RanchRoper's Reloading Ruminations

[RanchRoper]

I check it now every session. Thks

[clovishound]

I had one of the Lee balance scales. It was accurate, but a pain to use. A trip to the concrete floor rendered it unusable. I picked up an RCBS balance scale, which is much easier to use.

I use the little electronic FA for most of my QC powder checks. I use the RCBS to verify whenever I am dialing in a new weight on my measure, or anytime I have doubts about the reading I am getting from the electronic. I don't trust the FA as my only scale. It will start giving erroneous readings when the batteries start getting a little low, or when the wind is north by northwest. Usually not off by more than a couple tenths of a grain, but it lacks the dead on consistency of a decent balance scale IMO.

[CT_Shooter]

For peace of mind, I re-calibrate my Franklin Arsenal scale every time I turn it on. Then I take a tare with the pan in place. After that, the weight of the empty pan indicates that all is still well. I've never had to re-calibrate it twice during any reloading session.

The Lee scale is very accurate, but not as quick. I once lost the ball bearing and asked Lee if I could get a replacement. They said I had to ship the entire scale back to them so they could calibrate it with the new bearing. At the time, it was about three years old. No charge. Got it back in about a week and half.

I check it now every session. Thks

[RanchRoper]

I just use the bathroom scale now....what's the worst that can happen right?

[BigAl52]

One thing about that I bet you dont need the cheater glasses to see the numbers

[RanchRoper]

6.6 lbs of Universal....here we go

[RanchRoper]

Got another 50 rounds done tonight. Inventory looking good. Bring on the zombie apocalypse.

[RanchRoper]

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

[CT_Shooter]

Do NOT reload this case or cases marked like it.

https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cas ... ANK-brass/

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

[RanchRoper]

Thanks!....it was in a factory round cuz that is where All my brass came from. Weird. Must have shot fine first time around.
This is one reason to inspect each round, which I do.

Primer sounded strange during de-priming...made a distinct Ping sound...

[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.