Holy Crap! First Reload

shelby78

shelby78

CGN Regular
Rating - 99.3%
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Location
Kingston, Ontario
So i am brand new to reloading but have been reading alot. Last night i prepped 30 cases. It was a mix of winchester and federal all once fired from my gun.

They were all full lenth sized (only die's i have) trimmed, cleaned, etc. I primed them last night also.

Today after a bunch of running around i had time to charge the cases and seat the bullet's. Keep in mind i'm trying to do this on the cheap to see if i like it.

Rifle is my steven's .308, bone stock except for a slight trigger tweak.

I used a single stage lee press, lee powder dipper set, Lee die's. I did read some tip's to getting consistant with dipper's and tryed them while measuring my weight's per dip.

I made up 10 round's today and here are the first 3 shot's from a cold bore.


firstreload1.jpg


firstreload2.jpg


firstreload.jpg




I shot this with a front rest, -1 today, old 180 winchester bullet's (was given to me and the price tag on the box was $12.95 per 100) 2.5cc powder measure loaded with varget.

This is the best group i have ever fired in my life, but to do it on the first 3 rounds of the first ammo i have ever reloaded was awesome!

If i am measuring right my .5095 (i tried to measure from powder mark's) minus .308 would be a .2015 group? This was shot at 100 yards at the range i belong to.

I'm going to load up 20 more round's now so i can try again tommorrow.

I was also trying to sight the gun in so i just kept the same point of aim to get the group. I know i need to do 5 round group's and will this weekend if i have time to get back out.

Did i mention i love reloading :)
 
now dont forget to go out now and buy all that fancy #### you think you need:p......
nice feeling making and using your first reloads eh:ar15::ar15:

keep up the good work;)
 
Ganderite said:
Quit while you are ahead. Frame the target; shellac the rifle and hang it on the wall.
Click to expand...


That's about what i figured. I have reached the high point and will be lucky to do it again.

The real insanity starts with me trying to do it again and how long will i try :D

I know it was a fluke but man did it make my day.

Today alone will have me reloading for the rest of my life!
 
Nice, i recently had good luck like that with my first go at reloading, although it wasn't my first group of the day...more like my 8th or so. I've never shot that good before, sells you on reloading pretty fast!

Marlin1.jpg
 
Thats very good work.

See I am almost to that point, well not really but getting there (my only rifle is iron sights and 67 years old). I'm a set the bar low and always improve kind of guy for somethings!

But seriously keep up the good work.
 
Well done indeed, Shelby! I'm using a single stage press as well, and I've only been reloading for just over a year, and yes, results like that are addicting! Btw, you know you can set your FL dies up to neck size only, right? Usually this means having the die touch the shell holder when it's all the way up, then backing off the die a quarter turn.
I'm sure others will be able to enlarge on this or give their methods.
I have a set of the Lee dippers, but only use them to get close to my ideal load, then trickle up to exact weight. I use an RCBS electronic scale.
You may also want to go with one brand of brass, to give more consistent results over time. Winchester is good stuff if you can't afford Lapua and the like. (I can't afford it either, but I splurged on it anyway!)
 
Yeah it's accurate but it'll bug you later that your not getting enough velocity, then when you get it up the pressures to high so you change powder, only to realize there is a new super powder for your cartridge that just came on the market, and your BC not high enough for the distance your reaching out too, then you think hey what if I bed the rifle and add a better scope and a match barrel.........;)
 
I remember the first time I shot my own reloads... it was from my Glock 17, and I was so scared I'd get a kb, I cringed in fear for the first 3 shots (I don't think I even hit the paper)

Afterwards, I was so excited I didn't blow my gun (or hand) up, I got into reloading hardcore. 2 years and roughly 5000 rounds later - I'm still going strong, reloading 9mm, .45ACP, .223, 7.62x39 - and plans to start .308.

Congratulations on firing your first batch - surely it won't be your last :)
 
I find Varget is a powder that will consistently give you groups like that with almost any caliber and bullet. I really like the stuff for loading. Well done.
Now you're ready to try and shoot your first single hole group. :D
 
Ganderite said:
Quit while you are ahead. Frame the target; shellac the rifle and hang it on the wall.
Click to expand...

X2000.

If you can get results like that using a dipper and mixed head stamped brass ..., well thats just awesome. :)

EDIT: And with the stevens trigger to boot.
 
stuckon308 said:
What gun were you shooting them out of?
Click to expand...


Steven's 200 in .308. I have a 22-250 barrel on the way for it also.

stevens200.jpg


stevebc said:
Well done indeed, Shelby! I'm using a single stage press as well, and I've only been reloading for just over a year, and yes, results like that are addicting! Btw, you know you can set your FL dies up to neck size only, right? Usually this means having the die touch the shell holder when it's all the way up, then backing off the die a quarter turn.
I'm sure others will be able to enlarge on this or give their methods.
I have a set of the Lee dippers, but only use them to get close to my ideal load, then trickle up to exact weight. I use an RCBS electronic scale.
You may also want to go with one brand of brass, to give more consistent results over time. Winchester is good stuff if you can't afford Lapua and the like. (I can't afford it either, but I splurged on it anyway!)
Click to expand...

Did not know about setting my die's up to neck size only. I literally have never reloaded or never seen anyone do it. I bought the die's used from a cgn'er and they had no paperwork with them. I had to watch the video's on lee's site to figure out how to set them.

I actually meant to separate my 2 brasses but once i got to the range i forgot :redface: I am glad i forgot :D

When i use my powder scoop's i don't scoop. I push the scoop down and let the powder trickle in on it's own, then use a card to clear the top. By not scooping i believe i can be more consistant as i don't compress the powder.

308BAR said:
Yeah it's accurate but it'll bug you later that your not getting enough velocity, then when you get it up the pressures to high so you change powder, only to realize there is a new super powder for your cartridge that just came on the market, and your BC not high enough for the distance your reaching out too, then you think hey what if I bed the rifle and add a better scope and a match barrel.........;)
Click to expand...

Exactly, This was a very mild load but i wanted to start low. I will be going away from my super varget as i got 13 lb's of pulldown i need to try. Varget here cost me 37.99 a lb plus tax. My pulldown cost my 7.70 a lb tax in :D

I will stick with factory barrel's (for now) But i do want better glass. I will be getting a old scopechief for it soon.

Later today i'll head to the range and try to be more consistant. I know i won't duplicate this but maybe i can come close.
 
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