put away the 9mm brass I wet tumbled yesterday, then loaded up another 200 9mm with 124 match winners and N320. After that I swapped from the six pack pro to the single stage and got everything ready to start loading the replacement hunting loads in .308 and 44 Mag from zeroing the other day.
1976B.L.Johns.
Member
Primed and flared the case mouths of 100 nickel plated 9mm's.
Never did nickel before.
Almost out of the $.04 primers.
But that is okay as I may never reload 9mm again.
Probably have enough for the rest of my life.
Also sorted and put away the 30.06 and 30-30 brass from yesterday's cleaning.
Never did nickel before.
Almost out of the $.04 primers.
But that is okay as I may never reload 9mm again.
Probably have enough for the rest of my life.
Also sorted and put away the 30.06 and 30-30 brass from yesterday's cleaning.
Hooda Thunkit
Member
Finished sizing and checking the pile of cast bullets I made the other day.
Roughly 550+ pieces. At a rate of 3 per minute, that's still over 3 hours to size and check this batch of bullets.
I culled 34 pieces, mostly for bad bases, although a few cold pours. This is only the second time I've used the Accurate mould, I'll get better with it as I learn how it acts.
Next comes weight sorting into 1 grain batches. These bullets will be around 187 grains, a 1-grain batch will be about 1/2 of 1% weight variation.
After that comes lubing. By the time I load these bullets, I will have handled (fondled?) each and every individual bullet at least 5 times as I go through the processing.
All you fellas that think casting and loading your own cast bullets is cheap, just keep in mind that we casters are trading time instead of money for projectiles.
Roughly 550+ pieces. At a rate of 3 per minute, that's still over 3 hours to size and check this batch of bullets.
I culled 34 pieces, mostly for bad bases, although a few cold pours. This is only the second time I've used the Accurate mould, I'll get better with it as I learn how it acts.
Next comes weight sorting into 1 grain batches. These bullets will be around 187 grains, a 1-grain batch will be about 1/2 of 1% weight variation.
After that comes lubing. By the time I load these bullets, I will have handled (fondled?) each and every individual bullet at least 5 times as I go through the processing.
All you fellas that think casting and loading your own cast bullets is cheap, just keep in mind that we casters are trading time instead of money for projectiles.
1976B.L.Johns.
Member
Cuz it is a hobby!
Hooda Thunkit
Member
As my Dad says - " It keeps me from hanging out at the bowling alley. "
1976B.L.Johns.
Member
Or bar..........
AJC1
Member
It also stimulates the mind.... a busy mind is a sharp one.... my grandfather was an aeronautical engineer on projects like the xb-70 and x15. Retirement was not kind to him...
35 Whelen
Member
If you want to speed up the sizing and lubing process, buy get one of these bad boys-
I can size and lube PB bullets at the rate of about 30 per minute although gas-checking is definitely slower. The real upside however is push-through sizers produce more concentric bullets.
35W
In my simple operation I tightened clearances on a double disk lee to handle CFE BLK. Then loaded up thirty 7.62x39 and went to the barn on my new knee and shot them all out of a mini thirty. Sighted in at 40 yards with open sights. Face west so I had to get done before the sun got low and shined on my front sight. Warm day. Windy. The old lee worked spectacular. I consider the barn an extension of the reloading room for testing and casting
Soonerpesek
Member
How bout the new knee......??
What an adventure. But off this mild winter and first vacation in ten years. Walker was my friend but now a cane is getting me out and about. Sleep is all messed up. Thanks for asking !!!
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