bamf_shadow

Wow! I got the following information from the Hodgdon site: COAL: 1.200", min charge: 4.3, max 5.3gr. Now that is for a cast bullet (LRN) which is what I am using. Thoughts? I loaded some up at 5.0gr 1.125" OAL but haven't shot them yet.

I have some .45 185gr LSWC and some 230gr LRN that I would like to load up for use in some of my 1911's. I have HP38 powder and Remington primers for this. On the 230's I was thinking 4.7gr seated at 1.200"? How does that sound? Any advise on the SWC? Going for clean and accurate plinkers. Thanks!

I had considered static. The powder is HP38

After I tumble my brass with some polish I notice that there is some sort of residue in them. If I put some powder in the case then try to dump it out there is always a small amount stuck inside on the walls. I use carbide dies so I don't lube my brass, so how should I get rid of the polish residue?

Sounds like a blast, hope to make it next month. Other than a rifle what is needed? How much ammo per match? Will I need mag pouches for reloading during a stage?

Brooke, good job! I had a stage Sunday that involved 2 stars @ 15yrds. One moved like yours, the other was very well greased! I shoot steel much better than paper myself.

I am from Beeville which isn't too far from you. I shot the match at the Starry range on Sunday, very laid-back and friendly!

Still haven't shot these (tomorrow) but I decided to load a few that were a little hotter just in case I got out there and had issues. My original load was 4.0gr HP38 Lane 125gr LRN @ 1.145 OAL. I moved my auto disk from 40 to 43 and threw 4.3gr. Max load according to Hodgdon is 4.4gr so I am debating on weather or not to shoot these (I loaded 10). I was looking for 4.2gr but I don't have the double disk kit and the micromemter charge bar doesn't seem to like these light loadings. If the 4.0gr work then I am happy camper, if not I don't know where to go next...

I had an absolute blast! I squaded with some older gentlemen who weren't in any hurry and were very helpful. I didn't shoot as well as I know I can, but I will chalk that up to nerves. I did really well on the steel, and most of my first hits on paper were good. I had a lot of A-C targets and a few misses. Didn't hit any no-shoots, no penalties for proceedures. Now I am awaiting the scores to be posted and it is killing me! Talk about OCD, I am hitting the clubs website every 30 minutes. I know I didn't place high, but I just gotta know. There were 30 shooters so maybe I squeaked into the lower mid section...

I had thought of a similar setup with an M&P45, will have to wait for a good optic mount to come along. Looks good though

Sunday will be my first USPSA match and I am getting butterflies! My goal for this match is to have fun, learn lots, and don't get DQ'd. I will be shooting Production and have been practicing weekly for over a month now. I have been shooting for years now, but never competitively. I can't wait! Wish me luck..

Good idea Graham, I will give it a try.

I have a thread going using 125gr LRN with HP38. Right now I am at 4.0gr but it remains untested.

I know that I was being anal about some of my data and I don't plan on obtaining that data for all future loads. My Lee Pro Auto-Disk is throwing a consistent 4.0gr charge with the occasional 3.9 & 4.1 which I figured was par for the course. I was originally shooting for 1.125" OAL, but the last 10 I adjusted for 1.130". If those feed well then I may try 1.135". One interesting observation is that I let 1 Winchester brass slip into the second batch and it weighed significantly less than the blazer. I have a Wilson cartridge gauge that is noticeably tighter than my barrel chamber but all of my rounds fit in both so that is good I guess. It will be a week before I can shoot and chrono these loads and that is killing me!

Too bad I can't stack the micro disk on top of the regular disk. Looks like I need the double disk kit.

Ok, got my first 15 loaded. Have a few issues with them, but I think it relates to my scale. It is a Franford Arsenal digital model and I think it isn't quite as accurate as I would like. I got the Pro Auto-Disk to throw a consistant 4.0gr charge, however after I weigh the finished round I sometimes show a bigger difference between the component weights. Anyways, I created a simple spreadsheet to track these rounds. If someone could double-check this before I blow myself up I would appreciate it! 5-5-119mm.pdf

Switched back to disk and now I have no issues. I guess it is just the wrong powder and ammount for the micrometer

BTW powder is HP38 set at .37

I have a new Pro Auto-Disk from Lee giving me fits. I installed the adjustable charge bar as I will be testing several loads so I figured it would be easier to adjust that than to deal with swapping disks. Anyways the issue is that I am getting powder from the resivoir to the charge bar, but then it isn't dumping into the case very much so after a few pulls on the handle I am backed up. Here is what I am dealing with:

Well I have my expander die set to give just enough flare to hold the bullet upright, then I have my seating die backed out pretty far so that it just barely removes some of the flare but won't fit in my chamber. Then I have the factory crimp die set 1/2 turn past where it touches an empty case and it leaves me with a nice even taper. I had it set at 3/4 turn which is too much I think. I am going to measure my chamber and get an idea of my max OAL and make up a few in between to test with. Thanks a ton for the info!

I will play with the OAL some. Right now I have the die set for 1.125" as that is what Hodgdon lists. I have been trying to get the dies set up without priming or dumping powder but I obviously have too much crimp with the Lee factory crimp die because now my impact pulled can't get these bullets out! I don't have the seating die applying a crimp (as far as I can tell). This isn't as easy as I had hoped, but I will get it just right eventually!

I am starting work on my first ever loads and am getting conflicting information. The load is to consist of HP38 (Hodgdon says 3.9gr min, 4.4gr max), Lane 125gr hard cast LRN bullet, Federal small pistol primer in Blazer/Winchester brass. The conflicting info seems to be OAL. Lee, Hodgdon and Lyman all show different lengths. Can someone help me on this? The intended firearm is an M&P Pro 9. Looking for soft, clean and minor :-)

Thanks for the info! Now my Lyman manual states that if my cases are tapered I still need case lube with carbide dies. The info from Lee seems to contradict that. Clarify?

Looks like 231 is where I am headed. Any other good cheap bullets besides the MG's? They seem to be out of stock...

First off let me thank you ahead of time for any knowledge that you are fixing to bestow upon me! I am looking to start reloading 9mm for my S&W M&P Pro and .45ACP for use in various 1911's. The M&P is destined to become my Production division gun so I am focused on loadings for it at the moment. Here is what I have so far, and keep in mind that this is equiptment that has been collected over the last few years and much of it was hand-me-down kinda stuff: Lee Turret press (4 position w/auto index) Lee carbide die set (4 dies) & shell holder (9mm) Lee Pro Auto-Disk w/riser and 4 disks as well as the adjustable charge bar & riser Lee Safety Prime setup Lee primer pocket cleaner Frankford Arsenal mini powder scale Frankford Arsenal impact bullet puller Frankford Arsenal tumbler/seperator Lyman deluxe case trimmer Lyman 49th edition manual Wilson cartridge guage (9mm) Performance Tools digital calipers Chrony (F1?) +All the time in the world! Does that sound sufficient for starters? I know there is tons better equiptment, but honestly I have maybe $100 wrapped up in that list so I would like to start there and upgrade in the future. Now I am ready to select components. I already have about 1000 rds of my once fired brass which is a mix of WWB and Blazer (boxer primed). I am thinking of getting some Montana Gold lead bullets in 124gr but am undecided on powder and primers. I am looking for less snap than the 115gr ammo I am shooting now (114.7gr FMJ 1184 avg velocity @ 10') and maybe a little more push like I am accustomed to in my 1911's. Also would like the powder to be compatible with .45ACP (maybe 200gr, undecided) just to keep it simple for me. Obviously I am looking at cost very closely, but don't want to sacrifice too much. And I need to make minor PF of course. So can someone stear me in the right direction here? I sure do appreciate it!