What did you do in the reloading room today?

[VSP968]

Ask him what he'd charge to do another. I'm struggling with my 120 being very fussy where I put my 419 cup. After about 60 throws it starts to have issues.

I was having similar problems last winter.

This set up started out as a V2 AutoTrickler, as evidenced by the Stop/Start labels that I put on the scale cover back in 2019. This was before the V3 Bluetooth upgrade that came later.

Anyhow, to make a long story even longer, last fall my scale started acting weird once in awhile, usually in the middle of a long session that involved more than fifty charges being thrown.

It would begin to refuse to go back to zero between throws occasionally. Not plus or minus .02, but sometimes as much as .04 or .06 off of zero.

I’d stop the target weight, make sure there wasn’t powder where it shouldn’t be, fiddle around with the cup, re zero the scale and calibrate it.

Things would return to normal until the next hiccup. Eventually it began to happen more frequently.

I emailed Adam and went back and forth with him and Laura and we decided my power transformer was going bad, as evidenced by the craziness mid session and subsequent return to normal after screwing around with it for 10 minutes or so, allowing the transformer to cool off.

While I waited for the new transformer to get here from Canada, Laura suggested I try the transformer that originally came with the scale and it worked.

They also said they’d recently changed vendors for the transformers.

The original AFX transformer worked well enough until I got my official new vendor transformer from Canada.

You might want to try a transformer.
You’ll get it faster from C&E.

 

[farrar86]

I was having similar problems last winter.

This set up started out as a V2 AutoTrickler, as evidenced by the Stop/Start labels that I put on the scale cover back in 2019. This was before the V3 Bluetooth upgrade that came later.

Anyhow, to make a long story even longer, last fall my scale started acting weird once in awhile, usually in the middle of a long session that involved more than fifty charges being thrown.

It would begin to refuse to go back to zero between throws occasionally. Not plus or minus .02, but sometimes as much as .04 or .06 off of zero.

I’d stop the target weight, make sure there wasn’t powder where it shouldn’t be, fiddle around with the cup, re zero the scale and calibrate it.

Things would return to normal until the next hiccup. Eventually it began to happen more frequently.

I emailed Adam and went back and forth with him and Laura and we decided my power transformer was going bad, as evidenced by the craziness mid session and subsequent return to normal after screwing around with it for 10 minutes or so, allowing the transformer to cool off.

While I waited for the new transformer to get here from Canada, Laura suggested I try the transformer that originally came with the scale and it worked.

They also said they’d recently changed vendors for the transformers.

The original AFX transformer worked well enough until I got my official new vendor transformer from Canada.

You might want to try a transformer.
You’ll get it faster from C&E.

View attachment 8688316

View attachment 8688317

Interesting. I've had my v4 for getting close to a year. I have to put my cup on perfect every time. If the handle doesn't face the exact way it's off by about 2-10grs

 

[kyotekiller25]

Decapped and sized a 100 223 lapua cases on my RCBS single stage press. Hopefully get them primed, powder, and bullet today. Debating on going with my 75g ELDMs or work up a new load with the 80.5g Bergers and N540 from the 28" Bartlein.

 

[Cornerstonearmory]

I’ve been using my bench to match up stencils for cerakote. I didn’t run the mirage shields when I originally did that chassis. That project was fun. Like finding a needle in a pile of needles.

 

[rdinak]

Opened this box on my top shelf. Oh happy day. Check out date and prices.

 

[wvfarrier]

So, here is a question:
I have been toying with the Winchester 125 grain HPs .308 for 300blk. I laddered AA1680, H110 and Lil Gun. Lil Gun gave me the best accuracy and velocities (.65" and 2380fps). This is not a max load however I am getting flat primers and ejector marks (shiny spot). I tried backing off .02 but the accuracy fell off along. So, should I stick with the load? I do not really care about the brass but worry about excessive abuse to the rifle. Thoughts?

 

[MQXL308]

View attachment 8684079
Experimenting with a new powder cup to reduce bounce for my upgraded IP trickler mount while I wait for the special IP cup. Note battery powered vacuum…

With the aluminum 419 cup, it’s the same as just dumping powder directly on the platen; likewise with the MK Machine cup.

the IP cup is the way to go.

 

[chd]

I had loaded 500 rounds of 308. 100 rounds with 5 different powders, all with CCI 200 primers, Federal GMM brass, SMK 175GR.
50 of those hundred rounds I shot in my Remington 700, 18".
50 of those hundred rounds I shot in my SR25, 16".

The first hundred rounds fired were loaded with TAC, with 0.2GR increments. Ie 41.2GR, 41.4, 41.6, ..., 42.8, 43GR.

Remington 700

41.2GR	AVG FPS = 2574.2	SD = 17.8	ES = 48
41.4GR	2559.5	9.7	29.3
41.6GR	2631.2	22.1	68.1
41.8GR	2599.9	12.9	31.7
42.0GR	2625.6	17.7	53.7
42.2GR	2637.1	26.7	67.8
42.4GR	2669.5	8	20.7
42.6GR	2668	14.2	40
42.8GR	2681.7	21.5	61.5
43.0GR	2719.7	11.2	30.9

The SR25 had much more respectable numbers, interestingly...
But I kept getting blown primers. The recording stopped once I had a primer stuck in my chamber that grounded me. I couldn't get anymore rounds in the chamber until I left the range and cleared the stuck primer.

SR25

41.2	2539.4	28.6	75.7
41.4	2547.5	13.4	36.1
41.6	2562.6	11.3	13
41.8	2578.1	7.9	23.7
42.0	2573.3	7.2	20.5
42.2	2580.7	9.2	27.8
42.4	2602.9	7.5	19.8
42.6
42.8
43.0

The bolt on the 700 kept sticking as my charge kept getting higher. But none of my brass showed any pressure signs. There might have been a little bit of smearing but nothing serious. No primer cratering either.

Are these numbers anything to be concerned about, safety wise? I was using charges within Sierra's load manual specifications.

 

[straightshooter1]

I had loaded 500 rounds of 308. 100 rounds with 5 different powders, all with CCI 200 primers, Federal GMM brass, SMK 175GR.
50 of those hundred rounds I shot in my Remington 700, 18".
50 of those hundred rounds I shot in my SR25, 16".

The first hundred rounds fired were loaded with TAC, with 0.2GR increments. Ie 41.2GR, 41.4, 41.6, ..., 42.8, 43GR.

Remington 700

41.2GR	AVG FPS = 2574.2	SD = 17.8	ES = 48
41.4GR	2559.5	9.7	29.3
41.6GR	2631.2	22.1	68.1
41.8GR	2599.9	12.9	31.7
42.0GR	2625.6	17.7	53.7
42.2GR	2637.1	26.7	67.8
42.4GR	2669.5	8	20.7
42.6GR	2668	14.2	40
42.8GR	2681.7	21.5	61.5
43.0GR	2719.7	11.2	30.9

The SR25 had much more respectable numbers, interestingly...
But I kept getting blown primers. The recording stopped once I had a primer stuck in my chamber that grounded me. I couldn't get anymore rounds in the chamber until I left the range and cleared the stuck primer.

SR25

41.2	2539.4	28.6	75.7
41.4	2547.5	13.4	36.1
41.6	2562.6	11.3	13
41.8	2578.1	7.9	23.7
42.0	2573.3	7.2	20.5
42.2	2580.7	9.2	27.8
42.4	2602.9	7.5	19.8
42.6
42.8
43.0

The bolt on the 700 kept sticking as my charge kept getting higher. But none of my brass showed any pressure signs. There might have been a little bit of smearing but nothing serious. No primer cratering either.

Are these numbers anything to be concerned about, safety wise? I was using charges within Sierra's load manual specifications.

First, let me just say that those numbers are really mostly representative of your reloading skills/process as the numbers without the corresponding target data doesn't say much otherwise.

However, it does appear from that data like the SR26 tends to like the TAC best, giving you the most consistent results. . . though at lower velocities. I don't think it's just because of the shorter barrel, but something about the chamber configuration.

If one or a couple of those charges worked best on target, you'll need to run a test again to verify.

 

[Bacarrat]

Primed a bunch of cases.

 

[jLorenzo]

Decapped and sized a 100 223 lapua cases on my RCBS single stage press. Hopefully get them primed, powder, and bullet today. Debating on going with my 75g ELDMs or work up a new load with the 80.5g Bergers and N540 from the 28" Bartlein.

View attachment 8688500

Wyoming?

 

[kyotekiller25]

Wyoming?

Eastern Oregon

 

[45-90]

338 ARC Imp, machine and load up some light bullets, should be going around 3700 fps in a 16" AR 15.

 

[vh20]

After work and supper, went in and turned on the A&D to let it warm up for 30 min. before charging some cases for tomorrow. Went back and collapsed in the recliner in front of the TV while I waited. Promptly fell asleep. Two hours later I woke up, went back in and turned the scale off and went to bed. Good night, folks...zzzz.

 

[flyboy]

Spent the last few days annealing and resizing a bunch of shot brass. Trying to chase down a neck tension method I can consistently do. Think this might be it.

Need to finish building out my reloading bench though but that feels like a cold weather chore.

 

[rdinak]

For the first time in many years, i am doing a Caliber change one of the Dillons to load .45 ACP.

 

[vh20]

Woke up this morning, turned the scale back on, and after it warmed up I charged and seated enough 300 Bergers for my 338NM for today and tomorrow.

 

[Tugboater]

Did a little reloading, slowly…

 

[RedBeard808]

Purchased a second Rock Chucker. Because one is never enough.

 

[ohiofarmer]

338 ARC Imp, machine and load up some light bullets, should be going around 3700 fps in a 16" AR 15.

45-90, I know you’ve played around with the hybrid 277 Fury cases quite a bit, but you machine your own projectiles, too? Given the velocity you expect, they’re obviously quite light. What are they made of?

 

[farrar86]

Looked at my reloading bench for the first time in about two months. Plan to load some 6.5 tomorrow for Saturday's match.

 

[JoshPutman]

Nothing, but I did buy a new manual and some Large Rifle primers.

I know guys have talked about these primers, and this is the first time I've seen them. I picked up 200 to try in my .308 and 22-250. $8 per 100. Not great, but not as bad as it could be.

 

[Herb Stoner]

Tumbling…

 

[roostercogburn98]

Formed some brass a few days ago

 

[db2000]

Tumbling…

View attachment 8764424

Does that thing roll spliffs?

 

[45-90]

Reloading the 7mm Backcountry with steel cases and 80,000 psi.

And yesterday made 7mm Backcountry brass cases to load to 60-65k.

This is the 197 SMK ...see if it stabilizes in an 8 twist.

2nd loading on steel cases, first loading on the newly formed brass cases.

The 180 gr 7mm Berger reached 3118 fps in the 6 lb 20" rifle,...at 93° and 2000 ft elevation...that would be a flat trajectory.

The 7mm BC is the real deal ...high velocity in short light rifles, especially designed suppressor hunting.
Should be great for hunting for those who like that type of platform .
It Will shoot faster than most any factory cartridge in the 20" barrels ...if you are interested in that sort of thing.

 

[straightshooter1]

Reloading the 7mm Backcountry with steel cases and 80,000 psi.

And yesterday made 7mm Backcountry brass cases to load to 60-65k.

This is the 197 SMK ...see if it stabilizes in an 8 twist.

2nd loading on steel cases, first loading on the newly formed brass cases.

The 180 gr 7mm Berger reached 3118 fps in the 6 lb 20" rifle,...at 93° and 2000 ft elevation...that would be a flat trajectory.

The 7mm BC is the real deal ...high velocity in short light rifles, especially designed suppressor hunting.
Should be great for hunting for those who like that type of platform .
It Will shoot faster than most any factory cartridge in the 20" barrels ...if you are interested in that sort of thing.

Looks like the steel cases was a challenge to size???

After my first firing this little batch of SIG 277 Hybrids, I wasn't sure what to expect on this second sizing. . .especially as most were fired pretty close to 80K psi. I noticed that it took more than normal effort to seat the case into the sizing die, even though there was plenty of lube. It felt like it was doing a lot of sizing, therefore I measured at the web area and it was at .470 before sizing and .468 afterwards. At the shoulder-body junction the die was reducing it there by .004". Normally for my fired Lapua and Alpha cases, the web area is at .470 and when sized reduces to .469 (maybe the high pressure is reducing the amount of springback on the hybrid cases???).

The unusual effort to size the cases apparently resulted in actually lengthening the cases headspace by ~.005" and it being inconsistent on the first pass. Running the case through the die a second time was naturally easier and it then reduced the headspace to where it should be. I've never experienced that before and don't know why that occurred as I wouldn't think the headspace could just go further than what the die has been set to . . .

The necks were originally at .014" in thickness with some variances that went a little below .013" thick. Like I do for all my brass, I therefore turned the necks to a uniform them to .013" thickness.

On my Webster Hardness Tester, I got a reading after firing of 17. Virgin Lapua brass reads at 15. In order to get to that reading of 15 I have to anneal the brass to a hardness reading of 13. After sizing and expanding the neck with expander mandrel proper sizes, the final reading I got was at my target number, which is that reading I get with virgin Lapua brass of 15.

Now I'll see how they do in my second firing.

 

[45-90]

The 7mm BC cases are different because they are not hybrid cases.
You have to make your own dies for 7mm BC.
The first part or sizing is easy just neck size,slight shoulder touch and load. Shoot.
The next time the body die was employed. Its a bit tighter than needed, but I am concerned about spring back after several firings...if they stay put in the body I can polish out .001" on the shoulder...to make it easier. But I've already had to reduce the neck dia because of spring back.

You shouldn't have to size the steel portion of the case...except where its real thin and is joined to the btass.
No solid head is ever sized, it's supposed to be undersized here and just falls into the die..as shown with the hybrid case head falling almost completely into the die.

Same with the 7mm BC fired steel case goes even farther into the die, no sizing is done here on any case.

If so your case head has expanded under extreme pressure and primers will fall out.
These cases will take 100k and brass maybe 70 k+ before that happens depending on the brass hardness.

You should anneal the neck shoulder area to get the hybrid case to not spring back when FL sizing...same as brass because that portion is.

Hybrid cases lengthen on the first firing maybe .015" and need to be trimmed back.
The joint flattens out under pressure lengthening the case.

I always skim neck turn into the shoulder.

 

[wvfarrier]

Spent a few hours re-sizing 277 fury to 308 win.

 

[45-90]

Found a brass case thats had too much pressure you can see the bluge in the brass after sizing...and the no go starts into the primer pocket.
But some of the solid head still enters the die, when the case is inverted, as you can see. But the primer pocket is pretty much trashed.

 

[45-90]

Spent a few hours re-sizing 277 fury to 308 win.

Should not be that difficult for 308 conversation.
I just went out and did one.
Grab a 6.8x51 hybrid case.
Mandrel up to 30 cal.
Lube and run through 308 die.
Check results in gauge
Clean and polish...
But I would neck turn, anneal, and resize the clean brass.

 

[straightshooter1]

The 7mm BC cases are different because they are not hybrid cases.
You have to make your own dies for 7mm BC.
The first part or sizing is easy just neck size,slight shoulder touch and load. Shoot.
The next time the body die was employed. Its a bit tighter than needed, but I am concerned about spring back after several firings...if they stay put in the body I can polish out .001" on the shoulder...to make it easier. But I've already had to reduce the neck dia because of spring back.

You shouldn't have to size the steel portion of the case...except where its real thin and is joined to the btass.
No solid head is ever sized, it's supposed to be undersized here and just falls into the die..as shown with the hybrid case head falling almost completely into the die.

Right. That solid steel portion where primer pocket and flash hole are isn't being sized. It's that portion above that's been blown out .002" and is taking more force to size it back down.

Same with the 7mm BC fired steel case goes even farther into the die, no sizing is done here on any case.

If so your case head has expanded under extreme pressure and primers will fall out.
These cases will take 100k and brass maybe 70 k+ before that happens depending on the brass hardness.

You should anneal the neck shoulder area to get the hybrid case to not spring back when FL sizing...same as brass because that portion is.

Yes, I do anneal necks and shoulder area, per what I mentioned above. I don't anneal to dead soft, so I do get a very small amount of springback (nothing to be of any concern). What I was wondering about is the springback of the body while in the chamber after firing. With the high pressure, I'm thinking there's less of it than with the lower pressures normal brass is put under. With less spring back in the chamber, this would seem to explain why these cases took more effort for them to be sized.

Hybrid cases lengthen on the first firing maybe .015" and need to be trimmed back.
The joint flattens out under pressure lengthening the case.

Yes, I'd expect the cases to be lengthened on first firing. My case's headspace measurement after firing were all at 1.605 (using my Hornady headspace comparator). Then when I sized them (my die having been set to bump shoulders back .0015"), the headspace space measured 1.609 to 1.610" and I don't know how that happens inside the die that's set the way it was. Running the case through a second time would then move the shoulder down to 1.605" and the case's OAL's weren't extremely long (no where near .015" longer).

I always skim neck turn into the shoulder.

Yeah, I always turn until there's a little removed from the shoulder at the junction.

Thanks for your comments! Much appreciated.

 

[99mpower]

Spent a few hours re-sizing 277 fury to 308 win.

with the absolute abundance of 308… why?

 

[99mpower]

i’m watching demo ranch, and keeping an eye on headstamp sorting machine

 

[99mpower]

earlier today i processed 4k pieces of 223
sorted 2 buckets of brass
and cleaned up shop a little bit