What did you do at your reloading bench today?

[Rifletom]

After ultrasonic cleaning using a high dollar dryer. Then loaded up some 350gr HCGC with 38 gr of LT-32.

I've seen that pic elsewhere. Hmm. THR?

[Vaquero]

A little something different and suspect something most have seen.
For scale, a loaded 22 mag and an empty 357 mag brass on the left and a 25-20 on the right. 32 colt

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RP

[.45Steel]

I loaded up 90 223s to add to the stash and 2 different batches of 12 44mags to try in my new Taurus 8 3/8" M44

[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.

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[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

[Travlin]

Randy, Many years ago when I was shooting my Colt Trooper .357 a lot, I was given a G.I. ammo can full of once fired military .38 special brass. I loaded them with my own cast 158 grain swc ( Lyman 357446 sized to .356) and 5.5 of Unique or if i used .357 brass 6.5 of Unique. I shot many thousands of these through the Colt with no leading and the revolver always had easy extraction and is still in time and locks up tight. As an aside I never had trouble switching between the two case lengths or was bothered by the "crud ring" from shooting the shorter .38 cases.

[Vaquero]

Well, I've been stuffing 357 cases today, got 100 done.
Yep, those 180 gr Pugnose over 11.5 grs. of 2400.
I get similar results at 50 yds. with that bullet and 9.4 grs. of Blue dot.
Thinking I'll stuff another 100 with it.

RP

[Vaquero]

Got those 100 stuffed yesterday also, then primed another 40 pieces.
Then sized those big ole 325+ gr 44's and stuffed three in some 444 Brass over 24.5 grs of 2400.
Then slung those at the gongs right quick, those are a Hoot no doubt.
And while I was at it, I made an order for 500 more , plus 250 of their 165 gr 30-30 bullets to try out.

RP

[Hatchdog]

Didn’t reload any ammo but did return my M1-A to its original factory configuration. I have it up for sale and with all the accessories on it I had it priced at a point that wasn’t getting any interest. So this way I am able to lower the price. We’ll see if this helps. Here’s a before and after pic just for shites and giggles.

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[bandit1250]

Nothing today yet. Yesterday evening I loaded 70 rounds of 223. One 50 round box and also a 20 round flip top box to carry in my truck when out in the country. I refill the 20 round box from the bigger boxes as needed. I have several thousand pieces of brass that I have been tumbling that are from my prairie dog and ground squirrel days in Wyoming and Montana. Lucky for me both the Tikka 595 Continental and Remington 700 shoot the same loads and overall length is very close with the Tikka being a few thousandths closer to the lands than my Remington. The loads I just loaded are loaded with Speer TNT 50 gr. and 26 grs. of 4895. Any windy days or rainy days I will be working on getting 223's and 220 Swift's loaded. Can't say enough good things about the Savage BVSS-S single shot Swift. One of the easiest to hit critters at long range unless the winds are bad. Gotta love having a Swift to shoot.
Take care. bandit

[Rifletom]

Got those 100 stuffed yesterday also, then primed another 40 pieces.
Then sized those big ole 325+ gr 44's and stuffed three in some 444 Brass over 24.5 grs of 2400.
Then slung those at the gongs right quick, those are a Hoot no doubt.
And while I was at it, I made an order for 500 more , plus 250 of their 165 gr 30-30 bullets to try out.

RP

Randy, those are cast 165's? I loaded some of those up with 9.0gr Unique and they shot pretty good. Just haven't tried enough of to make a strong opinion yet. Think you'll like 'em.

[Vaquero]

Got those 100 stuffed yesterday also, then primed another 40 pieces.
Then sized those big ole 325+ gr 44's and stuffed three in some 444 Brass over 24.5 grs of 2400.
Then slung those at the gongs right quick, those are a Hoot no doubt.
And while I was at it, I made an order for 500 more , plus 250 of their 165 gr 30-30 bullets to try out.

RP

Randy, those are cast 165's? I loaded some of those up with 9.0gr Unique and they shot pretty good. Just haven't tried enough of to make a strong opinion yet. Think you'll like 'em.

Yes, from MB Co. I've been shooting some 173grthat I've had for years, but running low and thought I'd try some of those.
Yep 9.5 has worked pretty good in both the Winchester Ranger and Marlin Texan.

RP