FISH4BUGS
10-26-2014, 08:44 PM
Strange - you really DO forget how things work if you lay off for a long while.
I had not reloaded a round for probably 6 months. My reloading style is to set up for a caliber and bullet, then load thousands of rounds (Dillon 550) of that combination. (Yes, I always test the first five rounds before loading the rest - don't ask me how I learned THAT lesson!)
Since I shoot machine guns, components are usually bought in lots of 5000, powder in 8 lb jugs, and primers in lots of 5000. I really stocked up about 10 years ago and it proved to be one of the best things I have ever done. I have added to inventory when I find something I can, and do, use.....whether I need it or not. I bought an 8 lb jug of 748 a few months ago only because it was there at the LGS and for sale.....didn't need it but will use it up for sure.
In my last manic loading sessions I reloaded a total of some 4000 9mm cast 356402 using ww231. Now all are loaded (at least the ones I haven't shot up) and in nice cartridge boxes. They are in the upstairs closet just waiting to taken out and used!
Then I shifted gears and cast boolits for some time (did some 3000 H&G 51's, bunch of 44 240 swc's, and 45 230gr rn), but then got very busy with work and the house.....didn't load a round for 6 months but just worked from inventory.....but still didn't have time to shoot much either.
When I finally got back to relading, it took a while to get the settings right. The interesting thing is that I forgot was everything has to be perfectly in adjustment for the Dillon 550 to work right. Frustrating when it doesn't work right - feeding primers, powder bar sticking, primer slide assembly sticking, etc.
So over the last week, working here and there, I got the press all set up, adjusted, and off we go! 1000 44 mag 240jhp over 23.5 gr W296. Not quite maximum but still pretty zippy loads. Now all those loaded rounds are in cartridge boxes. 10 years ago I bought 2000 240gr jhp 44 jacketed bullets and had them in an ammo can all that time. It broke my neart but I finally used half of them up. The other 1000 bullets will stay in inventory.
I really had forgotten how much I enjoy this hobby! Having 10 nice 100 round cartridge boxes of 44 mag stacked up with the rest of the 9mm, 380, 45, 38 and 357 loaded ammo in the closet is almost as pleasing to look at than the 7 cord wood pile stacked, covered and ready for winter.
All in all a very pleasant day.
I had not reloaded a round for probably 6 months. My reloading style is to set up for a caliber and bullet, then load thousands of rounds (Dillon 550) of that combination. (Yes, I always test the first five rounds before loading the rest - don't ask me how I learned THAT lesson!)
Since I shoot machine guns, components are usually bought in lots of 5000, powder in 8 lb jugs, and primers in lots of 5000. I really stocked up about 10 years ago and it proved to be one of the best things I have ever done. I have added to inventory when I find something I can, and do, use.....whether I need it or not. I bought an 8 lb jug of 748 a few months ago only because it was there at the LGS and for sale.....didn't need it but will use it up for sure.
In my last manic loading sessions I reloaded a total of some 4000 9mm cast 356402 using ww231. Now all are loaded (at least the ones I haven't shot up) and in nice cartridge boxes. They are in the upstairs closet just waiting to taken out and used!
Then I shifted gears and cast boolits for some time (did some 3000 H&G 51's, bunch of 44 240 swc's, and 45 230gr rn), but then got very busy with work and the house.....didn't load a round for 6 months but just worked from inventory.....but still didn't have time to shoot much either.
When I finally got back to relading, it took a while to get the settings right. The interesting thing is that I forgot was everything has to be perfectly in adjustment for the Dillon 550 to work right. Frustrating when it doesn't work right - feeding primers, powder bar sticking, primer slide assembly sticking, etc.
So over the last week, working here and there, I got the press all set up, adjusted, and off we go! 1000 44 mag 240jhp over 23.5 gr W296. Not quite maximum but still pretty zippy loads. Now all those loaded rounds are in cartridge boxes. 10 years ago I bought 2000 240gr jhp 44 jacketed bullets and had them in an ammo can all that time. It broke my neart but I finally used half of them up. The other 1000 bullets will stay in inventory.
I really had forgotten how much I enjoy this hobby! Having 10 nice 100 round cartridge boxes of 44 mag stacked up with the rest of the 9mm, 380, 45, 38 and 357 loaded ammo in the closet is almost as pleasing to look at than the 7 cord wood pile stacked, covered and ready for winter.
All in all a very pleasant day.