Newbie, first reload, help (what to do now?)

[louthepou]

Hi folks,

Been reloading for the first time yesterday. (Yay!)

I loaded my first five bullets before I thought about checking for the overall length.

I'm loading .303 British, 180gr round nose bullets; using Richard Lee's charts, with minimum load of 37.0gr of H4895.

So I have now five bullets with an OAL of 3.023", while in the book it mentions I should stick to 3.075". What should I do with these bullets? I know the max length of a .303 cartridge should not exceed 3.075, but the fact that the bullets I have are shorter by 0.052", what is the consequence of this?

Thanks for any help,

Lou

 

[machinistbutler]

with a minimum load you should be fine,pressures will increase as the bullet is seated deeper.You also do not have to seat to the max oal.Different bullet styles can have different seating depths depending on the where the crimp cannelure is.Many shooters try many different seating depths to try to tighten up groups.If you are concerned get an inertia bullet puller and give the thing a light whack and then seat the bullet to the max oal,as the bullet moves forwards with the puller.Just do not hit too hard or the bullet may come out. Welcome to reloading!!!

 

[louthepou]

Thanks m.b., it's great to be here!

The bullets I have are smooth, don't have crimp cannelures; sorry about forgetting that detail.

With the low load I put in, I thought it might not matter too much to fire these five rounds but I didn't want to assume anything, I believe I've completed my first lesson about reloading

Lou

 

[cosmic]

Second lesson - make small batches to start. Third lesson - keep detailed records...

 

[machinistbutler]

It is awful exciting and gratifying to fire your first reloaded rounds!!.Taking your first animal is just that much more so.Next you will get into bullet casting.No end of fun in this addictive game!!

 

[Suputin]

Put them in your rifle and shoot them.

 

[louthepou]

Thanks folks, can't wait to make it to the range and try my first reloaded cartriges... Argh, the wait is unbearable

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

the main thing Lou is not to read the reloading info wrong and make the mix too strong. the book says minimum OAL length. This is so the actions will cycle when stuffing another bullet into the action. Also too long can hamper loading. Start with softer loads and follow the book til the gun says " this is where I shoot best". I reload all mine for 30-30, 38-55, 25-20, .223 , 32Special and 6.5x55 Swede. Good luck....The fever has just started....