First Loads !

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Huddles10

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No purpose to this post but my own self-congrats. Set up my Lee Precision 4-turret press last night. Set up dies. First time reloading anything. Will be doing 6.5 CM, 9mm, 38spl, 357 mag and 45 AVP.

Went to load ammunition today after the chores. Swapped to full length size from neck collet I thought I would use. Not digging the neck sizer with these cases/bullets. Much happier w FLS.

Setup: Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor once fired brass; 140 gr Boat Tail bullets. Federal 210m larger primers. 36gr Hodgdon H4350 powder.

20 rounds. Took a bit of time but wanted to be very careful with each step. Hand powder loaded. Single primer loaded. Definitely needed case lube.

Will take to range and give it a go. My Howa likes the ELD Match Hornady so tried to match as best as I could source.
 

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Looks like some nose damage from seating. My Hornady dies did that so I switched to an RCBS seater. Full length size for sure but measure setback of the shoulder. Neck only is just for new brass to make sure it’s round. Shoulder setback is more advanced for sure.

Congrats to making your first loads. Been keeping me chasing the perfect loads for over 30yrs.
 
Nice, I'd recommend Redding sizing wax over case lube. Less mess and more forgiving if you forget a case.

Also are those rings in the top 3rd of your bullet supposed to be there? Or is that happening when your seating the bullet?
 
FortHunter said:
Nice, I'd recommend Redding sizing wax over case lube. Less mess and more forgiving if you forget a case.

Also are those rings in the top 3rd of your bullet supposed to be there? Or is that happening when your seating the bullet?
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Think it is from seating. Did not occur when creating the dummy/set up rounds. OAL is per spec. Thoughts?
 
toebako said:
Looks like some nose damage from seating. My Hornady dies did that so I switched to an RCBS seater. Full length size for sure but measure setback of the shoulder. Neck only is just for new brass to make sure it’s round. Shoulder setback is more advanced for sure.

Congrats to making your first loads. Been keeping me chasing the perfect loads for over 30yrs.
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Thx. Will have a look at setback
 
Yes, ALL rifle cases will need lube for the sizing operation.

Pro tip: For the first set of any new load (powder / bullet combination) don't load more than 3-5. If the load is bad (over pressure etc) you will end up pulling everything you don't fire. For example, if that load you made is not good or safe you will be pulling 15-17 of those rounds.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Yes, ALL rifle cases will need lube for the sizing operation.

Pro tip: For the first set of any new load (powder / bullet combination) don't load more than 3-5. If the load is bad (over pressure etc) you will end up pulling everything you don't fire. For example, if that load you made is not good or safe you will be pulling 15-17 of those rounds.
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Thx. Actually read a post about a guy who loaded 300 and had that issue. I kept to min powder rating for this config for that reason. Will closely monitor. Just starting out shooting target rifle. Everything else was hunting or plinking. I appreciate everyone’s feedback. No ego here. Sponge to advice.
 
OP - I still do "pressure series" - yes, I load up circa 10 to 20 rounds, but most are like 0.3 or 0.5 grain difference in steps from book Start to past book Max - idea is to "sneak up" on over-pressure. A friend swapped powders and used same volume - froze his bolt shut - then broke off the bolt handle trying to get rifle open - so broken off handle and bolt still frozen shut - I think the gunsmith bill was close to what he had paid for the rifle. I do not want that happening - so I "sneak up" to pressure signs - I want to know where is high pressure in my rifle with those components. Get set up to pull bullets - it happens that you will have to do so from time to time. Hopefully only two or three - not several hundred. A younger fellow stops in, here, from time to time and we do a bit of reloading - he is learning, but uses my gear - I had mentioned he should be able to pull bullets as easily as he seats them - a mix-up or an error WILL happen if you play at this long enough.
 
Looking for a collet bullet puller now in all of my calibers. Was looking at the Hornady. Thought sticking to Hornady posted min for this config was a safe start. Took measurements from my Lee Precision book. All measurements are bang on.
 
Huddles10 said:
Clarification. Was not doing that when using neck sizer only.
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I've only had it happen to me when loading long heavy projectiles for .223 and the projectiles was compressing the powder to much. Ended up switching bullets. Dont think thats the issue your having but I dont load 6.5 creedmoor. Just 6Creed and 36grains wouldn't be an issue.

I also dont use book COL. I usually just load to mag length. Should be 2.815" ish. If your COL is less than that thats the first thing id try cause it's free, then id take the toebako's advice and get a bullet seating die thats designed for VLD bullets.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Curious why you chose Magnum primer over Large Rifle primer with your first foray into reloading ?
Keep us informed with your range trip .
Rob
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Sorry. Not magnum. Federal match large rifke
FLHTCUI said:
Curious why you chose Magnum primer over Large Rifle primer with your first foray into reloading ?
Keep us informed with your range trip .
Rob
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When I read up on this, it recommended the 210M (match). More sensitive and consistent. Plus I got a deal on 500 from a CGN member. I am using everything to match Hornady my rifle was putting 5 at 1/2” @ 100 yards.
 
Book COL is just a nod of the head to the SAMI spec world, Their length should fit in any magazine, and be safe in any chamber. It will also give something like a sane amount of neck grip. These things aren’t nothing, but I load ammo for my guns, not compatibility with everyone else’s.
 
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