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Old 02-18-2021, 05:10 PM
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Default Thinking of sticking to one loading...........

Since it is difficult to replace used supplies at this time. And coupled with the fact I like to shoot on a regular basis, I, am, thinking of sticking with one loading for the time being. For .38 Special, I am thinking of using 2.8 grains of Bullseye and a 148 grain either DEWC or a HBWC. This would work in my S&W 52, Victory Model, Pre-14 and my 27-2. Have a bunch of Bullseye and that would give me a bunch of rounds, hopefully enough to last out this rough spot in the road.
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Old 02-18-2021, 05:31 PM
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That has been the premium target load for over 70 years.
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Old 02-18-2021, 05:48 PM
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That has been the premium target load for over 70 years.
Yes, I know. It also extends the life of a pound of powder....
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Old 02-18-2021, 06:46 PM
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That load is great! But if you use a "Hot" primer, reduce the powder charge by 2/10's of a grain! My F-I-L used Alcan primers in his loads and the keep the velocity down, needed the reduction. It worked well, he won 2 National Championships.

With all the talk of primer substitutions these days, I thought I would mention this.

Ivan
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Old 02-18-2021, 07:01 PM
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That load is great! But if you use a "Hot" primer, reduce the powder charge by 2/10's of a grain! My F-I-L used Alcan primers in his loads and the keep the velocity down, needed the reduction. It worked well, he won 2 National Championships.

With all the talk of primer substitutions these days, I thought I would mention this.

Ivan
Good idea Ivan, but don't have any on hand. Unless I get extremely lucky, I will not be buying any primers anytime soon. Also no need to buy any primers.
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Old 02-19-2021, 12:46 AM
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Nothing wrong with the old 148 gr bullet for the 38 special.

If you run out, you can always start with the next size bullet weight that you have the most of, until this mess gets cleared up.
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Old 02-19-2021, 01:04 AM
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Nothing wrong with the old 148 gr bullet for the 38 special.

If you run out, you can always start with the next size bullet weight that you have the most of, until this mess gets cleared up.
Won't run out, I cast my own.
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Old 02-19-2021, 05:41 AM
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Default If I had to stick with one load....

...for .38 target shooting, that would be my choice. I think the idea nowadays is to use what you've got, or what you can get.
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Old 02-19-2021, 08:31 AM
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2.7 grs. or 2.8 grs. of Bullseye may be often recommended, but may not be best for every gun and may not even be a good compromise load for several. I'd load up enough rounds to fire groups in all my guns and start at 2.5 grs. As an example, in my 52, 2.5 grs. is noticeably more accurate than heavier charges, but this will often vary from gun to gun. It's worth the time and effort to find the most accurate load.
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Old 02-19-2021, 08:42 AM
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Quote:
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Won't run out, I cast my own.
Same here. Lee double cavity 358 148 mold.
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Old 02-19-2021, 09:44 AM
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has anyone soften old brass with a torch? anealing ?
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Old 02-19-2021, 09:46 AM
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has anyone soften old brass with a torch? anealing ?
Heard of it years ago, never tried it.
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Old 02-19-2021, 10:02 AM
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A torch is too hot. You risk melting the brass.
I heat up a rod to bright red a put it in the mouth of the cartridge.
Quench in water immediately.
Brass unlike steel anneals by quenching
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Old 02-19-2021, 06:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinn View Post
has anyone soften old brass with a torch? anealing ?
I do anneal with a butane small tank but only my rifle brass.6 seconds while rolling the brass between my fingers then drop it in a 5gal pail half filled with water does the job Good for 4 or 5 loadings then needs to be redone.
Using a torch is probably too hot;you won't be able to roll the brass quick enough so as not to ruin the brass...and burn your fingers.
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Old 02-19-2021, 09:02 PM
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Good accuracy recipe there. I shoot almost exclusively with Magnum rated primers with out any signs of wear issues compared to standard primers in loads this mild. Been doing it for decades.
Relax and enjoy!
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Old 02-19-2021, 11:52 PM
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I use a propane torch connected to a 20# tank. Heating takes 6 - 8 seconds depending on caliber. When tumbled / clean brass changes color from brass to 'straw', the flame color changes to yellow. At that point the brass is annealed.

I have heated brass necks to a red glow -- case neck tension does hold the bullet and the case is very easy to resize. Did this to five 30-06 cases with 80% powder charge with 165 gr bullet. Still under an 1-1/2" at 100 yards. Fired cases resized without a problem.

Annealing brass is easy and does not require a water quench to prevent case neck cracks. Just be brave and try it your self.
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Old 02-20-2021, 08:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaco1234 View Post
Brass unlike steel anneals by quenching
Why is that? Even lead hardens by quenching.

Doesn't anyone with a Dillon Progressive pretty much stick with one loading? I know I do. I might tweak the powder charge, but everything else stays the same. For me, my 38 Special load is a Lee WC and 3.5 to 5 grains of Unique.

Last edited by max503; 02-20-2021 at 08:34 AM.
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Old 02-20-2021, 09:56 AM
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Why is that? Even lead hardens by quenching.

Doesn't anyone with a Dillon Progressive pretty much stick with one loading? I know I do. I might tweak the powder charge, but everything else stays the same. For me, my 38 Special load is a Lee WC and 3.5 to 5 grains of Unique.
That is one of the reasons that I got rid of my Dillon.
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Old 02-20-2021, 10:34 AM
Johnnu2 Johnnu2 is offline
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Once I find an accurate load, I never experiment....

I will admit that I'm happy with mediocrity in almost everything I attempt. It just makes life a tad easier for me.

IMHO of course,
J.
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Old 02-20-2021, 08:16 PM
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I’ve been using the same load, bullet or powder for multiple loads for years. I do that to limit the variety of components needed to support my habit. For example I use my 200 gr cowboy rnfp bullets in my .45acp ammo and use shotgun powder in 12 ga and pistol/revolver reloads.
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Old 02-20-2021, 08:25 PM
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I managed to grab a 4# bottle of Bullseye last year, online. Thanks for reminding me of an old favorite load I used 30 years ago.
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Old 02-20-2021, 09:30 PM
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I load on a Dillon 550B. Usually stick to one load per caliber but, I have RCBS dies for 9MM and can change seating depth with out trying to adjust per the Dillon die. I recently bought a Redding seating die for the .45 which will allow easy adjustments. Test loading on a Lyman T-MagII. Rifle and .44 on the T-Mag also. I do have a seating die for the .38 to replace the Dillon, seating is the only problem changing loads with the Dillon.

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Old 02-21-2021, 11:08 AM
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I annealed some 30-06 brass back in pre-internet times. I stood the brass up in an old aluminum ice cube tray filled with water. Heated the necks with a propane torch until I figured they were good to go and then swept them into the water.

I am sure there are much wiser folks on here than I am, but I have always thought brass was bassakards to steel. Steel softens when hammered, brass hardens; steel hardens when quenched, and brass softens. Just a seeker of light here.
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pistolpete10 View Post
I load on a Dillon 550B. Usually stick to one load per caliber but, I have RCBS dies for 9MM and can change seating depth with out trying to adjust per the Dillon die. I recently bought a Redding seating die for the .45 which will allow easy adjustments. Test loading on a Lyman T-MagII. Rifle and .44 on the T-Mag also. I do have a seating die for the .38 to replace the Dillon, seating is the only problem changing loads with the Dillon.
I have taken this to a different level! I have 5 Dillons so I don't have to make any changes to my favorite loads!
I even cast one bullet to use in 9mm, 38 Spl. and 38 Super! I cast the NOE 135 grain RNFP at .358 sized .357 and use a fairly soft lube. Very accurate in each cartridge. Even with different powders in each!

Smiles,
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