Help teach an old dog new tricks

[beerbelly]

 

After many years of procrastinating , I decided at almost 70 years old to have a go at hand loading. Being on a fixed income I have to go cheep. This is what I have ordered so far. 49TH EDITION RELOADING MANUAL ,lee's  DELUXE four hole turret press kit,  45 COLT CARBIDE 3 DIE SET W/ SHELLHOLDER and 44 MAG CARBIDE 3 DIE SET W /SHELLHOLDER.
  I will not be ordering anything else until I spend some time with the manual. I have been on the net reading what I can find. I went to the unique powder web site and they had a recipe for the 44 mag with speer 240 grain hollow points. Would this recipe be  the same with any 240grain bullet? Speer makes a 240 grain jacket with soft nose that is much cheaper than the hollow point. Thanks for any help. You probably will grow very tired of my questions over the next while.
                                               Beerbelly

   

[Graybeard]

Yes pretty much any 240 grain JSP or JHP .429" bullet should use same loading data in .44 magnum. Speer makes or at least used to make some half jacket bullets that you had to be careful with regarding light loads. If you loaded them too light the core could separate and leave the barrel but the jacket stick in the barrel waiting as an obstruction when you fire the next.

Those type bullets should never be used with real light loads but otherwise most all data for jacketed 240s are pretty much interchangable. Be sure to follow loading manual recipes to the letter.

[bilmac]

Sounds like you have it figured out belly. I quit loading those calibers a long time ago, so I'm no expert, but I'm thinking you may want to think about a powder that is a little bit slower than Unique. Trouble with the faster powders is that a little difference in the quantity makes a big difference in results. I loaded both my 44 and 45 with H2400.  The 44 load was milder than factory and was much more pleasant to shoot, and the 45 load was much stronger than factory, but still fun to shoot. It may be a tad more expensive to shoot the slower powders but there is some peace of mind knowing that it would take a big mistake to cause a disaster whereas a small mistake with the fast powder could ruin your day.

[beerbelly]

That slower powder is some thing to think about, being new and all. And just starting. I haven't bought any powder or bullets yet. I wanted to spend some time with the manual first. I sure can't afford to go and buy stuff I can't use. Thanks
                                            beerbelly

[bilmac]

I don't know what your objective is, but if you are looking for a compromise between power and pleasant to shoot, you might take a look at lighter than standard bullets. I shot a 205 in my 44 and a 225 in the 45, both at around 1100-1200 FPS. I think you can get a little more performance from a load with a lighter bullet vs. the recoil you have to tolerate. Just something for you to think about.

[Sharps-Nut]

   I guess I would second the slower powders comment but......  I load unique now and it twas my first powder years ago.  Though fast a 44 mag loaded at 8 grains is a fun load and a double charge, the big risk, will not fit.  This said its is a great versatile starting powder that will sure cover many bases.  Buy a good scale set your powder dump and check your weights dropped on your scales every 10 rounds.  I use a new to me rcbs uniflow and once set and locked it never, never changes eneogh over a reloading session to cause one hoot of difference let alone a risk.  That said I still check it on the scale every so many rounds.  Not trying to be contrary to what was posted by others, but....  I stated earlier slower powders are "safer" but the versatility of unique and the attention that needs to be paid to any loading with any powder would make me say you will be well served with unique or the slower powders.    Some nevers I will throw in, when you fill your dump leave that powder can.and that powder can only on the bench.  Always empty your dump after each session, failing to do so will pit your plastic dump tube and make you question which powder might be in there, or prevent a mixing of powders which is very possible and very dangerous. Grand dad blew up a colt python with mixed powders late in his reloading career. I always pen light my charged cases before going to the bullet seating stage this is my final check for missed charges or other problems.  The list could go on but where to stop.  I started my day care providers husband reloading at 60 plus years, its a great hobby and as far as I am concerned very safe but requires common sense, good judgement, and paying close attention to many small details.  Been at it nearly 20 years without a hick up and I bet GB and some of the other have been at a bit longer.  Sure wish there was some one in your area to sorta start you off?  Best of luck in you new hobby,  SN

[beerbelly]

Well the only powder I can get locally is Unique. He is out of all most every thing. The Unique site calls for a CCI 300 large pistol primer,he is also out of those. He has some Remington 2 1/2 large pistol primers, is it OK to substitute them for the CCI's?
 It n boils down to this if I am going to load any tine soon, this will be the recipe.
Speer 44 mag cal. .429 240 grain gold dot hollow points, unique powder and Remington 2 1/2 large pistol primers. Do you folks think this is a workable load? Thanks for your help.
                                                       Beerbelly

[KRP]

Well the only powder I can get locally is Unique. He is out of all most every thing. The Unique site calls for a CCI 300 large pistol primer,he is also out of those. He has some Remington 2 1/2 large pistol primers, is it OK to substitute them for the CCI's?
 It n boils down to this if I am going to load any tine soon, this will be the recipe.
Speer 44 mag cal. .429 240 grain gold dot hollow points, unique powder and Remington 2 1/2 large pistol primers. Do you folks think this is a workable load? Thanks for your help.
                                                       Beerbelly

Yes, that is a workable load.  It's good to be safe, but you are honestly overthinking this.  Read your reloading manual again, it's a guide and most likely tells you so.  Be cautious and work up your loads but don't be so overcome with fear that you can't enjoy this.

[bilmac]

Substituting primers or the same weight bullets is usually no big deal. Some folks who are really into the accuracy ,mostly riflemen, will experiment with different primers to wring out the ultimate. The only place definitely not go changing the recipe one iota is reloading steel shot shells. The manuals say so in big red letters and they mean it, you can't even change the primer safely. Don't ask how I know.

[Skip_B]

Belly,
You chose a good press and system within your monetary criteria. For the money, there isn't anything better. That being said, there are better presses, but the cost would be much, much more. Good choice!

Unique will be a good choice for the calibers you have mentioned. It will give you mid-range loads that will not be hard on your 70 year old body.

One question, how are you going to do your priming? The kit that is on the Lee webpage doesn't have a priming tool with it. Did the kit you bought come with one? If not may I suggest the "Lee Safety Prime for Classic Cast & Turret Press ". It will make loading that much faster. If you don't use that you will have to place a single primer in the holder each time you need to set one. Very time consuming and could be a problem if you have oily hands, not to mention the mess if you spill them on the floor! The hand tool is useful as well but sidesteps one of the benefits of having the turret press.


Also, using Unique with the powder measure and disks that come with the kit may cause a problem. You will not be able to "fine tune" a load with the fixed disks. It will work, as long as you use a large enough load, 7 or 8gr of Unique, and go slow. The flakes are so big with Unique that it can "bridge" gaps. Another suggestion for the future is the "Adjustable Charge Bar". That way you can "tweak" a load if necessary.

There is another benefit to using Lee equipment. They have videos on their website for setting up and running their equipment! Here:http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1228399009.3178=/html/HelpVideos/video.html

At any rate, have fun and be safe. You have the tools to make some good handloads.

[Graybeard]

Unique is really hard to beat for the rounds you wish to load for so long as you're not after maximum possible velocity from those rounds. It uses less than half as much powder per load as the slower powders so you can get more than double the number of loads per pound and you can get within  a couple hundred fps of the same velocity which is more than enough for the job at hand and more pleasant to shoot at the same time.

I don't tend to use a lot of it in those rounds but that's just a personal preference kinda thing it is an excellent choice.

[Sharps-Nut]

Reread the post seems you have a lee kit of some sorts.  Good place to start.   While you are out doing the gun show thing keep your eyes open for a used rcbs uniflow powder dump.  These are great little dumps and I have bought them used for as little as 13.00  I have bought three in the last few years and never paid more than 30.00 and all three were great and passed on to friends getting started.  Pay attention go slow and enjoy the 8.00 a box 44 mags.  Thats is a current price as I just helped a former student get going .  20.00 for a pound of unique 30.00 for 1000 cci primers, and 50.00 for 500 cast lead 240 keith style bullets.  Thats 16 cents per round if you don't count brass and at 10 plus reloads before they crack and range pick up, or used at 1/2 of new price I don't count it into the price.  Just some thoughts.   Good luck again with your new hobby.   SN

[torpedoman]

get an impact bullet puller your going to need it. I use mine often

[beerbelly]

Well I got the Lee turret press up and running. I loaded a few Remington 44mags, with a 240 grain HP bullet and 9.3 grains of Uniqie. I fired a couple to see how they were. They are a good deal below factory loads. Much more pleasant to shoot. Have no idea about accuracy, it was raining and I got back in. will try that tomorrow.
 I also loaded a few .45 long colts with a 250 grain HP and 7.8 grains of Uniqie. haven't had a chance to shoot any of them yet.
Skip B my kit did not come with the primer deal. I am having to put them on by hand. I want the Safety Prime , but it will have to wait for a while. I have wrecked the budget. But I am having a ball.
                                                      Beerbelly

[bilmac]

44Mag and 45 colts are two cartridges that can benefit a lot from hand loading. The first because the factory load is too powerful to have fun with, and the second because the factory load is pretty anemic. Lots of us find that we enjoy loading as much or more than shooting, but if you never do that, I'm sure you'll find yourself enjoying your guns a lot more because you chose to load for them.

[Dand]

Yep I like Unique as its really a versatile powder -tho I load 41 mag and 357.  I'll second the guy who encouraged you to get a good scale.  I use a Lee ProAuto disk and love it but when setting up I always check the wt of the charge thrown and only use the Lee charge table as a guide. Don't know why but I USUALLY find that to get the right powder wt I want, I have to go up 1 or 2 holes bigger than the hole recommended by the Lee charge table. And yes I have check weights to test my scale. I have to admit I haven't spent the time to try to understand Lee's volumetric loading philosophy and stick with powder weights.

I usually weigh the first 10 charges thrown by the ProAuto to see how the charges settle then do a check wt every 7-10 rounds afterward. I drop the charge into a primed case, dump the case into scale pan and weigh.  And I don't let the powder level get too low in the hopper (to keep consistent downward pressure in the measure) unless I'm using up a can of powder. Generally Unique meters pretty consistently in the ProAuto until the hopper is really low. Expect a few flakes to escape now and then.

Also, check out Alliant and other powder maker's web sites for more free load data and info. Pick up a second and 3rd load manual if you have a chance. I see cheap ones on Ebay often - but don't get really old ones.

I like the Lee Factory Crimp dies for finishing all my handgun rounds - very nice tools.
Shooting cheaper ammo I make myself really ups the fun factor for me.  Welcome aboard.

[beerbelly]

I didn't like the lee scale eather. I have an RCBS scale that I used to weigh my round balls for my muzzle loaders. So I use it. Never Even tried to use the lee scale. It just don't look like much to me. Could be I am just used to the RCBS.
                                              Beerbelly
                                         
                                 

[bilmac]

Dand

The autodisk measure is one of the few Lee tools that didn't please me. I have the pro model too which promised less powder leakage, but mine finally got to leaking so bad I gave up on it. I was using finer powder so that probably made it worse, but I don't feel like tailoring my loads to my brand of powder measure.

As to the "volumetric" measuring scheme, I'm sure they under measure because of lawyers. If they say a hole should put out 5 gr of Unique and it actually puts out 4.5 gr, nobody is going to be able to sue them. I had rewritten a good part of their table before I quit using the measure. I knew of this problem a long time ago though. The dippers that come with their die sets always under measure too. I use dippers occasionally, they can be fairly accurate if used right, but I never bought the Lee set, because they aren't selling much, and if the table is balony you ain't getting much either. I made my own dippers by soldering handles on various size cases and fileing them until they held the charge I want.

[zoner]

you have chosen excellent eqiupment for starting out...the lee dies come with very good instructions to get them adjusted properly...stay with published load data.....have fun

[beerbelly]

Well so far I have loads a few 44 Mags ( I have to get some brass for them) and a bunch of 45 long colts. The 45s I loaded with a 255 grain bullet from a Lee mould. With 7.5 grains of unique and CCI primers. They shoot pretty darn good! Better than I can. My Friend from next door was shooting some pretty good groups with them, out of my Ruger Old Army.
 I used the Lee alox lube and so far see no ledding. I will try some other things later, but right now I am having fun wit the 45.
                                                  Beerbelly

[zoner]

i shoot a lot of 45 colt....i was given a couple thousand 200 gr swc lead bullets(for 45 acp)...i also have a large supply of 231 so i am shooting that bullet in 45 colt cases with 7.5-8grs 231...crimping the bullets with the 45acp crimp die....very accurate and good velocity