New to reloading

Mad Martigan · April 10, 2011, 08:32 PM

Welp, I just got my press up and running. I shot more than 8,000 rounds just in 9mm last year and finally had to pull the trigger on a handloading setup. I bought a Hornady LnL progressive. I'm pretty happy with it so far, aside from having to look all over the damn country to find someone with a 9mm shell plate ready to ship.

I loaded up 150 rounds a couple days ago, all with Win 231. 50 124gr FMJ, 50 115gr FMJ, and 50 125gr LRN. I tested them in my RI 9MM Tactical, although they will probably see more use in a springfield XD. All the bullets came out the right end of the gun when I pulled the trigger, and all the gun parts stayed inside the gun. I'd call that a success. They were at least as accurate as I am, too.

The biggest complaint I have so far is this SmartReloader scale. It seems so testy, sometimes flipping back and forth on readings by as much as 0.4gr. Also, I need to find some cast bullets that don't smoke as much as these.

I'm only set up for 9mm now, but I plan to load .45ACP, .38/.357 mag, .30-30, and .223. If I can find enough brass I might load some .44mag for my brother.

This is much more enjoyable than I thought. Time to try loading these Berry's plated bullets I just got.

moxie · April 10, 2011, 08:44 PM

So why do you damn our country?

Mad Martigan · April 10, 2011, 08:58 PM

calm yourself

RWNielsen · April 10, 2011, 10:04 PM

You might want to just get a beam scale. It will always work and all you're really going to use it for is powder drop set-up and spot checks. I have a Dillon and an RCBS 10-10 that I rely on. Trouble free

grubbylabs · April 10, 2011, 11:21 PM

I think the best mean scale I have used and seen is the Hornady scale. Good luck on slimming what you reload. You might as well stick your head between your legs and kiss your other end good buy.

I can't even get out to shoot for another month at least and I could not help but load a bunch of rounds yesterday.

okiefarmer · April 11, 2011, 12:05 AM

Good luck on finding cast bullets that don't smoke. Coincidentally, it's not the lead that is smoking, it is the lube you applied to it. Jacketed projos don't smoke for the same reason the don't have lube smeared on them.

Wesson oil is the only oil that don't smoke, according to Florence Henderson in that old Wesson oil commercial from the 70's. I guess the shooting industry never picked up on that technology.

Mad Martigan · April 11, 2011, 12:14 AM

Safflower oil is supposed to have a high smoke pint.

I already have my eye on some Bayou Bullets. They have a "smokeless" line. I've seen several shooters using them. Not smokeless, but a large improvement. Marginally more expensive.

Lost Sheep · April 11, 2011, 12:42 AM

How close is your scale to any other electronic devices? Or even a power cord?

Electronic scales can be affected by stray electronic signals. Flourescent lights seem to be especially effective (or, at least, popular) at disrupting electronic scales.

Consider five feet a minimum distance. If that cures your problem, you can try lesser distances until you get erratic readings again. Just don't compress your comfort zone. Be safe. Always, all ways.

Or get a good balance bean scale if distance does not cure your problem, until the manufacturer makes good on their warranty.

My opinion: If you are using a powder measure with your progressive press and only weighing every so often, there is not much advantage in using an electronic scale vs the slightly slower mechanical balance beam. Consider trading out.

Random thought: Plated bullets are as clean as jacketed, perform much like cast lead (and use the same loading data) and only cost a little more than cast lead.

Lost Sheep

KW Gary M · April 11, 2011, 05:45 AM

The Berry's Bullets will stop your smoke problem for sure. I shoot mostly cast and pretty much at an indoor range all the time and my only complaint is the smoke. I bought some Berry's and the issue was solved.

April 10, 2011, 08:32 PM	#1
Mad Martigan Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2006 Posts: 444	New to reloading Welp, I just got my press up and running. I shot more than 8,000 rounds just in 9mm last year and finally had to pull the trigger on a handloading setup. I bought a Hornady LnL progressive. I'm pretty happy with it so far, aside from having to look all over the damn country to find someone with a 9mm shell plate ready to ship. I loaded up 150 rounds a couple days ago, all with Win 231. 50 124gr FMJ, 50 115gr FMJ, and 50 125gr LRN. I tested them in my RI 9MM Tactical, although they will probably see more use in a springfield XD. All the bullets came out the right end of the gun when I pulled the trigger, and all the gun parts stayed inside the gun. I'd call that a success. They were at least as accurate as I am, too. The biggest complaint I have so far is this SmartReloader scale. It seems so testy, sometimes flipping back and forth on readings by as much as 0.4gr. Also, I need to find some cast bullets that don't smoke as much as these. I'm only set up for 9mm now, but I plan to load .45ACP, .38/.357 mag, .30-30, and .223. If I can find enough brass I might load some .44mag for my brother. This is much more enjoyable than I thought. Time to try loading these Berry's plated bullets I just got. __________________ All-Purpose Abrasive Springfield Mil-spec, XD9 Rock Island 9mm Tactical, Ruger GP100 Marlin 336(.30-30, .35), 1895 .450, Model 60SS

April 10, 2011, 08:44 PM	#2
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	So why do you damn our country? __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

April 10, 2011, 08:58 PM	#3
Mad Martigan Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2006 Posts: 444	calm yourself __________________ All-Purpose Abrasive Springfield Mil-spec, XD9 Rock Island 9mm Tactical, Ruger GP100 Marlin 336(.30-30, .35), 1895 .450, Model 60SS

April 10, 2011, 10:04 PM	#4
RWNielsen Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2009 Posts: 116	Scale You might want to just get a beam scale. It will always work and all you're really going to use it for is powder drop set-up and spot checks. I have a Dillon and an RCBS 10-10 that I rely on. Trouble free __________________ NRA Lifer

April 10, 2011, 11:21 PM	#5
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	I think the best mean scale I have used and seen is the Hornady scale. Good luck on slimming what you reload. You might as well stick your head between your legs and kiss your other end good buy. I can't even get out to shoot for another month at least and I could not help but load a bunch of rounds yesterday. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

April 11, 2011, 12:05 AM	#6
okiefarmer Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 381	Good luck on finding cast bullets that don't smoke. Coincidentally, it's not the lead that is smoking, it is the lube you applied to it. Jacketed projos don't smoke for the same reason the don't have lube smeared on them. Wesson oil is the only oil that don't smoke, according to Florence Henderson in that old Wesson oil commercial from the 70's. I guess the shooting industry never picked up on that technology.

April 11, 2011, 12:14 AM	#7
Mad Martigan Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2006 Posts: 444	Safflower oil is supposed to have a high smoke pint. I already have my eye on some Bayou Bullets. They have a "smokeless" line. I've seen several shooters using them. Not smokeless, but a large improvement. Marginally more expensive. __________________ All-Purpose Abrasive Springfield Mil-spec, XD9 Rock Island 9mm Tactical, Ruger GP100 Marlin 336(.30-30, .35), 1895 .450, Model 60SS

April 11, 2011, 12:42 AM	#8
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	.4 grain variations? How close is your scale to any other electronic devices? Or even a power cord? Electronic scales can be affected by stray electronic signals. Flourescent lights seem to be especially effective (or, at least, popular) at disrupting electronic scales. Consider five feet a minimum distance. If that cures your problem, you can try lesser distances until you get erratic readings again. Just don't compress your comfort zone. Be safe. Always, all ways. Or get a good balance bean scale if distance does not cure your problem, until the manufacturer makes good on their warranty. My opinion: If you are using a powder measure with your progressive press and only weighing every so often, there is not much advantage in using an electronic scale vs the slightly slower mechanical balance beam. Consider trading out. Random thought: Plated bullets are as clean as jacketed, perform much like cast lead (and use the same loading data) and only cost a little more than cast lead. Lost Sheep Last edited by Lost Sheep; April 11, 2011 at 12:44 AM. Reason: Add plated bullets reference

April 11, 2011, 05:45 AM	#9
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2009 Location: Key West Posts: 162	The Berry's Bullets will stop your smoke problem for sure. I shoot mostly cast and pretty much at an indoor range all the time and my only complaint is the smoke. I bought some Berry's and the issue was solved. __________________ *To say that guns kill people is to say that automobiles drive drunk and matches commit arson....*