New to reloading

[tinbum]

Todays results:

The .43 load (4.2grn) failed to rack the slide at all 860fps / 204 ft/lb
The .46 load (4..5grn) failed to rack the slide most of the time
The .49 load (4.7grn) worked perfectly but only achieved 960fps / 254 ft/lb

The next step up on my loader is .53 which weighs 5.2grns, the maximum stated load! I would have preferred a .51 / 5.0grn option.

Ideas, suggestions, words of caution or encouragement all welcome

[IMG][/IMG]

[DedIdick]

Todays results:

The .43 load (4.2grn) failed to rack the slide at all 860fps / 204 ft/lb
The .46 load (4..5grn) failed to rack the slide most of the time
The .49 load (4.7grn) worked perfectly but only achieved 960fps / 254 ft/lb

The next step up on my loader is .53 which weighs 5.2grns, the maximum stated load! I would have preferred a .51 / 5.0grn option.

Ideas, suggestions, words of caution or encouragement all welcome

[IMG][/IMG]

Use the 4.7grn load and trickle up to 4.8, 4.9, 5.0 etc. etc., carefully checking for signs of excess pressure.

[tinbum]

I swapped powder dispensers as the one that came with the kit is infinitely adjustable. Which is nice!

One worry: When I was tipping the unused powder back into the tub I noticed static was making some stick to the plastic hopper. Is this a potential "BOOM!" issue if it earths?

[Turnup]

Seems to happen with all the finer powders. I use Lovex D032 (formerly Accurate #2) and it is a very fine ball powder - pours like water. It sticks to anything plastic including the Lee powder funnels and both my Lee perfect powder dispenser hopper and my Hornady powder dispenser hopper and even my RCBS balance pan which is aluminium. The charges are very small so I don't see an ignition risk.

[JB101]

I was going to say looking at the picture of the kit you posted you look to have the leee auto drum which is adjustable up to approx40 grains So you should be able to dispense what you ‘need’.
Try and get into the habit of only using grains (rather than rotor/ dispenser volume) in reloading that way it minimises any potential errors .
Keep a log book / journal of all load development.
You may want to calibrate your powder dispenser with the powder you are using, make a note of volume and resultant weight of powder dispensed over a range of ‘volumes’ (it’s handy to have if you change powder it gives you a good idea of where you are ).

[DedIdick]

I swapped powder dispensers as the one that came with the kit is infinitely adjustable. Which is nice!

One worry: When I was tipping the unused powder back into the tub I noticed static was making some stick to the plastic hopper. Is this a potential "BOOM!" issue if it earths?

Nope not a real worry with nitro powders. Give the plastic a rub with an anti-static sheet of the kind you stick in the tumble drier with your clothes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenor-Tumbl...39110226&psc=1

[loiner1965]

Nope not a real worry with nitro powders. Give the plastic a rub with an anti-static sheet of the kind you stick in the tumble drier with your clothes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenor-Tumbl...39110226&psc=1

or mr sheen

[DesG]

Todays results:

The .43 load (4.2grn) failed to rack the slide at all 860fps / 204 ft/lb
The .46 load (4..5grn) failed to rack the slide most of the time
The .49 load (4.7grn) worked perfectly but only achieved 960fps / 254 ft/lb

The next step up on my loader is .53 which weighs 5.2grns, the maximum stated load! I would have preferred a .51 / 5.0grn option.

Ideas, suggestions, words of caution or encouragement all welcome

[IMG][/IMG]

Welcome to the fun, joys and tribulations of reloading! (and frustrations)

[loiner1965]

Welcome to the fun, joys and tribulations of reloading! (and frustrations)

what about the grouping

[tinbum]

Today I am mostly annoyed!

Test one: 5.0grn, five shot string 127-353 ft/lb
Test two: 5.1grn, five shot string 95-289 ft/lb
Test three: 5.2grn, five shot string 150-1233 ft/lb
Test four: Factory ammo, five shot string 14-207 ft/lb

I think it's fair to say my chrono is not happy with the gun and all that testing was a complete and utter waste of time!

Next I shot off a bag (still with opens which are next to useless for me) to test groups, all were better than factory, which felt quite thumpy, and the 5.2grn was best. I put 25 shots into about a 5" circle at 25m.
Please bear in mind this isn't much bigger than I can achieve with my Buck Mark with opens, but once the red dot is on it closes right up!

The journey continues........

[Turnup]

Seems that the chrono speaks with forked tongue. Not seen that kind of chrono before but are you shooting through it too close? Some get confused with the muzzle blast if too close. If shooting alone it is also quite difficult to be sure that you are lined up so the bullet passes through the centre of the aperture - get a friend to stand behind and confirm your line up vertically and horizontally.

[tinbum]

Seems that the chrono speaks with forked tongue. Not seen that kind of chrono before but are you shooting through it too close? Some get confused with the muzzle blast if too close. If shooting alone it is also quite difficult to be sure that you are lined up so the bullet passes through the centre of the aperture - get a friend to stand behind and confirm your line up vertically and horizontally.

Right up against it. I had been shooting further back on Sunday, but was told to shoot closer to avoid hitting the chrono. One one hand, they have a point. On the other, it would be nice to hit something!

[JB101]

Presuming that you have the model which will cater for firearms,then looking at their website it infers that you need to be 1.2M away if using center fire /rimfire guns & use a stencil over the front as an aiming aid (you may find that a red dot sight will make this a bit easier)
I would suggest a tryout without the chrono first as you won't want to hit that with either cal)

Any more pics of your shot grouping so we can follow the improvement both 9mm & 22

ATB
James

[Turnup]

Right up against it. I had been shooting further back on Sunday, but was told to shoot closer to avoid hitting the chrono. One one hand, they have a point. On the other, it would be nice to hit something!

So it worked previously from farther back, and now you get up close and it does not produce reliable results. Suggest read the manual to see if they have a recomendation about minimum shooting distance, and if you are worried about hitting the chrono at that distance you need more practice. Putting a piece of paper over the front aperture (put an aiming mark on it) might deflect enough of the muzzle blast to allow it to work up close.