What did you do at your reloading bench today?

[Vaquero]

Good morning my fellow loaders, I've been at the bench this morn.
I've sized, expanded, and primed a bunch of 357 brass.
Also have the tumbler running, first was a batch of 45 colts,
now there's a small mixed batch running.
Mostly 41 mag., with a few 38-55, 30-30, and 35 Rem.

While working the 357 I knocked the primer tray off the bench
Luckily I recovered them all, found most right off, but 2 evaded me for a while.
Years ago I wouldn't have sweated it but with the price of those bad boys these days I don't want to lose any now.

So I have a question for the 357 guys. I'm looking for a 158gr cast load.
I've been playin with those 180gr Pugnose for so long that I don't recall what I used to load.
Been through my notes and didn't find anything.
If anyone cares to share I'd appreciate it.

RP

[Rifletom]

Randy, do you have any Universal? If so, try 6.0gr with that cast 158. Worked super in my Henry.
5.3gr Unique ain't too shabby either.

[Vaquero]

Randy, do you have any Universal? If so, try 6.0gr with that cast 158. Worked super in my Henry.
5.3gr Unique ain't too shabby either.

No sir, no universal, I have plenty of unique though. Do appreciate the reply buddy.
Once I pulled the bullets off the shelf, what I thought were 158's turned out to be 163-164.5
But probably close enough, that said I did finally found a note that I had used 9.4 grs of Blue dot with both a 158 and the 180gr PN.
So I've loaded 24 to try. I checked a couple manuals and only one listed unique, Lee's and it shows 6.2-6.8.

It's raining here today so no real range report, but I'm going to step out on the back porch and see if I can hit a gong anyway.
I text with Al earlier and he said he used 7.0 grs unique with some 147gr.

RP

[Rifletom]

Sounds good Randy. Ohhh, how about 2400? 11.0gr? Hmm.

[Vaquero]

Oh yeah, got quite a bit of that.
I'll stuff a few with it, Thanks.

RP

[Hatchdog]

It’s been 3-4 years since I last used my Lee turret press so I decided to re-introduce myself to it. I choose 9mm to load and the last time I loaded 9mm I used my single stage press. So not only did I have to remember how to set up the press I also needed to adjust the dies. Both good challenges to get the old brain matter going. The Lee press loads one cartridge at a time so while slower than a progressive the operator can monitor each step. I am constantly amazed at how accurate the plastic and pot metal auto powder measure is. Durning set up once it settled it threw a constant 6.4 grains of Power Pistol. And while loading 50 cartridges I do a weight check on every 10th and all five checked were exactly 6.4.

For now I just loaded 50 but I’ll do a couple hundred more probably early this week.

IMG_4649.jpeg (3.15 MiB) Viewed 174 times

[Vaquero]

Hatch one is what I do all my loading with, but I removed the auto indexing rod and use it as a glorified single stage.
Like the other day, I just went back and forth between the sizing die and the expander/powder despensing die.
I would then inspect each case before priming, found 2 pieces of nickel brass that had slight splits at the mouth that got tossed in the scrap brass bin.
When I'm loading I generally weigh powder on the Hyd electronic scale and set in a tray then load and crimp all at once.
I have a single stage press but I use it with a universal decapping die, or when I cast I put in the correct sizing die.

RP

[Vaquero]

Right now for who knows how much longer, but I can but 9's as cheap if not cheaper than I can load them.
I should probably pick up some bullets though as I don't have a lot on hand and we don't know how long these good prices will last.
I bought 200 rds. week before last for under $60.
Midway does have Winchester 124gr for $120 per k at the moment with free shipping this weekend.

RP

[fortyshooter]

Late to the party Randy but with a 158 gr. MB cast bullet 6.0 of Power Pistol is a mild 357 Mag. plinking load that I use. I am getting set to load 357 Mag now with loads for plinking and some 158 JHP for business.

[Vaquero]

Late to the party Randy but with a 158 gr. MB cast bullet 6.0 of Power Pistol is a mild 357 Mag. plinking load that I use. I am getting set to load 357 Mag now with loads for plinking and some 158 JHP for business.

Thanks, I appreciate that. I've never tried that powder.

RP