Welcome to my reloading thread where I display the good and bad of my reloading process. I focus more on consistency rather than accuracy, so I don't rely on OCW or other established methods. My goal is to figure out what works and to have fun. As Inspector describes it, "The title to his post is his adventure/misadventure in reloading. So I have decided to take this posting as more of a story or a novel rather than a serious attempt at trying to ascertain relevant information to attain an ultimate goal. Therefore I believe his questions and requests for help are actually rhetorical and are just his way of saying his findings are curious to him rather than actually asking us for his help. I could certainly be wrong. But I think this post is just his attempt to share information and tell his story." Well said.

My reloading equipment:
Lee single stage press,
Hornady Bench Scale,
Lee/RCBS measurers,
Lyman expanding powder trickler,
Lee Pacesetter dies,
RCBS neck sizing die for bolt action 54r,
Lee gauges and drill case trimmer,
Ultrasonic cleaner,
Lee recapping die,
Hornady tumbler with corn cob media,

I initially was using photobucket but they're assholes now so switched over to using Facebook. Update: the photos linked to Facebook seem to be disappearing after about three months. I'm now trying Imgur for photo hosting.

Planning KSC on Friday with MN 9130 and AR15.
1) Hornady 174 gn RN .312" with 35.5 to 35.9 gn Win748
2) Hornady 174 gn FMJBT .3105" with 35 to 39 gn Rx15
3) Hornady 55 gn FMJBT with 19 to 23 gn H335

Shackles don't hold up well when you shoot them with a x39 bullet. Need to get a new one for my 8" gong (in a non-sexual way).

Shackles don't hold up well when you shoot them with a x39 bullet. Need to get a new one for my 8" gong (in a non-sexual way).

....
You been hanging around this forum too long

I would like to brag that my 8" gong did that to my shackle but it was my bullets that did it in.

....
You been hanging around this forum too long

Planning KSC on Friday with MN 9130 and AR15.
1) Hornady 174 gn RN .312" with 35.5 to 35.9 gn Win748
2) Hornady 174 gn FMJBT .3105" with 35 to 39 gn Rx15
3) Hornady 55 gn FMJBT with 19 to 23 gn H335

Please post your results. Your .223 load is quite light from my experience but still interested in your results.

My 100 yd results from last week using the 69 gn HPBT that Oldfart sold me. Target 1 in the upper left is my new VEPR x39. Zeroing in the scope. Targets 2 through 6 are 20 to 24 gn H335. I had some trouble zeroing the scope but got it working after the first five in target 2. The 22 gn has the best grouping. I thought the 24 gn was a bit too hot with some flattening of the primers but there were no other OP signs. That's why I turned it down a grain for the next loads.

I shoot five of each in four sets so 20 bullets for each target. I had two misfires with the 20 and 22 gn groups. When I pulled the bullets, they looked wet. I think I didn't allow the cases to dry enough when I washed them. At first I thought it was a problem with the CCI primers. I previously thought my rifle doesn't like the heavier bullets because I tried the 62 gn Amscor bullets but Inspector said they're crap and didn't work for him either. I was pleasantly surprised when the 69 gn worked well.

I'd put a rest under your stock and bring the stock up higher on your shoulder. Your head should be upright.

That's an old photo. The scope has changed and using The Rock Jr. Below is a more recent photo. I'm using 1" scope rings but would like it higher, just haven't found any I like or cheap. I'm thinking of a cantilever mount to move the scope forward but none seem like they're high enough. Perhaps I'll try a rail riser and hopefully still see the target.

I'd put a rest under your stock and bring the stock up higher on your shoulder. Your head should be upright.

I thought the 24 gn was a bit too hot with some flattening of the primers but there were no other OP signs. That's why I turned it down a grain for the next loads.

The primer flattening happened with 24gr of H335 with a 69gr bullet? You are now going to a 55gr FMJBT? The 69 likely had a larger bearing surface and possibly a longer COAL than the 55. Apples and oranges. It is good that you are starting on the low side and working up though.



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That's an old photo. The scope has changed and using The Rock Jr. Below is a more recent photo. I'm using 1" scope rings but would like it higher, just haven't found any I like or cheap. I'm thinking of a cantilever mount to move the scope forward but none seem like they're high enough. Perhaps I'll try a rail riser and hopefully still see the target.

here's a mount
https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/freedom-reaper-picantinny-rail-matte-black.html

I'm using this mount.

https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-Deluxe-Extended-Scope/dp/B00FGGINA2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1484899401&sr=1-3-fkmr1&keywords=Primary+Arms+High+Cantilever+scope+Mount

Can run nose to the charging handle with this mount. 

That looks about as high as the existing scope rings I have. Despite my skinny arms, I'm rather broad shouldered. If my nose was up to CH, would I need to angle my head so much. Only one way to find out. Thank God for Amazon Prime.

I bought x39 at JHara for $19 per 20 on sale so I can contemplate reloading for my VEPR. I was heading to the range this morning but was blocked. Maybe tomorrow...

After my abortive attempt to go to the range Saturday, I made it today. At least it didn't rain today. I decided not to shoot the AR-15 to 100 yards with the nasty winds so stayed at 50 yards. Trying out my new bulk Hornady 55 gn FMJBT bullets. Target #1 on upper left were practice rounds with 20 gn ARcomp. Target #2 in upper right was 19 gn H335. Next row was 20 and 21. Next was 22 and 23. I shoot 5 each 4 times for a total of 20 each target. If I felt cocky, then I'd shoot the metal target but it kept flipping up on me so need to make it shorter. For the 8" gong, I bought a replacement shackle for the one I shot last week but it was too big to fit through the chain so used an aluminum clip which worked fine with the .223 but shattered with one 150 gn from my 91/30. I'd say 21, 22, and 23 were equally good groups so probably try 21 to 23 in half gn next time.


22 and 23 gn H335


23 gn H335. Almost shot out the black.


MN 91/30 with 1x reddot scope. I discovered that the new white paper is too bright for the scope. I saved the RN/Win748 rounds until next time when I can see the red center with the black target instead. I did try the new Hornady 174 gn FMJBT .3105" with 35 to 39 gn Rx15. These were advertised as .312 but Cabela gave me a discount. The 35 to 37 groups at the bottom were crap, but the 38 and 39 tightened up. I'll try 38 to 40 gn in half grain next time.


For my VEPR x39, I bought Federal for $19 per 20 at JHara so I can eventually reload the brass. My crap 9x scope was throwing my Tulammo all over but finally got it on target. Pissed me off because I just replaced the vertical frame and then shot it four times. Grr... The Federal was awesome and I was able to recover 12 of the 15 cases. I have 25 more rounds left but saved it for another time.


I didn't clean my 1911-22lr after the last trip and this time, it slaughtered the gopher. About half the holes are new. I shall have to resist my OCD to clean the pistol and try it again dirty.

Are you using a bipod/bag with your .223? First pic of group shots. Also what kind of scope or red dot are you using? (Maybe already mentioned, didn't read fully through).

Nice shots it's rather windy today!

Are you using a bipod/bag with your .223? First pic of group shots.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y8SBW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also what kind of scope or red dot are you using? (Maybe already mentioned, didn't read fully through).

AR-15: Bushnell 16x
MN 91/30: 1x reddot dovetail
VEPR x39: Nikko 9x.

Nice shots it's rather windy today!

Mahalo.

Fun day at the range. Got there at 12:20 and went on the waiting list until 1:00. By 3:00, the place was mostly empty.

AR-15 Varmint: Hornady 55 gn FMJ with 21 to 23 gn H335. I added a half inch riser to the scope and moved it an inch forward. I think the scope rezerod fine. I also have a .83" riser but gonna save that for the new 300 Blackout upper I bought. I'm also waiting for my new Vortex Crossfire II to arrive. Today's load was the same as last week except at 100 yards and less wind, mostly. Upper left target was zero and warmup. Upper right is 21 gn, next row is 21.5 and 22 gn, next row is 22.5 and 23 gn. I could be having a bad eye day because I was spraying bullets all around except for 23 gn. I glued the 4" targets in hopes that I would see it better with my 1x reddot scope, which wasn't the case so switch back to the large black targets.



23 gn H335. This actually matches last week's results. I have another bottle of H335 so could try between 22.6 and 23 gn, but I think I'll try a different powder. I also really like these bullets so probably stick with them for awhile. I ended up with 488 out of 500 in the box so Elite Reloading is mailing me an extra 25.



MN 91/30: Hornady 174 gn .312" RN with 35.5 to 35.9 gn Win758 on the left and Hornady 174 gn .3105" FMJ with 38 to 40 Rx15 on right. On left, the 35.7 grouped best. This was the last of the RN batch, but I'll definitely order more when the time comes. On right, I'll try again between 39.1 and 39.5. Notice that the holes are mostly vertical with the .312" bullet and mostly to the left with the .3105" bullet perhaps due to the wind from the right. The thicker bullets are definitely more accurate but the massive bullets are fun to shoot.



My 4" Target of Mass Destruction has seen better days.



Damn ricochet...

If I may make a suggestion.....

If you are going to continue using those 55gr Hornady FMJ, it looks like your group is starting to tighten up at 23gr. Hodgdon's website says the max load is 25.3. So unless you have already gone there, maybe increase your loads by 0.5 grains and try 23.5, 24.0, 24.5 and maybe 25.0. I know my best groups with 55 gr Sierra was with 24.0 or 24.5gr of H335. At work at the moment so I am doing this by memory. Generally speaking, I have found with the .223/5.56 cartridge that most of my best groups with H335 came in at around 1.0gr less than posted maximum. This is not a rule of thumb, just an observation from consistent load data.

I appreciate it. That's likely the next step with the second bottle of H335 I have. Problem is that I'm bored with this powder now and want to try something else. The guy next to me at the range was shooting TAC in his .223 and that's his preferred powder. They actually have a lot of data for it. Dammit, there's always another powder to try, and I just bought two bottles of IMR4895.

If I may make a suggestion.....

If you are going to continue using those 55gr Hornady FMJ, it looks like your group is starting to tighten up at 23gr. Hodgdon's website says the max load is 25.3. So unless you have already gone there, maybe increase your loads by 0.5 grains and try 23.5, 24.0, 24.5 and maybe 25.0. I know my best groups with 55 gr Sierra was with 24.0 or 24.5gr of H335. At work at the moment so I am doing this by memory. Generally speaking, I have found with the .223/5.56 cartridge that most of my best groups with H335 came in at around 1.0gr less than posted maximum. This is not a rule of thumb, just an observation from consistent load data.

I appreciate it. That's likely the next step with the second bottle of H335 I have. Problem is that I'm bored with this powder now and want to try something else. The guy next to me at the range was shooting TAC in his .223 and that's his preferred powder. They actually have a lot of data for it. Dammit, there's always another powder to try, and I just bought two bottles of IMR4895.

Sounds like you got the bug bad!!!    I wish there was a cure for it but once you start you won't be satisfied until you have tried just about every powder available. 

Seriously though I still have 4 or 5 bottles of different powders I intend to try someday. The problem is I have a lot of my preferred powders. What is a reloader to do?

I have not used TAC but it is in the same burn rate area as the IMR4895 that you have. And it is in the range of some powders I have tried. It might be in that range where it may not work as well for lighter bullets (55gr) as it will for heavier bullets (64gr+). But you never know until you try. Try it and let us know what you think of it.

Sounds like you got the bug bad!!!    I wish there was a cure for it but once you start you won't be satisfied until you have tried just about every powder available. 

Seriously though I still have 4 or 5 bottles of different powders I intend to try someday. The problem is I have a lot of my preferred powders. What is a reloader to do?

I have not used TAC but it is in the same burn rate area as the IMR4895 that you have. And it is in the range of some powders I have tried. It might be in that range where it may not work as well for lighter bullets (55gr) as it will for heavier bullets (64gr+). But you never know until you try. Try it and let us know what you think of it.

Dammit, now I have an excuse to buy more 69 gn bullets from oldfart.