Hand loaded my first ammo today

[DW357]

Great news, the ammo went bang and I didn't blow my gun or myself up!

Yeah you'll be fine as long as you don't get distracted when you reload.

 

[peterk123]

I keep reading posts and articles regarding reloading. Right now I only shoot 9mm and 22lr. I have been saving a bunch of the 9mm casings because maybe, just maybe I will reload.

I am so tempted. My gun purchases so far take into serious consideration the cost to shoot, since I have no desire to go to the gun range and limit my time because of cost. My wife and I shoot at least once per week, although we got out three times last week. Right now we own a ruger mark iii, GP100 22lr, STI 2011 and sig p938. I have fallen in love with the revolver, and I really would like one in a larger caliber (not many 9mm revolvers out there). I would like a 1911 for my wife because the STI grip is just too big for her. Oh, and we need a rifle for target practice out to a 100yards or so. I was leaning toward a 22lr because it would be cheap to shoot.

Reloading may change my attitude toward calibers. Uggh, the problems we are faced with

Pete

 

[Moderator]

It's crazy to me how little powder is 1 gr. At least with this load it would be hard to over-charge a case. It's pretty much full.

Yup, I use 3.8gr of bullseye for my .45 and 4.0 for 9mm. A double charge is very easy and can be catastrophic.

 

[DW357]

I keep reading posts and articles regarding reloading. Right now I only shoot 9mm and 22lr. I have been saving a bunch of the 9mm casings because maybe, just maybe I will reload.

I am so tempted. My gun purchases so far take into serious consideration the cost to shoot, since I have no desire to go to the gun range and limit my time because of cost. My wife and I shoot at least once per week, although we got out three times last week. Right now we own a ruger mark iii, GP100 22lr, STI 2011 and sig p938. I have fallen in love with the revolver, and I really would like one in a larger caliber (not many 9mm revolvers out there). I would like a 1911 for my wife because the STI grip is just too big for her. Oh, and we need a rifle for target practice out to a 100yards or so. I was leaning toward a 22lr because it would be cheap to shoot.

Reloading may change my attitude toward calibers. Uggh, the problems we are faced with

Pete

Honestly if you're just shooting 22 and 9mm I probably wouldn't bother. Especially if you're not shooting competition and trying to tune the ammo for your gun etc. 9mm is down to $10 per box or so and my reloads are only a few $ cheaper. Though it is still fun to make your own ammo regardless if you don't shoot much or save that much $. I enjoy seeing the ammo pile up knowing I made it.

 

[NavelOfficer]

Pretty much in agreement with the above.
If you really want to sit in on a reload session, you are welcome to come down to SE CT. I have primed 9x19mm ready to go, just need bullets (I don't own a niner). Actually, I do have a few cast bullets laying around that will suffice for reloading demonstration purposes.
Come try some rifle shooting (mostly old mil-surps) while you're here. Range on site.
You'll have to act fast (before 29 January) or wait til mid-March

As for 9mm revolvers, Ruger chambered the SP-101 in 9x19mm, I believe. Also had a Blackhawk with convertible cylinders...?

 

[rocket500]

Rifle ammo production has commenced. This is M1 Garand feed.

 

[DW357]

Rifle ammo production has commenced. This is M1 Garand feed. View attachment 188144

Nice! Can I ask what your load is? Just curious. I've had good luck with 46 gr of IMR-4064 under a 168 gr BTHP @ ~3.30"

 

[Wickedcoolname]

I cast my bullets from wheel weights and linotype and most of my powder and primers were bought in bulk quite a while back when they were still cheap. (Anybody remember Perry White''s shop?). So my cost to load .38 special cast 158 grain SWCs is only a couple of dollars per 50. Even with today''s component prices I would probably still roll my own. If nothing else it's a good winter project. Once my press is adjusted and I'm up and running I'll keep pumping out the same load until I fill a 30 Cal ammo can.

 

[rocket500]

These are 44.8gr of H4895 under a Hornady 150gr FMJ-BT @ 3.185". This is the mid power Garand load from the Hornady manual. Should be going ~2,500 FPS.

Nice! Can I ask what your load is? Just curious. I've had good luck with 46 gr of IMR-4064 under a 168 gr BTHP @ ~3.30"

- - - Updated - - -

I do remember Perry White's gun shop.

I cast my bullets from wheel weights and linotype and most of my powder and primers were bought in bulk quite a while back when they were still cheap. (Anybody remember Perry White''s shop?). So my cost to load .38 special cast 158 grain SWCs is only a couple of dollars per 50. Even with today''s component prices I would probably still roll my own. If nothing else it's a good winter project. Once my press is adjusted and I'm up and running I'll keep pumping out the same load until I fill a 30 Cal ammo can.