Reloading success!!! First crack at it :)

[quikcolin]

Words can’t describe how excited I am! With much help from the forum members here this week on figuring out my Hornady OAL gauge, I finally complete 20 test rounds to try in my T3x Stainless .223.

I thought the process of simply making the ammo was fulfilling enough (quite a bit of satisfaction in holding a finished cartridge in your had after hours of work).... but having a load work out as well as I just experienced- you’ll see in pics below, well thats the icing on the cake!

I used Hornady American Gunner brass, with CCI 450 primers, CFE223 and Hornady VMAX 55g bullets. I followed the load data in the Hornady manual and made 5x of 4 different powder charges.

24.8g
25.5g
26.1g
26.7g

All charges were shot at 100M in 5 shot groups this morning in perfect conditions. Zero wind, about 15 degrees Celsius. Worst ground was under MOA.

BEST GROUP WAS .2900” . This was shot with the 26.1g charge. I couldn’t be happier!!

This begs the question, I see most guys will adjust loads by increments of .2g. Should I load up another test batch of 25.9, 26.1, 26.3, 26.7? See if it’s possible to tighten up the group? Or am I asking too much?

 

[brianf]

good for you, nice shooting as well

 

[spife7980]

See if it does that again next weekend. If so then see how it does at distance.

 

[quikcolin]

See if it does that again next weekend. If so then see how it does at distance.

I agree. I think i’ll Load up 15 at 26.1g (the tightest group from today). Try another 5 shot group at 100 and then try 2x 5 shot groups at 200m. Then try a few .2g +/- groups at 100m and see if there is any differences.

 

[clcustom1911]

Great job!! Looks like you're on your way to finding a winner! Those Tikka's show really well. I'm very satisfied with my T3x 7mm RemMag.

 

[flyright]

Very nice! Now, should I tell him or would someone else like to.?

 

[quikcolin]

Very nice! Now, should I tell him or would someone else like to.?

Please tell me. New shooter and first time reloader. I’m a sponge

 

[flyright]

Just joking with you. It isn't always as easy but I'm glad you had good results out of the gate. I had some fantastic groups with the first precision rifle loads I attempted and I thought - what's all the fuss about, this reloading game is simple. After more guns came along, I started to figure a lot of other things out. Just stay with it and don't get frustrated if your pet load falls apart at some point. Or, if it's not as easy with your next rifle. Reloading is a sport, science and art all to itself. Read, research and have fun with it. I still do. Only my .02... And FWIW.

 

[JW74]

I think you found your load @ 26.1 grains!! Nice work!

 

[quikcolin]

I think you found your load @ 26.1 grains!! Nice work!

I think so. I’ll confirm in a day or so - make sure it wasn’t just 5 lucky shots

Just joking with you. It isn't always as easy but I'm glad you had good results out of the gate. I had some fantastic groups with the first precision rifle loads I attempted and I thought - what's all the fuss about, this reloading game is simple. After more guns came along, I started to figure a lot of other things out. Just stay with it and don't get frustrated if your pet load falls apart at some point. Or, if it's not as easy with your next rifle. Reloading is a sport, science and art all to itself. Read, research and have fun with it. I still do. Only my .02... And FWIW.

I have 3 more rifles to load up! I’m sure this was just my lucky day haha. I can only imagine how frustrating the process can be when you’ve tried different bullets, powders, charges, etc!

 

[Fret]

Congrats! I just started reloading earlier this month. It takes a lot of time but it's fun.

 

[ken4570tc in WY]

Nice work! My Howa .223 likes the 55grn V-max with Win 748 powder. The last time I loaded for the Howa, CFE powder wasn't on the shelves. I'd like to give it a try.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

It's a good feelin, huh quikcolin?
Now like Spife said, load up some more and do it a gain, then stretch it out and see what it can do.

 

[quikcolin]

Thanks a lot guys! Pretty excited - this reloading takes time (after trimming 100 223 cases I realized I have to get the power attachment haha - my palm was on fire!).

Last night I loaded up 15 rounds of 26.1g. 5 rounds of 25.9g and 5 rounds of 26.3g. Now to test again. Going to try and punch another hole (hopefully) at 100M with the 26.1g, then do 2 groups at 200M and see how it opens up. I'll then give the 25.9 and 26.3 round at 100M and see how they do also.

THIS IS FUN!

 

[supercorndogs]

I am not sure what trimmer you are using, but something like this, our the Trim it II is fast and easy.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Or....

Giraud Tri-Way Trimmer

The Giraud Tri Way Trimmer is designed to be powered by your typical drill motor, drill press, or other dedicated rotating power source. Got an old motor laying around and some mechanical...

www.giraudtool.com

 

[quikcolin]

I have the Hornady Cam Lock Trimmer. They sell a power attachment so I just need to slap a drill on it and go. Pretty excited about it

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

I have the Hornady Cam Lock Trimmer. They sell a power attachment so I just need to slap a drill on it and go. Pretty excited about it

I have one of those cam lock trimmers. What a royal pain in the ass. I’m going to try to talk my wife into getting ma a Giraud bench top trimmer for Christmas.

 

[Jack's Dad]

It gets addicting when you get good results!