What did you do today in the world of reloading?

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

I used dial calipers since I started. I own a digital caliper but don’t remember ever using it. I just through it in the basket in one of my many trips to harbor freight!
Did you get your press yet?

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

I have case gages for rifle ammo and Lyman case blocks for rifle and pistol. Multi cal pistol block, I don’t know if I completely trust it. I’m loading lead boolits cast by someone else and it takes time to dial it in so it feeds.

Once people are moving around here I will compare a rifle round in my rcbs gage and the Lyman gage.

My buddy Gary, I think he’s a member here, trader4stuff on eBay, has Dillon case gages for everything he loads. He’s a former three gunner and probably one of the best pistol shots I know.

I’ll post back here Heretik.

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

Ho

Ozzman said:
When I need to firm up any mix (soft lead or whatever) I use linotype. In my experience, a ratio of 1/2 lb of pure linotype to every 1lb of soft lead (2:1) is sufficient to raise the BHN up to 12 for air cool and 14 for water cool. This hardness is slightly softer than Lyman #2 but sufficient for most pistol and slower moving rifle calibers. You can also add 5% tin and 5% antimony, but I have never had antimony set aside thus I have never done it that way.

Honestly, I like soft having a supply of soft lead for my homemade slugs, buckshot and .45 caliber loads (except .454 Casull).

FYI, yesterday I only picked up what feels like only 30 or so lbs of lead. It wasn't even close to 100 lbs as stated. I had to comb through aluminum and other "trash" and pick out what I could use. Oh well, 30 lbs is a good score anyway.

How big a pot do I need to mix that 2:1? I have the Lee 10#, iirc. Will that work? Slowly?

Dancing Heretik · Mar 28, 2020

xdmikey said:
I used dial calipers since I started. I own a digital caliper but don’t remember ever using it. I just through it in the basket in one of my many trips to harbor freight!
Did you get your press yet?

Nope. The dies, book, and calipers have shipped though. I should get them Tuesday when I go back to work.

TheMailMan · Mar 28, 2020

xdmikey said:
Ho

How big a pot do I need to mix that 2:1? I have the Lee 10#, iirc. Will that work? Slowly?

You must have slept through math class.

2:1 is a ratio. You can make ANY size batch you want as long as you use two parts of one and one part of the other.

TheMailMan · Mar 28, 2020

Ozzman said:
When I need to firm up any mix (soft lead or whatever) I use linotype. In my experience, a ratio of 1/2 lb of pure linotype to every 1lb of soft lead (2:1) is sufficient to raise the BHN up to 12 for air cool and 14 for water cool. This hardness is slightly softer than Lyman #2 but sufficient for most pistol and slower moving rifle calibers. You can also add 5% tin and 5% antimony, but I have never had antimony set aside thus I have never done it that way.

Honestly, I like soft having a supply of soft lead for my homemade slugs, buckshot and .45 caliber loads (except .454 Casull).

FYI, yesterday I only picked up what feels like only 30 or so lbs of lead. It wasn't even close to 100 lbs as stated. I had to comb through aluminum and other "trash" and pick out what I could use. Oh well, 30 lbs is a good score anyway.

2:1 is closer to 13 bhn. 3:1 is 11.7.

Lino is getting hard to find, says the guy with several hundred pounds in the shop, I like to stretch it out. I use 5:1 which gives me a 10.6 BHN, then sweeten it with a bit of tin. My actual mix is 15 lbs of pure, 3 lbs of lino, four ounces of tin. This gives me very close to a 96:2:2 alloy with a bhn of 11.

I can shoot this in my 300 Blackout and have no leading. The only things I need harder alloy for would be my .327 FM full house loads.

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

But if I powder coat this is almost a mute point right?

my pure lead source are roof stacks. Just break some off then some Lino if I find it.

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

@DancingHeretik
These are what I have but really only use the pistol one.
It failed me on 9mm: dropped in/out of gage but failed plunk test.
If you’re spending buy a case gage per caliber, pass the “group gages” imho.

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

@DancingHeretik

Wifee and I are drinking coffee watching Earth Odysee; in every instance it’s the female that protects the family!

popper · Mar 28, 2020

Roof jacks are fine for rifle at 1800, NOT pure at all. 2% Sb heat treated (400F for an hour and into ice water) is good to 2k fps in 30 cal. 4% HT is good for 2700. PC helps some but not a cure all. I have wilson gauges for rifle but just use barrel plunk for pistol. Gauges just verify sizer die setup (or maybe brass needs trimming).
Get antimony from Rotometal, surperhard and cast into bullets (IIRC they are selling pellets of it now). Add as needed. Cheapest way.

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

Thanks popper

TheMailMan · Mar 28, 2020

I've got a buddy selling Lino.

In my experience those roof jacks are pure lead. Very soft.

You still need some hardness when powder coating....depending on application. I've shot pure in my .45 ACP with powder coat or Hi-Tek. I wouldn't do it in my 300 Blackout or my 9mm.

rp- · Mar 28, 2020

Sized 400 more 223 last night and another 200 today. Leaves me about 250-300 left for tonight. Also got my powder dropped setup to run a batch of 450bm. Been shooting 230gr HAP just because I had them laying around but gonna work up a load with 240 and 300 XTPs as well. Researching load data for those today.

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Mills · Mar 28, 2020

Finished the batch of 30 carbine.
Is this exciting or what.

xdmikey · Mar 28, 2020

Good time Saturday night for noob Mills!

rp- · Mar 28, 2020

Mills said:
Finished the batch of 30 carbine.
Is this exciting or what.
View attachment 206877

What was your load? I just picked up some brass but haven't picked up a bullet for it yet. I've gotta do a bunch of 223s first.

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Mills · Mar 28, 2020

15g w296
Brass trimmed to 1.286.

rp- · Mar 28, 2020

Mills said:
15g w296
Brass trimmed to 1.286.

110gr half jacket? Was thinking about trying those Hornady ones.

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Mills · Mar 29, 2020

rp- said:
110gr half jacket? Was thinking about trying those Hornady ones.

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Armscor 110 fmj, also I have a stash of Berrys fmj .
Can not find any good deals on pulled milsurp anymore.
In this pic you can see the Armscor fmj, not as pretty as copper but they work fine.

Dancing Heretik · Mar 29, 2020

I just realized what I forgot to order, breech lock bushings.

I wonder what else I forgot.

What did you do today in the world of reloading?

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