That is why I'm trying the 108 grain Scenar bullets from Lupua. However, a lady on the 65grendalDOTcom site had a recipe for her 123's and I can cover this 108 grain load with a dime. But that is with TAC powder
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Beginner! Critique my reloading stuff and what else should i buy?
- Thread starter stello1001
- Start date
Well, I've loaded 123 SST over tac yesterday in 6 or 7 different charge weights that go up to 28.9. Hopefully I get some time soon to go see how they perform.
there is a difference in performance (tightness of groups) in FLAT base bullets vs the boat tail bullets. The SHOCK WAVE or gas wave starts to pass the bullet due to leakage around the boat tail and upsets the flight somewhat or some such stuff.
www.gunsandammo.com
go to duckduckgoDOT com and type in flat base vs boat tail.
A lot of it depends on what distance you want to be shooting at too. They made note of the fact that bench rest shooters are using flat based bullets in one of the many articles.
I kind of gave up on the Hornady 123 bullets. I had LOUSY luck with the 120 Gold Dots which really bummed me out. So far, my tightest group in the 6.5 grendel has been the 108 scenar by Lupua.
I have had a hard time in the last POST COHVHID BS years due to basically the "shut down in 2019/2020", then we moved from AZ to TX in 21, then getting bullets, powder, primers, etc is all "oh due to the s uppy chain and KOHVHID etc etc". I've been trying to buy some H4895 powder for going on 4 years now. I've been playing with the Grendel loads using IMR 4064 (not to bad) Varget (slow speed) and now TAC (slow speed again). Oh well, I guess if you hit the bad guy at 2300 FPS he might put a pause on the battle!
IMHO, back when I was in Nam in 68, that 55 grain pill did NOT kill the enemy. Yeah he died maybe a half hour later after he shot you and your buddies with his 30 caliber weapon. That is part of the reason I've converted an AR to Grendel. You can't beat the 223 for Over (or Across) the Course shooting matches though with 77 and 80 grain bullets.
Boattail vs. Flat Base Projectiles - Guns and Ammo
The shape at the tail end of a projectile, whether it's boattail or flat base, can have serious effects on your handloads.
www.gunsandammo.com
A lot of it depends on what distance you want to be shooting at too. They made note of the fact that bench rest shooters are using flat based bullets in one of the many articles.
I kind of gave up on the Hornady 123 bullets. I had LOUSY luck with the 120 Gold Dots which really bummed me out. So far, my tightest group in the 6.5 grendel has been the 108 scenar by Lupua.
I have had a hard time in the last POST COHVHID BS years due to basically the "shut down in 2019/2020", then we moved from AZ to TX in 21, then getting bullets, powder, primers, etc is all "oh due to the s uppy chain and KOHVHID etc etc". I've been trying to buy some H4895 powder for going on 4 years now. I've been playing with the Grendel loads using IMR 4064 (not to bad) Varget (slow speed) and now TAC (slow speed again). Oh well, I guess if you hit the bad guy at 2300 FPS he might put a pause on the battle!
IMHO, back when I was in Nam in 68, that 55 grain pill did NOT kill the enemy. Yeah he died maybe a half hour later after he shot you and your buddies with his 30 caliber weapon. That is part of the reason I've converted an AR to Grendel. You can't beat the 223 for Over (or Across) the Course shooting matches though with 77 and 80 grain bullets.
this is a 1 second per round tool to cut the brass to length and chamfer (de-burr) the I.D. and O.D. of the case opening.
the info on where to buy this is:
Monadnock Machine
Raymond Simard
45 Cobb Meadow Rd
Dublin, NH 03444
Dear Ray,
Enclosed are the two pieces of brass. One is fired from my new rifle, and one is brand new brass untouched.
Please make me a new monadnock cutting tool with the spindle. I already have the interchangeable sleeve.
Enclosed is a check for $45.00 to include the shipping and handling.
The case is a 6.5 Grendel. Enclosed is a “print” of the case from my Sierra manual number 6 (2019 edition)
Thanks Ray, Always a pleasure to do business with you.
Sincerely,
Robert xxxxx
Monadnock Machine
Raymond Simard
45 Cobb Meadow Rd
Dublin, NH 03444
Dear Ray,
Enclosed are the two pieces of brass. One is fired from my new rifle, and one is brand new brass untouched.
Please make me a new monadnock cutting tool with the spindle. I already have the interchangeable sleeve.
Enclosed is a check for $45.00 to include the shipping and handling.
The case is a 6.5 Grendel. Enclosed is a “print” of the case from my Sierra manual number 6 (2019 edition)
Thanks Ray, Always a pleasure to do business with you.
Sincerely,
Robert xxxxx
That is a carbide cutter and they last forever. I've been using these since 2002 or so when another Highpower shooter told me about them. Be SURE to buy the FINGER PROTECTOR sleeve, that will FIT all the tools you buy. I have a cutter for .223, 243, 25-06, 308, 6.5 Grendel and 6.5x284.
you might want to call him to be sure that the price is the same.
(603) 563-8359
Good Luck
Bob
you might want to call him to be sure that the price is the same.
(603) 563-8359
Good Luck
Bob
Reading over this thread and your post reminded me of something.
I may need to pull bullets off my 1st set of reloads. My FA hand primer is new and so I haven't developed "a feel" for it yet. I ended up seating the primers a little proud and don't want to shoot them as such.
I'm guessing I'll have to pull bullets, dump powder, re-seat primers, and go from there. Unless any more experienced reloaders know if it's safe to seat primers deeper on charged cases?
Technically, the surface area on the FA primer stem is much larger than that of the firing pin, so perhaps it's totally safe but I'd like to know if other people do this or it's a NO!
Anyhow, can you recommend a bullet puller? I've been seeing the hornady a lot and may try it out. I'd probably also use it to pull factory ammo apart and evenly distribute the powder throughout all the cases for a more consistent charge across all rounds.
I’ve done it before, but it makes me very nervous and it’s the most gentle handle pull. If it’s more than one or two, I’d pull the bullets and try again. You might also have to/want to resize the necks before you reseat. Depends on starting fit/how anal you want to be.
Hornady can lock. No mess and no noise. Dont waste your time with any of the kinetic hammer types.
the primers HAVE TO BE flush or below the back of the case. If they are protruding that is BAD news!
DO not try to push the primer IN further on a loaded round. If the primer ignites, the CASE WILL RUPTURE and tear your hands up and possibly your eyes.
If it is just one or two rounds, I'd just dispose of them properly. It is NOT WORTH the risk of getting hurt! Ammo is CHEAP, Hands and EYES are NOT replaceable.
DO not try to push the primer IN further on a loaded round. If the primer ignites, the CASE WILL RUPTURE and tear your hands up and possibly your eyes.
If it is just one or two rounds, I'd just dispose of them properly. It is NOT WORTH the risk of getting hurt! Ammo is CHEAP, Hands and EYES are NOT replaceable.
If you don’t pick up the reloading manuals there are online versions. I use Hornady app quite a bit, also there is a Sierra app with reloading info. Tons of data and stuff online, some of it conflicting.
Oh, and I also use the Vihta Vouri (?) app also. Good info.
There are 2 Hornady apps. One for reloading and the other is a shooting solutions app that will come in handy. Lots of stuff on YouTube from Hornady on reloading as well as how to use the shooting.
I've been messing with the Grendel loads since 2019 with very poor results and then finally I got this recipe from a lady over at 65Grendel.com.
I had to altar it to what bullets, etc, that I was able to buy but here it is. Remember all disclaimers apply, reduce the loads 10% and work up from there. My chamber / rifle is different then yours.
TAC by Ramshot powder 27.8 and 27.2 108 Gr Scenar LUpua bullet
27.2 Gr TAC H 2467 L 2336 AVG 2401 Ext SPRD 131 SD 92 cover 4 with a Quarter last one opened up
27.7 Gr TAC H 2452 L 2425 AVG 2438 Ext Sprd 26 SD 13.1 ß all 5 bullets you could cover with a dime!
2.221 overall length. CCI 41 starline brass 2nd firing cut to 1.510 Palmetto armory rifle w/ 1 in 8 twist SS
Timney Trigger drop in 3 pound pull
I can't get any of 3 different rifles with about 8 different powders etc to work with ANY of the Hornady 123 grain bullets. the 120 Gold Dots don't group well either.
I had to altar it to what bullets, etc, that I was able to buy but here it is. Remember all disclaimers apply, reduce the loads 10% and work up from there. My chamber / rifle is different then yours.
TAC by Ramshot powder 27.8 and 27.2 108 Gr Scenar LUpua bullet
27.2 Gr TAC H 2467 L 2336 AVG 2401 Ext SPRD 131 SD 92 cover 4 with a Quarter last one opened up
27.7 Gr TAC H 2452 L 2425 AVG 2438 Ext Sprd 26 SD 13.1 ß all 5 bullets you could cover with a dime!
2.221 overall length. CCI 41 starline brass 2nd firing cut to 1.510 Palmetto armory rifle w/ 1 in 8 twist SS
Timney Trigger drop in 3 pound pull
I can't get any of 3 different rifles with about 8 different powders etc to work with ANY of the Hornady 123 grain bullets. the 120 Gold Dots don't group well either.
I think the point of having multiple manuals is so that you can cross reference load data. Different manuals will have different starting and max loads and may also have powders not included in other manuals. You can also check the powder manufacturer website as they'll most likely have load data specific to their brand.
I took screen shots of 2 or 3 loads I was considering and compared them to what Vita Vouhri published for their powder. I bought the Nosler 9 manual which didn't have any VV powder data (got the manual before I settled on a powder).
That brings up another point- see what powders are available in your area (or online) or you may end up buying a book you can't really use.
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I used to buy updated manuals, but now I get the apps available, plus the huge amount of data available online besides the apps.
Primarily I use the VV, Hornady and Sierra apps. I have more recently been including Gordon’s reloading tool software as a check.
Ideally you should print off or record manually your useable data in case of internet failure (or electonics in general). I keep a journal with my experimental and theoretical nonsense as well as the hard OCW data with dimensions, components etc so I am prepared for, hopefully, most potential issues.
Since I ended up using a powder that wasn't in the manual I bought I've been using the notes section in the back to record my data: BTO/COAL, powder charge, etc. I keep a small spiral notebook in my range bag to record atmospherics, group sizes, and shot data. If I change anything- as I'm sure I will since components seem to ebb and flow; I'll repeat the process and record new data keeping the record of what I've already done should those components come back into availability.
I guess the point I was making but trying to dodge at the same time was making a handwritten record in case technology lets us down in some way. SHTF. I am a half assed prepper hoping it’s all unnecessary and pointless, even as it looks more and more like we need to be prepared.
Your dope data is a good idea whether shtf or not… it’s just sound thinking without the paranoia lol
Good measurements and consistency are the key. Good dependable scales and a mitutoyo caliper will cover your needs for a long time, then just work on your technique.
With the Mitutoyo buy once and they will last forever. They are industrial QC engineering standards.
