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Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!

HighCountryStalker

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    Livingston, Montana
  • Real Name
    Steve Nicoll

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  1. If you want to reload, there is no excuse to not get started now. All components are available with a little effort. The excuse that factory ammo is more available now is putting off the inevitable, someday it won't be. If you think components will be easier to get then and you'll just start reloading when the next shortage hits... I'm sure you see the flaw in this logic. Take your time and gather up components as they become available. Nothing says you can't continue to shoot factory ammo while in the accumulation phase and you're collecting brass at the same time. I probably learned more about my firearms through the reloading process than I ever did just buying ammo and shooting. I've yet to meet anyone who says that getting into reloading didn't end up equating to shooting more than they did before. Once you have the components and you're sending them downrange you'll feel guilty spending factory prices on a box. I seriously doubt you will ever look back and regret having gotten into reloading.
  2. Yea, if the machining ridges are built up that much the reamer is likely your best bet first then clean up with the steel wool.
  3. Take a small drill bit, one that is absolutely smaller diameter than the opening of the tube. Wrap a little fine grade steel wool around the drill bit and using an electric drill slide it in and out of the tube. It will polish up beautifully. Just be careful that the steel wool covers the bit so only the steel wool touches the material. Also flush it afterwards so no grit remains.
  4. The bends in my rod are not a perfect 90 degrees either. As Sarge said, assemble the fail safe rod with the Allen screws of the hopper loose. Then I operate the handle up and down a few times, sliding the white bushing up and down, which self centers the rod and hopper and then snug down the hopper. Mine ends up almost vertical.
  5. Do you have a scale already? What type of scale are/will you use. With a balance beam type I really don't think check weights are necessary. You will zero it each time you use it. For an electronic scale they are absolutely required but most should come with check weights. Congratulations on getting started. Don't get caught up in the minutiae, there is plenty of time to develop OCD as your reloading progresses!
  6. Not long ago Powder Valley had Titegroup, H335, CFE 223, Benchmark, and H4831SC all in at the same time! No price gouging. Yes, I bulk ordered... Keep your eye out and support the businesses that stay true to us.
  7. My guess, having done the exact same thing. I bet you are using a combination seating/crimp die. When adjusting the OAL you screwed the die in further which increased the crimp at the same time and the seating then collapses the neck. Since there really is no need for crimp at all, back the die off, screw the seating plug in most of the way and then adjust the die back down until achieving the OAL you want.
  8. NO! "Primers should never be handled, used, or stored in bulk, since primers in bulk can explode simultaneously." The link to the rest of the SAMMI recommendations: http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/SAAMI_ITEM_201-Primers.pdf
  9. I wanted to try TAC but it wasn't as easy to find and keep stocked. I ended up with H335 and CFE223 as proven and excellent powders from 50gr-75gr bullets. I also tried LT-32 which was OK but ended up not being my "go to" choice. The H335/CFE223 have been unbeatable in any of my AR's and a variety of bolt guns too.
  10. Aside from the fact that the data is easily read at the 15' range and further if needed, one of the qualities I like best on the ProChrono digital is the data is saved. I can turn the unit off, take it home and review the data in my reloading room at my convenience. I agree that I would first use it and see if you still feel the need for the USB software and hardware.
  11. I used it quite a bit but with 55-62gr bullets. As far as your comparison to book you can expect 200-275 fps less out of your 18" barrel than the 24" test barrel. My experience with LT32 was consistently getting slower velocities than predicted (even accounting for barrel length) but excellent consistency and accuracy. In fact I ended up moving into the 5.56 load data from the Accurate site before I really got what I wanted from the powder. It's a great powder, measures as good or better than anything and was obtainable when other stuff wasn't but in the end I went back to my CFE223 and H335. I'll save the LT32 for when I can't get those again.
  12. If that's a bulk bullet from GTO, I've used several thousand and they are exactly as advertised "for general target shooting and plinking" but don't plan on shooting one ragged hole. I don't have my H335 load info at hand but found the Hodgdon online data the perfect place to start.
  13. Here is a good article reviewing and comparing. I went with the RCBS for my accuracy loads and love it. It has a lot of great features that make working up loads or mass loading very easy. http://www.6mmbr.com/powderdispensers01.html
  14. The one question you didn't answer was are you sure that you have the correct primer assembly installed? You should not have to machine down the punch. If I remember it comes reinstalled with the Large Primer setup installed and you have to switch this out with the Small Primer assembly. I guess there is a remote chance that yours was shipped with both large assemblies... This would explain both the shavings and the lack of seating depth. If that's not the solution then I'd sort out the swaging before grinding down the part or get Dillon to send a replacement and see if it worked better.
  15. What TCon says mirrors my own findings. To add to that: I don't crimp even with semiauto. I don't believe there is a need and I find it easier to control neck tension. Trim to length. I trim as precisely as possible each time. Case volume consistency is huge so both trimming and weight sorting batches of brass and bullets contribute to the overall picture. Believe me I do not carry over the OCD into the pistol or high volume shooting. This link has been referenced many times before and it has quite a bit of good info http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/
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