1st attempt at reloading = done

[waxer]

Whelp, I recieved an order from Grafs today.

1lb of Ramshot True Blue
1k Hornady 9mm 124gr FMJ RN
5k CCI 500 SP Primers

Checked the load data on the powder makers website and compared that to the load data in my Lee Modern Reloading book. Both matched, so I printed out the load data and pulled out my already processed 9mm brass that's been sitting for a month now.

I only did a run of 50 rounds. I wanted to take it slow, double and triple check everything I was doing. Especially when it came to the powder charge. My load data gave a starting load of 5.4 grains. That is what I went with.

My press is a Lee breech lock challenger, and I bought it in the kit that came with all the entry level items (Lee perfect powder measure, Lee safety scale, Lee auto prime XR, and all the case prep stuff).

What I learned is that much time could be saved with a nice digital scale. It took what seemed forever to measure out and adjust the powder measure shots as the lee safety scale just kept rocking back and forth, back and forth... Once I got 7-9 consecutive and accurate charges to come out and verifiable with the safety scale, I set the powder measure aside and used the expanding die on all 50 shells.

Then I charged all 50 and gave them a good visual inspection as they sat on the prep tray. I was looking for any double charges or any ones that I may have overlooked and forgot to charge. All 50 looked evenly distributed. So I then busted out the bullet seating die. The load data called for and OAL of 1.145, so I adjusted the die for that. I seated the first projectile and confirmed the adjustment with my calipers. It was a little big so I fine tuned it down to exactly 1.145. I seated a second one and it was 4 thousands too big @ 1.149. Ok, so I adjusted the die in a little bit to 1.145 and sat that round in the tray. I seated the 3rd one and it ended up at 1.137. I became concerned about the variation I was seeing and found myself adjusting back and forth until I got to the 6th round. I noticed that there was a variation of + or - 4 thousandths either way. I'm not sure if this was normal or not, but I pressed on and got all 50 done. I confirmed all 50 are at 1.137 to 1.145 OAL. Has anyone ever noticed this type of issue before? The die was installed with a quick-change bushing that was fully locked down, adjusting collar hand tight.

So I finished up all 50 with the carbide factory crimp die, and marked the back of the brass with a sharpie for identification at the range for recovery (if needed). I placed the load data in the box with them and will try them out this weekend.

Things I will be looking to do differently and/or upgrade already.

1. Purchase a decent digital scale
2. Possibly upgrade the powder measure as this one leaked a little bit on each cycle (manual said it was normal for finer powder).

Anyway, thanks for reading part or all of my spill. I appreciated all the data and experience this site has offered to get me to this point.

[_4_]

You and I started our reloading venture similarly. I sold the powder measure and scale that came with my breech lock press and purchased a digital scale and the auto disk powder measure. The auto disk is great but it does dispense on the light side. I just shot my first reloads today and am happy with the result. I highly recommend upgrading to the digital and auto disk. Good luck!

Good luck, and

[Whiterabbit]

Welcome to a larger world.

[MRbaker]

Congrats! I'll be loading my first rounds this week sometime.

[Bill Steele]

I agree with the recommendation of the Lee Auto Disk, but would say to get then Auto Disk Pro, versus the regular AD. The Auto Disk Pro has an elastomer seal between the hopper and disks that will cut down leakage to next to nothing, even on the finest powders like AA #9 or BL-C(2). Another upgrade is to get the adjustable charge bar for the AD Pro, it will allow you to make custom charges that may fall between the regular fixed disk sizes.

I disagree with the advice to get a digital scale. I have had many and they rarely last very long before getting a mind of their own. I recommend a nice balance beam scale like the RCBS 505 or Dillon Eliminator. When you get your loads dialed using a Lee Auto Disk, you only need to check one before starting to assure you have the right disk cavity selected and once at the end to verify (again) you were using the correct cavity size. Everything in between will be the same.

If you do insist on getting a digital, get an inexpensive check weight set. Then you will know when the digital scale has taken a dump, it will, trust me.

[bruce381]

OAL will vary due to slop in the machine and boolits that have slight different but normal vatiation. My dillion will do +- a few thousands and that is fine fro hand cast boolits

[Bill Steele]

OAL will vary due to slop in the machine and boolits that have slight different but normal vatiation. My dillion will do +- a few thousands and that is fine fro hand cast boolits

I agree.

The biggest part of the variance I think you will find are the bullet's meplat being inconsistent. In any case what you are seeing is fine OAL wise.

[elhefe50ss]

I found the same issue and my perfection issues it was a problen but i have learned that its no issue aslong as its within 3-5 id say

[chuckshoots]

^^^Yup, I hate my OAL for my 308 is not EXACTLY 2.800" but instead varies about 1-2 thousandths. I don't think I can ever get over it, these are the things I must live with.

Oh and one day go for the chargemaster, it is an amazing piece of work.

[elhefe50ss]

I FEEL LIKE IM BUILDING INFERIOR AMMO BUT IT SHOOTS GREAT I JUST NEED TO RELAX LOL

[Fyathyrio]

Yup, as others have mentioned, the slight variation in OAL is normal and due to the minor variations in the manufacturing of the brass, bullets, and press.

Many prefer to do small batches (usually 10 each) at progressively larger powder levels between min and max. This will give you a chance to see what your gun likes. Accuracy will vary with different powder levels.

Welcome to reloading! This has turned the simple activity of shooting into a full fledged hobby for me.

[stilly]

I agree with the recommendation of the Lee Auto Disk, but would say to get then Auto Disk Pro, versus the regular AD. The Auto Disk Pro has an elastomer seal between the hopper and disks that will cut down leakage to next to nothing, even on the finest powders like AA #9 or BL-C(2). Another upgrade is to get the adjustable charge bar for the AD Pro, it will allow you to make custom charges that may fall between the regular fixed disk sizes.

I disagree with the advice to get a digital scale. I have had many and they rarely last very long before getting a mind of their own. I recommend a nice balance beam scale like the RCBS 505 or Dillon Eliminator. When you get your loads dialed using a Lee Auto Disk, you only need to check one before starting to assure you have the right disk cavity selected and once at the end to verify (again) you were using the correct cavity size. Everything in between will be the same.

If you do insist on getting a digital, get an inexpensive check weight set. Then you will know when the digital scale has taken a dump, it will, trust me.

Bill, are you my evil twin? No wait, you must be the good twin because I read about that primer incident, I ask though because:

+1

However. If you go too fast with the lee pro auto disk thingy, the powder might jump over the hole and off the edge of the platform so don't be a jerk with it, literally.

Also, I bought THIS scale: http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh...s=gemini+scale and it TOTALLY rocks.

I have been using it now for about 7 or more months and I am glad that another calgunner said to get it. The reason why this scale BEATS many others is because it displayed in .001 Grams and is accurate to around that, read the description. Better yet, read the GLOWING STELLER REVIEWS of it. PLUS it has a 10 year warranty so save your receipt. If Bill is right then you might be able to get a new model in about 5 years maybe...

This scale will measure in grains, but your grains will look like this: 00.00 which is REALLY cool because MOST scales, balance and digital will only display 00.0 grains. Now if you are as paranoid as me you can know if your 10th is high or low by looking at the hundredth. Oh, I think it only goes by .02 so you can have 0.02 0.04 0.06 etc. I love this scale. The ONLY thing wrong with it is that it only does up to 20 grams or 308 grains. You can spend the extra $30 and get the one that goes up to 50 grams I think but this one is all you need. AND, Get that 505 scale as a backup for sure. I have one but hardly use it, maybe once or twice per session if I think my scale is going out on me but I have weighed over a thousand loads so far and the batteries have not needed replacing. The other cool feature is that the scale itself has a cool circle that is raised and will hold a 44 mag and 45 shell with no issues. (tare, then fill and weigh)

I guess there is no such thing as a perfect powder measure, even though Lee sells one. I was not too impressed with their pro auto disk not being able to deliver my 23 grains of h-110 for 44 mag but oh well. I just got a different powder measure. Good luck.