RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

[BigAl52]

Nice catch CT and RR. I would throw that one away also

[Old Syko]

Reloading tonight and saw this. First one I have seen in hundreds of reloads and never noticed on factory rounds. "Blank"?

Either this case is mis-stamped or it actually is a blank case with the larger flash hole. Either way, unless you're running right on the ragged edge of allowable pressure it'll still be fine. There are a lot of variations between manufacturers that equal this difference yet few people pay any attention to them. As an example, 45acp is loaded with both large and small primers and over as many as 4 different flash hole sizes. And in 5.56 there are differences from every manufacturer and even between examples from the same manufacturer. When running at pressures less than max most will never know any difference. This is why I never push the edge on pressures other than on one of my bench guns. Besides, best accuracy is usually achieved below max anyhow. I do have one bench gun that begs for more but it is a strange duck.

[Mistered]

it was in a factory round cuz that is where All my brass came from.

I would at a minimum contact the Mfg. of the ammo and send them the pic and ensure they know it was from a box of new ammo.

[RanchRoper]

Black Hills maybe but not sure.

Ok, I think I figured it out. Very unlikely it came in a box of factory ammo from Black Hills. However, when I bought my 1860 Henry, my dealer gave me a free box of his reloads. He participates in cowboy shootings for entertainment shows, parties, events, etc. They stage fake hold-ups, etc.

They shoot blanks. So the box of 50 he gave me probably had this brass in it. I am on the lookout as I reload to catch any others and I'll mention it to him. He reloads on a big Dillon press and may have just missed one. I read that the issue with the large presses that crank out hundreds of rounds quickly can be difficult to inspect each round. Or maybe he has had no issue with loading live rounds with this brass and didn't think anything of it.

Whatever; I am not making live rounds with it. Thanks for the info CT.

[RanchRoper]

Rainy day reloading. 125 rounds done today. I really like the little Lee turret press. Very easy to use and maintain.

[JEBar]

I really like the little Lee turret press. Very easy to use and maintain.

good to hear you've become comfortable with your equipment .... I've never used a Lee Turret Press but do use several other Lee products .... they've always performed as advertised

[RanchRoper]

Loaded up a box of 50 rounds today that are marked just for use in my 1885 High Wall once it shows up. 7.2 gn of Universal with some 250 gr lead. Hoping those will be a good thumpers out to 250 yds coming out of a 32" barrel.

[Mistered]

I really like the little Lee turret press. Very easy to use and maintain.

Typically nothing but positive reports from the owners of them.
If I had to do it all over I would go with a turret style.

[RanchRoper]

It is a very relaxing press to use, and I like that I can visually & physically pull a round out to inspect through the steps...I did 50 today in about an hour.

[jimbo510]

I started out with a lee turret and I really liked it. I ended up upgrading and I gave the lee to a buddy to use.