First reloading session

[bimbo]

Well I have just come back from the range after firing my first hand loads.

Just wanted to say thanks for the advise and tips that I have found through asking questing and searching this forum. So thanks guys and girls.

Went to the range this morning with loads of 24.0gr through to 25.8gr of BM2 at 0.3gr incriments loaded with 55gr Vmaxs seated at 20 thou off the lands. I am using federal once fired cases which I decrimped using the RCBS swager - it was cheaper to buy the swager than it was to buy another 200 cases.

Groups ranged from just under 2inches to one which was 0.77 and the majority just under and over 1inch.

All my rounds went BANG, none went BOOM or Puff. So all in all I would call it a sucessfuly first reloading session.

Here is a pick of my coffee table reloading setup.



Thanks
James

[Simpson]

Well done James. Nothing like firing off your first reloads. It is a combination of nerves and excitement.

Reloading for the 223?

[V|PeR]

nice work James

How have you got the press mounted to the wood? Looking to do the same

[bimbo]

Loading for my stevens 200 in 223.

The press is mounted to the piece of 45x90mm with bolts and wingnuts and then clamped to the table. I did have it setup on the kitchen bench till I got kicked out into the loungroom by the misses

[tikka]

You get pride out of rolling your own. No factories for you anymore mate he he

[Plowboy]

Yeah still wanna do my own but with things going the way they are, not looking likely for a while yet.

Well done mate.

[als008]

Well done mate im sure you'll have hours of fun loading your own. I hope the dies are working well for you too...

[trevort]

welcome to the club. Good work!

[frakka]

Well done Bimbo, I'm gearing up to reload again and this remark raised alarm bells:

I am using federal once fired cases which I decrimped using the RCBS swager

Does Federal V-Shok and Vital Shok utilise crimped primers........I won't be able to knock some out until wednesday....?

[tikka]

Well done Bimbo, I'm gearing up to reload again and this remark raised alarm bells:

I am using federal once fired cases which I decrimped using the RCBS swager

Does Federal V-Shok and Vital Shok utilise crimped primers........I won't be able to knock some out until wednesday....?

No.

[frakka]

No.

Thanks for the in depth reply Tikka , it is indeed true, cups clean as a whistle. Looks like they crimp bulk ammo for use in autoloaders eg AR15's and even use a harder metal in the primers, something to do with protruding firing pins in these weapons. Just this week in NZ a soldier was injured when the cartridge detonated before the action closed.

[Plowboy]

What about american eagle stuff it's made by Federal. I have still yet to get the reloader to find out.

[tikka]

No.

Thanks for the in depth reply Tikka , it is indeed true, cups clean as a whistle. Looks like they crimp bulk ammo for use in autoloaders eg AR15's and even use a harder metal in the primers, something to do with protruding firing pins in these weapons. Just this week in NZ a soldier was injured when the cartridge detonated before the action closed.

No worries mate