What did you do at your reloading bench today?

[Hatchdog]

Continuing with my 7.62x51 loading project I made an interesting observation today. As I will be shooting this ammo in my M1A which is known to be sensitive to reloads I’m taking my time and being very carful. This is my first venture into loading for the M1A.

I’m using commercial brass which was factory loaded to military specs. I have Lake City brass which was from both Federal and Winchester 7.62 ammo and some brass from CBC (Brazilian manufacture) 7.62 ammo. All this brass is once fired as factory ammo only. Just to keep in my cautious process I checked the length of the brass and found it all to be .010 to .015 over the trim-to spec. In fact, the .015 is .005 over the length recommended for trimming. So I trimmed it to 2.005 as called out in both the Hornady and Sierra manuals. I trimmed 158 cases and I am flabbergasted at the amount of shavings I ended up. Sure glad I checked, in my reading it was noted that case length is critical in these rifles.

9F8E6D8B-8D3F-49B5-9A23-E693B37F5896.jpeg (149.77 KiB) Viewed 1582 times

44B716F0-7656-45F6-B11E-4247F4BFDD33.jpeg (118.58 KiB) Viewed 1582 times

[runnin n gunnin]

Hatchdog, is that and LE Wilson trimmer? If so its a whole lot prettier than mine !

Also, love the gladiator line of tool chests and cabinets.

[BigAl52]

Nope thats a forster trimmer. I love mine but hate that job. I put the drill adapter on mine Hatch makes that job a little easier.

[runnin n gunnin]

Yup I did the same with the Wilson. Tedious, but it works great and is accurate.
Yours is still prettier than mine !

[Hatchdog]

Hatchdog, is that and LE Wilson trimmer? If so its a whole lot prettier than mine !

Also, love the gladiator line of tool chests and cabinets.

Nope, as Al said it’s a Forester trimmer. I’ve never used a Wilson but I like the separate shell holder per caliber they use. The Forester is set with two set screws and can be a bit time consuming to get set up. Once set up it moves along pretty quickly.

Al, I’m going to look into the drill adapter you mentioned. Last night I thought I was getting a blister on my thumb from running the crank handle. Thanks for the suggestion.

That Gladiator bench is fantastic. My reloading room is in the basement and my stairs have a 90 degree turn. I purchased the bench from Sears and it came un-assembled and packed in a large cardboard box that I was able to take down the stairs on a hand truck. Assembled it in my room which worked out perfectly. I ordered the optional back piece which comes with seven outlets and keeps items from rolling off the back of the bench.

[BigAl52]

https://www.forsterproducts.com/product ... -trimmers/ Here you go Hatch. I use a Makita drill on mine. Light weight with a lithium battery works great no sore fingers

[Hatchdog]

Yesterday I got my laddered loads done for both my M1A and Mini-14. Hoping to hit the range later in the week to do some grouping.

[bandit1250]

This evening I loaded a box of 223 Rem. ammo for the little girl I posted the picture of with her first buck two seasons ago. Her Dad stopped in the day the car ran through our house and helped get the wall sealed up to keep the 10* cold out. I offered to pay him and he wouldn't take any thing so I told him I would keep his daughter, who was ten then, in 223 ammo until she was at least graduated from school. He offered to pay me in advance when he was here Saturday and I told him we had a deal and I was going to keep my end of it. A box or two of ammo a year for that little hunter will not break the bank. She has killed two bucks and several does she may have used two shots on one that her Dad told her to hit it again just to make sure it didn't get up. She has done well with the 223 Rem. 55 gr Speer bullets. I load the same load of powder for hers I load for deer in my 223 except I load the 60 gr. Hornady lead tip spire point. Her rifle is a Savage Axis. And yes it is a pink one!

[BigAl52]

Gotta love those Savage rifles Bandit. I have one in a 338 Win Mag and its a shooter.

[BigAl52]

Trimmed some 338 Win Mag brass today getting ready to put a few more together.