Finally got my own press, rolling my own rounds

C

cheier

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I just picked up an RCBS kit finally and started rolling my own rounds. I'm currently doing cast lead for my S&W 500. Ran a bunch of brass through the tumbler with corncob and NuFinish car polish. The brass came out sparkling shiny with at new car finish on it... :)

Spent an hour or so last night casting over 100 rounds of .501 375gn LSWC bullets. I'll be measuring powder, lubing bullets and loading some rounds tonight. Never though I'd be looking forward to putting together ammunition. Last few bullets I put together, it felt like I was in a zen like state, just relaxing and enjoying the process, carefully weighting and trickling powder, and pressing the bullets in.

I'm already considering getting the dies needed for loading 9mm, but I am having troubles with patience. I keep telling myself to wait until I have the gun so I can load some test rounds before going all out and filling up an ammo can full of bullets... :D

No questions for you guys. Just another happy reloader. Will look at getting a shot shell press soon for doing cast slugs.
 
maynard said:
It will be fun for a while, buy then it turns into a chore.
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HAHA ^^THIS!! i used to love reloading, id sit there for 5-6-7 hours and love every minute of it/ now tens of thousands of rounds later, my back hurts after sitting to long , my hands cramp on loading the smaller stuff (.223) and im ready to call it quits after about 50 rounds haha my bench is to full of necessary reloading tools to have any work space, my shelf's are full of brass and bullets and i cant move any thing around..


for me the first reloading is the worst , with all the brass prep. it just gets miserable.


maybe i should quit precision rifle and just plink with what ever garbage i can get the cheapest haha

*edit, sorry to rain on your parade haha, if you get into rifle shooting its satisfying to see such a huge difference in accuracy !
 
Congrats, post some pictures of your ammo!
What are you shooting it out of?

Have you tried 700gr rounds for the 500?
 
Don't get me wrong, making ammo that hits where you aimed it is very satisfying. However it is a lot more fun shooting it, than making it. It is like cutting grass (another chore that I hate) but the yard looks so nice once it is cut.

Loading used to be fun, but when you have a lot to load and little time to do it the fun gets sucked out pretty quick.
 
I've had a couple hundred pieces of .223 on my bench for months that I'm dreading having to reload. Neck sizing for a bolt is the only loading I still enjoy cos it doesn't take me all damn night. Pulling the trigger is still fun though :)
 
Spawn-Inc said:
Congrats, post some pictures of your ammo!
What are you shooting it out of?

Have you tried 700gr rounds for the 500?
Click to expand...

I haven't shot anything other than hand cast loads. I have a Lyman 375 grain mold. I've had Kate over at Ammo Supply keep her ear to the ground for me on equivalent and 700 grain loads.

Anyways, here is a photo of the ammo and the gun.

IMG_1285-e1375665961787.jpg


EDIT: I look at that and think happiness... :)

I think that not only because its lots of fun ammo to shoot in this beast, but that factory loads typically run $3 per round. I've shot 83 so far in this gun and have another 100 ready to go. I feel like most of my equipment has almost paid for itself already!
 
I find its a balance between time spent reloading vs time on the range. Ive only been reloading for a year now, so the honeymoon period is still fresh. I've built up about 5000 pieces of brass (combo of purchased and range pick ups). Depriming/cleaning everything isn't as fun as the rest of the process, but its a hobby. Its about enjoyment, and expanding the hobby away from my time spent at the range.
 
True enough. I'm considering another gun in another caliber so I can start stocking up on more commonly available ammunition so I can do just as you have done. Purchase and pick up range brass. There are a number of different calibers on the horizon. At the moment, I have a bunch of brass in 38-55, but I'm waiting to get my barrels slugged before I move ahead with buying the bullet mold and sizing die for it.

At the moment though, I've finished reloading 50 rounds of .500 S&W today that I shot off on Saturday. My collection is now 200 rounds of 375 grain LSWC and 100 rounds of Hornady 350 grain jacketed hollow point. I will probably pick up more brass in the next few months for it. I'm contemplating .308 soon and possibly .44 magnum.
 
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