Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-24-2020, 11:37 PM
kbm6893 kbm6893 is offline
SWCA Member
Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,634
Likes: 638
Liked 6,872 Times in 2,546 Posts
Default Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor

So I’ve been loading pistol for almost 8 years now. Everything from .380 to .45. When I started I bought the Hornady Lock N Load kit and put everything together. Loaded many thousands of rounds since then. I weigh every charge and it’s always been dead on.

So I’m getting into rifle reloading and bought a separate powder thrower for rifle so I never mix up powders in the thrower. It comes with the rifle rotor for heavier charges. While cleaning it I see that the rotor for my other thrower that I have been using for 8 years is also a rifle rotor. Since I had never specifically set out to load rifle I never even knew there was a difference.

It’s obviously safe since I’ve never had an issue but is it a practice I should continue? No rush to buy a pistol rotor unless I have to.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-24-2020, 11:46 PM
pantannojack's Avatar
pantannojack pantannojack is offline
US Veteran
Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: the ready line, N. Idaho
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 926
Liked 1,764 Times in 734 Posts
Default

I use my Hornady vintage 1980 rifle thrower for coarse pistol powder such as Red Dot, Unique, 800x when my charges are around 6 or more grains. If I load my other powder, 231, I use the smaller cylinder pistol thrower for 4 grains about. the ball pdr of 231 measures so well I don't weigh every charge, but check often. The other powders w the rifle thrower I weigh every charge starting low and trickle up .
__________________
"Don't Give Up the Ship"
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-24-2020, 11:51 PM
kbm6893 kbm6893 is offline
SWCA Member
Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,634
Likes: 638
Liked 6,872 Times in 2,546 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pantannojack View Post
I use my Hornady vintage 1980 rifle thrower for coarse pistol powder such as Red Dot, Unique, 800x when my charges are around 6 or more grains. If I load my other powder, 231, I use the smaller cylinder pistol thrower for 4 grains about. the ball pdr of 231 measures so well I don't weigh every charge, but check often. The other powders w the rifle thrower I weigh every charge starting low and trickle up .
I use HP38, same as 231. .380 loads are 2.8 grains. Drops them dead on every time.

Last edited by kbm6893; 03-25-2020 at 12:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-25-2020, 02:03 AM
Fishinfool's Avatar
Fishinfool Fishinfool is offline
Member
Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Central PA
Posts: 4,557
Likes: 8,215
Liked 11,453 Times in 3,023 Posts
Default

"If it aint broke, don't fix it" comes to mind. Seems to be working fine for you for the loads and powders you use.

Larry
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-25-2020, 11:47 AM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor Loading Pistol Ammo with Rifle Powder Rotor  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,088
Likes: 10,799
Liked 15,515 Times in 6,801 Posts
Default

In the RCBS rotors the only difference is a bigger hole. For 223 you can get by with the pistol rotor, Large calibers (more powder) will probably need the rifle rotor.
IOW

You can load small charges in the big, but not large in the small
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Using rifle powder in a pistol montana500 Reloading 128 10-17-2016 01:14 PM
So there's plenty of rifle powder around, but no pistol SLT223 Reloading 25 09-28-2014 09:37 PM
Hornady LNL AP rifle rotor - blemish in machining smokindog Reloading 12 04-10-2014 01:51 PM
SOLD WTS Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure with Stand and additional Pistol Rotor civil1977 Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 3 02-13-2014 12:42 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:44 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)