As Tom Hanks said...

chris in va · September 22, 2009, 05:43 PM

"I...have created fire!!"

What a relief. My first reloads were a success, hands and gun in one piece and they actually went where I aimed.

I was sweating it more than usual because the load data for Universal and a 124gr truncated cone bullet are pretty hard to find, then add the fact my 9mm CZ only chambered at 1.05 OAL.

So there I am at the local indoor range, heavy gloves on expecting...well, hoping I did things right. Not only did they work but I chewed out the x-ring just as well as any factory FMJ, if not better.

Universal Clays, 4.0gr 124gr TC bullet 1.05OAL. The powder produces pretty much zero flash, but the bullet lube REALLY smoked, so much that other people were choking on the stuff in a few minutes. Ventilation at this range is sorely lacking, and that's why I normally shoot outside. My Kahr had a little trouble chambering the bullet shape, but fed fine when actually shooting. I just ran 20 rounds through it so no biggie...I'll be using FMJ through it later on as it has a polygonal barrel. Recoil was about the same as WWB, maybe a hair more but not much.

So there it is, my first effort.

Dragon55 · September 22, 2009, 05:49 PM

Congratulations Chris

I've been reloading 9 months now. I'm pretty darn anal about it especially since I read a lot of stuff on this forum.
But... I'm still not courageous enough to practice double taps with my reloads.

.... oh yeah have you found anyone to keep your yard mowed yet???

**Unclenick** · September 22, 2009, 06:21 PM

If the bullet lube is smoking excessively you can replace it with something else by soaking it off in mineral spirits. You can then either use a lubrisizer to apply a different lube, or you can use the Lee Liquid Alox or the White Label Xlox to lube the surface. They don't fill the lube groove, but they work well, IME. Not smoke-free, but not as bad as some of the older sticky formulations.

RidgwayCO · September 22, 2009, 06:54 PM

Congratulations, Chris!

As we used to say in the Guard... "Good job, no punishment!"

PCJim · September 22, 2009, 09:55 PM

Just another congrats! I remember (just barely!) that it was a good feeling that first time I fired off my own reloads. I was hooked from the get-go.

chris in va · September 23, 2009, 12:56 AM

Thanks. I saved the last one, just so happens to be a Speer nickel plated case. Looks good with the lead bullet.

Dave R · September 23, 2009, 11:01 PM

[Firefly voice] Shiney!

September 22, 2009, 05:43 PM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	As Tom Hanks said... "I...have created fire!!" What a relief. My first reloads were a success, hands and gun in one piece and they actually went where I aimed. I was sweating it more than usual because the load data for Universal and a 124gr truncated cone bullet are pretty hard to find, then add the fact my 9mm CZ only chambered at 1.05 OAL. So there I am at the local indoor range, heavy gloves on expecting...well, hoping I did things right. Not only did they work but I chewed out the x-ring just as well as any factory FMJ, if not better. Universal Clays, 4.0gr 124gr TC bullet 1.05OAL. The powder produces pretty much zero flash, but the bullet lube REALLY smoked, so much that other people were choking on the stuff in a few minutes. Ventilation at this range is sorely lacking, and that's why I normally shoot outside. My Kahr had a little trouble chambering the bullet shape, but fed fine when actually shooting. I just ran 20 rounds through it so no biggie...I'll be using FMJ through it later on as it has a polygonal barrel. Recoil was about the same as WWB, maybe a hair more but not much. So there it is, my first effort.

September 22, 2009, 05:49 PM	#2
Dragon55 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 811	Congratulations Chris I've been reloading 9 months now. I'm pretty darn anal about it especially since I read a lot of stuff on this forum. But... I'm still not courageous enough to practice double taps with my reloads. .... oh yeah have you found anyone to keep your yard mowed yet??? __________________ sailing ... A way to spend lots of money and go real S L O W

September 22, 2009, 06:21 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	If the bullet lube is smoking excessively you can replace it with something else by soaking it off in mineral spirits. You can then either use a lubrisizer to apply a different lube, or you can use the Lee Liquid Alox or the White Label Xlox to lube the surface. They don't fill the lube groove, but they work well, IME. Not smoke-free, but not as bad as some of the older sticky formulations. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 22, 2009, 06:54 PM	#4
RidgwayCO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 244	Congratulations, Chris! As we used to say in the Guard... "Good job, no punishment!" __________________ "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Nope, not a single word about hunting...

September 23, 2009, 11:01 PM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	[Firefly voice] Shiney! __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

September 22, 2009, 09:55 PM	#5
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	Just another congrats! I remember (just barely!) that it was a good feeling that first time I fired off my own reloads. I was hooked from the get-go.

September 23, 2009, 12:56 AM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Thanks. I saved the last one, just so happens to be a Speer nickel plated case. Looks good with the lead bullet.