Reload Newbie

[Bonecollector]

A lot of you guys have taught me a lot about guns and benefits of caliber selection and reloading over the past few years, both directly and indirectly, especially C.Cowboy and Tim McCoy. Thank you!

So,,,
I finally got around to gathering my measurements on my Browning Long Range Hunter 7mmag. My rig is long throated, thus opens up more options than not.
I then proceeded to clean and de-primer 20 spent factory rounds.
Then calculated my Coal and adjusted seating depth to .015 off lands for my initial process load. Loaded up two 168g bullets over 68g H-1000 and went out to fire through the chrony and check accuracy. Unfortunately, the cloudy day and being late in the evening did not allow the 1st shot to register, so I quit for the day. However, the case and primer looked fine. I will load 3-4 for future testing, but wanted a safety check to verify I'd not gone too far even though I'm under spec. SAFETY FIRST!

This gun shoots extremely well with factory loads, so I'm confident it will only get better. Some may ask, then why mess with it? To have fun and better understand the entire process. I also wanted a little heavier bullet for caliber, higher SD & BC without sacrificing too much speed. I also look forward to killing an animal this fall with a round I produced!
I plan to also try RL26 and am looking for RL33 to try as well. I am a detail fanatic and see that this process is going to be fun. Sadly, once I find my best accuracy node, coupled with a respectable speed, it'll be all over but the process of reloading.

I plan to get back to working up my recipe later this week and will report back if this thread shows any interest.

BC

 

[Slugz]

BC if you haven't already, work up 3 shot loads with .5 grain increments high and low. More times than not you will squeak out a little accuracy.

 

[Bonecollector]

Thanks Slugz!

Absolute my plan. I just ran out of daylight after finally getting measurements and cases prepped. My initial shot was more of a safety check and I also wanted to get one shot off before dark... I was excited! lol

 

[JimP]

Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading.

Years ago there was a article in a shooting magizine that talked about what was better as far as accuracy was concerned, reloads or factory ammo. They came to the conclusion that the newer factory ammo shoots just as well as any reload that you can load. You just have to find it. I have a few rifles that shot that this is quite true.

However I also found that to shoot those factory loads I have to spend over $100 for a box of 20 when I can reload the same rounds for about $2 a load or $40 for 20, so I reload. My only problem with that is that I now also shoot more so the savings goes down the range, but I am also a better shot doing so.

What kind of chronograph do you have? If it has sky screens that you can remove you can take them off on a cloudy overcast day and get good readings. Other than that you just have to play with it to see when the best time is to take the readings. I'm sitting at home right now looking south towards my shooting range and wondering if I should go out today or wait until tomorrow just for this reason. I have 18 loads that I need to send downrange to check for pressure signs and get their speed.

 

[Bonecollector]

Thanks Jim. The chrony is a Caldwell. Unfortunately, it was just a bit to late to register, but I was hopeful. But more than anything was excited to fire at lease one round after 2-3 hours of slowly working through the process my first time.

I agree with the factory loads becoming more accurate. Even the mid-grade ammo is pretty good. I am getting 1/2 moa from hornady 162gr sst when I do my part. However, the manufacturers will never push the limit to find the absolute best load as it'd be impossible as each gun is different and they also want to be well below spec as a safety precaution due to different guns/pressures etc.

It's been a lot of fun thus far. More to come...

 

[JimP]

Here is a link for you that will calculate your cost of a reload. It is just fun to know at times.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

 

[Tim McCoy]

Thanks for the kind words. I always say my advice is worth what you are paying for it...

As to your quandaries. After a load is developed for a rifle, you can always work on another, say antelope specific, or different high BC bullet, never ends. Then there is always the allure of another rifle, for varmints perhaps.

As to the chrono, I have the same one, got it on sale for 60-70 ish. Am going to upgrade to a Magnetospeed, the single unit is around 180. Uses magnetic field. Reviews are VG.

If you are a safety first guy, have an accurate chrono, you might want to adopt a 2x max load check. If you get to the book max charge or book max fps for that powder, stop. Granted there are reasons a rifle is safely faster than the book, chamber dimensions among them, chasing a few extra fps can be hard on cases, guns. It is possible to be over pressure without noticeable case/primer issues. Certainly not required, but sometching to consider.

http://www.magnetospeed.com

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Your on the right track. After reloading for 60 years and for more guns than I care to remember, I've found that reloading is cheaper, better accuracy and a great hobby. My belief is that no 2 rifles are the same and won't shoot the same ammunition the same. There are too many tolerance buildups and material differences. If you are satisfied with 1 to 2 inch groups at 100 yards, then you shouldn't be reloading! As a retired engineer, I try to get the optimum performance out of my reloads and rifles. It takes a lot of research and testing to come up with what is right for a rifle. You have to be willing to spend a lot of time (and money too!) to find that sweet spot.

The most frustration I ever experienced was with a Weatherby in .300 Wby Mag. They have very deep throats in all their factory rifles. I have a custom rifle chambered for .300 Wby. with a much shorter throat. It really took me a long time to work up a load that this rifle liked.

Have fun my friend...

 

[Bonecollector]

Thank guys! I'll update this thread, and maybe ask a few questions over the next couple weeks as I develop my ladder testing, etc.
My job keeps getting in the way of me doing the things I want to do! lol

 

[LaHunter]

I've been using IMR 7828 with 160 grain Accubonds in my 7mm rem mag with great results (accuracy and velocity).
H-1000 also gets lots of praise from 7 mag reloaders.

Good Luck

 

[fackelberry]

Bonecollector. I used to run into the same issues as you with my Chrony. I hated wasting a shot and not getting it to register also. What i do now is bring a 22 Rimfire, rifle or pistol and shoot it through the Chrony first to make sure it will register my shots. It usually works good and im only using a few rounds of 22. I've taken the sky screens off as well as said above but still shoot the 22 through it first. Just some thoughts.

 

[Bonecollector]

Good tip Fackelberry. I figured it would not register as it was getting late, but wanted to crack one off anyway as it was my first time!

 

[Bonecollector]

Got an opportunity to get back after it this past weekend.
Berger 168gr VLD 0.015 O\Ls
Gun has a deep throat, so lots of options.
H-1000
69g @ 2998 fps
70g @ 3022 +24
71g @ 3068 +46
72g @ 3120 +52
73g @ 3184 +64
73g @ 3184 -0- I was pleased with the duplicated speed. I was very detailed in my measurements. I'm sure there was a bit of luck there as well. lol

Put a few on paper at 100 yards and was getting 3/4" moa. I'm sure it'll be even better on a more solid rest, so I was very pleased. 4 in bull's-eye and 2 at 11'oclock on the ridge of circle. For a not-so conducive rest, the shots were very good. (more like hunting shots than target opportunities)
Primers looked good; actually better than the hornady factory primers after being shot. There were no issues with pressure signs.
I'll rework the rounds this week and further inspect. If all looks good, I believe I've found my recipe. If not, I'll back it down as I have plenty of speed already and will still have a fast flat shooting round.
Next step will be to shoot on a better rest and perhaps seat bullet -.005 from 0.015 to 0.010

 

[Bonecollector]

Out of curiosity, what kind of velocity are you achieving with that powder and bullet? I've read that 7828 is a good powder choice.

I've been using IMR 7828 with 160 grain Accubonds in my 7mm rem mag with great results (accuracy and velocity).
H-1000 also gets lots of praise from 7 mag reloaders.

Good Luck

 

[Bonecollector]

I shot a bb gun through the chrony to get it active.
The last time it did not register was due to darkness setting in early on a very overcast day. Never an issue any other time. lol

Bonecollector. I used to run into the same issues as you with my Chrony. I hated wasting a shot and not getting it to register also. What i do now is bring a 22 Rimfire, rifle or pistol and shoot it through the Chrony first to make sure it will register my shots. It usually works good and im only using a few rounds of 22. I've taken the sky screens off as well as said above but still shoot the 22 through it first. Just some thoughts.

 

[fackelberry]

I shot a bb gun through the chrony to get it active.
The last time it did not register was due to darkness setting in early on a very overcast day. Never an issue any other time. lol

Thats a good plan too. Cheaper than the 22LR also. I like to bring a few other guns to the range when working up loads. When one starts to warm up from test loads i put it aside and shoot another so the barrel will cool down. Usually 3 rifles is what i take. If i'm only working one gun, then the 22 comes out and i plink with that while barrel cools on test rifle. Or i rummage through the trash barrels at the range and look for factory brass people shoot and leave. It's a cheap way to find decent brass for reloading. Glad your load development is going good so far. Keep us updated.

 

[Bonecollector]

UPDATE:
If time permits, I plan to load a few rounds this weekend. It'll be the 3rd & 4th bullet seated in these cases. Thus far, things are going very well.
I've been using a friend's equipment, but I picked up my first reloading equipment at a cabelas sales last weekend. (RCBS-Rock Chuc ker Supreme Kit) Will need to add a few things, but I've got 90% of what I need.
Really enjoying things so far!

 

[Bonecollector]

Well, I reloaded number 3, 4 and 5 in a few cases. All velocities were within 4 feet per sec range.
After being shot 5th time, I de-primed and re-primed and the pockets were all good for the 6th priming (but no plans to load/shoot more than 5). No pressure signs or visual wear to cases. All went very well.
I think 5x loaded cases is very good for what I'm getting out of this load. I don't' want to be foolish and push the envelope and find out when I've really gone to far! I worked up in stages and was very caution and deliberate with my loading.

Any thoughts on development thus far from the Eastman Experts?

I started with Hornady factory loaded ammunition. Does anyone have an personal experience or opinions on said cases?
I know a lot of guys buy Winchester or Nosler cases to load. I started with these since I was previously shooting factory Hornady.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I really don't keep track of how many times I load a case. Once I have shot a load in my particular rifle, I only use this case in that rifle as the case fire forms to the chamber dimensions. I only neck size from that point on. I believe that full length sizing stretches the case at the base and encourages thinness and case splits. I also don't pick out certain branded cases. I wont use steel or chrome plated empties.

I check oal case length after every shot and as long as I don't have to trim the case, I know the brass hasn't stretched.

 

[Bonecollector]

Don't they stress and stretch with each shot?