Getting started

[Cofisher]

I have begun!

I acquired the Lee breech lock hand press. Using the universal decapper, I deprimed 400 cases. I am now running 50 case batches through the cleaner. The results are amazing. I am using a rotary drum cleaner from harbor freight and stainless media.

Next up will be priming. Waiting on the right primers. Planning on the Alliant 2400 powder. Bullets will be Hornady XTP 158 grain HP.

All this to make my 357 steel carbine shoot straight and hard.

Very excited to work up good loads. Will keep you posted.

Jim

[JEBar]

nice .... per Hannibal, "I love it when a plan comes together"

[Cofisher]

I tend to move slowly. And plan a lot. I really don't like the problems of dealing with mistakes.
If I can get to three or 4 inch groups shooting offhand, I will be very happy.

NGC is such an inspiration. I know, practice, practice, practice. 50 yard offhand iron sight shooting is the ideal in my world.

[Rifletom]

I have begun!

I acquired the Lee breech lock hand press. Using the universal decapper, I deprimed 400 cases. I am now running 50 case batches through the cleaner. The results are amazing. I am using a rotary drum cleaner from harbor freight and stainless media.

Next up will be priming. Waiting on the right primers. Planning on the Alliant 2400 powder. Bullets will be Hornady XTP 158 grain HP.

All this to make my 357 steel carbine shoot straight and hard.

Very excited to work up good loads. Will keep you posted.

Jim

Well, you've picked a good powder and a very good bullet. I use the same for handloading for my BB Brass .357. A good middle of the road load of 2400 is very easy shooting and accurate. How do you plan on crimping your rounds? A Lee Factory Crimp die is priceless for this. Good luck and any questions I can answer, I'd be happy to do.

[Cofisher]

Thanks Tom. I got the 4 die set from Lee. Including the FCD. Like I said, a lot of research and planning. I am ordering a bullet puller in anticipation of oops moments.

[ESquared]

We're on parallel paths. I have the Hornady Classic kit, the Lee 4-die set and the same Harbor Freight tumbler.

I've decapped about 200 rounds, all 30-30 so far, and will be starting with Hornady new brass and 158 XTPs, Winchester Lg Pistol Magnum primers and H101.

Will begin running even the new brass through the sizer next week, but because. Slow is the name of the game for me, too.

[Cofisher]

I picked up a couple hundred primers at the LGS yesterday. I now have 200 cases cleaned sized and primed. Waiting on powder and bullets next week. This is fun, except for the waiting.

[BigAl52]

Im betting the sweet spot with 2400 will be right around 14.5 grains.

[Cofisher]

We will see. Starting lower and working up.

[JEBar]

We will see. Starting lower and working up.

historically, that is very sound advice and is well worth following .... that said, in recent years I've moved in a different direction .... for the most part, I use Nosler bullets .... I believe that they know more about their bullets than anyone else .... in their manual they offer a variety of powders and charges for each of them .... the first thing I try is the powder and charge that they recommend as being the most accurate .... if it performs to a level I'm happy with, that pretty much ends the search .... if not, then I try to tweak .... if the powder they recommend isn't available or isn't one I am willing to use (personal preference) follow their recommendation for a powder I will use

[clovishound]

Well, during the great shortage, a couple years ago, I had the "opportunity" to try several different powders from necessity. Once things got back to normal, I discovered two pistol powders that work extremely well for my needs and calibers for general range use.

I make sure I have plenty of these two powders on hand all the time. If for some reason, I get low, I have a bunch of powders I don't really like that much, but will do the job, available to make ammo with until I get my favorites back on the shelf.

For info, the two powders I use all the time are Universal, and Trail Boss. Loading for 9mm, .38, .357 and .45 ACP. I use Universal for 9mm, .357 and any plated or jacketed bullets, and Trail Boss for cast and coated in .38 and .45 ACP.

[Cofisher]

Thank you both for the tips. The a seven looks like a good idea. The universal, maybe not so much. There are reviews stating inconsistencies. I'm too new to deal with that.

[Cofisher]

Ohhh, that was a long wait. Just received powder and bullets. Immediately flared 10 cases to fit bullets.

First 10 will be 10.4 gn. For practice. Then will start up the scale to look for best load.

Thanks for all the help. Really liking this.

Will post shooting results asap. May have to acquire a chrony.

[BigAl52]

What powder are you starting out with?

[JEBar]

Will post shooting results asap. May have to acquire a chrony.

looking forward to seeing the results .... a Chrony is the type of tool you many not use often but when you do it provides some really valuable info .... not the least of which is running its info through a ballistics program where you will learn the trajectory of the bullet at any given distance

[Cofisher]

Using the 2400.

[Cofisher]

My new setup. I ordered the Lee single stage press. Still working with minimal space due to small apartment.

After about 500 rounds with the hand press, I decided to upgrade. The hand press is now set up for decapping. Latest batch of cleaned brass is drying.

My early loads were an assortment of loads using 2400. I will post the shooting results in the range reports.

I am now loading H110 with Zero 158 grn HP. I started medium high with this.
I hope to get out to try them soon.

I will be out this weekend with the American Eagle 158 soft points looking for deer.

The excitement continues to build.

Hat tip to JEBar for the lead to Zero bullets.

[JEBar]

looking forward to following your continued reports .... looks like you are well on your way

[CT_Shooter]

My new setup. I ordered the Lee single stage press. Still working with minimal space due to small apartment.

If you haven't done it already (I can't tell from the photo), you will find the quick change bushings for the Lee single stage will make a huge difference. They just pop in and out without the need for adjustments.

I look forward to reading about your progress, too.

[ESquared]

Great job getting it set up to your liking! It's fun diving into a new hobby like this. My Harbor Freight rock tumbler is churning away right now with my first load of 357 decapped, dirty cartridges.

The "recipe" is about a pound of brass, a pound of stainless steel tumbling pins and a pound of hot water with a squirt of Dawn and lemon juice.

Will give it a couple hours (+) and see how they look.

Keep us posted on your results - look forward to comparing notes!