What did you do in the reloading room today?

I've been loading up some stuff for deer season.

Loaded some 110 gr Accubonds for the younguns .257 Wby Mag

Loaded up some 180 gr Accubonds for one of my .300 Win Mag

Loaded up some 150 gr Accubonds for my 7mmSTW

Loaded up some 140 gr Accubonds for my 270 Wby Mag

Now that I've gotten my Ruger 77/44 to acting right, I've been load testing for it.
Max load of H110 and a 240 gr XTP is getting me around 1.25" 5 shot groups. It likes to throw a flier into every group. I had one 4 shot 0.75" group until the last shot...lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: camocorvette
I thought that thing was supposed to be the bomb? No?

no comment.. im looking for another ammobot..

the Mark 7 works, runs, no issues, but im asking it to do stuff, that, to be perfectly honest, the Ammobot does without sneezing. Ammobots just "work, and keep eating", definitely a much better processing machine, hands down. The Mk7 is for the more "delicate" tasks..

Ammobots take a little more finese to load on, but due to the way better sensor support, can be done, quite easily
 
  • Like
Reactions: BuildingConceptsllc
I finished up 500 .300Blk and worked on the 6.5x47 Lapua. My rifle loves the factory 139gr scenars, so trying to duplicate those. Close……
I also tried playing with a new RCBS Chargemeaster 1500. I’m so pissed, the unit doesn’t work new out of the box!!!! I need to call them in the morning.
Enjoy the time!!!!
 
IMG_8526.jpeg


got the Ammobot machine up and running for 223 processing, with a VP reamer... already ran 1500 rounds through it, and ate it all like a champ... I have a Mk7 autodrive for sale if someone wants it
 
I loaded 100 rounds of 300 PRC. I used the Sierra 220gr. Match bullets with 75.5g of H4831sc.
They won’t fit in my gun. The bullet Ogive is more forward than most so, I’ve got to go back and reseat them .06 deeper…….I also found that my DT magnum bolt is too long for some reason, got to figure that one out….
 
Loaded and shot:
25CM Seekins McGowan 18“ 1:7
75 VMAX 44 Varget 3421 fps
110 ELDX 42 H4350 2895 fps

6 ARC Seekins Proof CF 18” 1:7.5
75 VMAX 33 LVR 3099 fps
87 VMAX 32 LVR 2983 fps
 
I was very suprised. Miday had the best price on the Lee six pack pro press. And free shipping. Got the press and bullet feeder. Swapped the dies from the 4 hole turret. Forgot a shell holder so had to wait another day or so for that. But it's set up and works. I like it a lot.

IMG_8225.jpg

IMG_8226.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Balor
Sized, trimmed/chamfer, cleaned about 1500 pcs of LC.
Primed and loaded 100 rounds on dillon to test and make sure all is well before I roll with it and put up 1500 rounds for later use.

Had issues with my Forrster seating die leaving a ring on my bullets. I polished and used a bullet and rubbing compound to make it a lot better but didn't totmy get rid of it. Won't matter for my 100 yd testing but I ordered another redding micro seater. Honestly the forster just doesn't work that well with the dillon anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: camocorvette
processed 4k 223
final washed 4k 223
washed bucket of 40
washed bucket of 38spl
double sorted (4) buckets of 40
boxed up a ton of stuff sold over weekend!

good, productive day in the shop. can’t wait to load up some personal 9 and 300bo this week hopefully
Darn, make me feel bad, all’s I did between church and everything else going on, was anneal two batches of cases, (98) resized them and put them back in the case cleaner to get the lube off.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 99mpower
Trimmed, primed, and loaded some 300 gr Berger hybrids View attachment 8513153
This pic got my attention because I’m currently working on rearranging my stations for better work flow. So I have a few questions. Zero press is off to the right. The ST has a cover over it, but the A&D looks to be active. There’s an A419 piece attached to a trickler, and I don’t recognize either. There’s a Uniflow measure uncovered with powder in it, so it looks to be active. Then there’s an arbor press off to the left with an inline 338LM die.
So first, I don’t recognize the A419 piece and the trickler. Would please you educate me on what that is? Next (semi-loaded question) why is the ST under a cover and you’re using a manual measure with a separate trickler? Finally, can you describe your workflow from the Zero to the scale/trickler, to the seating press? (Oh, and are you right or left-handed)?
Thanks!
 
  • Love
Reactions: secondofangle2
This pic got my attention because I’m currently working on rearranging my stations for better work flow. So I have a few questions. Zero press is off to the right. The ST has a cover over it, but the A&D looks to be active. There’s an A419 piece attached to a trickler, and I don’t recognize either. There’s a Uniflow measure uncovered with powder in it, so it looks to be active. Then there’s an arbor press off to the left with an inline 338LM die.
So first, I don’t recognize the A419 piece and the trickler. Would please you educate me on what that is? Next (semi-loaded question) why is the ST under a cover and you’re using a manual measure with a separate trickler? Finally, can you describe your workflow from the Zero to the scale/trickler, to the seating press? (Oh, and are you right or left-handed)?
Thanks!
Okay, lets do this! haha So, the FX120 that is uncovered has the autotrickler V1 attached to it. Back in 2018, A419 made the base for it because the OEM one was rather crudely 3D printed - the weight of the A419 base was a welcome upgrade.

Regarding your loaded question, currently, I only run H4350 in my ST because of the amount of H4350 I go through (260 rem, 6.5 man bun). For all other powder / calibers, I manually throw a charge with my Redding thrower and use my autotrickler. I may use the ST more in the future but it is a semi-recent acquisition (3 months or so). I like keeping it full of H4350 because I go through a lot of .264 rounds especially in the summer months.

I am right handed. Workflow after trimming / priming for my 338 is as follows assuming it isnt my first cartridge: Use the Redding thrower to give me a charge, place it on the scale (I purposefully adjust the initial throw so the charge is still trickling up rather quickly while I seat the bullet). Next, I take the charged brass and seat the bullet using the arbor press. By the time I am done putting the loaded round in the tray, the next charge is trickled up. I place the measured charge in the next piece of brass, throw another charge, and place the cup on the scale.... rinse and repeat. It should be noted that I do not throw all the charges (as one step) and then seat bullets. I hate having measured throws in brass without a hat on it. And, I find that just waiting for a charge is a tremendous waste of time....

For some calibers (5.56, 308, 500 SW, 300 blk, 8mm Mauser, 270 rem), I use the Zero for bullet seating but for precision rounds (338, 260, 6.5), I go inline seating w the arbor press as ive found seating pressure to be way more accurate / apparent / repeatable- the Zero is just ridiculously powerful.

I will include a pic of my setup to hopefully better explain but my workflow goes: Deprime on Zero, Tumble (Extreme Tumbler Rebel) - on a different workbench, Dry in a Frankford Arsenal dryer, Anneal in the AMP, Resize on 419, Mandrel on the 419, Trim on Henderson, Prime (RCBS Auto Primer to the left of that RCBS case prep center...cant see it in the pic), throw charges and seat bullet at same time (using Arbor or 419 depending on caliber).

It should also be noted that with my setup, I tried to separate the steps 'geographically' because I load with my buddy sometimes - case prep on the left bench, loading on the right bench. I also never load start to finish - I have about 15 of those sealable clear cereal containers you get from HomeGoods and just leave myself notes in them with where I left off / the next step. It has worked out really well so far.

All of that said, I am constantly reinventing my space for economy of motion. My advice would be get some T tracks from Rockler because having options to move equipment around is a game changer and your bench won't be swiss cheese by the time you figure out your flow.

lab.jpg
 
Last edited:
Okay, lets do this! haha So, the FX120 that is uncovered has the autotrickler V1 attached to it. Back in 2018, A419 made the base for it because the OEM one was rather crudely 3D printed - the weight of the A419 base was a welcome upgrade.

Regarding your loaded question, currently, I only run H4350 in my ST because of the amount of H4350 I go through (260 rem, 6.5 man bun). For all other powder / calibers, I manually throw a charge with my Redding thrower and use my autotrickler. I may use the ST more in the future but it is a semi-recent acquisition (3 months or so). I like keeping it full of H4350 because I go through a lot of .264 rounds especially in the summer months.

I am right handed. Workflow after trimming / priming for my 338 is as follows assuming it isnt my first cartridge: Use the Redding thrower to give me a charge, place it on the scale (I purposefully adjust the initial throw so the charge is still trickling up rather quickly while I seat the bullet). Next, I take the charged brass and seat the bullet using the arbor press. By the time I am done putting the loaded round in the tray, the next charge is trickled up. I place the measured charge in the next piece of brass, throw another charge, and place the cup on the scale.... rinse and repeat. It should be noted that I do not throw all the charges (as one step) and then seat bullets. I hate having measured throws in brass without a hat on it. And, I find that just waiting for a charge is a tremendous waste of time....

For some calibers (5.56, 308, 500 SW, 300 blk, 8mm Mauser, 270 rem), I use the Zero for bullet seating but for precision rounds (338, 260, 6.5), I go inline seating w the arbor press as ive found seating pressure to be way more accurate / apparent / repeatable- the Zero is just ridiculously powerful.

I will include a pic of my setup to hopefully better explain but my workflow goes: Deprime on Zero, Tumble (Extreme Tumbler Rebel) - on a different workbench, Dry in a Frankford Arsenal dryer, Anneal in the AMP, Resize on 419, Mandrel on the 419, Trim on Henderson, Prime (RCBS Auto Primer to the left of that RCBS case prep center...cant see it in the pic), throw charges and seat bullet at same time (using Arbor or 419 depending on caliber).

It should also be noted that with my setup, I tried to separate the steps 'geographically' because I load with my buddy sometimes - case prep on the left bench, loading on the right bench. I also never load start to finish - I have about 15 of those sealable clear cereal containers you get from HomeGoods and just leave myself notes in them with where I left off / the next step. It has worked out really well so far.

All of that said, I am constantly reinventing my space for economy of motion. My advice would be get some T tracks from Rockler because having options to move equipment around is a game changer and your bench won't be swiss cheese by the time you figure out your flow.

View attachment 8513881
Thank you for that detailed and thoughtful response. It’s very helpful. You hit the nail on the head with your use of the term “economy of motion”. That’s exactly what I’m trying to accomplish, and seeing how others are approaching it gives multiple ideas to pull from. I appreciate you taking the time to write that. It’s a great setup, and very similar to what mine is evolving towards.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Strbrd22
Got home from work yesterday and finally got around to loading some .300BLK for this year’s deer season. My first year not using a 12ga since I was 12 years old (IL just opened up some restricted rifle cartridges in single shot firearms).

Converted Speer Gold Dot brass, CCI 400, H110, and 125gr Lehigh Maximum Expansions bullets (intended for .300BLK/.300HAMR, suggested velocity range of 1500-2600fps). Loaded groups of 3 rds of each charge weight in 0.2gr increments from 17-18gr. Not really concerned about finding tip-top accuracy levels since the longest shot I’ll see on my land is less than 100 yards (hence the switch away from 12ga; intended to reduce recoil for my kids, the first only being 2-3 years from pulling the trigger himself if he wants to). If I can retain my man-card after this statement, I’ll definitely not miss the punch of 3” saboted slugs either…

No pressure signs all the way up to 18gr, and got consistent reading +/-2,200fps (more than 100fps higher than Lehigh’s published data for the charge weight). That load happened to be my smallest group at ~3/4” at 60yds, but I was shooting off a bag on a tripod with no rear support so take that for what it’s worth. Great velocity for bullet performance and acceptable accuracy is good enough for me.
DFD6B40B-9A45-45C5-8CAC-F1EFCABA24F0.jpeg
 
Absolutely. I never fill it up but I like the option to separate rounds as I see fit. Also, it’s drilled through so nothing gets stuck in the holes. Weighs a ton too so it doesn’t get knocked around. I have two of them 😂
Yeah I've got some of the smaller ones but I usually use the wooden ones I got from a guy who makes them on ebay. Just how they hold the cases is what I like. Now and then, it would be helpful to have the big one with 200 spots though
 
Stopped by the local indoor range and bought 30lbs of once fired brass for $25. Sorted through the sifter trays Dillon sells. 3/4 coffee can of .45. A handful of .40s and 7.62x39, a few odd balls and a shit ton of much needed 9mm. Hardly any rimfire included; pleased with the ratios.
Waiting on 5k Ginex SPP from MidSouth and 4k ARX 65 gr from Raven Rocks to tryout. Should be just over $6 per 50 rounds.
I took a ricochet across the chin last weekend. No blood but maybe frangibles are in order for use on steel.
 
I also write #x fired for my brass!

And stuff like 4x FAMPT for “4x fired AMP annealed & trimmed”

Have to have the AMP in there bc some is still flame annealed on the Giraud
I have to because I still have around 400 cases that are only on their 2nd firing. I load on a 650 now for match ammo and it’s so much more tolerable than on my coax.
 
I needed more work space since the addition of some new equipment, so I built another small bench to fill in the gap I had at the right of the old bench.
IMG_7958.jpeg


IMG_7915.jpeg


IMG_7928.jpeg
IMG_7954.jpeg
IMG_7959.jpeg


Now I’m thinking through the work process to rearrange things for better workflow, so the final arrangement of equipment might be different once I get an idea of how to improve it
 
Last edited: