Author Topic: The Calm Before the Storm  (Read 187144 times)

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Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #700 on: Thursday November 05, 2020, 06:21:20 PM Eastern »



speak for yourself, the absolute hardest thing to get for about two years after sandy hook was .22LR
and primers. I learned that lesson, and it won’t be repeated.






no, I’m not selling any either. Things really need to hit the oscillating device before I’d consider sharing


What powder do you use for standard target pistol loads?  I'm using good ole 231 currently. (well I'm just a beginner)  I'm loading 357 mag and 45acp and 9mm.  Well so far just 357 but I WILL be loading the 45 and 9 also.  Originally I had not planned on loading 9mm but it so friggin expensive and I have lots of 9mm brass so....
Anyway, I started with 231 because it's tried and true and I can use it for all three.


I also will be loading .223 and .308....eventually


But I'm certainly interested to listen to the wisdom of others


(especially that of my elders) :snicker:

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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #701 on: Thursday November 05, 2020, 07:03:00 PM Eastern »

What powder do you use for standard target pistol loads?  I'm using good ole 231 currently. (well I'm just a beginner)  I'm loading 357 mag and 45acp and 9mm.  Well so far just 357 but I WILL be loading the 45 and 9 also.  Originally I had not planned on loading 9mm but it so friggin expensive and I have lots of 9mm brass so....
Anyway, I started with 231 because it's tried and true and I can use it for all three.


I also will be loading .223 and .308....eventually


But I'm certainly interested to listen to the wisdom of others


(especially that of cmy elders) :snicker:

As far as handguns go, I use Win 296 in all the revolvers and the .50AE. I went with that because it burns a little cleaner than most. In the semi autos I use True Blue from Ram Shot. For the sake of simplicity I use magnum primers in all the handguns, and will probably move all the rifle loads over to them as well. The last time I bought primers the magnums and the regulars were the same exact price. I dont make dedicated target loads for the revolvers, but I do for the 10, .40 and .45. Primarily because I don't want to beat up those guns with a steady diet of +P/+P+. I don't reload for the 9, I rarely shoot it.

Using the 296 was a recommendation from a friend who's been reloading about 50 different calibers for about 35 years. One time he gave me some hot .45 colt loads he made and I commented on how clean they burned. You won't get that black muzzle like you just shit a box of Winchester white box.

I might have two pounds of long shot I would get rid of. I bought that for the 10mm right before I switched it over to True Blue

also, since you say you are new at this, get reloading manuals from multiple sources. I find the ones from bullet manufacturers to be more useful that the ones I have from the powder manufacturers. All the information is available on the respective websites, but I find having the book to be more useful. I've got the hornady, speer, nosler, lyman, hogdon, ramshot and lee books. Don't get rid of the old ones either. There are recipes in the older editions that aren't in the newer ones, useful if you have older guns of oddball caliber. The gun forums are great places for information too, there's always someone willing to help with accurate information.

as far loadings go for the three you mentioned, my recipes are:
.357- 158 gr XTP bullet with 15.7 gr of 296, that should get about 1250 fps in a handgun. I could go     
         hotter but that load works well in the lever gun as well

.45acp- 230 gr round nose bullet with 7.6 gr of True Blue for the range
            230 gr XTP with 7.8 gr of True Blue for all else, I'd even be confident taking bambi with
            that at less than 35 yards

A few more things to keep in mind, the maximum powder load is rarely the most accurate, and identical loads don't equal identical performance from identical guns. When you start loading for accuracy, like multiple rounds through one hole accuracy, you will need to try different powders, different powder charges, different primers, different bullet weights, different bullet manufacturers and even different brass manufacturers. They all will change the point of impact.






and I get yer elder right here  :)
Knowledge is knowing that the Tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is knowing that you shouldn't include it in a Fruit Salad; Philosophy is wondering if a Bloody Mary counts as smoothie

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Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #702 on: Thursday November 05, 2020, 09:34:25 PM Eastern »
I use Win 296 in all the revolvers and the .50AE. I went with that because it burns a little cleaner than most. In the semi autos I use True Blue from Ram Shot. For the sake of simplicity I use magnum primers in all the handguns, and will probably move all the rifle loads over to them as well. The last time I bought primers the magnums and the regulars were the same exact price. I dont make dedicated target loads for the revolvers, but I do for the 9, 10, .40 and .45. Primarily because I don't want to beat up those guns with a steady diet of +P/+P+.

Using the 296 was a recommendation from a friend who's been reloading about 50 different calibers for about 35 years. One time he gave me some hot .45 colt loads he made and I commented on how clean they burned. You won't get that black muzzle like you just shit a box of Winchester white box.

I might have two pounds of long shot I would get rid of. I bought that for the 10mm right before I switched it over to True Blue


also, since you say you are new at this, get reloading manuals from multiple sources. I find the ones from bullet manufacturers to be more useful that the ones I have from the powder manufacturers. All the information is available on the respective websites, but I find having the book to be more useful. I've got the hornady, speer, nosler, lyman, hogdon, ramshot and lee books. Don't get rid of the old ones either. There are recipes in the older editions that aren't in the newer ones. The gun forums are great places for information too, there's always someone willing to help with accurate information


Awesome.  Thanks.


I'm starting slow.  I've been reading and researching for a year or so and finally "bit the bullet" and bought the press in August.  It's been sitting for couple months waiting on me to build me a good bench and finally did that and just mounted and set up the press couple weeks ago.  Well...I've been setting it up for couple weeks.  Fortunately I have been collecting reload supplies for quite some time.  Primers were the hardest to come by.  I have been conversing with several experienced loaders for quite a while too.  Started more for a hobby I wanted to learn and thought I would enjoy and learn for years to come.  I haven't really been looking forward to anything as much as this in a long time.  I started with the progressive because I want to learn to load for 6 calibers I shoot and be able to swap back and forth easily.  That and nearly all my shooting is plinking so the reality of needing super critical accuracy for anything beyond 500 yards is really not in my plans.  I know my shooting would be the weakest point of that endeavor anyway.  I figured I was mechanically competent enough to start with the progressive.  (well....let's not say mechanically competent, let's say I can reasonably understand the process and how the mechanics of the machine and the dies work.  I am pretty happy with the press so far.  Surprised a little at the precision - just never really got into the nuts and bolts of the ammo and process before..  Although without watching about 200 reloading videos the last year I would have had a couple head scratches moments with a few things.
I do have a newer hornady reloading manual and found an old one at a used book store recently, but the damn thing was priced higher than a new one so I left it alone...and it was in really poor shape.  I prefer a book to a website any day...but I haven't expanded my manual library yet.
I actually had 296 on my list of powders I would buy, But I could not find it when I went looking.  I found the 231 at Chantilly gun show (ugh).  I also bought a pound of IMR4064 to load the .223 and .308, but thought I would start with the straight necks first.  Actually found LP and SPM primers there...$39/1000 which aint great, but pretty great right now if you absolutely needed them like I did.
I also read some good articles (one by an old guy) who raved about the True Blue as excellent in everything (well within reason) but pretty well suited for my needs.  Now if only I could find it.....
I only have the one revolver and everything else is autos.
So far I've only set up the .357 dies and started there.  I actually don't have the 45ACP dies yet....(can't find them).  I have Hornady die for the 357 and RCBS dies for the 9mm.  The 9mm took me 3 months to actually get and only then from a contact a made in Colorado (bought some reload stuff from him) and he was in a farm supply store and saw they had them and called me on the spot and grabbed them for me...very nice)
Gun forums have been excellent sources of info...been "researching" and reading through reloading for some time prepping for my start.  Bought couple new reloading basic books too.


My timing isn't really the best for starting this endeavor and looking for supplies :wackysmile:




So where do you buy most of your reloading supplies?  I found Natches is has been pretty good on price, but right now nobody seems to have anything in stock (well anything I still need).  Plus shipping powder and primers is kind of pricey  (like you can find them anyway).
(hit the damn backspace key and everything here on down will be wiggy)
Guess I should have just PM'd this but oh well.

Thanks for the insights.

By the way....bought two new guns recently...Henry .357 in the all weather-stainless. (my first Henry) and it is really sweet.....(which is why all the .357 reload chatter above).  I also have a Ruger .357 mag GP100 6" stainless ...which was my first pistol ever owned...30+ years ago....but basically why I went with the Henry in .357

and finally.....just this week actually (and have not picked it up yet)...

Colt Gold Cup Trophy 1911, stainless (.45ACP).  Been wanting this gun for as long as I can remember (well...pretty much true of all the guns I own)  Used...but almost new.  Owner swears it has less than 50 rounds through it and has been his safe queen for 15 years.
Sounds like I'm a stainless nut, but not so...all my other guns are "normal" :wackysmile:


Sorry for such a long post....got all excited.  Thanks for the input.
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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #703 on: Thursday November 05, 2020, 09:55:34 PM Eastern »
I haven't bought anything in the last 4-5 months, haven't needed to. But, I've preferred to buy the stuff I've needed with cash, so, the Chantilly show which I don't think is that bad if you know what your looking for, Cabbelas in Gainesville, and I drive down to Richmond a couple three times a year to go to Bass Pro and Greentop. Mail order varies, but for supplies I use midway and brownells. My only complaint with midway is their shipping boxes. I would prefer things be shipped a bit more discreetly.


ETA...

It doesn't take very many rounds to put that primer circle on the breach face around the firing pin hole(maybe 25). I've bought quite a few things that didn't have that circle but were technically used. Guns quite literally last forever in the civilian world if you keep it from rusting while in storage. Buying used is no big deal.
« Last Edit: Friday November 06, 2020, 10:30:19 AM Eastern by alta »
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Offline ArJunaZ

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #704 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 09:59:19 AM Eastern »

‘The Hammer’ And ‘Scorecard’: Weapons Of Mass (Vote) Manipulation?
This is important.Steve Bannon interviewing General McInerney yesterday on a sophisticated NSA program named HAMMER.  It's a SigInt program modified by Obama named SCORECARD based on a Joseph Stalin vote manipulation mechanism.  It is being used to create a red mirage for Trump and then rack up votes for Biden during the count.


"THE HAMMER includes an exploit application known as SCORECARD that is capable of hacking into elections and stealing the vote.", according to CIA contractor-turned-whistleblower Dennis Montgomery, who designed and built THE HAMMER.





And this
https://www.technocracy.news/the-hammer-and-scorecard-weapons-of-mass-vote-manipulation/?fbclid=IwAR1dGHOBLVJZp-lnLhdwmCg-jgQzECfvjrV8nuNaU7HpGEACclJ4HtB5Xn4


I have maintained since e-voting came to be that there is no way currently to maintain the integrity of the votes cast at any point in the chain, especially at the point(s) of transfer over the Internet.
Be careful what you ask for America; you just might get it.

Offline zerofox

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #705 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 11:02:17 AM Eastern »
They don't need a supercomputer as a weapon of mass vote manipulation.

They have liberal media and liberal schools.





Imagine as an impressionable child you go to a school where teachers lean Left and teach you to share ("hey little Timmy you have too much Halloween candy from running around your neighborhood for 5 hours last night, you should give some of it to the children who didn't go trick or treating and opted to stay in playing with Legos") and treat everyone equally. Then you go home and your parents are catching the news on CNN until switching to Trevor Noah or SNL where a bunch of bad comedians poke fun at Republicans. Yeah sure they'll throw in some spoofs of Democrats just to appear fair, but the level of jokes/criticism definitely sway more harshly against the Right.

The Conservative equivalent of the CNNs and MSNBCs of the world is Fox News, and everyone just claims "Fox News is biased don't watch that!" while disregarding the fact that CNN and MSNBC also are biased in the other direction. In other words, people aren't saying "don't watch Fox News they are biased" they are saying "don't watch Fox News they don't agree with my values." And they don't have a Conservative equivalent of any entertainment TV, so as a child you're going to see guys like Trevor Noah, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and think "hey they are cool and funny I guess it's cool to lean Left and poke fun at the Right!"


So then how do you think you're going to identify politically when you're old enough to vote but not old enough to know better or know what it's like to have real responsibilities and a real career?

Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #706 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 01:26:33 PM Eastern »
I haven't bought anything in the last 4-5 months, haven't needed to. But, I've preferred to buy the stuff I've needed with cash, so, the Chantilly show which I don't think is that bad if you know what your looking for, Cabbelas in Gainesville, and I drive down to Richmond a couple three times a year to go to Bass Pro and Greentop. Mail order varies, but for supplies I use midway and brownells. My only complaint with midway is their shipping boxes. I would prefer things be shipped a bit more discreetly.


ETA...

It doesn't take very many rounds to put that primer circle on the breach face around the firing pin hole(maybe 25). I've bought quite a few things that didn't have that circle but were technically used. Guns quite literally last forever in the civilian world if you keep it from rusting while in storage. Buying used is no big deal.


Thanks Alta.


I have not checked out the Cabbales and that's not too far from me.  I actually ordered/bought my press from Brownell's as it was the only place that had it over the last 6-7 months I was looking.
I wasn't as prepped as I should have been when I went to the Chantilly show.  I had a friend working a table there and He snuck me in the back door for delivering some stuff to him.  I didn't have much time to spend and didn't take much cash.  Hindsite...I should have stopped and got more cash and bought every primer I could find.  I found some there for $40 per 1000 which is high, but not total robbery for today's times.  Guys are selling them on Gunbroker for $150 per 1000.  That's just robbing and taking advantage of people IMO, but people pay it so...
I bought a box (1000) #41, #34, and LP just to get me started.  Could not find any SPM or SP - but I have 5000 SP on hand so I wouldn't have bought SP now anyway.  I also have some SPM...enough to get me going anyway.







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Offline zerofox

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #707 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 01:47:58 PM Eastern »




Booking photos for Luke Harrah and Jarrod DeFerrari from the Multnomah County Jail.

Here are pictures of the latest and greatest "peaceful protesters" in Portland. They seem like well-adjusted, tax paying employed young men to me. I'm guessing they are Ivy League educated bankers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, CEOs, etc.   

Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #708 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 03:54:04 PM Eastern »



Booking photos for Luke Harrah and Jarrod DeFerrari from the Multnomah County Jail.

Here are pictures of the latest and greatest "peaceful protesters" in Portland. They seem like well-adjusted, tax paying employed young men to me. I'm guessing they are Ivy League educated bankers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, CEOs, etc.


paid cannon fodder for the leftist takeover of the U.S.


Every now and then I ask these people a simple question, it never gets answered...

If liberalism, which is just socialism under a different name, is so good why do leftists need to lie, cheat and riot to get it established wherever they go?
Knowledge is knowing that the Tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is knowing that you shouldn't include it in a Fruit Salad; Philosophy is wondering if a Bloody Mary counts as smoothie

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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #709 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 03:56:53 PM Eastern »

Thanks Alta.


I have not checked out the Cabbales and that's not too far from me.  I actually ordered/bought my press from Brownell's as it was the only place that had it over the last 6-7 months I was looking.
I wasn't as prepped as I should have been when I went to the Chantilly show.  I had a friend working a table there and He snuck me in the back door for delivering some stuff to him.  I didn't have much time to spend and didn't take much cash.  Hindsite...I should have stopped and got more cash and bought every primer I could find.  I found some there for $40 per 1000 which is high, but not total robbery for today's times.  Guys are selling them on Gunbroker for $150 per 1000.  That's just robbing and taking advantage of people IMO, but people pay it so...
I bought a box (1000) #41, #34, and LP just to get me started.  Could not find any SPM or SP - but I have 5000 SP on hand so I wouldn't have bought SP now anyway.  I also have some SPM...enough to get me going anyway.


Cabellas is owned by Bass Pro, all the reloading stuff is to the right of the fish tank. Last time I was there, pre covid and riots, they had plenty of everything in stock.
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Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #710 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 07:13:16 PM Eastern »
as far loadings go for the three you mentioned, my recipes are:[/size].357- 158 gr XTP bullet with 15.7 gr of 296, that should get about 1250 fps in a handgun. I could go              hotter but that load works well in the lever gun as well.45acp- 230 gr round nose bullet with 7.6 gr of True Blue for the range            230 gr XTP with 7.8 gr of True Blue for all else, I'd even be confident taking bambi with            that at less than 35 yardsA few more things to keep in mind, the maximum powder load is rarely the most accurate, and identical loads don't equal identical performance from identical guns. When you start loading for accuracy, like multiple rounds through one hole accuracy, you will need to try different powders, different powder charges, different primers, different bullet weights, different bullet manufacturers and even different brass manufacturers. They all will change the point of impact.and I get yer elder right here 


I didn't see your loading data when I first looked at your post (or your elder.... :snicker: )


So is the 296 a spherical powder?  I notice your load data is 15.7g
and my 231 data was only at 6.2 - 6.9g for the 158gr HP.


Why such a big difference in the amount of powder?  I mean I looked up the formula for 296 and you are spot on...I'm just not experienced enough to know the difference.  Do spherical powders require more grains/volume or is it just the difference in powder?
Actually...freaked my out for a minute.  Thought I had goofed big time and loaded about 50 shells with not near enough powder  :sick:
[size=78%].  I did go back and check it [/size]
[/size] :thumbsup:



[/font]
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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #711 on: Friday November 06, 2020, 10:31:56 PM Eastern »
Rich, where did you find the loading using 231, and what fps does it give? Yes, the 296 is a ball powder. Different powders from different manufacturers will be different sizes, but there shouldn't be that big of a difference unless it's a low power load, like a .38 special range load. Are you sure that 231 listing isn't for the .38 special? Not that will matter in that gun. The .38s can be safely shot in a .357 gun. But not the other way around.

I can't find a load using the 231 in a .357 magnum in any of my books, but the 231 is listed for the .38 special. That's why. What is stamp on the bottom of the cases you are loading? Does it say .38 or .357? It will work fine with what you are doing but it will be a much less powerful loading.

One thing that people like about powders that will fill a majority of the case is it's very obvious if you double charge the round. You don't want to double charge the round, ever. It could easily cost you a gun, some fingers, maybe a hand, or worse



« Last Edit: Saturday November 07, 2020, 06:10:26 PM Eastern by alta »
Knowledge is knowing that the Tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is knowing that you shouldn't include it in a Fruit Salad; Philosophy is wondering if a Bloody Mary counts as smoothie

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Offline zerofox

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #712 on: Sunday November 08, 2020, 12:34:49 AM Eastern »

paid cannon fodder for the leftist takeover of the U.S.


Every now and then I ask these people a simple question, it never gets answered...

If liberalism, which is just socialism under a different name, is so good why do leftists need to lie, cheat and riot to get it established wherever they go?


Because the Left has a mental age of 5. What did you do when you were 5 years old playing games with friends/family and wanted to win? You cheated to get what you wanted. What did you do when mommy wouldn't buy you that new toy you had your eye on? You threw a temper tantrum (riot) to get what you wanted. What did you do when your parents asked if you ate all your veggies because only then could you eat dessert? You lied to get what you wanted.



It's how they are conditioned to act. They haven't grown up enough to act otherwise.






And unfortunately when you take a bunch of people who lack maturity, intelligence, respect for authority, and a sense of responsibility, and put them in control of the nation...bad things happen. As a 5 year old you probably hoped for things like ice cream mountains and chocolate fudge fountains and free candy for everyone without thinking about the practicality or cost of it all. Well, the Left wants shit like Universal Basic Income and free tuition and free healthcare for all and higher minimum wage and they expect SOMEONE ELSE to pay for it.

Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #713 on: Monday November 09, 2020, 12:28:46 PM Eastern »
Rich, where did you find the loading using 231, and what fps does it give? Yes, the 296 is a ball powder. Different powders from different manufacturers will be different sizes, but there shouldn't be that big of a difference unless it's a low power load, like a .38 special range load. Are you sure that 231 listing isn't for the .38 special? Not that will matter in that gun. The .38s can be safely shot in a .357 gun. But not the other way around.

I can't find a load using the 231 in a .357 magnum in any of my books, but the 231 is listed for the .38 special. That's why. What is stamp on the bottom of the cases you are loading? Does it say .38 or .357? It will work fine with what you are doing but it will be a much less powerful loading.

One thing that people like about powders that will fill a majority of the case is it's very obvious if you double charge the round. You don't want to double charge the round, ever. It could easily cost you a gun, some fingers, maybe a hand, or worse


My Load data come from Hogden load data website. (pic attached)


158g HP bullet, .357 magnum Winchester shell, SPM primer, W231 powder. (6.2 - 6.9)


I did shoot it and it fired in both guns flawlessly, but it was certainly lighter than the Magtech factory ammo I compared to.  (the starting load of 6.2 was especially friendly)
I went back and loaded up to 6.8g and compared - much better and pretty equal to the Sellier & Bellot factory ammo, but still not as heavy (recoil) as the MagTech
Both factory ammo's are 158g bullets, one a flat tip and one a HP.  The Magtech is the HP and it definitely kicks more than the Sellier and more than any of my loads.  (I put two of mine, two of the Sellior, and two of the Magtech rounds into my Ruger 6 shooter and compared shooting them.)  Then I tried them in the Henry.  I could certainly tell the difference


I went back to the Hogden site and entered 296 and it does say 15.0 - 16.7g for the 296 (1418-1591 fps)


The 231 at these loads is only throwing 1108-1220 fps so I will try some other powders.  (The 231 is all I have at the moment).  I looked for True Blue and 296, but haven't found them yet.
(and I do not have a chronograph...yet, so I can't measure the velocities)


I actually found a used Hornady Load book at the used book store late Saturday, but I have not checked it yet (not sure what wifey did with it when we got home).  I have a 2020 Hornady and a new LEE book also on the way, but don't have either in hand yet.


Also, not sure how much if any difference, but I'm using X-treme plated bullets (158gr HP), but I believe as long as the weight & shape is the same...it's fairly uniform, as long as length, etc is all the same.  I have a X-Treme's load data manual, but it only shows three powders (Power Pistol, Hogdon CFE, Vihtavhuori N-110)


Also, I have a progressive press so double charges would be difficult and I am being extremely careful.  I do have a powder cop die (visual cue check), but I'm still looking for a Lee lockout die, but they are all sold out everywhere I've looked online.  I am overly cautious and check the powder weight every 10 shells or so and before and after the 1st and last full cartridge just to make sure.  I'm impressed the powder drop is as accurate as it is.  So far, so good.


Pretty happy with the loading project so far...getting the press set up and tested some loads (and still have all my fingers...and guns intact)  Glad I went ahead with the progressive (Hornady AP) for my needs.  Bit of a longer learning curve, but once you get the dies set it pretty darn efficient even with a rookie.

I've noticed some flaws.. well not flaws - some thoughts on using the stations.  I'm hand de-priming my old shells rather than on the press.  (I have not used any old shells yet, but...) IF I followed the press setup, station one is resizing and de-priming, (priming is between 1&2) station 2 is expander, 3 is powder drop, 4 is seating/crimping.  (all my dies are TC dies so far).
So basically, IF you are depriming on the press and resizing and then ...Well then you are not cleaning the primer pockets on the brass.  (assuming you are case prepping after cleaning, and before de-priming)
I plan to use a bullet feeder tube eventually, so that will take up a station, and IF I ever find the lockout die, that's another (which will require I use the powder thru expander die...which I don't have yet so I can remove my expander die and use a lockout after the powder drop)

I've read many folks saying cleaning the primer pocket is not necessary/critical for hand gun loads.  What say you senior member?
Also, what is your opinion on separate seating and crimping?  Also read a lot of folks prefer to do them separately.  (not that I have a choice with the dies I have so far)


Thanks for all the tips and advice.




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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #714 on: Tuesday November 10, 2020, 08:45:24 AM Eastern »
Depriming should be done before you put the brass in the tumbler to clean it. That cleans everything sufficiently for our purposes. You just need to check each piece to make sure you don't have media stuck in the flash hole. You could clean the brass with soap and stainless, you've got to dry it and you've still got to check the flash holes. I've thought about using a wet tumbler, so far I'm happy with the dry ones. From what I've read, cleaning the primer pocket any better than that only effects accuracy when you are shooting for bullseye at well over 500 yards. Even that seems to be more opinion than fact. You don't want to ream the pocket out, it doesn't take much to make the primer pocket too big to securely hold the primer. About every four loadings I will use a dental pick type tool to pick some of the carbon build up out of the pockets.

That N-110 is a good powder, and burns clean. But it's usually more expensive than everything else. It's on my go to list if I can't get 296 and need some powder, and as I learned from the shortages after sandy hook, I have nine pounds in stock. Some thing to file away that you should know is there are 7000 grains in one pound of powder. It makes it easy to calculate how many rounds you can make from each pound. My .45acp load uses 7.7, which is just a hair under a +P load, but my .50AE uses 34.5 grains. The .50AE is the desert eagle  8) . It's my favorite range toy, but it's expensive to shoot. While that gun has a reputation of bouncing the empty brass off your forehead, I find it very easy to shoot. The trick is strong wrists to keep it upright as it fires. The gun wants to twist to the left as that 300 gr bullet goes down the barrel.


I don't think you can make true magnum loads with the 231, but that's ok. Your wife will be happy with it. I know guys that have permanent nerve damage in their hands from extensive use of magnum guns, but usually from shooting the .44 and bigger.


I rarely use my Lee book, it's what came with the press. I started with the single stage, I wanted to learn everything on the single stage before I set up a progressive. Loading straight wall cases is easy. When you start loading shouldered cases you will ruin a few before you get it right. Years latter and I still haven't bought a progressive press yet.
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Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #715 on: Tuesday November 10, 2020, 10:35:01 AM Eastern »
That N-110 is a good powder, and burns clean. But it's usually more expensive than everything else. It's on my go to list if I can't get 296 and need some powder, and as I learned from the shortages after sandy hook, I have nine pounds in stock. Some thing to file away that you should know is there are 7000 grains in one pound of powder. It makes it easy to calculate how many rounds you can make from each pound. My .45acp load uses 7.7, which is just a hair under a +P load, but my .50AE uses 34.5 grains. The .50AE is the desert eagle  8) . It's my favorite range toy, but it's expensive to shoot. While that gun has a reputation of bouncing the empty brass off your forehead, I find it very easy to shoot. The trick is strong wrists to keep it upright as it fires. The gun wants to twist to the left as that 300 gr bullet goes down the barrel.


I don't think you can make true magnum loads with the 231, but that's ok. Your wife will be happy with it. I know guys that have permanent nerve damage in their hands from extensive use of magnum guns, but usually from shooting the .44 and bigger.


Yeah, I don't really even shoot the magnum that much anymore....Well I haven't in years.  The new Henry on the other hand.....has got me to break them out together.  I was a little surprised at the big recoil difference in the rounds.  Definitely need another powder.  This was ok for my very first batch of bullets.  I'll experiment with the 231 for some 9mm (and 45 eventually) and seek out some more powder.  You ever try Power Pistol?  I see it about everywhere I go.


Also, I have been shooting the semi auto guns so much over the last ten years, I found it a little awkward to grip the revolver.  I use a two handed grip on the autos, so it's like I forgot how to hold the magnum.  The grip is so far back and curved...just different and guess I lost my familiarity with it.  Now that I have a reload press...I guess I can play more  :uh-huh:
I have never actually tried .38 special in the magnum, but maybe I'll try a few of those.
The Henry is pretty mild to shoot with any of the loads....the gun is fairly heavy and nice recoil pad (and it's only a pistol magnum round) so even the heavier loads are pretty friendly in a rifle.  It's new to me this year, but I'm pretty fond of it.  It's fun to shoot (but then, what isn't).  I bought the all-weather stainless model which I prefer to the shiny gold finish guns.  Trying to decide if I want to try a scope on it.  I hadn't planned to, but I've noticed my lifelong Hawkeye vision ain't what it used to be. :'(   Don't want to ruin the look of this cowboy gun though.





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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #716 on: Tuesday November 10, 2020, 12:20:53 PM Eastern »
Henry makes a nice quality gun. A bit over priced in my opinion. I prefer Marlins. They have the side eject so mounting a scope is easy if desired, the action is far smoother than the "legendary" winchesters, and they are easier to reload than the Henry.


People don't realize Henry and Spencer predate the civil war, which predate Winchester, and Marlin is only two years younger than Winchester.
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Offline richkrt99

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #717 on: Tuesday November 10, 2020, 05:28:38 PM Eastern »
My only disappointment is that you can't reload the Henry from the side gate....cause there isn't one.  There are a few models that do have one (well at least one model) but I did not know that until after I bought it.  I mean, you can open the action and load one round, but there is no side gate to feed the rifle - just the tubular "magazine" which is kind of awkward IMO.  Not something I'd want to have to do in a hurry - not that I bought it for that....it's really just a plinker for me with maybe a varmit or deer (shhhh....Lil might see this) in it's future some day, but I'm not currently a hunter so mostly just a hobby gun.  Expensive hobby I got here...but I'm not into cars (not wealthy enough) or fishing (not yet old enough or Redneck enough,,,yet  (like Mick  ;) ) so....


I guess that's good...slows down the amount of ammo I'll burn up with it. :wackysmile:





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Offline alta

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #718 on: Tuesday November 10, 2020, 10:55:55 PM Eastern »
what in the actual fuck, but the socialist DNC run press said there is no credible evidence of voter fraud in an election where trump got a record 71,000,000 votes yet dementia joe got more...


https://www.theepochtimes.com/pennsylvania-100000-ballots-with-implausible-return-dates_3572942.html
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Offline ArJunaZ

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Re: The Calm Before the Storm
« Reply #719 on: Wednesday November 11, 2020, 10:04:04 AM Eastern »
Would you guys mind starting a reloading thread outside this one?
Cheers!
This one should get busy on its topic very soon.
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