First Reloads

Well, its done. The lee turret press is on the bench and my first reloads are ready for the range. It was easier than expected. I definitely need to get a digital scale though. I weighed each powder charge. How much do you vary your powder charges when testing for accuracy? Is it by the grain or tenth of a grain?
Priming! The first one I primed was a sight I am sure. I pulled the handle very slowly. I was worried about popping a cap. Has this ever happened before? If you would admit to it.
Now I can say I am shooting a 30-30 with 29grains of IMR 3130 and 150 Nosler ballistic tip. I will try 30 grains and 29 grains first to see what happens.

We tune by the tenth, but you you are off to a good start. Rather than a digital scale you might wanna take a look at a good powder measure like the Lyman 55. They will drop most powders within a tenth of a grain every time. I don't trust digitals. Let us know how they shoot.

I have never had a cap pop while priming.

I've never popped a primer either, but the first couple hundred rounds you load sure feel like you might! That feeling will go away quick enough. Have fun and let s know how they shoot.

I also have never had a primer pop. I mostly use a RCBS hand priming tool. I like to feel the primer "seat" in the pocket. However, I have primed many thousands using the press.

I use a powder measure & a digital scale. After I get the measure set, I usually check about one in ten that I throw. Mine seldom vary more than a tenth --- two tenths at most (using ball powders). You will find less consistency when using extruded powders. At least my two powder measures do not throw them as accurately as they do the ball powders.

Good luck.

Rod, I didn't either when I first got my little RCBS unit. I calibrated it every time I turned it on. Then I bought a set of "check weights" to see what kind of consistency I was getting and I was amazed...not even 1/10th of a grain off. I'd just about bet my truck that if I go downstairs right now and turn on my scale and placed the 50 gr. weight on the scale that it would read exactly 50 grains. I haven't calibrated the scale in months.



My experience is similar to wtroper's. I have been very pleased with my RCBS powder measure when using powders like 296, 2400, and Enforcer. When using extruded powders, I set my powder measure to throw a charge about a grain under the intended charge weight and trickle the remainder of the charge onto the scale with a powder trickler.

Glad to hear you're getting the hang of this stuff deerdad. You're gonna love it!

P.S. I have never "popped" a primer while seating primers.

Deerdad, I have a RCBS digital powder dispenser/scale combo and I love it. I calibrate it every time I use it and have no problems. When I load for hunting(accuracy)I check the O.A.L. of every round. When loading for target shooting I check about 1 in every 5 rounds for O.A.L.

I've heard that they are getting better, but for everything I load I would rather rely on my Lyman powder measures. If I want to get fussy, I will drop light and trickle into the pan, but weighing every charge is a tremendous waste of trigger time.

s4s4u, please explain, Sir. For well over a decade I have had an RCBS 10-10 as well as a Pact DPPS mounted on separate platforms on my bench in a designated location that were leveled using a bulls eye level.

Each one is covered with a dust cloth when not in use and I'm careful to keep the agates clean on the RCBS.

The same set of check weights is used to check each scale and I honestly can't remember when either required recalibration.

WVS.

That's great. I will remain analog tho ;-)

As often, or as little, as I actually weigh a charge my old 5-10 and 5-0-5 do just fine.

I weigh all my charges on my old rcbs beam scale and actually enjoy it,kind of relaxing.

If you buy a quality digital scale you will be fine. Where people run into problems is when they buy those cheap POS $39.99 No Name digital scales from gunshows and the big box stores. The consistency of those things is deplorable, you would be better off relying on a set of Lee powder dippers and measuring by volume.

With scales, similar to with optics, you truly get what you pay for.

in loading of thousands of rounds of ammo never had a primer go off either in hand tool or press. i have used scales, and pact digital scales and currently using the hornady scale that dispenses the powder best money i have spent on reloading equipment.

You are in for some good times. Wait till you kill an animal with a load you put together. The bullet you are starting with is a good one for the .30-30.

I have always primed with a hand primer so can't say anything about popping a primer.

In loading this round if IMR doesn't give you the performance you are looking for you might look at BLC-2. I used it in the .30-30 and am quite pleased with it.

been loading about 6 months now and yes nothing like going to range and shooting all day for less than you are used to paying for ammo. ive harvested several animals with my own loads and it is gratifying to see ya load do what you want and more