thanks Bud, I tried that... just wouldnt work...

No Biggie... just 100 for use down the road.... Cabelas is UNFORTUNATLY 1-1/2 miles away... so hit Bank at 9am, make deposit, hit Cabelas at 9:15am... then to My Hobby Shop to start my day...

Not focusing on CHEAP costs for loading now.. getting my Processes down before I go for Volume Loading with Bulk items... i did get Bulk CCI 400 primers for $30 but that's it so far... Still looking for Bulk local powder... stopping by Local Shop today as well to see what they have besides Vargas... that will be my 9:25am stop

Then back home about 3pm and start loading again....

Want about 200rds ready for this weekend.... I am also getting 500rds of PMC today from Palmetto... so will have Plenty for the weekend and Plenty of Brass for the future...

__________________
--Stav--

Yeah, process is key for me. That's why I can't wait for the surplus 844 powder to get here so I can work up loads with it. I want to get to the point where I can just go to the range and enjoy myself without data logging every shot I take. haha

__________________
- Bill

I hear Ya BHarada

I did get 1lb of vargas today at LGS, only place around that has Bulk... so will try It after my X-Terminator is all gone and see how it Measures and Loads

Got some more Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT today... so should be good for this week and next.....

Maybe i will order some BULK powder online... says it takes 2 weeks ta ship,.... oh well... PATIENCE...LOL

Hey BHarada, be sure and let me know how that 844 powder works for ya....


....

__________________
--Stav--

didnt get a chance ta TEST my new reloads last weekend... had to build a Drivers Stand at my indoor Track.....


Looks like my TESTING will be THIS sunday...

1 week off of shooting and I am Just ITCHING ta shoot


maybe ill load some more Ammo

__________________
--Stav--

UPDATE!!!!

Put my NEW Toy together today and figured


I NEED A TRIP TO THE DESERT


So gunna do some testing and Playing in the AM


FUn Times....

__________________
--Stav--

Ok... FINALLY.... I got a chance to shoot my Loads today (uhh never mind..LOL)

Had 2 Mags of my Re loads.
Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT
X-Terminator 23.5gr powder
and my 1x Fired Prepped Brass....

was a BIT Nervous...... I loaded 1st 6 rounds in by hand....

Had a decent Pattern.... Good Grouping... (see Pic) then shot 3 Factory Loads (no Pic) but filled in 2 in the Orange and One Outside......



These shots where arm rest on a table.. No Sand bags or anything...

For sure need ta get My Accuracy down...... instead of just PLAYING.....

REAL happy with how all 60rds of my Loads went today ... had 2 issues...
1 failed to have any POWDER in it....
2nd had a SLIGHT crimp in the Throat.... Missed that and would not Load....ejected fine and Moved on..

what did i learn.....

1 Cabela's case Lube Sucks Rear Ends
2 Check my Loads better once they are finished

What will i do Different now

1 Clean, De-Prime, Size, and Clean Cases again .....
A) this will make my Process a 3 step process where now i am doing an exaggerated 2 step process
2 Purchased Hornady One Shot Case lube and Will use Cabela's to KILL WEEDS...
3 Check my Finished Rounds Better... and check the Other 100 i have now


that said... I went out and LOBBED over 275 rds today of JUST .223......

Well


Time ta Pull off the Powder... Primer feed, and start TESTING Varget powder.... OH and Find a CHEAP soruce of LEAD.... cant seem ta find any yet.....

FUN FREAKING Times

__________________
--Stav--

WOW!!!!

Varget SUCKS!!!

I have spent 3 days.... Trying to get it to FLOW and Work consistently.

Managed to get 55rds loaded today.....

Done with this powder..... you guys where SOOOOO RIGHT.... Time ta hit the phone and see if anyone else has 8lb Powder in Stock here In Phoenix..... Wish me luck.... thank goodness i just got a 1lb to try.....

Did go FULL slide fire AUTO on sunday with my X-Terminator loads.... Not a HITCH at all..

Anyways loading has been a Blast and Learning experiance for sure.....

Thanks again guys for the help................

__________________
--Stav--

Sounds like my experience trying to meter Unique. haha.

I get to test out my surplus powder reloads on Friday, and as an added bonus, I got my 15-22 back from S&W so get to see if they cured my FTE problem. Mounted a Bushnell red dot on the 15-22 so it'll be a fun day.

__________________
- Bill

How was that SURPLUS to load... Measure nice???

Real Curious how it Loaded and shoots for ya.... let me know...

That Varget... with the LONG Grains just seems Like a CHALLENGE all the way around... may shoot fine, well see, but loading was a PAIN...

Gunna finish up the 1/2lb ish of X-Terminator for this weekend..... and make some CALLS tomorrow and see if anyone has any 8lb Powder available...

Learning alot and have a LOT of fun........

__________________
--Stav--

It meters as well as the x-terminator. It's about the same grain size as the x-term, but with some larger bits mixed in. I'll be happy once I get my test loads shot and chrono'd so I can start bulk reloading.

My Midway order for 3000 bullets, the one that was back ordered until 11/27, was delivered last week, haha, so I'm good to go once I find an accurate load.


-Bill

__________________
- Bill

I happen to like Varget and it meters pretty consistently for me. Benchmark and H335 meter like water and Varget is close behind. I use a Lee stand alone meter and have found that keeping a steady down stroke is the golden key to dropping consistent loads. I also use IMR 4350 which is LONG for .243 and 30-06 and it won't meter for spit, so everything is relative. YMMV.
Hornady one shot is good stuff IMO.

with My Lee system, It would get STUCK in the chamber/chute about 1 in 8 loads... and dump everywhere once the Case Rotated to next station.....

I just got REAL frustrated last night... so will see what ELSE is available localy...

If Nothing is i may order some of the BULK stuff BHarada is using....

__________________
--Stav--

Stav,
If price weren't an issue I'd stick with the X-Terminator. You can order up to 45lbs of powder/primers for one Hazmet fee at placese like Powdervalley.com. I'm hoping that my surplus LC844 from Wideners.com performs as well as the X-Term.

__________________
- Bill

WAITING Impatiently for your REVIEW of the LC844 Powder

LOL

Since I am new to all this... Im in no HUGE hurry... YET

Thanks again for the input... now GO SHOOT THOSE ROUNDS!!!!!

__________________
--Stav--

Believe me. Friday can't get here soon enough.

__________________
- Bill

LOL... ya I cant wait till Sunday myself...

Just called Sportsman whse.... they have BULK Powder...

H335 for $135... only one i could think of off the top of my head..

Hitting Shower... Bank (deposit Shop money) then onto Sportsmans


Maybe they have BULK lead as well


SWEET!!!!!

__________________
--Stav--

Guess im DEAF

Powder at Sportsmans was $155... heck with that

BHarada... balls back in YER court Now on yer BULK Powder

__________________
--Stav--

That's a great price on the H335, especially if you're not having to pay a hazmet fee on it. That's supposed to be the commercial equivalent to the surplus powder I bought.

__________________
- Bill

Haha. I forgot to hit submit a while back so I guess my last post is now rendered incorrect.

If you don't mind working up loads then the 844 is still a great buy at $85/8 lb jug. But from all I've been reading, the sweet spot for it is somewhere in the 24-26 gr range. I'll find out on Friday.

__________________
- Bill

ya i thought $135 was good to... $155... naaa


SHOOT em already... LET ME KNOW!!!



Oh and i wont need to EXPERIMENT with loads with the 844 cuz my BUDDY Bill is gunna do it

Gunna load the rest of my X-Terminator for this weekend..... maybe a LITTLE hotter than last ones..

last where at 23.4 gunna do 24.3 this run...

See how the M&P Sport likes those

__________________
--Stav--

24g of X-Terminator was my highest load. It chrono'd at ~2900fps and gave me a 1" 5-shot group at 100 yards.



The three bottom shots were .375" ctc.

__________________
- Bill

nice Shooting Bud.... im sitting right about 24.4-24.5 now with what im gunna load


I tell ya... the X-terminator small powder grains is SOOO much easier for me Than the Varget

besides getting GR right... took 4 tries with Lee Powder steup.... I didnt spill hardly a GRAIN.....

Already to load.... took a COMPUTER break and Check my DEAD PIG that is prepping for din Din...

Time to LOAD....

****.. just realized i picked up Some imperial Sizing wax today... Maybe try it on NEXT batch i prep later tonight..

__________________
--Stav--

Gentlemen....I "LIKE" what you are doing....the roots of shooting accurately a long ways is in making you own loads that punch holes tightly at distance. My loads with IMR4895 and CFE223 both are tight little zombie killers but your recipes are getting just as close. Congratulations my friends!!!!!

__________________
Grover Oathkeeper

Have never tried a progressive reloader. Had the Lee 3 hole turret and stand alone powder measure for about 20yrs. The only problem I have is with the REALLY long extruded powders like that IMR4350 for .243 and 30-06, but it shoots lights out so I take the time to trickle it in. Good luck with that bulk powder. I will be interested to see what it does. $85 for 8lbs SOUNDS good.
This is what I get out of 25.2gr Varget with 55gr Nosler BT @ 100yds

Powdered thru some Loads last Night.... went pretty well

Dont have my system Perfected yet but slowly getting Faster and better....

Gunna SHOOT for 100rds more Tonight before my weekend racing Starts and my evenings are full.


having fun for sure

__________________
--Stav--

If I may ask about your weekend racing (to me the only sport that exists other than shooting) what do you mean?

__________________
Grover Oathkeeper

R/C Car Racing

One Hobbies Radio Controlled Raceway - The Valley's Home of Indoor RC Racing
I own a Hobby Shop and Indoor Off Road car Track in AZ...

STUPID fun... and LOTS cheaper than BIG Cars...

Shooting is one of my MANY Hobbies......

__________________
--Stav--

OK OK can I put a double like on this one! LOL although I still like hobby stocks, the RC's are fun!!

__________________
Grover Oathkeeper

Back from the range. The 844 shot well in my loads ranging from 23gr - 26.5gr. No signs of over pressure so I may try a few rounds at 27 - 28gr later.

For now the winner is 26.5g which produced my best 5-shot, 100 yard group ever. It chrono'd right around 2900fps so apparently that the sweet spot for my Sport.



3" target. The max spread of the 5 shots is .875" with the cluster on the left measuring ~.375" c-t-c.

I felt a bit handicapped today as my 6-21x scope was sent back to Simmons for repair. So I shot this with my Nikon 2-8x M-223 scope. I definitely admire those who can shoot sub-MOA groups with low powered optics, but I much prefer to use as much magnification as I can get. haha

Anyway, the Simmons was deemed beyond repair so they're sending me a Bushnell Banner 6-24x40 Mil-Dot as a replacement. This is the same scope that Grover uses so that's all the testament I need.

__________________
- Bill

Forgot to add that, for reference, the XM193 (America Eagle) I have chrono'd at around 3100 fps.

__________________
- Bill

Me likey!!!

So Bill.....

Guess that means i need to BUY the 844 eh.....

checking stock Now


Thanks for the REVIEW buddy

...

__________________
--Stav--

Trigger has been Pulled....

16lbs of Powder and 6000 FMJBT Bullets...


Think I should be set for a couple weeks Now.....LOL

__________________
--Stav--

I like the way you roll. haha. It it weren't for an upcoming family vacation I'd do the same...of course I still may buy another 16 lbs of powder while it's still available.

__________________
- Bill

Oh, and just to let you know, the lot number for my two jugs of 844 is 014. I'm hoping that all of Widener's current stock will be from the same lot as I just ordered another 16 lbs.

__________________
- Bill

Oh Bill...your gonna have to sell another camera lens LOL if you ever want to take a vacation to the middle of nowhere you can come here and go shooting....

__________________
Grover Oathkeeper

Seems like the last time this powder readily available was back in 2010 so I'm just being prudent. Haha

__________________
- Bill

ya can NEVER be to safe.... RIGHT bill

LOL



...

__________________
--Stav--

Hey, for the price nothing even comes close. And now that I know I can get an accurate load I'm all over it. haha

__________________
- Bill

Bill,
Is the consistency of the 844 the same as h335?

Consistency as in grain size? Or as in burn rate?

The only other powder I've used for 223 is Ramshot X-Terminator. The 844's overall granule size is comparable, but there are flecks that look like flattened balls mixed in. It still meters very consistently through my Lee PPM.

As for burn rate, that will vary from lot to lot. I've read posts where folks have gotten 3000fps with loads ranging from 25 - 26.4 grains. My 26.5g load only gets up to 2900 fps in my Sport.


-Bill

__________________
- Bill

Grain size. Thanks!

By the time my Bulk Powder and Lead arrive I should have my PROCESSES Dialed....

Sat down last night after I got home from shop and Posted here... Pretty Tired but relaxing...Grabbed another LB of X-Terminator on my way home
Did good last night with my Lee Progressive 1000 just feeding a single case at a time.. easier to focus on each process and emphasis each as well... Case Size...seat Primer...Fill Powder...Set Bullet....REPEAT

So sat Down...Changed my Powder to about 24.2gr... set my timer....
went through 80rds in 30 minutes... No Missed Primer and POWDER spills, No Mushroomed cases from bad Bullet seating, no empty shells of powder... any issue that arose (2 primer seated wrong, and 4 cases to narrow for bullet to seat) i was able to pull out and not have Powder spills or Primers fly out or Jamb....
Best run yet... so should be able to do 150/hr loading a shell at a time...once I get dialed with auto shell loader, that should easily put me over 200/hr

was very rewarding last night FINALY.....LOL

Figured its costing my now, nothing bulk besides CCI 400 primers, .27 per rd... Once my Powder and Lead arrives it will be .16 per rd..

Figure ill finish off the LB of Powder today.... Tag all these Loads for my next trip out shooting..

Fun Times Guys

...

__________________
--Stav--

Probably the best all around site for reloading info is over at THR - Powered by vBulletin

I have reloaded since the 70's. It's a large part of the firearm hobby for me.

Yup. I found may useful posts there while working up loads for both .223 and 44 mag.


-Bill

__________________
- Bill

I also agree, I get a lot of reloading and just information in general over at "The High Road"

__________________
Grover Oathkeeper

Thanks Guys.... Signed up at THR today... for sure lots of GOOD info on There

Wideners called today.. problem with my card (business card)...Gave em a Different card... and it should SHIP today.....

Gunna CLEAN the dirty brass i have and load a few more With X-Terminator Today.......

Should give me about 400rds of my loads to go with the 600ish Factory i have...

I should end up with about 1200-1500 Brass based on what is At my House Now... should keep me LOBBING LEAD for a few weeks anyways....

__________________
--Stav--

Good Day of Shooting

180rds of My loads..... only 1 issue, had Primer upside down in 1 rd

Seemed the X-Terminator at 24gr seemed the best and most accurate... all with Hornady FMJBT 55gr bullets

The varget did have some nice POWER at 25.4gr, but too much of a hassle to load...

Spent all 1-1/2 hours siting and practicing and testing... real different for me... was a lot of fun...

I need ta do some trigger work for sure M&P SPort is WAY better than the Bushy C15.... May try a new spring in the M&P and then try one in the Bushy...

Fun day for sure

__________________
--Stav--

Stav,
Buy yourself a chronograph. If you're going to stick with reloading it'll make it a lot easier to figure out what your reloads are doing. I'm finding that my Sport likes 55gr bullets at 2900fps.

__________________
- Bill

I whole heartily agree with Bill. Unless someone buys my 10-22 International so I can buy a 15-22 my next large purchase will be a chrony. Birthday is 3 weeks away been putting out lots of hints so we will see.

__________________
Grover Oathkeeper