First 5 rounds ever done! *Updated with Range Reports!*

[sfonelson]

That's what I am wondering. That's also why I asked what die's he was using. Supposedly you should crimp on semi auto's, but alot of people don't. Hopefully somebody else weighs in on this.

Looking good, let us know how they worked If you are using those in the AR-10 why not crimp them?

[Fiveohmike]

I got a lot of people who do, and dont crimp on the AR-10. Hard to determine who is right

Whats the downside to crimping?

[Fiveohmike]

Oh and these are Dillon dies

[sfonelson]

Downside is that it's "harder" for the booooooolit to exit the neck while firing, possibly causing wobble down the barrel. Did you happen to use a Mic to check for headspace so you know the exact depth to seat your boooooolit?

With good brass and good booooolits, they should seat good enough that, even though the bolt slamming forward to load the new round doesn't affect the booooolit.

I got a lot of people who do, and dont crimp on the AR-10. Hard to determine who is right

Whats the downside to crimping?

[Fiveohmike]

Downside is that it's "harder" for the booooooolit to exit the neck while firing, possibly causing wobble down the barrel. Did you happen to use a Mic to check for headspace so you know the exact depth to seat your boooooolit?

With good brass and good booooolits, they should seat good enough that, even though the bolt slamming forward to load the new round doesn't affect the booooolit.

As far as headspace goes, I only checked with the headspace guage kit on empty fired brass. I found the average of 10 fired rounds, and backed the headspace off two thousandsth of an inch, and then just seated the bullets to the recommended 2.800 OAL.

[sfonelson]

Sounds good. When I start up, I don't plan on crimping. It's not like I am going to be running around with full mags on my chest rig in the desert. The cartridges are just going to be happily stored in my closet until firing them on some BLM land somewhere. Crimping is most likely not necessary.

Edit:

I do plan on getting precision MIC sets for 30-06 and .223 for booooolit depth. With as much stuff as I'm buying, I'm probably going to end up making better than match grade ammo. Honestly, I'm just afraid of blowing my face off, why is why I am going through all these precautions.

As far as headspace goes, I only checked with the headspace guage kit on empty fired brass. I found the average of 10 fired rounds, and backed the headspace off two thousandsth of an inch, and then just seated the bullets to the recommended 2.800 OAL.

[killshot44]

Good on you, Mike....Yes, there will be some trepidation when you go to shoot the first few but that gives way fast to a much greater feeling.

And to weigh in, an RCBS Precision Mic is invaluable. And I never crimp; I use a Redding Full Length Bushing die which allows you to control neck tension by the bushing size used.

BTW, nice AR10.

[tujungatoes]

Congrats on you first loads mike. I'm sure they'll shoot as good as they look.

[dlouie87]

nice... where are you from? Let me try some out

[Fiveohmike]

nice... where are you from? Let me try some out

Livermore!

[Martan]

Isn't 42gr the lower limit of Varget for this bullet weight?

[Shoot-it]

When I see the word crimping I think of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NNhfDnsU8g

[SixPointEight]

Depending what you'll be doing, there's no reason to stop .5 under max. Since you're new I won't overload you with intricacies, but you can work freely up to the max book load if you police your brass and watch for signs of pressure.


I remember when I shot my first reloads. I thought I would have aluminum from my AR or plastic from my XD embedded in my face. 3000 rounds later and I'm still in one piece! My one piece of advice...BE DILIGENT. If you get tired, or bored, or distracted while reloading. Just put everything away, and come back to it when you're more into it. And label everything!

Isn't 42gr the lower limit of Varget for this bullet weight?

Straight from the Hodgdon Horses mouth:
Bullet: 175 GR. SIE HPBT
Powder: Hodgdon Varget
COL: 2.800"
Start: 42.0
Velocity: 2583
Max: 45.0C
Velocity: 2690

[Fiveohmike]

Ah i was going by the lyman manual. It said suggested start grains was 40. I was working loads from the in. .5 increments to 44.5.

If you guys have better suggestions im all ears

[Fiveohmike]

And if its true about the lower limit should i worry about having 40.4 g of powder in my starter rounds?