Reloads verses factory..reliability?
- Thread starter Brianma65
- Start date
When you reload, reliability depends on you. The reloading components are the same ones used in commercial ammunition and just as reliable. Size the brass correctly so it fits your firearms, install the primers right-side-up, add powder, and seat a bullet. If you do it right the ammo will be right, too. Missing the powder charge is the commonest mistake. Be careful and double check everything, avoid distractions while you're reloading. Make sure you are using the correct powder and never have two different powders open at the same time. Easy-peasey. 
That's the game plan, fill with powder then to the tray , one at a time... how do you deal with messed up primer installs? I know it's been stated , that the lube doesn't interfere with any thing, but it's bugging the crap out of me. I can see the powder all stuck to the inside of the case mouth, and imagine it getting everywhere in my mags. So if one were to get rid of the lube , what's the fastest ,easiest and most reliable way? I've seen a spray lube on brownells site, it says it will just evaporate away, anybody use that stuff?
how do you deal with messed up primer installs? I know it's been stated , that the lube doesn't interfere with any thing, but it's bugging the crap out of me. I can see the powder all stuck to the inside of the case mouth, and imagine it getting everywhere in my mags. So if one were to get rid of the lube , what's the fastest ,easiest and most reliable way? I've seen a spray lube on brownells site, it says it will just evaporate away, anybody use that stuff?
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After FL sizing cases I always tumble them again (Lyman turbo, not wet) to get rid of the lube; seems to work inside and out in my experience. 95% of my reloading is for bolt, single, or lever and I only neck size to increase brass life so there's no lube.
By messed up primer install do you mean a backwards/upside down primer? If so I just use a universal decapping die and gently press them out. If it's not precision ammo I'll reuse the primer; just reseat it right side up.
By messed up primer install do you mean a backwards/upside down primer? If so I just use a universal decapping die and gently press them out. If it's not precision ammo I'll reuse the primer; just reseat it right side up.
I use Lee case lube. Water based, dries completely, and powder doesn't stick to it. No need to clean off after sizing.
Many reloaders make their own lube from lanolin and 99% rubbing alcohol. Never tried it, but there are threads with details and positive reviews on it.
Many reloaders make their own lube from lanolin and 99% rubbing alcohol. Never tried it, but there are threads with details and positive reviews on it.
I don't go to the range and pound off 500 rounds a day like I did in my pistol competition days.
Sold off or exported to my second home in New Hampshire (where I can hunt and ccw with them) all but 2 of my Canadian handguns .
Paper punching at an approved range accessed by the most direct route gets old quick.
If I can't take the gun to the bush it's gone. Can't afford to have $1000s tied up in safe queens.
I do much more practising with my 22LR rmfire rifles than I do with the center fires.
The quality of factory ammo is a lot better than it was back in the 60s when I started handloading.
I still handload for the very expensive rounds like the 375 Ruger and 416 Remington Mag.
I watch for sales.
My last trip to a sale I bought 20 boxes of factory Remington 170 grain core-lokt 30-30 ammo for $12 a box.
Pretty hard to beat that.
Pop off a box or two with the gun I'll be hunting with at the range a week or two before the hunt to check me, the gun and the ammo for performance problems.
I handload about 1/4 of my ammo and buy the rest.
Sold off or exported to my second home in New Hampshire (where I can hunt and ccw with them) all but 2 of my Canadian handguns .
Paper punching at an approved range accessed by the most direct route gets old quick.
If I can't take the gun to the bush it's gone. Can't afford to have $1000s tied up in safe queens.
I do much more practising with my 22LR rmfire rifles than I do with the center fires.
The quality of factory ammo is a lot better than it was back in the 60s when I started handloading.
I still handload for the very expensive rounds like the 375 Ruger and 416 Remington Mag.
I watch for sales.
My last trip to a sale I bought 20 boxes of factory Remington 170 grain core-lokt 30-30 ammo for $12 a box.
Pretty hard to beat that.
Pop off a box or two with the gun I'll be hunting with at the range a week or two before the hunt to check me, the gun and the ammo for performance problems.
I handload about 1/4 of my ammo and buy the rest.
I had some failure to fire. 2 x CCI250 and 1 x CCI br2.
Was not sure what from. After reading what eagleye said about handling primers. Just realized the rounds were ones I handled the primers. I now dump the tray into hand primer with out touching them.
Was not sure what from. After reading what eagleye said about handling primers. Just realized the rounds were ones I handled the primers. I now dump the tray into hand primer with out touching them.
I slicked up Rossi 92s for cowboy action shooting for a few guys and used the Lee Gunslinger kits.
The kit hammer spring is lighter than the factory springs and one of the guys said he had a few misfires when reloading with CCI primers probably from too light hammer strikes.
When he went back to Winchester primers the problem disappeared.
The CCIs seem to be "harder" than Win, Rem, and other brand primers.
I started reloading shotgun in the mid-seventies. I used a friend's Lee Load-All. I didn't know, or care, what was going on, as long as I put hull here, pulled lever, set primer, moved hull, pulled lever...it was brainless. Never had an issue.
Started reloading rifle summer of 1981. Used a Lee Loader. Worked great. Never had an issue until I had real presses. Loaded rounds for hunting. Went hunting, chambered first round, seemed really tight and wouldn't close. Tried to extract and couldn't. Rifle was useless. Day was over. Went to a friend's (mentor, actually) house with it, explained what I had done, and learned about case spring, hardening, and annealing. I also learned how to get that stuck round out.
About 15 years ago, I made up some rounds that were set up as just off the lands. The work-up rounds went great, however, when I made the batch of 50, I somehow switched (or otherwise got wrong) a couple of numbers on the COL and when I chambered the first round, it was hard to close (I ALWAYS try all the rounds now in the basement, BEFORE I hit the field). Fearing that I had somehow duplicated something I had not done in many years, I attempted to extract the round. Surprisingly, it extracted with little effort but then powder was everywhere. I got the case out, sans bullet and powder. The bullet was still in the rifle. When I tapped it out, I realized my mistake because the rifling was HEAVILY engraved into the ogive. Checking the OAL of the rest, I wound up re-seating all of the remaining 49 to the proper length.
So, stuff can happen, esp., when you don't pay attention.
Started reloading rifle summer of 1981. Used a Lee Loader. Worked great. Never had an issue until I had real presses. Loaded rounds for hunting. Went hunting, chambered first round, seemed really tight and wouldn't close. Tried to extract and couldn't. Rifle was useless. Day was over. Went to a friend's (mentor, actually) house with it, explained what I had done, and learned about case spring, hardening, and annealing. I also learned how to get that stuck round out.
About 15 years ago, I made up some rounds that were set up as just off the lands. The work-up rounds went great, however, when I made the batch of 50, I somehow switched (or otherwise got wrong) a couple of numbers on the COL and when I chambered the first round, it was hard to close (I ALWAYS try all the rounds now in the basement, BEFORE I hit the field). Fearing that I had somehow duplicated something I had not done in many years, I attempted to extract the round. Surprisingly, it extracted with little effort but then powder was everywhere. I got the case out, sans bullet and powder. The bullet was still in the rifle. When I tapped it out, I realized my mistake because the rifling was HEAVILY engraved into the ogive. Checking the OAL of the rest, I wound up re-seating all of the remaining 49 to the proper length.
So, stuff can happen, esp., when you don't pay attention.
You missed the cardinal rule of loading hunting ammo.
The load and cartridges should be thoroughly tested out an proven before you even think of taking them hunting.
I cycle each and every round thru the gun I'm going to be using on the hunting trip, even the factory ammo.
I used a Lee Loader for years.
I think they sold for less than $10 and had everything you needed except the cases, primers, bullets and powder.
Dad, the brothers, uncles and cousins used to bring me their empty cartridge cases back in the day so I would reload them - mostly 30-30, 308 and 30-06.
The mention of the Lee Loader brings back fond memories.
I've just finished trimming to same lenght, all 1000 cases, I find it's easier for me , to keep all cartridges to same COL. (Projectile specific). I'm now re tumbling, to remove the lube, ( cause the lube is bugging the crap out of me). Gotta get some of that evaporating lube! Also this handheld debur/chamfer tool gotta go . Can't imagine reloading for 10 guys ,as asked on here in another thread
Gotta get some of that evaporating lube! Also this handheld debur/chamfer tool gotta go . Can't imagine reloading for 10 guys ,as asked on here in another thread Attachments
Here is a good example why you should inspect your primers. I noticed this one tonight while making .223 rounds.
Just for fun I tried it in a empty case and it was for sure a dud.
Yes, Without the anvil in place, a Boxer primer is useless! Dave.
CreamySmooth
CGN frequent flyer
Reading a lot of primer seating issues. Try the Coax/Dorester primer. It's a beauty, very consistent primer seating depths.
I've found that even when I found an accurate load with factory ammo, I would get the odd flyer way out of the group. Maybe only one shot in two boxes. Different lot numbers of factory ammo would not be an accurate as the last box. The consistency was not there for me anyway. I have not had this problem with my handloads. When you have ultimate confidence in your rifle and ammo, you naturally shoot better.
