My first 100 reloads...

[jlloyd73]

These are my first batch of reloads ever.

45acp 230gr Cast RN w/ 4.4 grains of W231 and CCI large pistol primers.

[todd51]

They look great and a very nice photo. I anxiously am waiting to hear how they shoot.

[gdmoody]

They do look pretty good. Have you checked the OAL and have you checked to see if they feed OK in your pistol. That one laying down looks a tad bit long to me. The reason I mention it is, on the ones I cast I have seat them so the "ring" doesn't show for them to function properly. I am away from home so I don't have my reloading logs with me to give any lengths.

[JLA]

As long as they are less than 1.270" and feed from the mag they will run.

[jlloyd73]

Originally Posted by gdmoody

They do look pretty good. Have you checked the OAL and have you checked to see if they feed OK in your pistol. That one laying down looks a tad bit long to me. The reason I mention it is, on the ones I cast I have seat them so the "ring" doesn't show for them to function properly. I am away from home so I don't have my reloading logs with me to give any lengths.

I wondered the same thing, but they are all less than the 1.270 Josh stated. (I used a live round to set my die up as I was advised by someone)

Just to be safe I checked the live round's OAL first ....and I was using the SAMMI document I attached as a reference.

I bet they are going to shoot great. I guess since they were my first I checked, checked, and checked again on everything. I don't know how I did it but each round weighs almost the exact same amount + or - .01 g....I would think that is a good thing.

I will say that I am impressed with my cheap Lee stuff. My powder dispenser dropped the same charge each time...(I checked once every 10 rounds on my scale)

[gdmoody]

I bet they will shoot good, you are now officially addicted to the reloading bug.

[JLA]

yep. Its like crack.. One hit and youre hooked.

[h2oman1975]

Originally Posted by gdmoody

I bet they will shoot good, you are now officially addicted to the reloading bug.

Originally Posted by JLA

yep. Its like crack.. One hit and youre hooked.

ya;ll are correct. i started just going to reload a few 9mm, and now i have around 1500 done and going to reload some more tonight before bed. i also have got 500 .38 special,1500 .223, 400 .32 auto to reload. hahaha best crack i have ever had.....lol

[flyingtiger85]

They are beautiful.You are like an artist.Good job!!!!!
Are the steel ones only good for one shot or are they the same as brass a softer metal?

[jlloyd73]

Originally Posted by flyingtiger85

They are beautiful.You are like an artist.Good job!!!!!
Are the steel ones only good for one shot or are they the same as brass a softer metal?

Thank you........I learned all I know from these guys.

They are nickled brass. I had a fella that works as a police range instructor give me a bunch of these. They are once fired Speer Gold Dot ammo.

He also gave me the bullets, said he didn't use that type.....they reload their stuff with wad cutters I think.

I figured I would honor the first batch with these. I will keep one and give the other to my brother.

[Dirtypacman]

I load the same type (but RN plated) with a bit more kick to cycle all my .45's properly.

The only suggestion I have if these were your first batch is to start with 10-20-30 at most then bring them out to the range to assure proper function. That way your not stuck pulling bullets if there is any issue. Yes this was a lesson I learned the hard way

(Wish I had a buddy tossing me all the nickel cases... jealous!)

[PanhandlePop]

Originally Posted by Dirtypacman

I load the same type (but RN plated) with a bit more kick to cycle all my .45's properly.

The only suggestion I have if these were your first batch is to start with 10-20-30 at most then bring them out to the range to assure proper function. That way your not stuck pulling bullets if there is any issue. Yes this was a lesson I learned the hard way

(Wish I had a buddy tossing me all the nickel cases... jealous!)

+1 on loading a small batch and testing before you find out something isn't quite right. You needed to drop the round in the barrel to make sure it fit (plunk test), did you? My experience with LRN that have a shoulder (as yours appears to have) is that they need to be loaded with just a fingernail width of the shoulder exposed (like you load a LSWC), otherwise they were too long. Anyhow, I hope they function fine and congrats for your entry into reloading!

[jlloyd73]

I went out and shot up 4 magazines worth of these guys today, they feed and shoot great. I plan on loading a few hundred more tomorrow.

I need to do a range report on my 1911 for the forum. I will try to get that done within the week.

[JLA]

do it! Im curious to see how the print anyway Jason.

[BlackEagle]

They look great. Looks like you got the reloading bug too.

It is always fun to hear the bang, see the hole in the paper, and know "I made that".

[BETH]

Ha ha ha ha you're hooked

[JLA]

speakin of which, Beth, When you gonna throw the handle on your first press?

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by JLA

speakin of which, Beth, When you gonna throw the handle on your first press?

+1.

[PanhandlePop]

Glad they ran for you! That first reload down the barrel was a rush, wasn't it.

[jlloyd73]

Originally Posted by PanhandlePop

Glad they ran for you! That first reload down the barrel was a rush, wasn't it.

I was just happy it didn't blow my gun up....LOL.

It was a great feeling.

[JLA]

Shoot 4.4 gr 231 under a 230 is a light target load. You could probably see the bullet if you pay close attention. Im figuring about 725-750 fps from a 5 inch barrel.

[ryan42]

Originally Posted by jlloyd73

I wondered the same thing, but they are all less than the 1.270 Josh stated. (I used a live round to set my die up as I was advised by someone)

Just to be safe I checked the live round's OAL first ....and I was using the SAMMI document I attached as a reference.

I bet they are going to shoot great. I guess since they were my first I checked, checked, and checked again on everything. I don't know how I did it but each round weighs almost the exact same amount + or - .01 g....I would think that is a good thing.

I will say that I am impressed with my cheap Lee stuff. My powder dispenser dropped the same charge each time...(I checked once every 10 rounds on my scale)

Bite your tongue what do you mean cheap lee stuff.lol I call it good equipment reasonably priced. Id say by the looking at pictures of reloading equipment there are alot of reloaders using Lee products.Your bullets look great Im on my 700th round and I just started at christmas and im idicted.have fun shooting

[ryan42]

Originally Posted by JLA

Shoot 4.4 gr 231 under a 230 is a light target load. You could probably see the bullet if you pay close attention. Im figuring about 725-750 fps from a 5 inch barrel.

im loading mine at 4.7 tightgroup and they work great.Hey JlA do you know a dealer that sales the truncated rounds we talked about?

[jlloyd73]

I thought I would have issues going so light at first, but they shot great. We are just plinking so I didn't think I would need to run them too hot. I just want to make sure they feed and eject good. So far they do good from my 1911 but I haven't seen what they will do out of my brother's Springfield Night 45.

I am very impressed wit the Lee stuff though. I kept checking the powder measurer against the Lee scale and a digital scale...... it drops the same charge every time.

[oldgunfan]

Originally Posted by JLA

Shoot 4.4 gr 231 under a 230 is a light target load. You could probably see the bullet if you pay close attention. Im figuring about 725-750 fps from a 5 inch barrel.

Yea I run 4.8 to 5.0grns w231 with that load. Nice to see someone start the right way though. ( light)