Well I loaded up my first rounds today. Only wanted to load a few so I can rest shoot them. I started with 23.6 grains of X-terminator. I'm using 5.3 grains of Unique for the .45 acp. Hopefully I can make it to the range this week.

There is something very appealing about freshly loaded rounds I have to admire your patience, when I start loading I just seem to try to load everything in sight. LOL

p.s. I am reloading some rounds to take my nephew Pdog hunting this evening after he gets off of work and I broke out some of my Dogtowns...I guess I forgot just how big the hollow point is, compared to the Hornady BTHP Match bullets I have it is about 3 times larger.

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Grover Oathkeeper

Yeah I just want to make sure everything goes well with these rounds before I do a couple hundred more. Have a great time tonight.

The Wind came up so I didnt get to go, dang but as soon as it warms up tomorrow I am heading that way....I also loaded up some 55grSPSX Hornady's at a couple of different loads, plus I need to go finish my test series...So much to do, not near enough time...LOL

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Grover Oathkeeper

I thought I would post this here as well as in the reloading forum for you Sport owners.
I am loading lake city 223 brass with a cci 400 primer, 24.9 of H335 powder, 55 grain Hornady spire soft point bullet and a coal of 2.255, the accuracy is excellent 1/2 " groups at 100 yards.
The Hornady book says coal for that bullet is 2.200, I tried that and the accuracy dropped way off, why ?

If I loaded a coal of 2.200 would I be able to match the accuracy by using less powder ? By seating the bullet deeper in the case to get the coal of 2.200 that would leave less space inside the case so would less powder give me the same pressure and velocity and accuracy ?

the reason the OAL for 5.56 is Overall length 57.40 mm (2.260 in) which is what our rifles are chambered for so .06 would be a large jump.

I am just trying to find and anser as to why my best accuracy is at 2.255 when the hornady book says to load at 2.200 ?

I would think the difference is the books like mine list for .223, and our 15's are 5.56 which are slightly different http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56%C3%9745mm_NATO btw that's some nice shiny brass you have

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Varmint nightmare 55 grai from midsouth shooters in their AR 15 ? Have you been able to get 1/2" groups at 100 yds ?
I have been trying with the Hornady 55 gr soft points and cannot get any consistent groups with them, there is always a flyer or two in every group. I have been trying different powder charges and seating depths to no avail. I am giving up on Hornady soft points. I have great accuracy with their 55 gr Vmax though.
The dog town 55 gr soft points give me great accuracy also but are a little pricy.

I finished my test series with the CFE223 powder and 55grVmax bullets. CCI#41 primers.
1. The powder is a little temperature sensitive, the difference between 40degrees and 80degrees is a little over 100fps with it running slower as it gets colder.
2. It is reasonably accurate @ 50 yards from 25gr on up. To do 200 yards you need to load at a minimum 26.8gr. At this point accuracy is good.
3. With a 16" barrel, once your loads pass 27.6gr the powder doesnt get completely burned, velocity and group size suffer and fouling increases tremendously.
4. 27.4 had the best groupings with .5 inches @ 100 yards with an average velocity of 2980fps
5. Hornady 55gr SPSX (super explosive) will completely shred apart pretty quickly after leaving the barrel at 27.4. At 26.8 to 27gr it is running around 2800fps and is really accurate.
6. Dogtown 55gr FBHP bullets prefer a load of 27gr.
7. Armscor 55gr FMJBT bullets become inaccurate after 26.8gr
8. When you dont get all of the powder burnt, it really fouls your rifle to the point where you can see the fouling building up around the holes in your BCG. And it doesnt take very many shots to do it.
I am getting all of this on a spread sheet with graphs that I will post but this is a rough synapses of my testing with CFE223 and some different bullets. I still like the powder I just wish there was more reloading data for it. I feel I have narrowed down the range in which to load my rounds. I hope this helps someone else.
I thought I should add the standard disclaimer, these are my loads and I take no responsiblity for them (I dont have alot to take if someone sued me) LOL

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Grover Oathkeeper

Sounds like you are getting it dialed in.

I think you found you're sweet spot for the jump at 2.255. 2.200 "sounds" like too long a jump and less powder might not be good. The "good book" say anything about less powder and shorter OAL ?

I just finished loading my test rounds from 26- 28 grains in .2 increments for the next time out at the range now I just need to get there lol.

I just got off work Tuesday at 4 pm and went 910 miles round trip to get my sons car in South Carolina and got back at 3 am, he said it had a fire but he ran her without water its totaled and then had to go to work that night at midnight for a 16 hrs double shift. been a bit busy

That's a lot of traveling! I am going to shoot my first reloads tonight in my M&P 15 and .45acp. I only have about 30 rounds, if all goes well I'll be reloading a few hundred more this week. I will report back here tonight.

GMC man, get yourself some rest, the range will still be there and if your too tired you cant really concentrate like if you were well rested. I understand about your son, I had a brother (God rest his soul) who didnt realize that you probably should check or change your oil. Needless to say that motor was not rebuildable.

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Grover Oathkeeper

Well they all went bang! I just ended up shooting the M&P 15. I had about 20 rounds of my reloads and 120 of new PMC. I was putting up 1" groups at 25 yards. That's as far as the local indoor range goes. I came home dropped the dirty brass in the tumbler and reloaded about 100 more rounds of the brass I already had prepped. I'm very pleased with the results using Hornady 55 gr FMJ BT, 23.6 to 24 grains of X-Terminator and CCI small rifle primers.

Our friend is having a baby shower on 12-1 so all the guys are going to go shooting for that day. I'll be able to test my loads from 100-200 yards then.

Sounds Like a GOOD weekend for sure

Ill be out Tomorrow testing a few Rounds... Changed up my Process so wanna be sure all is as Good as before.. Bullet seemed a bit tighter than before.. but could be just from no Lube on anything now.....

Fun Times all....

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--Stav--

so I just got a press, scale and a powder loader from a friend... I know I need dies but besides that what am I missing? ( besides obvious primers, bullets powder) I will be loading 223 and 9 millimeter mostly.

A good reloading manual or two.

Cases & a method to clean them. Tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, etc...

A digital caliper to measure case length & cartridge overall length.

A case gauge & trimmer (especially necessary for .223 Remington).

A primer pocket cleaner.

If reloading military crimped brass, a primer pocket reamer or a primer pocket swager.

Case lube. Necessary for .223. If you use carbide pistol dies, lube is not necessary for 9mm.

Powder pan & funnel.

If you're going for absolute accuracy in powder charge, a powder trickler to get you to that last 10th of a grain.

A reloading manual. Even better, two manuals from different publishers.

A bullet puller. Kinetic or otherwise.

If I think of any more, I'll let ya know.

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-John

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.

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Grover Oathkeeper

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.

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.

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James

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.

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Grover Oathkeeper

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.

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James

Good luck on the hunt and stay safe.

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James

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.....

..........

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--Stav--

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...

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

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--Stav--

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

Attached Images

SS850315.jpg (147.6 KB, 14 views)

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...

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- Bill

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

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Grover Oathkeeper

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.

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

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- Bill

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

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Grover Oathkeeper

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

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-John

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!

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Grover Oathkeeper

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

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.

Cheer up VT, it gets worse

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James

Since my Ubber fun day at the range yesterday.... was gunna try some new loads

Cabela's had Nossler Bullets on sale so picked up some 50gr and 40gr rds

Anyone loaded any 40gr bullets before..... Thought i'd see how they perform

Thanks all


...

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--Stav--

Stav, I been very tempted to get some 40's and try 'em out, just haven't been able to convince myself to do it. Glad I don't have to buy my experience this time. I will be very interested to know how well they perform. The 50's shoot VERY good, almost as good as the 69gr SMK's but waaay more explosive impacts. Let us know how the 40's work out and if you could possibly chrony some that would be nice too

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James

I thought the 40's were supposed to be too light for our twist rates but I would sure like to know. As light as I go right now is 53gr V-Max but they shoot great.
Another question, I am thinking about ordering a box of Nosler Varmageddon 55gr with the metallic/poly ballistic tip. Has anyone loaded these and what were your results?

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Grover Oathkeeper

Stav

I havn't read any of the posts so this is just my opinion.

To me reloading is a hobby. I enjoy it. I like to play a bit with the loads and figure what works well. Is reloading cost effective, maybe. Should you do it to save a ton of money, well maybe not depending on how much you shoot. Depending on the round depends on how much you save. I reload shotgun slugs and save a ton of money but I already have the loader, pot and the rest of the stuff. Reloading for 9mm makes no sense money wise but I do it anyway because I enjoy it. Now reloading for larger cals like 30-06 makes sense you also save quite a bit there. It really depends on the amount you shoot. If you figure your time and cost of equipment I would dough it makes sense.
Seeing how many rounds you can pump out in an hour leads me to believe your trying to save money and time is of the essence. If that is the case maybe buying ammo in bulk may make more sense. Also pumping out rounds as quickly as possible may lead to problems in quality control and I wouldn't suggest it. Like most hobbies you can't count your time.
I worked out the cost per round on a bunch of the stuff I load and yes I save money on each one. Maybe not enough to warrant the initial investment but the more you reload the cheaper it gets per round. I also load rounds that are more expensive than I can buy but the components are of higher quality and are purpose specific which, to me, is worth the cost to get a better product.
The other end of reloading is to find the round that works best in your particular firearm. Another part of the fun but it takes time. Will the results be worth the time and money only you can say. If your shootin deer at 100yards it really won't make much difference. Now 1000 yard competitions yea it will.

The down and dirty of it is "if it ain't fun" just buy the stuff unless your shooting a ton of rounds a week. Remember if you need to pump out a ton of ammo your press won't be cheap either.

Another thing to remember is better than owning your own swimming pool is having a buddy that owns one.

JMHBAO

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thumbs
Souderton, Pa.

This is all about fun for me.... ya i save some $$$$$, well, really just get ta shoot more

Now i still cant pull the Trigger on 9mm or .357 loading.... like ya say , just dosent make to much sense YET

maybe soon though... we shall see

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--Stav--

not sure why we couldnt shoot the 40gr so ill give it a try.... what the heck......

Spent some Series Time... research, Reading, weighing my Options
Still a Little Baffled that a small gr Bullet would still be able to use a HIGH powder load like a 55gr... well I guess when yer trying to achieve 3500fps, guess it makes sense... kinda

So where do i stand now after 3hrs of playing

Bullets
Nosler Balistic Tip Spitzer BT 40gr and 50gr lead and the old faithfull 55gr FMJ-BT Hornady

WC844 powder and my Brass.... Al prepped and ready

25.8gr powder All 3 Bullets
24.9gr powder 40gr and 50gr only (already tested this low with 55gr FMJ-BT, didnt like it)
26.2gr powder 40gr and 55gr only (std load for 55gr has been 26.8gr so Testing a bit lower...Just becouse)

70rds ta test.... will do 2 groups of 5rds of each Bullet, all Chrono, and see what the results are

Should be another fun day... Also have some HOT 9mm, 38s and .357 ta try out... all factory.... heck even have some .22 rds I may try.....LOL

Ill let ya know what Happens guys.....

Wish me luck


..............

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--Stav--

[QUOTE=oneyeopn;136792390]I thought the 40's were supposed to be too light for our twist rates but I would sure like to know. As light as I go right now is 53gr V-Max but they shoot great.
QUOTE]

I was thinking that too at one point, but I have a friend that shoots 40gr bullets out of a 1:9 twist 22-250 at 4000fps. The bullets don't fly apart and shoot <MOA in his rifle. We don't get anywhere near that velocity, so I now think they will work. I am often wrong though!

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James

M & P 15 ----1 Chronograph -------0
Went to the range and got some data before I shot my Chronograph

now I have to start all over again after buying a new chronograph and stand.

I think I may get this one http://www.magnetospeed.com/collections/frontpage

chrony will repair them pretty cheaply if it is repairable. And you arent the first person to shoot their chrono and wont be the last.

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Grover Oathkeeper

It tumbled and came apart, I really did total it and the stand it was on. One guy told me he shot 5 of them so thats why I was looking for a different type plus it took way to long to set up.

but thanks Grover that makes me feel a little better about the whole mess