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Discussion: Reloading Ammunition

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ironhand	Reloading Ammunition May 25 2009, 10:47 AM EDT Please post any questions or comments you might have. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you? Keyword tags: ammunition ammo reloading
Strategy	1. RE: Reloading Ammunition May 25 2009, 10:51 AM EDT I like this page, there is a lot of effort into this page, though it does have some thigns I don't really care about... However, I assume in the long run, knowing this kidn of stuff is essential to fixing/making/maintaing guns, since I use guns at the range that they have...so I just reload to reload... Post reply Do you find this valuable?
possumblaster	2. RE: Reloading Ammunition Nov 30 2009, 10:52 AM EST \| Post edited: Nov 30 2009, 11:03 AM EST I started reloading last weekend, did about 400 rounds, but have a few questions: 1. Can you use just the neck sizer die on brass for semi-automatics or do you have to use the full length sizer? 2. Do you tumble before or after lubing and resizing? I have read that some people tumble after resizing, but I have been tumbling before resizing so I don't gum up my full length die. 3. How important is cutting the case length in a .223? Every firing, 2nd, or 3rd? 4. In a 5.56 chamber with a throat that is .1" longer than .223, would you set the bullet .1" further forward to make up for the difference? 5. What do you think the most versatile powder is? I am using IMR 4320 right now because it seems to load in .223 and .308. I have been thinking of switching to H335 but it's only for .223. 6. What is the best way to remove the primer crimp on once-fired 5.56 brass? I have heard of primer pocket swagers, and a hand held primer pocket cutter. I am currently only using a deburring tool, but that isn't the best thing for primer pockets. Thanks. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ironhand	3. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 1 2009, 6:44 PM EST \| Post edited: Dec 1 2009, 6:45 PM EST "1. Can you use just the neck sizer die on brass for semi-automatics or do you have to use the full length sizer? 2. Do you tumble before or after lubing and resizing? I have read that some people tumble after resizing, but I have been tumbling before resizing so I don't gum up my full length die. " hey possum, again, sorry dude - I just got sidetracked : P 1) yes you want to full length size SPECIFICALLY for autos. I fact, when you get done, you'll see a little bulge where the bullet expands the case a bit AFTER it's seated into the shell. THIS IS GOOD. Keeps the bullet from getting pushed back into the case when it goes up the feed ramp. 2) I tumble first before anything else. yes, some others do this different places, but my biggest concern is getting tumble media in an empty primer pocket and blocking the primer hole. Them missing it and seating a primer. So I tumble my dirty brass first. It also makes things cleaner on the bench. Also, I don't use a lot of brass polish, I just clean the brass and don't worry that they're not factory "pretty". more coming............. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ironhand	4. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 1 2009, 7:15 PM EST \| Post edited: Dec 1 2009, 7:15 PM EST 3) Depends. Usually no. Case length IS important when it's extremely out of length, but this is usually caused by high pressure (max loads). If you're not shooting to the extreme of pressure, you really don't have to worry about this much. IF you are shooting military style stuff (like an AR15 in 5.56), it'll handle some variations without a problem. IF it's "tight tolerances" in a civilian style match .223, this MIGHT be an issue, but my experience is that I rarely if ever have to resize for length. 4) I won't worry too much about this either as the 5.56mm is built to handle some "slop". Otherwise things get TOO tight when dirty and will jam up. Issues with throat length are usually in getting things short enough to get the bolt closed and not making them longer. 5) I'm an IMR and Alliant powder guy, so I really use these more than anything else. The primary reason is that I like to have alot of experience with my powder so if I have to "improvise" a new load, I KNOW my powder. I do prefer versatility in a powder so I can use it for lots of different calibers verses using one specific to a caliber. Being able to reload more than one caliber is more of a benefit to me than getting the "max performance" out of any one caliber I have. I'd say the IMR 4320 is a good one - no complaints here. I use a lot of IMR 3031, but bump up to 7828 for my .300 Rem Ultra Mag. My very "cowboy" sounding recipe for 5.56/.223 is a full case of IMR 3031 and a 55 gr. Rem FMJ topper. This is a nice medium performance load that max's out the bulk load for the 5.56 case for easy measurement (and safe from any chance of overloading), is easy to reload in my single stage press and accurate enough for me to plink with. more coming..... Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
ironhand	5. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 1 2009, 7:26 PM EST \| Post edited: Dec 1 2009, 7:26 PM EST "6. What is the best way to remove the primer crimp on once-fired 5.56 brass? I have heard of primer pocket swagers, and a hand held primer pocket cutter. I am currently only using a deburring tool, but that isn't the best thing for primer pockets. Thanks." 6) okay, this one will make you laugh......I DON'T remove the military primer crimp! LOL! After, I'm going to go with thousands of rounds of 5.56mm I've fired, I've never really done this : P Yes, I realize that I should, but I'm about easy reloading and if I can get the primer to go in, I just cram it in - GENTLY! Yes, it does slightly mis-shape the primer, but I've always had it work. I do (on occasion) pitch a shell that won't take a primer, but it's just a few of them and I usually have hundreds. I use a Lee Hand Primer, which I recommend. Using a firm, but gentle press I seat my primers. If there's a lot of "bottoming" out type of resistance, I pitch the brass. This one you are just going to have to feel with experience - just watch where you're pointing the brass when you press the primer (just in case). IF I WERE to remove the primer pockets, I'd use a pocket swag on a cordless drill. It's a pain to do this to military brass and since you usually have a bucket full of the stuff - it will take forever. I'd really only do this if I wanted to salvage EVER piece of brass I had or found, but for now - I'd just go with it. I hope this helps, Possum : ) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
possumblaster	6. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 1 2009, 7:32 PM EST \| Post edited: Dec 1 2009, 7:34 PM EST Wow, thanks for the great info. I might try a few rounds of LC 5.56 brass without removing the primer crimp. I mistakenly primed 2 or 3 5.56 brass that I forgot to remove the crimp on, and they did seem to take a primer just fine. They just felt a little different going in. I will probably end up getting the pocket swager, but for now I will experiment more with just pushing them in. There can't be too much material over the primer after you deprime the spent brass. I am using the Lee Auto-Primer that mounts to the press and inserts a primer into a little holding device. When the press is lowered it angles the primer to the back of the case and crams it in there. Again, thanks for all of the info. It was a big help. Hell, I have more fun loading now than I do shooting! As far as powder goes, BL-C(2) is looking like the powder for me. I am only interested in .223 and .308. According to the load charts that powder will work great in both. But, I might as well use up the rest of this 4320. I have no gripes at all about the 4320 though, it burns CLEAN and shoots very well. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ironhand	7. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 1 2009, 7:36 PM EST \| Post edited: Dec 1 2009, 7:36 PM EST "Wow, thanks for the great info. I might try a few rounds of LC 5.56 brass without removing the primer crimp. I mistakenly primed 2 or 3 5.56 brass that I forgot to remove the crimp on, and they did seem to take a primer just fine. They just felt a little different going in. I will probably end up getting the pocket swager, but for now I will experiment more with just pushing them in. There can't be too much material over the primer after you deprime the spent brass. I am using the Lee Auto-Primer that mounts to the press and inserts a primer into a little holding device. When the press is lowered it angles the primer to the back of the case and crams it in there. Again, thanks for all of the info. It was a big help. Hell, I have more fun loading now than I do shooting! " Oh baby - you got the bug! Yeah, reloading is literally a blast! One thing I love is getting a little "down time" to reload. I usually load up my music and chill - it's really relaxing. It's a good day : ) My only major rule: No drinking AND reloading! Makes for a BAD day shooting! LOL! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
possumblaster	8. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 1 2009, 9:49 PM EST \| Post edited: Dec 1 2009, 9:49 PM EST " One thing I love is getting a little "down time" to reload. " The old lady is not as enthusiastic about reloading as I am... Spending half a day reloading already caused us one fight :) Oh well, she better learn to deal with it. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
John_234	9. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 2 2009, 2:45 AM EST \| Post edited: Dec 2 2009, 2:45 AM EST How many reloads do you think you get out of your ammo before tossing? Find any difference between plain and nickel plated brass? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
possumblaster	10. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 2 2009, 6:44 AM EST \| Post edited: Dec 2 2009, 6:58 AM EST "How many reloads do you think you get out of your ammo before tossing? Find any difference between plain and nickel plated brass?" Well, Ironhand has way more experience with this, but I have heard you can get about 8 reloads out of 5.56 if they aren't loaded to the max. Since I am still new to the hobby, I have one case that I loaded and fired consecutively and it has been reloaded 4 times and still looks great (no cracks at the neck, and trimmed once). Nickel plated brass is supposed to feed better, but at the cost of the plating chipping off and not lasting as many reloads. My storage goal will be to keep 4 times more bullets, primers, and powder than casings. I know I can reliably turn 10,000 loaded rounds into a potential of 40,000 rounds at a minimum. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ironhand	11. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 2 2009, 8:29 AM EST \| Post edited: Dec 2 2009, 8:29 AM EST "How many reloads do you think you get out of your ammo before tossing? Find any difference between plain and nickel plated brass?" Possum's right on here. A guess is ABOUT 8 reloads on bottlenecked stuff, but I'd go to about 10 on straight walled stuff. You're pretty much okay till you see a crack or other issue in the casings. Nickel stuff chips bad after a couple of reloads. You can still use them, but I'm not fond of the "extra resistance" it causes. In manual repeating types (bolt action, lever guns or revolvers) it's less of a problem. the other thing about nickel is that hair line cranks can be harder to spot. I prefer plain brass for longer life myself. I'd say Possum's 4-1 is as good an idea as I've heard too : ) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
brandon_a_boyer	12. RE: Reloading Ammunition Dec 2 2009, 9:53 AM EST \| Post edited: Dec 2 2009, 9:53 AM EST http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/educational.htm a few good articles on handloading Post reply Do you find this valuable?
KeithHardbodyWarren	13. RE: Reloading Ammunition Apr 12 2012, 9:38 AM EDT I've reloaded a few rounds of 30.06 with very satisfactory results, especially down range. I am considering reloading my .45 auto but I have a question about powder, I understand why you don't cross brands of powder but I can't find a real definitive answer as to why I can't use rifle powder in large bore hand guns, please elaborate ??? Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Sharpie41	14. RE: Reloading Ammunition Apr 12 2012, 10:53 AM EDT "I've reloaded a few rounds of 30.06 with very satisfactory results, especially down range. I am considering reloading my .45 auto but I have a question about powder, I understand why you don't cross brands of powder but I can't find a real definitive answer as to why I can't use rifle powder in large bore hand guns, please elaborate ???" Boom..... Thats why. Really it has to do with pressures and burn time Post reply 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
KeithHardbodyWarren	15. RE: Reloading Ammunition Apr 12 2012, 10:58 AM EDT I understand the boom thing, but that has more to do with quantity of powder verses burn rate, correct?? If I reduce the quantity of powder wouldn't that correct the boom rate?? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Sharpie41	16. RE: Reloading Ammunition Apr 12 2012, 11:04 AM EDT "I understand the boom thing, but that has more to do with quantity of powder verses burn rate, correct?? If I reduce the quantity of powder wouldn't that correct the boom rate??" I think you wouldn't have reliable ignition then. But I'm sure it has more to do with burn times and pressures Post reply Do you find this valuable?
KeithHardbodyWarren	17. RE: Reloading Ammunition Apr 12 2012, 12:36 PM EDT Please don't be offended but everything so far is none fact based, does anyone know of articles or videos of this subject?? Don't misunderstand, I'm not reckless and don't plan on doing anything stupid, but my suspicious side thinks the manufactures may have instigated a fear tactic in order to increase sales? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
OutlawJames	18. RE: Reloading Ammunition Apr 12 2012, 1:15 PM EDT \| Post edited: Apr 12 2012, 7:42 PM EDT "Please don't be offended but everything so far is none fact based, does anyone know of articles or videos of this subject?? Don't misunderstand, I'm not reckless and don't plan on doing anything stupid, but my suspicious side thinks the manufactures may have instigated a fear tactic in order to increase sales?" Yeah, right up until the time you see a firearm blow up in someones hands because they fudged a load. In reality it would be very very foolish, AND a huge liability, for manufacturers to do anything but play on the strait and narrow. Here is a pretty good sight for reloading info and data, http://www.hodgdon.com/ Yes you can play around with quantities of powder, but you better know what the powder is and what its rates are and what it will do in various size cases. I dont even mess with trying out different powders for something they were not ment for, and I have been reloading for 40 + years. There are to many good powders, for pistols, rifles and shotguns for there even to be a need to cross the genres. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?

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