To Re-Load or Not???

[oneyeopn]

Gentlemen I have been loading, Hornady 55gr SPSX .224 bullets this evening. Just for everyones information, these have been the hardest bullets to load to a consistent overall length of any of the bullets I have ever loaded. Without changing the seating depth of my die, they have varied from 2.289" to 2.234. It has been a matter of continually adjusting my bullet seating die and some of them just come out short and I am not pulling them and reseating them The Hornady Manual says COL of 2.200" and none are shorter than that, but like others I have better accuracy when seated 2.255 +/- .004 and normally can load to a specific length with no variation. If you've tried them and have had better luck than I am having please tell me what the secret is.

 

[rebs081]

Just checked Fedex, the varmint x-tremes are on the way. 55 gr hollow points, I hope they are as good as some people say they are. The price was sure right.
Does anyone have a pet load for these in an AR ? Any recommendations as to OAL ?
I am thinking of starting at 24.0 of H335 and after finding the right powder amount I will start working up in .2 gr increments with a OAL of 2.200 and going up .010 at a time through 2.260.

 

[storeyteller]

Picked up some hornady 75gr bullets at the LGS for kicks yesterday. Thought they were Amax but they are bthp, didn't look at em that close, but no biggie. Loaded 20 last night and plan to shoot em today weather permitting. I put the Burris AR-332 back on sportie so shooting bullet holes in bullet holes ain't gonna happen, but perhaps I can get a feel for 'em at 200 yds.

 

[oneyeopn]

Picked up some hornady 75gr bullets at the LGS for kicks yesterday. Thought they were Amax but they are bthp, didn't look at em that close, but no biggie. Loaded 20 last night and plan to shoot em today weather permitting. I put the Burris AR-332 back on sportie so shooting bullet holes in bullet holes ain't gonna happen, but perhaps I can get a feel for 'em at 200 yds.

LOL. I loaded up 20 of the 75gr Amax's last night @ 2.390". If I remember right the ones you picked up loaded at the traditional magazine length of 2.250", According to Lyman the Amax's run the most Accurate using 23gr of Varget @ 2606fps. I loaded mine to where they should be really close to that velocity and am supposed to go to a friends house coyote hunting today. Was going to take them and check them out on longer shots.

 

[storeyteller]

My buddy 'borrowed' my Lyman manual so I used Hornady data. (He did admit to it and will bring it back today). I did load 'em to mag length but used 24gr of varget. The accurate loads listed in the Lyman manual are dead nuts on in my experience. Wish that other manuals would list their most accurate loads as well.

 

[storeyteller]

Good luck on the hunt and stay safe.

 

[stavman11]

Tested a bunch of new Loads from my new Process (deprime and tumble again, then Load)
All worked nice...as expected... I think I am somewhere between 3k and 5k loads and not an issue

May stop by cabela's today and see what new Load i can try... i doo need some .357 rounds so not a wasted trip..LOL

Sure is Nice now that weather has cooled down... was only 90deg yesterday but was 59deg at 7am.... SWEET!!!!


Fun Times guys.....

..........

 

[VTvibe]

Thanks john! Wheew I still have a lot of stuff to get man o man... didn't realize it took that many tools. I sure do have some studying to do...

 

[stavman11]

Hey Guys..

I found about 100 brass at the Desert range Yesterday... looks like LC Brass
Anyone have a Brass stamp Pic they can show me? my Phone camera just wont get a decent pic ta post...

Question is does it need to be Swagged and Such..... Looks Similar to my REM and PMC Brass as far as Primer pocket goes... havent de-primed any yet.. gun clean em in about an hour when my Current batch is done

Thanks EXPERTS

 

[GMC man]

It should have LC stamped on it sorry I can seem to be able to get a good pic and yes it should be swagged, if the primer doesnt go it with normal force, ream it out a little more or you will crush the primer,I learned that the hard way .

I am ready as soon as the weather clears to get to the range. I just made a 15 round mag to fit in my rifle stand

 

[BHarada]

Stav,
Lake City headstamp will have LC, a 2-digit number indicating the year of production, and often the NATO-spec mark (cross in a circle).

Also, the primer crimp may be circular or four pointed as in the picture below...

 

[oneyeopn]

Our local rock star photographer in to save the day....great pics as always Bill!!

 

[rebs081]

The varmint nightmare x-treme premium bullets arrived today and they are definately the dog towns made by Nosler, I cannot tell them apart. I weighed them on my digital scale and only 6 were off by more than 0.1 grain The vast majority were 55 and a few 49.9 and 50.1 which is great quality control. I am shooting some tomorrow and will post the details.

 

[BHarada]

Our local rock star photographer in to save the day....great pics as always Bill!!

Sorry to disappoint, but it's Google to the rescue. haha

 

[oneyeopn]

I have some good news and some bad news....the good news. Hornady is coming out with the 9th edition reloading manual and it has reloading information for 5.56 Nato in it. The bad news Hornady is coming out with the 9th edition reloading manual, something else to buy!! LOL

 

[JaPes]

Dangit. I've only had the Hornady 8th for three months.

 

[oneyeopn]

Dangit. I've only had the Hornady 8th for three months.

I have had it for about 5 months, the new one is not out yet. I am hoping it has a little more about the newer powders in it.

Well I have my 45acps sized, expanded, trimmed getting ready to prime and I will be loading this evening. New bullet to my repertoire..yay!

 

[rebs081]

When is the new Hornady going to be available, anyone know ?

 

[rebs081]

I am convinced that the varmint nightmares are made by Nosler and are very good bullets. I shot some yesterday and I was very pleased with the groups they shoot. I also think the premium ones are better as far as a slightly thicker jacket and do not disintegrate at high velocity. I shot the premium hollow points and the groups ranged from being the size of a dime to the size of a quarter at 100 yards. If I did my part I think they all could have been covered with a dime. But I am not that good.
I do however get more consistent groups with 55 grain zmax's, but at a higher cost per bullet.

 

[storeyteller]

Thanks john! Wheew I still have a lot of stuff to get man o man... didn't realize it took that many tools. I sure do have some studying to do...

Cheer up VT, it gets worse