Baldrage's reloading log

[baldrage]

COAL ? from 1.113 down to 1.105

That is WAY too wide a spread.  Something is wrong.

? It's only ~0.008" so he's closing in.

? On the primer issue...
? Call Dillon CS and describe your issue. At least you'll get some new tips.
? Run a cleaning patch down through the primer tube, just like a gun barrel.
? Each time you install the primer tube you have to slide (not drop !) the tube into place, then rotate the tube until it engages the flange on the end of the tube and drops another 1/8 inch. THEN you can screw on the knurled cap.
? Get a 45ACP brass and a 147gr bullet. Put the bullet inside the brass. Press the brass onto the top of the black Dillon primer follower rod.

Hope this helps. 

Thanks, Wobbly, good tips, I will give them a try.

[Wobbly]

I can't believe you're still here ! 

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

FWIW, *with mixed range brass* plus or minus .005 seems normal to me. I can pretty much tell you about what the OAL will be by how much pressure it takes to seat the bullet. Not all brass is created the same. <shrug> Now, if I sort the brass, I can set it, and OAL will be very close.

[baldrage]

FWIW, *with mixed range brass* plus or minus .005 seems normal to me. I can pretty much tell you about what the OAL will be by how much pressure it takes to seat the bullet. Not all brass is created the same. <shrug> Now, if I sort the brass, I can set it, and OAL will be very close.

Yeah, with sorted Blazer or Federal brass and X-treme bullets, I'm normally with plus or minus .003.  The Win brass and Blue Bullets results resulted in much higher deviation for me.

I just did a load of 200 rounds mixed PMC, CBC, and RP brass, and as you say, my deviation was higher than than with sorted brass.

[baldrage]

I've settled into RMR 124 gr RN plated bullets, WSP, 4.2 gr HP-38, 1.125 OAL as my current standard round for now, while I experiment here and there with a few other bullets.  Closing in on close to 4,000 reloads since I started this last fall.  Have loaded close to a thousand of these, and they have loaded and shot with no problems, and are certainly accurate enough for skill level and purpose (IDPA).

I picked up two pounds of WSF, and have been experimenting with that powder and 115 gr FMJ from RMR, 1.120 OAL, S&B primers.  Ran a ladder, and two test batches of 50 rounds each at 5.1 gr and 5.3 gr of WSF.  A little snappier than 124 gr bullets, but seemed just as accurate, and the perceived recoil difference evaporated after the first couple of rounds.  I'm going to load up the rest of my 500 round test batch at 5.2 gr and 5.3 gr WSF and see if they would be acceptable as a back-up to my standard RMR 124 gr RN.

Next up, I would like to try out some of the RMR 124 gr "Hard Core" Hollow Point rounds with WSF.  These bullets plunked very short in my SP01 Shadow barrel: ten dummy rounds ranged from 1.0585 up 1.09 OAL, with 1.0645 to 1.0655 being the most common.  Based on those results subtracting .010 - .015, I'm looking at an OAL of ~1.055.  These bullets are .555 long, so seating depth would be .75 + .555 - 1.055 = .250.  RMR states that their "Hard Core" plated can be loaded to mid-range jacketed, so looking at load data for something comparable (124 gr JHP with WSF), I see past threads in this forum on Precision Delta 124 gr JHP, 1.09 OAL, load ladder of 4.4 - 4.8 gr WSF (seating depth = .243); Montana Gold 124 gr JHP at 1.065 OAL with 4.7 or 4.8 gr WSF (seating depth .264).  I haven't been able to find any WSF data with 124 gr JHP in any of the manuals that I have access to, but did some find some data for HP-38/Win 231:  Lyman manual has Sierra 125 gr JHP, 1.075 OAL (seating depth = .222), 3.9 - 4.4 gr Win 231; 124 gr HAP, 1.069 OAL, 2.8 - 3.3 gr HP-38 (seating depth = .253). 

Based on these comparable data points, I've convinced myself that 1.055 OAL isn't too deep, since I see other 124 gr JHP with very similar (or even deeper) seating depths.  Looking for some confirmation/second opinions on a good load window: I'm thinking 4.3 - 4.7 gr WSF, working up in .1 gr increments.  Am I thinking about this the right way?  Anything I've overlooked?  Does that seem like a reasonable load window?

[LarryBoy]

Baldrage I too am a new reloaded with about 2500 rounds all using HP-38. Did you see any difference with the WSF as far as cleaner, smokier or any other differences. Just curious as to why you chose that powder.

[baldrage]

Baldrage I too am a new reloaded with about 2500 rounds all using HP-38. Did you see any difference with the WSF as far as cleaner, smokier or any other differences. Just curious as to why you chose that powder.

I wanted to try WSF because many of the tribal elders here and at Brian Enos forums sing its praises.  Wobbly, in particular, once referred to it as ?poor man?s Vhita Vouri?.  Also because I wanted to have at least one alternative powder to HP-38/Win 231 established for when the next great ammo shortage occurs.

I have not yet done a side-by-side comparison (same bullet, same cases, same primer) of WSF against HP-38/Win 231, so I can?t say whether it is cleaner, reduces felt recoil, is more accurate, emits unicorn farts, etc.  On my to-do list is to load a WSF version of my ?standard? RMR 124 gr plated RN load and do a side-by-side comparison.

[painter]

Baldrage I too am a new reloaded with about 2500 rounds all using HP-38. Did you see any difference with the WSF as far as cleaner, smokier or any other differences. Just curious as to why you chose that powder.

I wanted to try WSF because many of the tribal elders here at Brian Enos forums sing its praises.  Wobbly, in particular, once referred to it as ?poor man?s Vhita Vouri?.  Also because I wanted to have at least one alternative powder to HP-38/Win 231 established for when the next great ammo shortage occurs.

I have not yet done a side-by-side comparison (same bullet, same cases, same primer) of WSF against HP-38/Win 231, so I can?t say whether it is cleaner, reduces felt recoil, is more accurate, emits unicorn farts, etc.  On my to-do list is to load a WSF version of my ?standard? RMR 124 gr plated RN load and do a side-by-side comparison.

Here at Brian Enos forums? 

I guess if I don't even know where I am I really don't know siccum.

[baldrage]

D'oh!  Word missing ... I meant to type "here AND at BENOS forum"!

I will edit to add in "AND"

[painter]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Wobbly]

I can't believe you're still here !

 

[painter]

Where?

[Wobbly]

Actually I think you'll like WSF. It meters excellently (as good or better than 231) and burns very cleanly. Let us know how you feel about it.

[baldrage]

I loaded up 50 rounds of 115 gr RMR RN with WSF at 5.2 and 5.2 gr.  I also loaded up a ladder of 124 gr RMR RN from 4.4 - 5.0 grs.  I will report back after my next range trip.

I would still greatly appreciate some confirmation/advice on my planned load window (4.3 - 4.7 gr WSF) for 124 gr RMR plated HP, per post above. This will be my first attempt at loading HPs, so would like to hear whether there is some consideration I have missed.

[romukom]

WSF was the first powder I used when I first started when I could not find any 231.  When I had the chance to try 231, I still prefer WSF