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

[RaymondMillbrae]

Congratulations on your first handloads.

Like another shooter stated, get the RCBS Precision Mic.

In Christ: Raymond

[SixPointEight]

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

No, it's just, it will be a very low velocity load. What are you looking to do with this. That may help. If you just want to plink, or hit varmints out to a couple hundred yards, an accuracy node in that area will be fine. It will also be lighter recoiling, and burning less powder has a positive effect on barrel life

If you want to make it out to 1000 sometime, you'll need to look for an accuracy node much higher (probably between 44.0 and 45.0) but it's all about what you want to do.

As far as the "better suggestions" IMO you DON'T get better data than from the person who made the powder. Most Manufacturers have some free data, and almost all will give you a load window if you email and ask.

[dlouie87]

Livermore!

send like 10-20 up my way, I'll give a report from my bolt action.....

Dan

pm me.

[Fiveohmike]

No, it's just, it will be a very low velocity load. What are you looking to do with this. That may help. If you just want to plink, or hit varmints out to a couple hundred yards, an accuracy node in that area will be fine. It will also be lighter recoiling, and burning less powder has a positive effect on barrel life

If you want to make it out to 1000 sometime, you'll need to look for an accuracy node much higher (probably between 44.0 and 45.0) but it's all about what you want to do.

As far as the "better suggestions" IMO you DON'T get better data than from the person who made the powder. Most Manufacturers have some free data, and almost all will give you a load window if you email and ask.

Oh ok thats not to bad. Like I said I am loading from 40g to 44.5g in .5g increments looking for accuracy at the 100yd rang. I will be going out to Chabot next Friday to see how the same loads do at 200yds. Once I get comfortable its time to hit BLM land for 500yds +

[Cowboy T]

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.

Now, now, these are condom-equipped...er, jacketed, and thus are just "bullets".

A "boolit" is one that you lovingly cast yourself from the Great Molten Stream, or, alternatively, swaged yourself from an appropriate thickness of lead bar.

[Fiveohmike]

Well I finished a few batches! Here are they are in all there sweet sweet glory

From left to right:

10 rounds of 40.5 Varget/SMK175
10 rounds of 41.0
10 rounds of 42.0
10 rounds of 43.0
10 rounds of 44.0



Now, I was given some of these Hornaday SSP 165g bullets by a buddy, so I made plinking ammo (no that its really ever plinking with a 308 lol).

39 rounds of 165g Hornaday SSp with ~43.0 Varget (varies a couple tenths either way as I was just speed loading).



Range reports by Monday!

[SixPointEight]

What happened to your .5 increments?

5 shots in .5 increments will be fine for your future development. I don't like 1gr jumps because you can miss entire accuracy windows and you could go from no pressure signs to blown primers in just 1gr.

[Fiveohmike]

What happened to your .5 increments?

5 shots in .5 increments will be fine for your future development. I don't like 1gr jumps because you can miss entire accuracy windows and you could go from no pressure signs to blown primers in just 1gr.

I ran out of time to be honest. Also the info above was correct about Hodgsen recommending 42g minimum for 175g SMK. So I was already 20 rounds deep, and decided to do 3 main batches. 10 rounds of 42, 43, 44g and will tune from there.

This is just getting my feet wet

[killshot44]

You'll be fine, just look at the primers of each fired case as you move up. 44gr is not a hot load.

[SixPointEight]

I told you the info was correct, you can get it on their website.

Anyways, if you're comfortable with it, go for it. As for me, if I was "running out of time" to be reloading I would stop. It's not worth it to me to be rushing. But that's just me. Seeing as you're still a full gr below min though you should be fine. But be sure to watch for any signs of overpressure.

[Cowboy T]

Take the time to be more precise during actual load development. That's the point of load development! Once you get a good load, then you can go faster with your powder measure. If you run out of time, stop there and come back to it when you have some more time. Don't let yourself get sloppy during this process.

[Fiveohmike]

Well I was able to find some queit time this morning. Going back through and filling in the .5 increments

[Fiveohmike]

Well got everything set, and headed to the range right now. Wish me luck! Damn this is a little nerve racking lol.

Anyways if anyone is up at Chabot gun range today, and you see my weapon/me dont be scared to say hi. I might even let you put a few downrange

[tujungatoes]

Wish me luck! Damn this is a little nerve racking lol.

I remember that day. Thinking to my self "sure...what could possibly go wrong?" You'll be fine. I expect to see targets later.

[SanPedroShooter]

Whats the opinion on buying a mic gauge for a first timer? I have a lee case length gauge that is basically a pin (30-06 in this case) that fits on a shell holder and goes through the unprimed brass and stops the trimmer from cutting past spec. This and a full length sizing die should take care of headspace, but i am wondering about bullet seating. If i am trying to copy factory dimensions, couldnt i just adjust my bullet seater and measure with the calipers untill in get the OAL i want?
My main concerns right now are making rounds with safe dimensions, i will start on accuracy down the road.
Maybe someone can elaborate on the uses of a MIC gauge. I've done some reading, but i'm still unsure.
This was something else i was looking at, its dillion case gauge http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...item=4095#4095
I feel like a FL sizer and a lee case guage would make this unessasary.