So, last night I proceeded to load my first 10 cartridges for my 30-06 Ruger American. I purchased 425 mixed brass from a GN on the EE, 99% of which came primed.
There were two types of primers used on the brass - Winchester WLR #8-1/2-120's and Federal LR #210's. I sorted the brass into primer types, then brass manufacturer types.
I am running a Lee Classic Turret Press (and all the associate accessories that come with it), Lee 30-06 dies (F/L resize & decap, rifle charging die, bullet seating and factory crimp die), RCBS powder trickler-2, Hornady Interlock 180 GR BTSP's and IMR 4350 powder. I am also using an electronic scale to measure the grams (not grains) of powder as a check prior to using the Lee scale and trickler to reach my target load. Using a CT digital caliper to check the case and seated bullet length.
My plan is to prepare 5 rounds per primer type (10 rounds total) at the minimum load (53 grains), then increase by 0.5 grains towards the max load (off the top of my head, around 55-56 grains). This will produce 30 total rounds (10 rounds at each powder load, 5 per primer type). The minimum loads are using Winchester brass, the next load is using RP brass and the final load is using Federal brass.
I have looked at the Lee reloading manual that states a starting load of 53 grains of IMR 4350. By taking a look on the web, I found that Hornady recommends a O.A.L. of 3.245 inches (buying the 9th edition manual today).
I started out by setting my Lee scale to 53 grains, then measuring out 3.4 grams of powder into my Lee powder pan on my digital scale (grain equivalent in grams). I then put the powder pan on the Lee scale and trickled the remaining required powder until I hit the 53 grains. This powder was then put through a funnel and rifle charging die into a piece of brass. This process was repeated until 5 brass were loaded with powder. I then too my flashlight to confirm that each brass was charged and looked similar.
I then proceeded to back out the bullet seating die as far as it would go. I seated a bullet in one of the brass and progressively increased the seating depth, measuring with the digital calipers after each pull to check the O.A.L. Once I reached the target O.A.L. (3.245 in), I moved onto the remaining brass and checked the O.A.L. of each one. I tested the first completed cartridge and it chambered from my clip and ejected like a dream!
Finally, I put them through the factory crimp die, which I found the toughest to judge! I think I put a decent crimp on them, but at least they are all consistent!
Here is the first round of cartridges at the minimum load!
I was so worried about the powder load that I redid the initial brass load about 4 times! It took me 1.5 hours to do the 10 cartridges, but now the press is set and it should go quicker, albeit as long as I am manually measuring the powder, I won't be looking to rush through it! It was nerve-racking due to not wanted to mess the powder charge up, but I loved every minute of it!!
Any comments or tips would be greatly appreciated!
There were two types of primers used on the brass - Winchester WLR #8-1/2-120's and Federal LR #210's. I sorted the brass into primer types, then brass manufacturer types.
I am running a Lee Classic Turret Press (and all the associate accessories that come with it), Lee 30-06 dies (F/L resize & decap, rifle charging die, bullet seating and factory crimp die), RCBS powder trickler-2, Hornady Interlock 180 GR BTSP's and IMR 4350 powder. I am also using an electronic scale to measure the grams (not grains) of powder as a check prior to using the Lee scale and trickler to reach my target load. Using a CT digital caliper to check the case and seated bullet length.
My plan is to prepare 5 rounds per primer type (10 rounds total) at the minimum load (53 grains), then increase by 0.5 grains towards the max load (off the top of my head, around 55-56 grains). This will produce 30 total rounds (10 rounds at each powder load, 5 per primer type). The minimum loads are using Winchester brass, the next load is using RP brass and the final load is using Federal brass.
I have looked at the Lee reloading manual that states a starting load of 53 grains of IMR 4350. By taking a look on the web, I found that Hornady recommends a O.A.L. of 3.245 inches (buying the 9th edition manual today).
I started out by setting my Lee scale to 53 grains, then measuring out 3.4 grams of powder into my Lee powder pan on my digital scale (grain equivalent in grams). I then put the powder pan on the Lee scale and trickled the remaining required powder until I hit the 53 grains. This powder was then put through a funnel and rifle charging die into a piece of brass. This process was repeated until 5 brass were loaded with powder. I then too my flashlight to confirm that each brass was charged and looked similar.
I then proceeded to back out the bullet seating die as far as it would go. I seated a bullet in one of the brass and progressively increased the seating depth, measuring with the digital calipers after each pull to check the O.A.L. Once I reached the target O.A.L. (3.245 in), I moved onto the remaining brass and checked the O.A.L. of each one. I tested the first completed cartridge and it chambered from my clip and ejected like a dream!
Finally, I put them through the factory crimp die, which I found the toughest to judge! I think I put a decent crimp on them, but at least they are all consistent!
Here is the first round of cartridges at the minimum load!
I was so worried about the powder load that I redid the initial brass load about 4 times! It took me 1.5 hours to do the 10 cartridges, but now the press is set and it should go quicker, albeit as long as I am manually measuring the powder, I won't be looking to rush through it! It was nerve-racking due to not wanted to mess the powder charge up, but I loved every minute of it!!
Any comments or tips would be greatly appreciated!
