Ammo cost and reloading

[crracer_712]

I currently use the Perfect Powder Measure, but I'd use the Auto disk as well if I had one. I'd dump a few samples and weigh them to check accuracy before dropping a load in a case, to make sure I had a system down for consistent dumps.

On the PPM, I flick the handle with my finger 5 times when filling the drop tube, and again when dropping the powder in the case. I just do this to make sure I have a consistent load regardless of powder, since some bridge, such as Unique. I'd probably tap the Auto disk in the same manner, for my initial check weights as well as my actual drops.

But if you are looking for a reason to buy a new toy, that PPM is pretty cheap!

 

[oneyeopn]

Rod...I do the same thing with my powder measure but I think I tap it like 3 times. and then visually check the case. Plus during loading I occasionally stop and reweigh my charge to make sure it is still dropping consistent. I purchased a digital powder scale from Midway in July to make measuring faster than with the balance scale. But now that I have the calibration weight for my digital I am going to check how close my balance scale is. It has always been on and when I have had a powder bridge it has been easy to see, so it was easy.

 

[crracer_712]

Hey Grover, I have a cabelas scale with two 50g weights. The G is for grams, not grains, so I don't know how that crosses over. This scale will do grams, grains n a few other odd ball measurements.

 

[oneyeopn]

Hey Grover, I have a cabelas scale with two 50g weights. The G is for grams, not grains, so I don't know how that crosses over. This scale will do grams, grains n a few other odd ball measurements.

I have a Frankford Arsenal with a 50gram weight and I just checked and it is 772 (+or-) I didnt pay that much attention grains. I dont think my Lee balance scale will go that high.
did you just get it today?
Mine does grams, grains, ounces and counts pieces to. I will send you a pic!
What'd it cost ya? Plus it came with a powder tray

 

[crracer_712]

Just picked it up at cabelas in wichita, it was 83 bucks. Yeah, I don't think the lee scale goes past 110 grains. I've always trusted the lee scale, but also always curious how the two would compare.

BTW, I think my deluxe dies are what lee sells as pace setter now. I compared current pace setter and deluxe in 270 winchester, and mine are same as pace setter. Back when I got mine, I believe the just had RGB and called mine deluxe, no pace setter. But I could be wrong.... Anyway, I had dad get a set in 270 since he wants me to reload for his newly acquired Ruger M77, 270 Win.

 

[oneyeopn]

Rod I had a gift certificate for my birthday to Midway so one of the things I got was the digital scale...my lee balance always worked good it just takes time to get them set up and I thought that if the digital is accurate it will cut down my set up time tremendously. Yeah my Dad was trying to sell a Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 1919 all matching numbers...instead he picked up all the reloading stuff for it, He likes RCBS I think they are all about the same just the price is different but I could be wrong.

 

[thumbs]

I am trying to get things together for reloading for the Sport.
I am interested in accuracy and know I will have to exp with what works but.........

What powder are you guys using??? I was looking in the Lee book and it looks like Accur2520 will work for 52 to 60 grain bullet.

Also what bullets and where are you getting them?

thanks

 

[oneyeopn]

I buy my powder in Wichita...I am using IMR4895 but I use it in most of my guns. I havent bought bullets yet, Wichita is 2.5 hours east of me and its the closest place to me to buy from. I have a Doctor Appointment at the VA on the 6th so I have had Rod looking things over, he was there this weekend. He lives East of Wichita. I am hoping to find some nice 68 grain either FMJ or HPBT might go as high as 70. If the price is right I could even go with V-Max or A-max. Gotta see what I can purchase it is getting hard to get certain Items. Gonna find primers also, either the #41 CCI 5.56x45 primers or Small Rifle Magnum Primers which ever I can find.

 

[crracer_712]

I bought some Hornady 55 gr fmj, box of 500 from Midway. They are purdy. I'm going to load some up with Winchester small rifle primers. As for powder, not sure on that yet...

While at the gun store today, I almost bought some Alliant 10x powder as it was listed specifically for the smaller center fire, and designed with the 223 and 22-250. It was about 25 bucks a pound, so I passed on it and will see if my local shop has it, they'll poor off powder out of large containers and sell for a better price.

Might also try benchmark powder, it's supposed to be the cats meow for 223, especially in semi-autos as it burns really clean. Also gets a 55 gr bullet upwards of 3200fps.

 

[thumbs]

Thanks

For some reason I was thinkin about 55 to 60 grains on the bullets. No real reason just because I see it most often I guess. Like I said I looked in the Lee book and they listed Accurate 2520 for those weights. I do know I want to get something that is readily available.

Can't remember where I got this, maybe in this thread, but there is a place Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply INC

they have a pretty good price on bullets I think 90 bucks for 1000. Has anyone used this place and or these bullets? Just wondering how they fly.

 

[crracer_712]

Looks like Federal, so I imagine it's good, but its also out of stock.....

Don't get too hung up on powder. If you have the 2250 and you have a load for it, use it and see how you like it. There are several different powder loads for 223, what you will see separate them are their FPS between the various powders using the same 55 grn. bullet. Just browsing around that benchmark gets around 3200 fps, the 4895 Grover was mentioning shows about 2800 fps. I believe it was titegroup (a very popular pistol powder) has a load that will produce subsonic speed, roughly 1040 fps. You just have to pick one, try it and if you are happy with accuracy in your gun, run with it. If it's not quite the accuracy you hoped for, try another powder.

 

[oneyeopn]

thumbs I am going to place an order the first of the month to Wideners, they have the primers I want in stock plus a good selection of bullets pretty cheap!

 

[crracer_712]

Do they have a hazmat shipping charger on those primers?

 

[crracer_712]

Meh... I just filled out as if to order some of those CCI AR primers. Hazzard charge was going to be 27.50 plus 13.68 to ship. That would be 66.18 for a thousand primers

 

[crracer_712]

I just called my LGS, they have the CCI 41 primers for 35 a thousand, that'll work for me.