Is there ANY part of reloading that is NOT relaxing to you?
- Thread starter rookie wildcat
- Start date
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Trimming brass...I find it a tedious task. The rest of the process is quite relaxing.
Well Ted, I imagine you are old school, as I am and probably neither of us load such quantities that we require the latest and most expensive equipment, plus we enjoy our hobby and in particular I, anyway, enjoy putting my own twist on doing something that is unique, yet simple.
An example is annealing. The first instructions I ever read about annealing stated the way to do it was to deprime the cases and set them in a pan with about 3/4 inch of water in the pan. Heat the shoulder area with a propane torch until it showed dull red, then upset the case into the water.
Copper carries heat so well, that with the base in water, a lot more heat is required to get the shoulder area up to heat, than would be required if the base wasn't in water. So, fixed that. Took a flat piece of copper, about 1/8 inch thick and put it on blocks above a pan of water. Set the cases on the copper and the shoulder areas heated in about half the time it took with the base of the cases in water. I tipped them into the water when they were hot and everything worked fine. The cold copper plate keeps the base of the cartridge case from heating.
An example is annealing. The first instructions I ever read about annealing stated the way to do it was to deprime the cases and set them in a pan with about 3/4 inch of water in the pan. Heat the shoulder area with a propane torch until it showed dull red, then upset the case into the water.
Copper carries heat so well, that with the base in water, a lot more heat is required to get the shoulder area up to heat, than would be required if the base wasn't in water. So, fixed that. Took a flat piece of copper, about 1/8 inch thick and put it on blocks above a pan of water. Set the cases on the copper and the shoulder areas heated in about half the time it took with the base of the cases in water. I tipped them into the water when they were hot and everything worked fine. The cold copper plate keeps the base of the cartridge case from heating.
Ok, I'm with you on that one for sure. I'm still finding the odd one or two rolling around my loading area from a nearly full hopper that got upset by my foolishness had to be at least 3 or 4 years ago.I try to forget that episode,what a mess.
1. Cleans while I sleep. In the garage, on a timer.There are a couple aspects I do not like about reloading:
- Waiting for my brass to complete cleaning and to shine like gold.
- Spending the extra 5-10mins picking out the perfect playlist.
- Listening to Domestic Niner complain I should be doing chores.
- Still not having a lock on my door and a "Do Not Disturb" Sign.
Other than those minor things, Reloading is a relaxing time for me, where I get to hone my loads for my art. Nothing like the smell of case lube
2. How can that take any time? Some Mozart, Brahms, a little Beethoven, throw in some Bach...relaxation!
3. Won't happen. This is number 2. I chose better.
4. Again, not required. She's not allowed in the room without permission and she knows it. See number 3!
Bruce, an older gent taught me a similar trick. He used strips of 1/2" thick hardwood. Put them in the pan (he got three rows), filled up to 3/4 full. Set the cases on the hardwood in 1/4" of water. Heated to the shoulder and tipped them in. Heated quick, bases were safe. Similarities abound!
