As it seems that this thread is aimed towards the new guys, then I'd like to bring up notes, and note taking, only 2 other mentions here. I suck at note takng. Always have. Notes in class? Yeah, no. Not me. However, I got tired of having to start over during load development on my one semi custom rifle. Every time I would get close( to closing in ) , life would happen, and I would get pulled away for a period, the last one being a year in duration. When I finally got back to me, and MY desires, I was completely freaking lost. So I had to get better at note- taking. And I'm not good at it, prolly never will be. I just write EVERYTHING down about my rifle! Turning into more of a novel, but I'm Finally about got her dialed in. After about 1000 rounds down the pipe. So....NOTES. And More Notes !
Best piece of reloading of equipment u have
- Thread starter Remmy700
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I am the same way brother suck at note taking lol. However, I do now keep notes with great detail to case prep on each rifle. Such as shoulder bump and measurement, bullet seating depth and ogive measurement along with about every step I did to that brass during loaded ammo construction. It does help! Great point brother.
Glad I'm not alone ! My notes are sort of confusing when I go back for info, but at least it's there. For instance, I'm trying to keep track of the number of times I have loaded cases. I found where I loaded them up, but the confusing part is when they got fired. I'm thinking maybe a load column, with fired data next to it in a separate column. Maybe not- WAY too organized !!
ntsqd
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking to set myself up with all of those notes in the ipad that I have Strelok loaded onto. That way I should always have it with me when shooting. I just haven't figgered out this 'darkside' stuff enough yet to know HOW I'm going to do that. And no freakin cookies either, I was promised cookies for converting!
Rhett Crider
Well-Known Member
Something else that has been a tremendous tool for me on the load development side is QuickLoads. Reloading manuals are always SAAMI bullet seating or shorter, they don't list the powder you want to check, they're using 24" barrel, etc.. QuickLoads always gets me in the ballpark and it's adjustable. Example; 6.5 Hammer Hunter-use Barnes TSX-BT and change the wt. to 131g and bullet length to 1.485" and your in the ball park. I purchased it because no data was available for RL26 or 23 or 16 a few years back. It was in their powder file.
Well I got out shooting again today. Miserable ES. On the order of 200fps over 35rds. I am not a fan of electronic stuff. About as tech illiterate as one can be and still function in the world today. That being said, I'm considering an electronic scale. Another electronic scale, I should say. You folks using that fx 120i scale- do you really believe it worth the hefty price tag? I bout swallowed my cud, man! Es before and after, maybe ? Are they fairly durable ? Dam that's a lot of components!
Man I have spent so much in reloading gear but without a doubt to this day the best money I spent was that scale! I mean u still have to do your part with brass prep but as long as u zero it out correctly it will lock down your powder charge!
Bullet bumper
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You are not doing it right the cut should go all the way down to the junction of the neck and shoulder . Otherwise you leave an edge that turns into a doughnut inside the case .
ntsqd
Well-Known Member
Curious, anyone using an arbor press & related dies? Thinking that might be the solution for load development at the range.
DoubleGobble00
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- Nov 5, 2007
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I use K&M arbor press and Wilson dies. They work great. I especially like the seating dies. The only problem is they are only neck and seating dies. They do not size the body or bump the shoulder back. If shooting small caliber like 6BR, that's really not an issue since you hardly ever have to FL size. For hunting rounds, like 300 rum, you will have to FL size frequently for round to chamber. So I use a Redding body die for bumping shoulder and sizing body for big calibers.
If I started over, I'd probably use Redding S dies with removable neck bushing to FL size each time for big calibers. Then seat with Wilson die. You can always FL size, prime, and have brass ready to load at range and just charge and seat bullets at range.
SCSCHNUR
Well-Known Member
Every thing you said there is so true. I am the same way buy a new rifle load up a bunch of ammo then get a wild hair and trade or sell the gun off and start all over again. Sometimes kicking myself afterwards. When I find that I don't like the new one as much as the old one.
Chargemaster has simplified my process.....still use my Gempro for load development then Chargemaster for quantity!
My oil damped Redding beam scale is the oldest item on my workbench. Works perfectly after 57 years of routine use.
ntsqd
Well-Known Member
Thank you! It would be small calibers that I'd use them for, Valkyrie, 6BR, 6.5CM, so that sounds like what I'm looking for.
The other option would be the Harrell's Combo press. Looks like I could easily take it to the range and use either type of die in it.
As to taking notes, my plan (we'll see how that works out!) is to use the same dedicated device that has Strelok loaded on it to take notes both at the range and at the bench. Sure wish QL worked on that platform as I'd load it on there too if it did.
