First reloads! And a silly lesson learned

J

JDMLandscaping

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So after setting up my new Lee Classic Turret press (C clamped to a carpenters work mate stand since I have no space for a bench right now) and operating it in single stage mode without the indexing rod installed I loaded up my first 30 rounds of.308 for my Stag 10. I am using a mixed bag of once fired brass (that I have shot over the years and saved), Nosler ballistic tip 168 grain over IMR4895. My manual said to start at 41 grains. So starts the first silly mistake. While setting up my perfect powder measure I got it in my head for some reason to start at 40 grains instead of 41 grains. My plan was to work up in half grain steps to max load and see what the rifle likes. So because of my first mistake that work up started at 40 grains so pretty low but will still go bang. My second silly mistake came with seating the first bullet in the first case. I set up my die as per the instructions but did not back off the bullet seater screw on top so did a full pull to seat it and sent it way to deep into the case. But after I got that all sorted out I loaded up 30 rounds all within limits and am now eagerly waiting for my chance to hit the range! I have to say I now see why everyone who reloads saids they do it for fun as much as cost savings, I very much enjoyed the whole process and can’t wait to load up the next batch.
 
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JDMLandscaping said:
So after setting up my new Lee Classic Turret press (C clamped to a carpenters work mate stand since I have no space for a bench right now) and operating it in single stage mode without the indexing rod installed I loaded up my first 30 rounds of.308 for my Stag 10. I am using a mixed bag of once fired brass (that I have shot over the years and saved), Nosler ballistic tip 168 grain over IMR4895. My manual said to start at 41 grains. So starts the first silly mistake. While setting up my perfect powder measure I got it in my head for some reason to start at 40 grains instead of 41 grains. My plan was to work up in half grain steps to max load and see what the rifle likes. So because of my first mistake that work up started at 40 grains so pretty low but will still go bang. My second silly mistake came with seating the first bullet in the first case. I set up my die as per the instructions but did not back off the bullet seater screw on top so did a full pull to seat it and sent it way to deep into the case. But after I got that all sorted out I loaded up 30 rounds all within limits and am now eagerly waiting for my chance to hit the range! I have to say I now see why everyone who reloads Swiss they do it for fun as much as cost savings, I very much enjoyed the whole process and can’t wait to load up the next batch.
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We learn as we go and learning what not to do is as important as learning what to do. As you get older you'll also learn not to worry about mistakes that have no consequences - if you caught it and you can fix it with no damage or cost other than a bit of lost time, then it's not actually a mistake. We prefer to call that "experience".

If nobody sees you making a mistake and you can fix it, then it didn't really happen. It's like drinking milk out of the carton - it's only a bad habit if your wife sees you doing it.
 
So you have one round that is slightly under-charged, and has the bullet too deep in the case mouth.

This "should" be OK, but remember that seating a bullet too deep in the case uses up internal case volume, which will lead to higher pressure. As I said, with the reduced powder load, you are most likely OK, or to be perfectly safe, pull the bullet and re-seat to a nominal dimension. Or throw it away, if it is only one case.

Just my opinion + GST...

PS And not to say that I haven't done similar stuff.

iu
 
Welcome to reloading. It's where you are gonna get a lot of your precision from. You can get carried away with it though lol, all depends on how picky you wanna be with it. Don't worry about the under charged rounds and bullet depth. Just take the projectile out and re do them. Careful though.

Good luck and enjoy the process
 
Reloading is fun and educational. My first attempt at pistol reloading; first mistake was I undercharged and got a bullet stuck in the barrel. No biggie because I didn't pull the trigger afterwards. Second mistake, I loaded 50 rounds and I had to pull the bullets on the remaining rounds.
 
Been there, done that with my first .223 rounds. Loaded 100 rounds, then realized I made an error. Had to pull them all. Lesson learned.

StoneHorse said:
Reloading is fun and educational. My first attempt at pistol reloading; first mistake was I undercharged and got a bullet stuck in the barrel. No biggie because I didn't pull the trigger afterwards. Second mistake, I loaded 50 rounds and I had to pull the bullets on the remaining rounds.
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Well done.

I accidently loaded some 22 Hornet 5 grains light because I mis-read the scale. Turned out to be the most accurate load I ever found for that rifle.

Starting low and working up in half gr increments is an excellent way to see what the rifle likes.

For COAL, ignore the book. Load a round as long as will fit the magazine and see if the bullet touches the rifling. If not - use that OAL.

If It hits the rifling, tun the seater down a half turn and try again. repeat until the bullet does not touch - then use that COAL. That is the right OAL for that bullet in YOUR rifle.
 
JDMLandscaping said:
So after setting up my new Lee Classic Turret press (C clamped to a carpenters work mate stand since I have no space for a bench right now) and operating it in single stage mode without the indexing rod installed I loaded up my first 30 rounds of.308 for my Stag 10. I am using a mixed bag of once fired brass (that I have shot over the years and saved), Nosler ballistic tip 168 grain over IMR4895. My manual said to start at 41 grains. So starts the first silly mistake. While setting up my perfect powder measure I got it in my head for some reason to start at 40 grains instead of 41 grains. My plan was to work up in half grain steps to max load and see what the rifle likes. So because of my first mistake that work up started at 40 grains so pretty low but will still go bang. My second silly mistake came with seating the first bullet in the first case. I set up my die as per the instructions but did not back off the bullet seater screw on top so did a full pull to seat it and sent it way to deep into the case. But after I got that all sorted out I loaded up 30 rounds all within limits and am now eagerly waiting for my chance to hit the range! I have to say I now see why everyone who reloads saids they do it for fun as much as cost savings, I very much enjoyed the whole process and can’t wait to load up the next batch.
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You have stepped in it now. Too late for you. Most important - get several reloading manuals and read the first hundred or so pages of each. Over and over while you are reloading. It is all a hugely fun and incredibly interesting process. I have been at it for decades now, and I still learn a tidbit here an there from the others on this board, other reloading sites, different reloading manuals and my own data gathering and experimentation. Some of the most important tools to own, once you really get going in this, are a good quality caliper and micrometer. They are the basis, especially the caliper, for a LOT of important measurements you will eventually be really interested in. For now, make sure you full length resize and reload with care, working up your loads. Have fun!
 
I have made lots of mistakes when loading. The two most dangerous are:

Relying on my memory as to what the powder charge should be. I usually plan a loading session or an experiment while working in my home office. Now I make a note of the powder charge on a Post-It note and stick that on the powder thrower. No more memory issues.

Assuming what powder is in the thrower and dumping that powder in what I assume is the correct jug. This is the kind of mistake that can blow up a gun. If I dump a thrower of TiteGroup in a can of 748, the next time I load for a rifle - KABOOM.
I now make a note of the powder in the thrower on the Post-It note stuck on the side.
 
Ganderite said:
...most dangerous are:

Assuming what powder is in the thrower ...
I now make a note of the powder in the thrower on the Post-It note stuck on the side.
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This^.
Only have one powder out at a time, empty the hopper back into the jug and put the jug away as soon as you're done. Religiously, every time.
 
If you get an inertia puller you may want to consider buying one with a metal shank like the Lyman.

My RCBS with a plastic shank broke after a few pulls.
 
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