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What did you do in the reloading room today?

Also any pictures of the parts you may have.
Parts list.

Wheel: http://www.fixtureworks.com/store/pc/bearing-covers-stud-mount-radial-inch-s2569.htm
Part number: TRC-160604-SSR4Z-C

Hinge: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JRI8VGK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

¼ - 20 nylock nut
One - 3/8" long 4-40 flathead machine screw
Two - 1/2" long 4-40 button head machine screws
from Home Depot, Lowes, etc...

You'll need the tools to drill and tap 3 4-40 holes to mount the hinge and the nylock nut.

Note: The hinge is not spring loaded. I use my left hand to hold the nylock nut / wheel down on the cartridge case while turning the base of the case with my right thumb and index finger. It sounds a bit awkward, but works very well. With the wheel it's much easier to hold the case in place and get an accurate reading.

I'll add some pictures showing how it's assembled tomorrow.

Assembly pix:

Note: The higher surface hardness of this particular wheel does not grip the cartridge case enough to spin it by turning the wheel. I couldn't find a wheel in this configuration with a softer urethane surface.

Two button head machine screws fastening the hinge to the concentricity gauge slider.

IMG_0632.jpg


Shows the chopped down upper hinge arm and the nylock nut attached to it using a 4-40 machine screw. Note the bottom of the lower hinge arm needs to be thinned down to fit the uneven surface of the backside of the slider.
IMG_0633.jpg


Shows the underside of the upper hinge arm with the flathead 4-40 machine screw that fastens the nylock nut to the upper hinge arm. Note the wheel comes with a 1/4 - 20 threaded stud which screws into the nut. I tried JB Welding the nut to the hinge arm, but it didn't hold so drilled and threaded the nut to accept the machine screw.
IMG_0634.jpg
 
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While waiting for my SBR stamp, I learned how to make 300 Blackout rounds for it.
Already had bins of new LC 5.56 brass, and CCI #41 / Federal GMM 205 primers.
Bought the suggested Harbor Freight mini cut off saw.
ebay provided the case holder for the saw.
Midway had dies and case gauge, IMR 4227 and some 220 grain SMK’s.
DSC00222 copy.jpg

DSC00225 copy.jpg
 
While waiting for my SBR stamp, I learned how to make 300 Blackout rounds for it.
Already had bins of new LC 5.56 brass, and CCI #41 / Federal GMM 205 primers.
Bought the suggested Harbor Freight mini cut off saw.
ebay provided the case holder for the saw.
Midway had dies and case gauge, IMR 4227 and some 220 grain SMK’s.
View attachment 7685076
View attachment 7685077

You might find it's less work to size them down before cutting.
 
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Loaded up my last 37 rounds of prepped 30-06 brass than converted the S1050 to 9mm.

Never loaded 9 before. Got the tool head and dies out of the PX here.

Looks like I bought Precision Delta 124 ball for this production. Only got 1000...gonna have to see if I can order a couple thou more to make it worthwhile.

Powder is going to be W231/HP38 looks like I'll be in the 3.5 plus/minus range. Likely use a Smith 952 as my test gun.

Any pet loads please Pm.

Edit/Add - PD has projectiles, 2000 on the way. Gonna need SPP after this loadout.
 
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This was the setup I started with. Committed to loading .338 so had to go the single stage route. Now that I have both, I understand the pros and cons of each.View attachment 7685471
I started way back when with a buddy's Dillon 450, then bought a square deal, then went single stage for a couple decades... now I'm loading my precision ammo on the LnL AP
 
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Would someone explain the term (clipped) on the can to me.

I can't see a difference in the baffles.
Look at the middle of it, it’s not an even cone all around, like 40% of it is machined down a bit.
7505E759-3003-4DC7-8801-7C616BCA379F.jpeg

With it uneven the gases become more turbulent inside which means they are leaving the can slower which is quieter.
 
I’ve seen marble slabs under peoples scales, and I’m familiar with the various Starrette, etc.flat plates.

What is everyone using for those? I’m wanting to get something to set my A&D scale on but don’t quite think I need a $300 block. Any thoughts?
 
I’ve seen marble slabs under peoples scales, and I’m familiar with the various Starrette, etc.flat plates.

What is everyone using for those? I’m wanting to get something to set my A&D scale on but don’t quite think I need a $300 block. Any thoughts?

If you don't want to spend the money, then you are likely stuck with the Chinese items on Amazon. You can get a 12 x 9 x 3 40lb granite surface plate for 70 bucks. Under 50 dollars for one 2" thick.
 
I’ve seen marble slabs under peoples scales, and I’m familiar with the various Starrette, etc.flat plates.

What is everyone using for those? I’m wanting to get something to set my A&D scale on but don’t quite think I need a $300 block. Any thoughts?


I bought one of these....


Works great and is affordable.

1629296310470.png


Box of 168s give it stability.
 
I'm moving reloading from one room to another, so I had the new room painted today and moved the contents of the closet to the new room. Fortunately I don't have a lot to move so it's not a big deal.
 
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Thanks that picture shows the double clip. The first picture I could only see single.

That's just a cropped section of the first image I posted.
It's the lower left baffle in the pic.

Anyway, when I did mine the other day, I used a 1/4" center drill to start the hole in the cup.
I then used a larger one and finished off with the correct drill bit.
In hindsight, I could and should have skipped the extra work of using the smaller bit. It was just a waste of time.

(I tried going straight to the drill bit on the first cup, but even using light pressure, the drill bit will deflect and cause it to drill off center.
Thankfully, I was able to correct it.)
 
I've drilled a lot of things in my job.

A center drill then a step reamer is what I would recomend. A reamer will leave a cleaner finish and not grab like a drill bit.

A holding fixture could be a chore to get just right. Looks like you milled the "clipped " section? If you did I would mill the center cut near the hole diameter and then ream it.
If you can hold the tolerance milling it to finish diameter could be a thing and forget drilling?

Anyway your finished baffles look great.
 
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I actually used a Grizzly mini lathe to drill them. The jaws expand nicely to hold the cup from the inside diameter.
I might buy the correct reamer for my next can.

For the clipping, I made a holding fixture from a 2x3 and used a hole saw to drill the diameter and then sliced it so it could clamp on to the cup.
That went into a Wilton milling vise.
Works pretty good and it only cost me 5 minutes of my time.
 
I’ve started my reloading process. All I got done yesterday is;
• measured 12 of the cases neck widths and got the mean & medium (0.0136 / 0.013621)77A8173C-285F-4CC4-84FE-369E808749DC.jpeg
• annealed 100 of the virgin Lapua brass LRP (AMP Mark II)
• expanded using .265 mandrel to obtain uniform neck openings F863E110-8360-4E81-8BE1-2DFE89313865.jpeg
• got the SAC sizing die setup with .289 bushing & .2625 mandrel installed
• tested sizing die using 3 Hornady cases that I also put through the same processes
• confirmed setup on the Henderson Precision trimmer to 1.910”, trimming the Hornady cases

Tonight the goal is to size and trim all 100 of this 1st batch and anneal the next set of 100.
 
Loaded for my daughter’s .243 win for the first time. Not sure why I waited so long. I guess because it only gets shot a few times a year and factory hunting ammo was dirt cheap and accurate.
Anyway, going with RL22 and Varget first with Hornady 100 gr BTSP. 20” 1:9.125
 
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I didn't know this! So i have 100 virgin brass that i have camphor and deburred and it would be best if i annealed them first, does this mess with neck tension ?
You don’t have to as it should come annealed from the factory, but it also doesn’t hurt. It may anneal further than it came from the factory, it may have come annealed even further than you’d make it meaning you wasted your time.
And it most certainly can effect the neck tension and the results down range. I always anneal before I run the over a mandrel before seating a billet the first time, seems to get the best consistency from the get go even if it’s just mental confidence to me.
 
I didn't know this! So i have 100 virgin brass that i have camphor and deburred and it would be best if i annealed them first, does this mess with neck tension ?
I am new to this as well , but here's my experience.
500 new Lapua 6.5CM SRP.
.2632 Mandrel
Using a K&N force gauge with 140gr Berger Hybrids the seating pressure was in excess of 100 lbs.
Annealing then brushing the inside of the necks and using Redding dry neck lube on the advice of another member, cut my seating force in half.
I read not to exceed 70lbs seating force to avoid damaging the bullet jacket.
 
Cast Bullets. Cast for handgun is hard to beat, accurate, penetrates on game, higher velocities for same bullet weight and cheap.

Only issue, waiting for the casting pot to heat the metal. My big shop does not have indoor electricity so I use my 5K generator. It needs regular running anyway. Got everything squared away, the Honda 5K starts on the first pull, sit back and wait. Starts to rain, so I pull the generator in the shop but keep the all the doors open including the main, double garage door. Quits raining. Take generator back outside. (Unnoticed, the extension to the casting pot falls out.) Waiting another half hour, notice the lead seems to be getting hard Instead of fully melted. Sure enough, much of the lead has solidified. Find the plug, wait another half hour or more waiting on the lead. Finally I get to casting.

Only cast ..312 bullets (wanted to do some .357 but that will have to wait). Little RCBS mound drops great bullets. After waiting a good part of the afternoon, I was rewarded with about 150 really nice bullets just waiting to be sized and lubed and shot in our Single Six 32 H&H Mag.