Responsible Firearms Ownership and 2nd Amendment Issues-Loads

Loads & Ammunition

Hand loading safe ammunition is an enjoyable pastime that rewards the loader with affordable practice ammo while also providing the ability to tailor loads for a specific firearm that would otherwise be unavailable.

This is especially true if you shoot one of the older cartridges or an exotic wildcat that has limited factory ammo available. When you also use a chronograph while testing your loads, you can learn much about the process of launching a projectile down range.

see www.mtmcase-gard.com/
for more products like the above rifle rest

RCBS Since the late '70s I have been using an RCBS Rockchucker reloading press with all the little green accessories to go with it. I have used this press to load everything I shoot, but I now use it primarily for rifle and revolver cartridges. I don't load many rifle cartridges and I usually spend a few marathon sessions a year on the few revolver loadings I currently use. This is a very stout, solid press, but it is slow compared to the progressive presses now available.

DILLON PRECISION For my high volume hand loading I use a Dillon SDB. Set up for 45 ACP, this press allows me to load about 200 rounds an hour. Now that may not seem like much for those of you using some other presses, but I am methodical and slow anyway! It is so much faster than using a single stage press that it feels like I'm zipping along on jet propulsion.

One can endlessly debate the merits of the different brands of reloading equipment, but aren't we lucky there are so many choices out there? Whatever color press makes you happy just tickles me to death. I believe that having several loading manuals and following them to the letter is more important than what brand of press you have.

ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AT YOUR LOADING BENCH!
ALWAYS USE UP-TO-DATE LOAD MANUALS AS A REFERENCE!
DON'T ALLOW DISTRACTIONS TO INTERFERE. IF YOU CAN'T PAY SERIOUS ATTENTION TO THE TASK AT HAND, SAVE IT FOR ANOTHER TIME.
KEEP DETAILED NOTES AND RECORDS OF YOUR ACTIVITIES.
CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING.

I've been advised that I shouldn't post any of my own loading data for liability reasons. After all, my measuring scale may not be perfectly calibrated. The lots of powder and primers I use certainly won't match yours and I may be more or less careful than you. What I can do is list some of my favorite loads (minus the powder charge) and some examples of factory loads I use to give you an idea of what to expect after you work up to your perfect load. And if you would like to send me your favorite recipe I will certainly add it here.

Are you interested in the test format the
FBI used in their ammunition tests?

Read the FBI Report on
Handgun Wounding Factors

Would you like to read a short excerpt on safe
primer handling, written by Julian Hatcher?

CALIBER	PRIMER	POWDER	BULLET	WT.	VELOCITY	COMMENT
280 Rem	mag	h-4350	nosler bt	140	3150	A+accuracy
280 Rem	mag	h-4831	nosler bt	150	2850	A+accuracy
280 FACTORY			REMINGTON CORE-LOKT	150	2622 *see note below	5/8" 3 SHOT @ 100 YDS
357 mag	mag	2400	speer jhp	140	1240	A accuracy
357 mag	std	unique	lead swc	158	900	b accuracy
357 mag	mag	2400	jhp	125	1425	b accuracy
40 S&W FACTORY			UMC	180	939	3.5" BARREL
40 S&W FACTORY			CCI BLAZER PHP	180	943	3.5" BARREL
45 Colt	std	unique	lead swc	255	910	A accuracy
45 Colt	mag	h-110	XTP jhp	300	1150	A accuracy
45 ACP	std	unique	lead swc	200	833	A+accuracy
45 ACP	std	unique	fmj	230	845	A+accuracy
45 ACP FACTORY			SPEER GOLD DOT	230	823	5" 1911
45 ACP FACTORY			FEDERAL HYDRA-SHOK	230	869	5" 1911
45 ACP FACTORY			SPEER GOLD DOT	230	752	3.5" 1911
45 ACP FACTORY			FEDERAL HYDRA-SHOK	230	807	3.5" 1911
45 ACP FACTORY			FEDERAL HY-SHOK	185	869	3.5" 1911

*note on 280 factory ammo - the interesting bit
about this load is that it was very accurate (5/8" @ 100 yds)
but had the following data when run through the chrono:
avg. vel = 2622
hi vel = 2677
lo vel = 2572
spread = 105
To be so accurate and have the extreme spread of 105 fps
doesn't make sense to me, but there it is...

The firearms used here are described in more detail on the GUNS page. I use a PACT Model 1 chronograph at about 10 feet from the muzzle. For a very detailed look at available factory ammo check out Todd's page.

Dillon Precision
RCBS
Powder Valley, Inc. - my choice for my reloading needs, again carrying Nosler Bullets
Southern Belle Brass - good source reloading components