New Reloader

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SigFan54

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Hey guys just figured I would introduce myself. My name is Nick. I am new to reloading and just set up my bench recently. I use a Lee Loadmaster and like it a lot so far. I just finished loading my first batch. I am currently only loading 45 acp as those are the only dies I have. I made a small batch of 25 with 200 gr Hornday XTP. I am going to test them out later this week and will let everyone know how it goes!
 
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I guess I can count myself lucky with 6 sets (have to think about that).

Less habit forming and more endless things you can buy (or be very disciplined). Always another cool new tool to make smaller holes.

I actuary hate it, but it lets me shoot a whole lot more and more accurately (grin)

Sans an assistant I just have to do it myself, sigh.
 
Thanks, I am already addicted haha! Looking at getting the dies for .223 which means I get to pick out a case trimmer and demurring tool, and more accessories! Haha I am going out tomorrow to test my batch of .45 and will let you know how everything goes! Since you have been reloading so long I figured I would ask you. What’s a good case trimmer for the money? Just need a hand trimmer nothing electric right now as I am not looking to spend that type of money yet lol.
 
Hi Nick - Welcome

Reloading is a lot of fun and very rewarding. Before you start on the 223 - look through the recent threads. I've been reloading for 30 years, but just started with the 223. After busting 3 decapping pins, I joined the forum.

I've found the 223 [because of the crimped dies [some 9mm as well]] are a bit more difficult to reload. Once you learn the process, know what to look for [and look out for], it's basically the same. But, after a month - it may be the only cartridge I shoot which I may simply buy packaged ammo rather than reloading. That's saying a lot for me. I think I've only purchased 6 boxes of commercial ammo in 30+ years. :-)
 
Welcome to the wonderful, oft frustrating and confusing world of reloading! I've been playing with stuffing brass for a while and I still learn something new often. Don't be afraid to ask questions (yes, there are stupid questions; the ones that you haven't researched first :D)...

Go slow. Double check everything. Most important, have fun...
 
Welcome to TFL Nick. This is where to talk about loading when you're not loading :D.

45 ACP is a good place to start. It's fairly easy to load and really easy to see the charge levels.

I made a small batch of 25 with 200 gr Hornday XTP +p.
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Can you give us some more info on this ammo you crafted? We're curious about what propellant you used; the charge weight; etc. See if you pointed yourself in the right direction.

Load safe,
- Nick. (Cool name, right? :cool:)
 
Yep, I used tite group at around 5.0-5.1 gr which was sort of a median of the 4.7-5.3 gr my Lyman manual suggested for 200 gr jacketed hp’s. I’m going to pick up a Hornady manual soon here as well as their stuff seems to be slightly different than a lot of others! It’ll also give me more accurate loads for specific rounds
 
Starting out loading +P ammo ain't my idea of working up a load, but it's your gun.

Also, Titegroup is not a good powder to start with as it has a very narrow load margin......in this case only 1/2 grain according to Hodgdon.

Check your powder levels in each case to make sure you have powder and not too much. I have never used Titegroup for the above reasons, so I have no idea how it fills the case.

I have used a lot of different powders in the 45ACP over the years and have delegated my loading to VV N340 as it fills the case, it is a very clean powder, has virtually no muzzle flash and gives me accurate loads in several semi-auto calibers.

Good luck with your loading endeavors and shootem up.
 
Welcome to the group and am anxious to hear more of your results.

What was the factor behind the press you decided on if I may ask?
 
Thanks, I am already addicted haha! Looking at getting the dies for .223 which means I get to pick out a case trimmer and demurring tool, and more accessories! Haha I am going out tomorrow to test my batch of .45 and will let you know how everything goes! Since you have been reloading so long I figured I would ask you. What’s a good case trimmer for the money? Just need a hand trimmer nothing electric right now as I am not looking to spend that type of money yet lol.
Click to expand...

I will admit I am highly opinionated on the subject.

IMNSHO: The off the shoulder trimmers are the best (of course you case needs a shoulder)
I would go with the Gerard Tri Trimmer (put it in a drill, turn upside down and clamp in a vice and you have a great motorized unit) - $100 or close.

If I was planning on going to more than 5 calibers with shoulders, then I would go with the Motorized Gerard unit that has low cost ($30) change out setups.

Pistol cases usualy don't need to be trimmed, I do keep an old RCBS crank trimmer for 270 that I don't load a lot.
 
kmw1954 said:
Welcome to the group and am anxious to hear more of your results.

What was the factor behind the press you decided on if I may ask?
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The price was unbeatable for a progressive. I knew that there would be a few small fixes I would have to do but that didn't bother me. My brother is a bit more knowledgeable on the subject than me and he told me it would be good.
 
Dufus said:
Starting out loading +P ammo ain't my idea of working up a load, but it's your gun.

Also, Titegroup is not a good powder to start with as it has a very narrow load margin......in this case only 1/2 grain according to Hodgdon.

Check your powder levels in each case to make sure you have powder and not too much. I have never used Titegroup for the above reasons, so I have no idea how it fills the case.

I have used a lot of different powders in the 45ACP over the years and have delegated my loading to VV N340 as it fills the case, it is a very clean powder, has virtually no muzzle flash and gives me accurate loads in several semi-auto calibers.

Good luck with your loading endeavors and shootem up.
Click to expand...
I honestly saw +p a lot on various sources and thought it was a factor in the bullet style (thought since they were hp it might stand for protection or something). Got real confused when the box didn't +p these are standard pressure rounds on the mid-range of everything. I went with 5.0-5.1 grains because it was a middle number of the powder recommended in my manual. Everything I did to make these was from manuals and a forum for COL because I thought mine looked a bit short so ended up looking it up for the particular bullet. This bullet needs to be seated differently than what my Lyman manual called for.
 
Hey guys just figured I would introduce myself. My name is Nick. I am new to reloading and just set up my bench recently. I use a Lee Loadmaster and like it a lot so far. I just finished loading my first batch. I am currently only loading 45 acp as those are the only dies I have. I made a small batch of 25 with 200 gr Hornday XTP +p. I am going to test them out later this week and will let everyone know how it goes!
Click to expand...

and so it begins. welcome and good luck
 
Yep, I used tite group at around 5.0-5.1 gr which was sort of a median of the 4.7-5.3 gr my Lyman manual suggested for 200 gr jacketed hp’s. I’m going to pick up a Hornady manual soon
Click to expand...

I have a Hornady manual. It shows TG running from 5.0 to 5.6 grains with their 200gn XTP. OAL of 1.210". So you are at a good starting point.

Titegroup is not a good powder to start with as it has a very narrow load margin
Click to expand...

True. But it would seem that train has already left the station. TiteGroup is not my propellant of choice for beginners. It's really spunky and can be unforgiving. But there is some saving grace here: You're loading 45 ACP - which is a low-pressure chambering - which affords some forgiveness, compared to high pressure rounds (like 10mm or 357 Mag). And when it comes to burn rate, in as sense, 45 ACP "shifts" a propellant's burn rate slightly slower (oversimplification). 45 ACP is a bit of a wild card that way. Also, you're loading fairly light bullets - which also allows some forgiveness. So all together, I'm not too concerned. You're numbers look good. That said, for beginners, I usually recommend intermediate burn rate propellants. But as I already mentioned, that train has left the station.

So you know, +p refers to the pressure level of the round 10% over SAAMI spec usually. +P is not a bullet style.
Click to expand...

In my first post, I chose to leave that one alone. But it's out now. "+P" is a term that is often used rather nebulously. But yeah, it's about pressure. And isn't about the bullet you're loading (or this thread in general).
 
Nick_C_S said:
I have a Hornady manual. It shows TG running from 5.0 to 5.6 grains with their 200gn XTP. OAL of 1.210". So you are at a good starting point.



True. But it would seem that train has already left the station. TiteGroup is not my propellant of choice for beginners. It's really spunky and can be unforgiving. But there is some saving grace here: You're loading 45 ACP - which is a low-pressure chambering - which affords some forgiveness, compared to high pressure rounds (like 10mm or 357 Mag). And when it comes to burn rate, in as sense, 45 ACP "shifts" a propellant's burn rate slightly slower (oversimplification). 45 ACP is a bit of a wild card that way. Also, you're loading fairly light bullets - which also allows some forgiveness. So all together, I'm not too concerned. You're numbers look good. That said, for beginners, I usually recommend intermediate burn rate propellants. But as I already mentioned, that train has left the station.



In my first post, I chose to leave that one alone. But it's out now. "+P" is a term that is often used rather nebulously. But yeah, it's about pressure. And isn't about the bullet you're loading (or this thread in general).
Click to expand...
Thanks for helping me with the +p man. I would never do that to one of my weapons haha. Seems dangerous to be honest and I want to be safe. For me it’s stick to what they say! And what is a good powder for a beginner to use? Maybe universal or something similar to that?
 
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