First handloads
#165013
10/24/2015 3:08 AM
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Sam86
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Finally got some free time and did some reloading. These are my first hand loads ever. 255 grain LBT WFNPB Stareline brass 25 grains of WW296 Mag tech #2.5 LP primers Crimped OAL 1.60" Now I got to find time to see how they shoot.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165014
10/24/2015 3:08 AM
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Sam86
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165015
10/24/2015 3:10 AM
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daywolf
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FREEDOM No words spoken holds greater hope demands greater sacrifice needs more to be loved bless more the giver curse more the destroyer or came closer to being Gods will on earth WORTH FIGHTING FOR!
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Re: First handloads
[Re: daywolf]
#165023
10/24/2015 4:24 AM
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Chance Weldon
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The first of many, hopefully.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#165026
10/24/2015 12:58 PM
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Sam86
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44 mag sorry
Yeah it was pretty simple once I just did it. Kind of fun.
The very first one I made was just slightly seated past the crimp groove and if like 1.587" the Lee manule says that the min OAL for a 255 grain bullet is 1.60"
So is that bullet trash or can shoot it?
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165027
10/24/2015 1:06 PM
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500WE
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25 gr. 296 is a heavy .44 Mag load with a 255.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: 500WE]
#165031
10/24/2015 1:48 PM
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eastex
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Sam you may already know this but once I find the load I will shoot I will load up a dummy round for seating depth that way I will get a consistent crimp. Good luck
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Re: First handloads
[Re: 500WE]
#165032
10/24/2015 2:17 PM
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Sam86
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25 gr. 296 is a heavy .44 Mag load with a 255. I figured. However I have not been able to find any loads in the reloading manule or online for a 255 grain bullet with either unique or w296/h110 except 1 which was shared with me on this forum which was 25 grains of 296. IMO which is very limited I think it's rediculous that the reloading manules do not list every possible bullet with every possible powder, I can't understand why on earth they don't.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: eastex]
#165033
10/24/2015 2:19 PM
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Sam86
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Sam you may already know this but once I find the load I will shoot I will load up a dummy round for seating depth that way I will get a consistent crimp. Good luck Good idea will do.. I know a guy that says you can reload casing 15-20 times if you don't crimp and if you do crimp maybe you can reload them 3-5 times, opinions?
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165035
10/24/2015 2:33 PM
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doc with a glock
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Sam,
With the slow burners (powders) like WW296/H110 (same powder), you need a good, firm crimp to insure enough resistance for a uniform, clean burn of the powder. For the faster burners like Bullseye, Unique, AA#2, etc. a firm crimp is not as necessary, especially with a cast bullet.
Doc
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165038
10/24/2015 3:33 PM
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s4s4u
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I know a guy that says you can reload casing 15-20 times if you don't crimp and if you do crimp maybe you can reload them 3-5 times, opinions? I crimp my 45 Colt brass well, and am still using some older cases with countless firings. Load is a max dose of H110. You need a good crimp for consistant reliable ignition as well as to keep the bullets from walking out.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165039
10/24/2015 3:36 PM
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s4s4u
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I think it's rediculous that the reloading manules do not list every possible bullet with every possible powder, I can't understand why on earth they don't. That would be "practically" impossible.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: s4s4u]
#165041
10/24/2015 6:39 PM
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Brenden
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It's a good idea to apply a firm (or heavy) crimp when using cast or jacketed, in my opinion. I had several 44 Specials jump crimp when using unique with using 7-7.5 grains. With 5 grains of Bullseye, no noticeable jump. Started applying a firm crimp, no issues. Most of mine are on the third firing.
If you don't crimp with the load you are using, you will experience the dreaded tie up.
Brenden
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Brenden]
#165055
10/25/2015 2:32 AM
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Sam86
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Ok, does the crimp on my bullets look to be a good crimp?
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165057
10/25/2015 3:04 AM
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Chance Weldon
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I think your crimps look fine.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: First handloads
[Re: s4s4u]
#165097
10/26/2015 11:53 AM
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Sam86
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I think it's rediculous that the reloading manules do not list every possible bullet with every possible powder, I can't understand why on earth they don't. That would be "practically" impossible. Maybe this just shows how wet I am behind the ears about this but I cant see why... it's not like there's a 1,000 different powders and 800 different bullets. Just a min and max load data would be great.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165099
10/26/2015 12:30 PM
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FA834ME
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"25 gr of 296 sounds like a stout load in .44 Mag." Haven't figured how to copy and paste a quote from another post yet!
I use 23 gr. of 296 behind a 255 gr Montana Bullet Works with a gas check. I get 1650 fps out of a 7.5" Redhawk. I have not loaded any charges above the 23 gr load but experience has taught me I am close to the top. In the absence of data for this bullet/powder combination I went with the 23gr charge based on the same load behind the 240 XTP I have used starting with the 240 Hornady before there were XTPs. 23 gr is under max for the 240. The 23gr/255GC load shows no sign of excess pressure and shoots very well so I have never loaded past that to find the upper limit. If I wanted to find the limit I would move up .5 gr at a time. A 2gr jump would give me heartburn.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: FA834ME]
#165101
10/26/2015 12:46 PM
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Sam86
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"25 gr of 296 sounds like a stout load in .44 Mag." Haven't figured how to copy and paste a quote from another post yet!
I use 23 gr. of 296 behind a 255 gr Montana Bullet Works with a gas check. I get 1650 fps out of a 7.5" Redhawk. I have not loaded any charges above the 23 gr load but experience has taught me I am close to the top. In the absence of data for this bullet/powder combination I went with the 23gr charge based on the same load behind the 240 XTP I have used starting with the 240 Hornady before there were XTPs. 23 gr is under max for the 240. The 23gr/255GC load shows no sign of excess pressure and shoots very well so I have never loaded past that to find the upper limit. If I wanted to find the limit I would move up .5 gr at a time. A 2gr jump would give me heartburn.
Yes I must have missed your comment about using 23 grains with a 255. wish I hadn't!!! looks like I wasted 25 bullets...
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165107
10/26/2015 2:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
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FA834ME
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Not to worry! Get yourself a kinetic bullet puller and all is good! We've all been there . . . .that's why they put erasers on pencils!
Last edited by FA834ME; 10/26/2015 2:16 PM.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: FA834ME]
#165108
10/26/2015 2:24 PM
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Sam86
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Ok so I'm looking to get around 1,300 - 1,400 fps. how many grains should I start with and what is a max since I cant find any load data.
so I can pull the bullets and reload the proper amount of powder then re seat and crimp?
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Re: First handloads
[Re: FA834ME]
#165110
10/26/2015 2:52 PM
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FA834ME
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The bullet I used is a #429244 Lyman GC 255 gr semi wadcutter sized .430 with BHN-22 hardness. I went with the GC because I wanted to avoid and leading. Dave put me on this one. I would believe anything he told me about cast bullets. I would be concerned about a full load of 296 behind a bare based cast bullet causing erosion of the base and leading in barrel. There are plenty of guys here that cast/shoot lead bullets to stear you straight on that one. I have used 8 gr of Unique behind hard cast CP bullet with no leading but that is a fairly mild load for the .44 As a point of reference I found 22 gr of 296 behind a 310 gr GC bullet Dave suggested to be absolutely the top in my gun and backed off to 21.5 and consider that max without signs of excess pressure. I include this for reference only and go with the usual disclaimer that every gun is different and start low and work up!
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Re: First handloads
[Re: FA834ME]
#165115
10/26/2015 4:20 PM
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Sam86
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I am going to pull those bullets. resize the cases and reload them with 10.0 grains of unique, seat the bullet to the crimp groove and crimp (1.60")... is there a problem with that load?
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165116
10/26/2015 5:02 PM
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FA834ME
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I can't say for sure because my only experience is with 8 gr of Unique and a 240 Cast Perfomance bullet. It has been 30+ years since I developed that load. Do you have any load data to work with? Try Alliant's website or give them a call on the phone. These companies are more than happy to share information on load data with you.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: FA834ME]
#165128
10/26/2015 6:13 PM
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dhom
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I shoot the 429421 Keith with 10 gr Unique and it shoots real well. That is a mid range load. I wpould try 9,9.5, and 10 gr with the cast bullet you are using and stay with the load that shoots the most accurate. These loads should be safe in any revolver.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: dhom]
#165129
10/26/2015 6:30 PM
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Sam86
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165146
10/27/2015 12:54 AM
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Sam86
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Ok I loaded 40 rounds up, 10 in each increment 9.0- 9.5 - 10.0 - 10.5 The OAL is 1.59" and they all have a pretty good crimp. Now I just have to find time to go shoot. Plan to shoot a 5 round group at 25 and 50. I will starry with the 9.0 grain rounds, check for pressure issues and move up.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165183
10/27/2015 11:20 AM
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Chance Weldon
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Sounds like you've got it all figured out.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#165188
10/27/2015 11:48 AM
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Sam86
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165190
10/27/2015 11:54 AM
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Chance Weldon
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Ah, don't worry too much. You're playing it a bit safer than I do, and I've never had a problem. True, I haven't been reloading as long as many of the guys here, but still.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#165362
10/30/2015 1:11 AM
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Sam86
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Ok I got to shoot today. Out of the bunch the 9.5 grain batch shot the best. I forgot a screw driver so I'm still not sighted in but it is shooting good groups (for me, about 2.5-3") at 1 o'clock. I wonder how fast 9.5 grains of unique pushes a 255 grain cast bullet from a 7.5" SBH? They were very pleasant to shoot and I felt like I could shoot them all day. Ought to work for deer ya think? 50 yards was about 6-7" group, I need more practice at 50 yards +. There was a little leading in the barrel but not to bad. So with 50 yards being my realistic max range should I zero at 25 yards? Or maybe 2" high at 25?
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165373
10/30/2015 11:56 AM
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Sam86
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25 yards with homemade bi-pod sitting on ground. sights not adjusted to POA 50 yards with homemade bi-pod sitting on ground. sights not adjusted to POA
Last edited by Sam86; 10/30/2015 12:01 PM.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165374
10/30/2015 12:01 PM
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Sam86
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165381
10/30/2015 4:18 PM
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Raptortrapper
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Very nice! That will make a lot of dead critters! Now you're hooked aren't ya!
A lot of people are like a slinky: Not much fun till you push them down the stairs!
Lifetime Member of the NRA! Wish I'd a done it sooner.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Raptortrapper]
#165383
10/30/2015 4:51 PM
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Sam86
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Very nice! That will make a lot of dead critters! Now you're hooked aren't ya! yes sir, love the idea of handgun hunting. I hate taking a bunch of crap with me hunting and I really hate carrying a 8# rifle.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165410
10/31/2015 11:11 PM
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FA834ME
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As this old Italian fellow I once knew would say when something pleased him "Ya dunn good"
Enjoy!
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Re: First handloads
[Re: FA834ME]
#165433
11/01/2015 10:46 AM
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dhom
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You might want to consider a good set of ear muffs. They greatly reduce the noise from the handgun and the electronic ones enhance your hearing.
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Re: First handloads
[Re: Sam86]
#165517
11/03/2015 12:58 PM
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500WE
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Start with 22 gr. Max., move up to 23gr. Mag primers, heavy crimp.
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