Success learning to reload!

[mmlreiner]

So, I’ll try and sum this up for y’all.

Over a year ago a friend of mine told me I was crazy for paying $68/box for some custom loaded ammo and offered to reload for me for much cheaper. At first, I said no several times but I knew he wanted to help so I eventually gave in. I bought all the stuff he needed, using my once fired brass, federal match primers, Berger bullets, die set and I opted for H1000 powder. Off he went. He was essentially trying to replicate the accuracy of the ammo I was already using and I think he got very close so we settled on a specific load work up.

Some time went by and between us, there was a weird situation that happened which shouldn’t have anything to do with this but I can’t help but think it did.

The next 36 loads he made for me were dirty, 1/3 or the primers weren’t seated and wouldn’t chamber and they DID NOT shoot like the last few he loaded me. At the advice of a fellow TBHer, I decided to buy all the stuff to learn to load myself. (Yeah, in the middle of Biden and a pandemic)

So......fast forward to today. I have read a stupid amount of literature and listened to my newly found friends advice and this is my very first 19 rounds loaded. Now this will change because I was using the deconstructed loads from my “buddy’s” stuff. My properly cleaned brass will be here next week and I’ll have to resize and trim them up but I’m hoping I can keep the good luck going.

To anyone thinking of reloading, it’s not that hard. I’ve read tons and tons of recipes and just started low and paid attention to all the measurements. First target was the very first loads and I was super nervous. Second target was from today

The center target of the second set is 4 rounds. Everything else is three shot groups going up in .2 grain increments.


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[cva34]

The mechanics or reloading are easy....even with minimal cheesy equipment...There is so much Reading required ,on line/books/load manual..Researching loads loads /bullets/powders/brass/powders......That what makes it HARD almost overwhelming.

Once ya got the load developed/perfected its EASY the mechanical. with Brass ready just prime / weigh put powder in/seat bullet to proper depth...WALLA

The learning curve is long...and with 100s of powders/20 or so primer choices/about same in brass choices/and 100s of bullet brands,weights,shapes,material...All that makes for THOUSANDS of Combinations!!!!!!

ENJOY I been reloading since the mid-50s Know it all HECK No...Still Learning

[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by cva34

The mechanics or reloading are easy....even with minimal cheesy equipment...There is so much Reading required ,on line/books/load manual..Researching loads loads /bullets/powders/brass/powders......That what makes it HARD almost overwhelming.

Once ya got the load developed/perfected its EASY the mechanical. with Brass ready just prime / weigh put powder in/seat bullet to proper depth...WALLA

The learning curve is long...and with 100s of powders/20 or so primer choices/about same in brass choices/and 100s of bullet brands,weights,shapes,material...All that makes for THOUSANDS of Combinations!!!!!!

ENJOY I been reloading since the mid-50s Know it all HECK No...Still Learning

Agreed! I never wanted to do it because it’s so much information but after sort of being thrust into having to do it......once I settled on a specific bullet, primer, brass and seating depth it was really just a matter of figuring out which powder I was using and what the grain weight was. At the moment I’ll only be able to repeat that exact load for about 200 rounds and then I’ll have to switch powders unless I can trade for more of the same. I grabbed three other powder choices so I may end up playing with those but since I’m only loading the one caliber it can’t be that difficult. (Hope I didn’t just jinx myself lol)


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[bustacap]

Well done!

[SmTx]

Just wait until you kill your first animal with one. The shine has worn off for me at this point, since it's now routine to just load myself, but when I first started it tickled me pink to kill with something I loaded.

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[scotty]

Nicely done! Great looking groups.
What powder are you looking for?

[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by scotty

Nicely done! Great looking groups.
What powder are you looking for?

So the current load is using RL26. I’ve got about 1.5 lbs of it.

Then I’ve got 4lbs of IMR 7977
3 lbs of V565
1.5lbs of h1000

I’ve read extensively on all of these options and I think As I use up one, I’ll just move to the next.

If I could trade for some more of the rl26 I would but I’m not going to stress on it.



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[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by SmTx

Just wait until you kill your first animal with one. The shine has worn off for me at this point, since it's now routine to just load myself, but when I first started it tickled me pink to kill with something I loaded.

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I’ve got an upcoming work weekend and I just might try and kill something while I’m there. I can’t wait!!!!


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[Hoytbowhunter]

Very nice, mmlreiner let me know when I can put my order in lol. Great work,

[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by Hoytbowhunter

Very nice, mmlreiner let me know when I can put my order in lol. Great work,

LOL. Well with no one able to find 6.5 prc ammo I thought about it!! I'm just glad i picked up supplies to do it and learned. At this rate I can load 1,000 rounds and that will last a loooong time.

[meltingfeather]

Nice!
Congrats

[Button]

Right on.
I’ve been slowly gathering the equipment to reload. I have almost everything but get side tracked with new stuff. Like arrow building equipment. If I remember correctly all I need is some dies. Everything else is already bought.

[Mike D]

Good job Misty!

Now I gotta know, where did you find VV N565 actually in stock?!


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[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by Mike D

Good job Misty!

Now I gotta know, where did you find VV N565 actually in stock?!


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I picked up some from a TBH member actually but I got an in stock notification from midway at 1000 this morning. Or course I was asleep so it’s out of stock again but it’s worth adding yourself to the notification lists cause occasionally they come in stock.


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[txpitdog]

Great job! I enjoy reloading as much as I do shooting and hunting. I like the Alliant Reloader series of powders, but I’ve got some others to try.

It looks like you’re dialed in really well, but another good tool would be a Chrony. It will tell you if your bullet velocities are consistent, which will mean a lot more for accuracy with longer distances.


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[mmlreiner]

I have the chrono but because of the weather I hadn’t wanted to take it just yet. I’m going to shoot a few more grain weights before I settle on anything but I’m waiting on my brass to get here. I’ll probably tinker with the 140grain bullets I have also using that h1000 or the 7977. The N565 is for the 156 EOL bullets and I may have just scored another 4lbs of RL26 pre Biden prices so I’m super duper excited!


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[bluemarlin]

yea... I'm jealous.
I've got a brand new Browning Max Long Range in 6.5 PRC.. and no ammo

[fish4food]

If you don’t mind me asking, how much are you into it not including components?

As in press, dies, powder dispenser...

[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by fish4food

If you don’t mind me asking, how much are you into it not including components?

As in press, dies, powder dispenser...

Hang on, I’m driving and I’ll respond when I stop.


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[mmlreiner]

So I opted to grab some expensive parts but I’ll tell you what you can get a comparable part for next to each:

Rcbs Rock chucker $165
Lee precision die set $35
Rcbs chargemaster lite $250 but any powder dispenser will do and they can be much cheaper
Case prep center $175 but you can use a hand prep for like $35
Rcbs funnel $20
Rcbs hand primer $70 but the press comes with a priming thingy so it’s not necessary.
Calipers $110 but these can be had for $30.

Misc trays for loading $7/ piece

All in I’ve spent bout $900 but you can start for about $400 or so.


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[txpitdog]

Originally Posted by mmlreiner

So I opted to grab some expensive parts but I’ll tell you what you can get a comparable part for next to each:

Rcbs Rock chucker $165
Lee precision die set $35
Rcbs chargemaster lite $250 but any powder dispenser will do and they can be much cheaper
Case prep center $175 but you can use a hand prep for like $35
Rcbs funnel $20
Rcbs hand primer $70 but the press comes with a priming thingy so it’s not necessary.
Calipers $110 but these can be had for $30.

Misc trays for loading $7/ piece

All in I’ve spent bout $900 but you can start for about $400 or so.


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When I started reloading, you also needed 2-3 reloading manuals at a cost of $30-40 each, but so much is available online now that you may not need those.

The little stuff adds up too. Not all dies come with a shell holder. Case lube and a lube pad. Case holder (which you can technically make yourself), boxes for reloaded cartridges, a hammer puller for when you inevitably screw up a round and need to unseat the bullet. On and on.

The hand primer is totally worth it IMO. I hate using the primer seater on the press.


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[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by txpitdog

When I started reloading, you also needed 2-3 reloading manuals at a cost of $30-40 each, but so much is available online now that you may not need those.

The little stuff adds up too. Not all dies come with a shell holder. Case lube and a lube pad. Case holder (which you can technically make yourself), boxes for reloaded cartridges, a hammer puller for when you inevitably screw up a round and need to unseat the bullet. On and on.

The hand primer is totally worth it IMO. I hate using the primer seater on the press.


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Agreed and believe it or not. I learned to load completely from watching YouTube videos, asking a million questions from my tbh buddy and reading the forums.


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[Hoytbowhunter]

Originally Posted by mmlreiner

LOL. Well with no one able to find 6.5 prc ammo I thought about it!! I'm just glad i picked up supplies to do it and learned. At this rate I can load 1,000 rounds and that will last a loooong time.

Cool deal, i’m picking up a Ridge Wilderness prc, next weekend I’m gonna need ammo. I will probably trade out my Creedmoor ammo for PRC Ammo.

[WyoBull]

Reloading is a great hobby. I have been doing it since the late 70's and can't imagine not being able to sit down at the bench and crank out the loads.

Enjoy it!

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[mmlreiner]

Yep. I’m on my third round of loads. Trying to narrow down grain weight and if I had more time I’d spend so much more of it at the range. I’ve got ten loaded up that I want to shoot SO BAD but I’m working so much I can’t.


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[imyomama]

once you get the bug , it's addicting .. if you like shooting long range or little bitty groups , be ready to buy an annealing machine next... you'll find out that after a few loadings some neck tensions feel different and will cause you flyers ... annealing will also help your brass last longer ...

[mmlreiner]

Originally Posted by imyomama

once you get the bug , it's addicting .. if you like shooting long range or little bitty groups , be ready to buy an annealing machine next... you'll find out that after a few loadings some neck tensions feel different and will cause you flyers ... annealing will also help your brass last longer ...

So I have a dude I ship my brass to that cleans and anneals them for me every third shot. I got my first rounds from him and man are they pretty. Cost me $30 for 300.


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[Spino~]

Reloading is good therapy! Good job with the load/groups!

[mmlreiner]

Today’s set of three shot groups. Getting better!




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[Texas Grown]

Keep a log on each shot group. Label each shot with a given number in the log. Once you start putting the chrono to it, you will appreciate it even more later.

[mmlreiner]

The groups I shot today were chrono'd. The first group was the best (55.8 gr velocity 2967, 2981, 2987) with the second following close behind (55.9 gr velocity at 2980, 2997 and the third shot I forgot to power the chrono back up lol). The third group was 56 gr velocity 3014, 3000 and 3014.
Last group I hit pressure signs at 56.2 grains and velocity 3018 and I stopped there.

I will admit it's funny to have the guys at the range saying "ma'am I see you're trying to hit that bullseye but you're having trouble, need some help?"

Each time I have to say no, thank you, I'll get it LOL.