First Batch of Reloading - Test fire this weekend - A bit nervous

[Mike27t]

First off thank you forum member for all the informative posts. I have learned a great deal in the past 2 months when I finally decided now is better time than ever to start reloading.

My bench includes
Lee classic turret
Auto disk powder measure (double disk kit)
lee safety scale
Franklin Arsenal reload digital scale
Dillon suage 600
lee pacesetter die set
ABC's of reloading


Reloading .223 with the following components
RE7
Remington 7 1/2
Sierra 55gr HPBT and Hornady 55gr FMJBT
Mixed once fired brass (swaged myself)

Ive followed the recipes found here and made 3 different batches which I plan on testing this weekend (in red below). I used a lee auto disk measure and used a digital scale as well as a lee balance scale to measure my powder. Ill be testing my loads this weekend and will be working my way up from the lightest load.

I've checked my brass, the powder measure throw, max OAL but still a bit nervous as it is my first run. I will check for pressure signs in my casing before I work my way up. In the event my scale was off by .1,.2,.3gn over the max load are the consequences dire? Im almost reluctant to fire the max loads just in case.

Thoughts? Am I overly concerned?




Thanks again

[XDRoX]

I was nervous my first time too. Just wear protection, you'll be fine.

[five.five-six]

You don't need all your fingers, so long as yur thumb stays on you will be GTG

[HermanH]

Generally, the load data supplied are 'tested' on an AR15 and IF the assumption is you have a rifle that IS specified to shoot 5.56mm ammunition, nearly anything for .223 will fall well below 5.56 pressure, which is the real number you're worried about.

From widipedia (quick search):

NATO EPVAT maximum service pressure of 430 MPa (62,000 psi) for 5.56 mm NATO, is reduced by SAAMI to 55,000 psi (380 MPa) for .223 Remington.[31]

I've seen this guide too and used it a lot. While I've been under/over a 1/10th grain or so using H322 and H335, neither seem to have had any problems through my Colt LE6920. I will say, just be sure you have a nice taper crimp; not heavy, just a touch if at all. I found that when I did NOT do a full-length resize, 50% of my brass had loose bullets because the shoulder and neck didn't get sized properly (I was like 1/8" off but that's a lot!) I literally was able to push bullets into the casing by hand.

Once I got over my D-OH moment and resized things properly (after pulling some 60 bullets), everything was fine and I found it hard to even budge the bullets by hand.

[Mike27t]

I was nervous my first time too. Just wear protection, you'll be fine.

Thanks for the reassurance

You don't need all your fingers, so long as yur thumb stays on you will be GTG

Generally, the load data supplied are 'tested' on an AR15 and IF the assumption is you have a rifle that IS specified to shoot 5.56mm ammunition, nearly anything for .223 will fall well below 5.56 pressure, which is the real number you're worried about.

From widipedia (quick search):

NATO EPVAT maximum service pressure of 430 MPa (62,000 psi) for 5.56 mm NATO, is reduced by SAAMI to 55,000 psi (380 MPa) for .223 Remington.[31]

I've seen this guide too and used it a lot. While I've been under/over a 1/10th grain or so using H322 and H335, neither seem to have had any problems through my Colt LE6920. I will say, just be sure you have a nice taper crimp; not heavy, just a touch if at all. I found that when I did NOT do a full-length resize, 50% of my brass had loose bullets because the shoulder and neck didn't get sized properly (I was like 1/8" off but that's a lot!) I literally was able to push bullets into the casing by hand.

Once I got over my D-OH moment and resized things properly (after pulling some 60 bullets), everything was fine and I found it hard to even budge the bullets by hand.

Thanks for the tip as well as the reminder on the additional pressure tolerance of 5.56. Much needed comfort there

[atdski07]

You'll be fine just remember

Don't sweat petty things and don't pet sweaty things :-).

I just shot about 90 rounds of my first reloads Sunday had five different loads for 75gr .233 and four different loads for some 55 gr., all went off no hiccups, I was using reloader 10x and reloader 15. For my 55gr my sweet spot was about 22.3 gr powder and the 75gr was 22.5gr powder. Have fun:-)

[alfred1222]

It's fine, just don't panic and have your buddy pull the trigger the first few times

[GeoffLinder]

You are using cautious and prudent practices and should be just fine :-)

A good OAL range for initial testing with 55gr is 2.225-2.235".

[koehn,jim]

If you stuck with published data and did things correctly you will be fine. Welcome to the satisfaction of making your own ammo. It is a great feeling to make quality ammo, and being able to tailor it to your weapon. The idea of eye and hearing protection is a must, and remeber the most accurate load is not always the most powerful.

[Aldemar]

Your nervousness will very quickly be replaced by a smile that will not go away for a bit - relax and enjoy.
Some people have said to only load one round at a time when testing a new recipe. Safety reasons they say. Personally, I really don't see the reason to do that.

[damndave]

hahha I was super nervous too. I made my friend shoot off my 1st reload.

[EL_NinO619]

Your nervousness will very quickly be replaced by a smile that will not go away for a bit - relax and enjoy.
Some people have said to only load one round at a time when testing a new recipe. Safety reasons they say. Personally, I really don't see the reason to do that.

Not really safety reason, just you don't want to load 500 rounds of a caliber you have not tested, just to find out it won't cycle, is to hot, or your gun does not like. Only to end up pulling 495 rounds. If your somewhere in the middle of published data you should be fine, but if you working up a mouse fart or a hot round, I would load a test batch before I run a large batch.

[five.five-six]

Not really safety reason, just you don't want to load 500 rounds of a caliber you have not tested, just to find out it won't cycle, is to hot, or your gun does not like. Only to end up pulling 495 rounds. If your somewhere in the middle of published data you should be fine, but if you working up a mouse fart or a hot round, I would load a test batch before I run a large batch.

To save gas, I will load up sets of (10) rounds in .1 or .2 grain increments as I get close to the bitter end of published load datum. I just mark the casings with a sharpie.

[Aldemar]

Not really safety reason, just you don't want to load 500 rounds of a caliber you have not tested, just to find out it won't cycle, is to hot, or your gun does not like. Only to end up pulling 495 rounds. If your somewhere in the middle of published data you should be fine, but if you working up a mouse fart or a hot round, I would load a test batch before I run a large batch.

Sorry I wasn't clear...I meant load only one round in the gun.

[snowdog650]

OP, have no fear.

Man, I remember the first loads of mine that I fired. I loaded some 38 Special loads and put them through my S&W 686. Since it is made to shoot 357 MAG, I figured if I screwed the pooch on the 38's, I wouldn't have a catastrophic failure.

My first shot went without a hitch ... but I flinched badly, had both eyes closed, and completely missed the target at fricking 10 yards.

But it fired. And so have the thousands of rounds I have crafted since in over 10 different calibers.

Major pucker effect that first time, though.

Have fun tomorrow, OP. You'll be fine. All of us who roll our own have been there. Be sure to report back with your results.