What did you do in the reloading room today?
- Thread starter Mike Overlay
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You actually cast in the house?
No....dont cast in house. This is a table that rolls. This is set up to roll rightout the door and in the garage or outside if pretty.
Cool machine.
jmccracken1214
Well-Known Member
Took my first ever batch of Lapua brass (I feel so fancy) abs necked it down from 6.5 to 6mm, trimmed, chamfered, deburred and wet tumlbed.
The Loadmaster has been running poorly. So bad that I’m ready to toss it for a new machine. Well I got bored and decided to break it down and clean it. Put it back together, lubed it up and ran it for a function test. 100 rounds no issues. So kept going. 500 rounds and less than an hour later, no issues. Wasn’t able to load 5 rounds without an issue. Hmmm guess I’ll keep her..... for now.
Installed a Lee Auto Drum powder measure on Saturday. Easy set up. Powder drops are very consistent and accurate. No powder leakage. Easy change over for different calibers. I think I am going to like this set-up... we'll see after a K or so rounds.
Started setting up my .308 dies on my LCT, ran it as single stage to deprime/FL size, trim, chamfer/debur. Just 30 pieces for this first batch.
Will load them up tonight.
Will load them up tonight.
They’re pretty simple. I’ve taken mine apart many times to clean or polish. Unfortunately there are a lot of plastic pieces so you may have snapped something that’s not easy to repair.
Realized I need a double disk kit for my auto disk pro. Rather than buying it, I’ll 3D Print the spacers and go buy longer screws. $3 vs $12.
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I found a parts kit for it on Lee's site, needed a couple of other things so went ahead and ordered one just in case.
Didn’t know they made one and am a little surprised, but that’s great, and good to know as I’ve got 2.
In case you didn't know, if it is a part from Lee as in a part that could break they do not charge you for the part, just the shipping.
I usually get a couple items at once like a decapping pin or something just make the shipping worthwhile.
2min on thingiverse and 31min printing and I have the spacers needed to run a double disk setup. Just have to grab the 6-32 screws from Lowes for $1.50.
If anyone local has plenty of discs and just needs the spacers vs the whole kit, I’ll gladly print them for you.
DaveTNC
Happy to be here
Things have been slow in the reloading room this summer with too many other things going on, but I have just started to dabble in casting and loaded up 20 of my first batch this evening to try out. (There's a thread in the Casting subforum about that experience.) We'll see how they shoot as soon as I can get to the range.
On another note, why does everyone rave about how consistent the Lee Auto Drum is, but I can't seem to get decent consistency out of mine, or out of the Auto Disk that I also have. I'm using Bullseye and W231, which supposedly "meter like water". I've cleaned them, wiped them with dryer sheets, run graphite through them, run hoppers of powder through them, and even sorted headstamps in case the different brass was somehow activating them differently. But I never get the .1 -.2 grain consistency everyone talks about. Tonight, for example, 20 rounds loaded and I got throws from the Auto Drum ranging from 2.9-3.8 grains.
Granted, most were in the 3.1 - 3.5 range, but that's still not what I would call consistent. This was mixed brass, but even among loads in the same headstamp it varied a lot.
On another note, why does everyone rave about how consistent the Lee Auto Drum is, but I can't seem to get decent consistency out of mine, or out of the Auto Disk that I also have. I'm using Bullseye and W231, which supposedly "meter like water". I've cleaned them, wiped them with dryer sheets, run graphite through them, run hoppers of powder through them, and even sorted headstamps in case the different brass was somehow activating them differently. But I never get the .1 -.2 grain consistency everyone talks about. Tonight, for example, 20 rounds loaded and I got throws from the Auto Drum ranging from 2.9-3.8 grains.
Granted, most were in the 3.1 - 3.5 range, but that's still not what I would call consistent. This was mixed brass, but even among loads in the same headstamp it varied a lot.
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That's a bit odd, DaveTNC, by my experience. I have four of them and they meter quite well with most powders (Unique and 800x being the most noteable exceptions). I do get a little leakage using very fine powders but it's manageable. Accuracy is exceptional, for the most part, and I've done nothing but clean them now and again. I did have a problem with consistency when I first began reloading but that was due to improper die setting. Hopefully you'll figure it out, soon. You might give Lee a call or send them an email. They're pretty helpful.
Good luck.
Elmer
Good luck.
Elmer
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Things have been slow in the reloading room this summer with too many other things going on, but I have just started to dabble in casting and loaded up 20 of my first batch this evening to try out. (There's a thread in the Casting subforum about that experience.) We'll see how they shoot as soon as I can get to the range.
On another note, why does everyone rave about how consistent the Lee Auto Drum is, but I can't seem to get decent consistency out of mine, or out of the Auto Disk that I also have. I'm using Bullseye and W231, which supposedly "meter like water". I've cleaned them, wiped them with dryer sheets, run graphite through them, run hoppers of powder through them, and even sorted headstamps in case the different brass was somehow activating them differently. But I never get the .1 -.2 grain consistency everyone talks about. Tonight, for example, 20 rounds loaded and I got throws from the Auto Drum ranging from 2.9-3.8 grains.
Dave, Ive owned 3 different auto drums and they have all been exceptionally accurate over a very large range of powders and types, also throwing small charges and large. I have several drums I leave set up for certain loads and they always stay consistent. I have noticed it sometimes takes 10-20 throws to settle everything and get a consistent weight, but after that its always spot on.
Make sure the drum isn't overly tightened, mine seem to like to be a bit looser than you would think. Good luck with it, once you get it sorted out Im sure you will really like it.
I loaded up some CFE223 under the 55g 2nds that Butter sells, got best accuracy from 26.2g which was as high as I had loaded.
To be clear, I am the limiting factor, accuracy was comparable to Fed xm193, Fiocchi 223a and MEN 56g 556 FMJ. All shot worse as the round count went up without a break to cool down, no surprise there.
To be clear, I am the limiting factor, accuracy was comparable to Fed xm193, Fiocchi 223a and MEN 56g 556 FMJ. All shot worse as the round count went up without a break to cool down, no surprise there.
Hi Guys,
I worked up a few ladder loads in 45 ACP this evening using Hornady HAP 185 gr bullets over Titegroup powder. The Hornady manual calls for an OAL of 1.245. The Lee manual calls for an OAL of 1.135 for a 185 jacketed bullet. Quite a difference. I went with Hornady.
Happy Loading, Folks....
Elmer
I worked up a few ladder loads in 45 ACP this evening using Hornady HAP 185 gr bullets over Titegroup powder. The Hornady manual calls for an OAL of 1.245. The Lee manual calls for an OAL of 1.135 for a 185 jacketed bullet. Quite a difference. I went with Hornady.
Happy Loading, Folks....
Elmer
This. If it’s too tight it will not stop in the same spot to fill every time. I had this problem early on. I had to put it just tight enough to not leak.
DaveTNC
Happy to be here
Can you elaborate on this any? I set the expander die per the Lee instructions, then screw it in or out a little to adjust the amount of flare.
DaveTNC
Happy to be here
Sure. I did not properly re-adjust the powder thru expanding die when moving from 357 magnum to 38 special and the drum did not rotate fully. My throws varied sometimes more than a grain. It drove me crazy(ier) until I contacted Lee. Then I feltDaveTNC said:
like an idiot. The same thing will happen, as dave33 and Wolffy pointed out, if the drum is screwed in too tightly (been there / done that, as well).
Elmer
Not in my pot as of yet. Building a house in N myrtle beach and having a reloading room included. That is where this set up will be.
My circa 1998 Dillon vibratory case cleaner bit the dust a couple of weeks ago.
After a little digging, I found a wire from the transformer had let loose. Soldered in a fresh wire and we're back in business.
Only had a few parts leftover after I put it back together.
After a little digging, I found a wire from the transformer had let loose. Soldered in a fresh wire and we're back in business.
Only had a few parts leftover after I put it back together.
Attachments
Combat Diver
Well-Known Member
Started the morning casting 10 lbs lead into .358 150 gr SWCHP, .451 190gr SWC, .358 158 gr SWC and .311 RB for buckshot. Sized and lubed 100 of the 150 SWCHP into .38 SPL with SR7625. Sized and deprimed 100 .41 Mag and then tumbled the cases. Deprimed 150+ 12 ga hulls.
CD
CD
Combat Diver
Well-Known Member
Cast some more .358 158 gr SWC, .311 RB and .375 RB. Finished loading 100 rds of .41 Mag with a Lee 195gr SWC and Titegroup. Deprimed/sized 250 12 ga hulls for buckshot loads. Now working on .223 Rem cases, resizing/depriming and trimming.
CD
CD
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Loaded up my first 25rd of .308, 147gr fmj’s w IMR4895... plinking ammo.
100rd .45 on the LCT
3D printed 2 powder baffles for my Lee measures and 2 more pegboard Turret holders for my newish .308 and .300BLK turrets.
100rd .45 on the LCT
3D printed 2 powder baffles for my Lee measures and 2 more pegboard Turret holders for my newish .308 and .300BLK turrets.
Charlie R
You can't take ammo home!
Spent some quality time with two new tools that I just received from 21st Century Reloading. Didn't mess with any Lapua, but I had some Horanady .243 brass and reamed the primer pockets and chamfering the flash holes with new tools. I especially like the flash hole deburing tool that indexes on the inside of the case head for consistent depth. Will check case volumes some time this week and see what the flash hole tool really does compared to untouched brass.
Combat Diver
Well-Known Member
Slow process casting with single and double cavity RB molds. My buckshot loads are 9 ea .311 or 6 ea .375 RB. Loaded 270 rds of .223 55 gr FMJBT also.
Costs: Lead free range scrap out of my backyard range. I recycle
.223 brass-once fired by me or range pick ups-$0
powder exactly one pound of BL-C(2) @ $18 7000 grs per lb/25.5 gr load x 270 = 6885 grs
primers paid $15 per 1000 so .015 ea or $4.05
bulets paid $25 per 1000 so .025 ea or $6.75
Total per 270 rds is $28.80, just over a dime a piece.
CD
Costs: Lead free range scrap out of my backyard range. I recycle
.223 brass-once fired by me or range pick ups-$0
powder exactly one pound of BL-C(2) @ $18 7000 grs per lb/25.5 gr load x 270 = 6885 grs
primers paid $15 per 1000 so .015 ea or $4.05
bulets paid $25 per 1000 so .025 ea or $6.75
Total per 270 rds is $28.80, just over a dime a piece.
CD
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I just did a little straightening up in the dungeon so I could actually get to my bench without having to crawl over too many things. I have had to make room for my wife's power wheelchair, so space in my toy area is at a premium. Mainly I just moved around about a dozen 5 gallon buckets full of brass or loaded rounds and several tackle bags so that I could have an unobstructed path. I have not been able to go shooting much lately and have been spending what spare time I have loading. I just finished using all the bullets suitable for 45 Auto and suppose I will go back to loading 308 or 9mm until I order more 45 bullets. I reckon some day soon I should finish prepping several hundred 223 cases I started working on a few weeks ago.
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Slow process casting with single and double cavity RB molds. My buckshot loads are 9 ea .311 or 6 ea .375 RB. Loaded 270 rds of .223 55 gr FMJBT also.
Costs: Lead free range scrap out of my backyard range. I recycle
.223 brass-once fired by me or range pick ups-$0
powder exactly one pound of BL-C(2) @ $18 7000 grs per lb/25.5 gr load x 270 = 6885 grs
primers paid $15 per 1000 so .015 ea or $4.05
bulets paid $25 per 1000 so .025 ea or $6.75
Total per 270 rds is $28.80, just over a dime a piece.
CD
I can see getting primers at $15 if you worked the Cabelas deals last year, but I’m confused about the combination of free range scrap and buying bullets at $25/k. You have a source for fmj at that price??
Combat Diver
Well-Known Member
Bought bunch of reloading supplies off the forum here in Dec from Ryengoth. He may have some left. Range scrap was the lead ingots I used today. Back in 14' I hit tire shops up in Fayetteville and separated wheel weights from stickons (pure lead) and clipped on. Been recycling whatever I shoot into my range back into the pot. I pick up lead wherever and whenever I can to include Iraq/Kuwait/Afghanistan.
CD
CD
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