[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

I'm trying to get into reloading... i have a turret press and I'm wondering what kind of good target loads people are making? what kind of cast bullets cycle well? i'm thinking pretty low speed stuff. just cheap target practice is what I'm after. I don't need anything top of the line, as long as it works reliably. Thanks

 

[TheLaw]

Shoot SFGuard a PM and he's sure to be able to give you some good info. Gunnut and Boomer are both reloading but Gunnut doesn't visit the site that often and I think Boomer just got good and started. I'm sure there are a few other members here that do as well. Good luck.

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

thanks buddy

 

[sfguard]

I'm trying to get into reloading... i have a turret press and I'm wondering what kind of good target loads people are making? what kind of cast bullets cycle well? i'm thinking pretty low speed stuff. just cheap target practice is what I'm after. I don't need anything top of the line, as long as it works reliably. Thanks

I would advise you to avoid cast bullets in the Glock. If not being extremely careful you can have a buildup that can cause extreme pressures in the Chamber of the pistol that could have explosive results. Can that be avoided, Yes, if your careful. Best just to avoid the cast bullets in a Glock all together. With just a little shopping around you can find plated bullets at decent enough prices. Like this one:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=211813266
I am sure there are even better deals out there finding that one I spent all of like 15 seconds. As far as Primers go I use CCI for my plinking rounds. They are a hard primer but I have never had any problems with them. Just getting started on reloading I would recommend using Unique or another coarse powder that completely (or nearly completely) fills the case.

This eliminates the possibility of a double charge. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to know something is wrong when you retract a case from the powder measure and have powder spilling out all over the place. I would also recommend getting a manual such as lyman's reloading guide. Lots of great info in them. Additionally I have a couple subscriptions to reloading mags and such.

I know I am starting to babble now and probably throwing out more info than you were looking for but I think re-loading is as much fun as shooting. Plus it is something to do when the weather is bad and I can't get to the range or anyplace.

Anyway, long story short avoid the cast bullets if you can get the plated.

 

[cohland]

There's a good thread on this topic over in our Ammunition and Reloading section:
http://glock.pro/showthread.php/1264-recommend-list-for-reloading-setup

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

I would advise you to avoid cast bullets in the Glock. If not being extremely careful you can have a buildup that can cause extreme pressures in the Chamber of the pistol that could have explosive results. Can that be avoided, Yes, if your careful. Best just to avoid the cast bullets in a Glock all together. With just a little shopping around you can find plated bullets at decent enough prices. Like this one:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=211813266
I am sure there are even better deals out there finding that one I spent all of like 15 seconds. As far as Primers go I use CCI for my plinking rounds. They are a hard primer but I have never had any problems with them. Just getting started on reloading I would recommend using Unique or another coarse powder that completely (or nearly completely) fills the case.

This eliminates the possibility of a double charge. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to know something is wrong when you retract a case from the powder measure and have powder spilling out all over the place. I would also recommend getting a manual such as lyman's reloading guide. Lots of great info in them. Additionally I have a couple subscriptions to reloading mags and such.

I know I am starting to babble now and probably throwing out more info than you were looking for but I think re-loading is as much fun as shooting. Plus it is something to do when the weather is bad and I can't get to the range or anyplace.

Anyway, long story short avoid the cast bullets if you can get the plated.

Thanks for the advice, I have a land and grove barrel. still appreciate trying to save me from some heartache anyway. I got a reloading guide The ABC's of Reloading. I've read about unique and it seems to be a pretty good powder. ever use power pistol? any good? as far as primers, I was hearing people say that winchester primers are nice and not many light strikes. I'm just curious what kind of loads people are making so i can replicate and try to save a bit of time from trial and error.

 

[Rowdie]

I'm trying to get into reloading... i have a turret press and I'm wondering what kind of good target loads people are making? what kind of cast bullets cycle well? i'm thinking pretty low speed stuff. just cheap target practice is what I'm after. I don't need anything top of the line, as long as it works reliably. Thanks

Thanks for the post, Sarg! I'm getting geared up to reload 9mm and .223 and all this info has been helpful. Fortunately I have a next door neighbor
who has been reloading for several years and has offered to sell me almost everything I need, except a press and tumbler, at at an unbelievable price. He has multiples of almost everything. Plus, he has been able to provide me with quite a bit of knowledge at no charge! I've reloaded about 500 rounds each of 9mm and .223 on his equipment. Thanks to all for the info.
everything

 

[Ronbo]

I used to own a g17 and reloaded for it. I used power pistol to propel 124 and 147 grain plated berrys bullets down the pipe. power pistol burns much cleaner than unique, but it makes an impressive muzzle blast. I still use power pistol in my .40 s&w and .45 ACP, I really like it.

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

I used to own a g17 and reloaded for it. I used power pistol to propel 124 and 147 grain plated berrys bullets down the pipe. power pistol burns much cleaner than unique, but it makes an impressive muzzle blast. I still use power pistol in my .40 s&w and .45 ACP, I really like it.

awesome, good to know! so generally less power pistol will make the same pressures as more unique? burns cleaner so less muck to clean up at the end of the day, gotta love that. have you ever used lead cast bullets?

 

[sfguard]

Thanks for the advice, I have a land and grove barrel. still appreciate trying to save me from some heartache anyway. I got a reloading guide The ABC's of Reloading. I've read about unique and it seems to be a pretty good powder. ever use power pistol? any good? as far as primers, I was hearing people say that winchester primers are nice and not many light strikes. I'm just curious what kind of loads people are making so i can replicate and try to save a bit of time from trial and error.

Oh, land and groove you will be fine then. I have heard good things about Missouri bullet company. I don't use much cast ammo and what I do use I cast and lube myself.

Never used Power Pistol powder. I like to use Tight group alot and typically stick to Hodgedon's brand of powders depending upon what I am loading whether I am using a slow burning powder or a faster higher pressure powder.

In terms of primers a lot of competition shooters use Federal NO. 100 they are supposed to be a very soft primer. I still use and like CCI though. I haven't had any problems with it at all. They are supposedly one of the harder primers on the market but like I said they work for me.

My loads vary greatly depending on what the ammo I am making is going to be used for. That also helps to determine the powder sometimes. My advise would be to find a load in a manual. Then tinker with it a little bit. Just a little bit at a time. Making a "custom" load for yourself takes time. I spent a couple of months researching and testing to come up with my competition 9mm load.

While I was making it I was driving back and forth to the range everyday to test another batch. But if your looking for just a plinking round tell me what kind of powder/ grain of bullet you plan to use and I will try to help you out. I will pull a load out of one of my guides and give it to you verbatim.

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

Oh, land and groove you will be fine then. I have heard good things about Missouri bullet company. I don't use much cast ammo and what I do use I cast and lube myself.

Never used Power Pistol powder. I like to use Tight group alot and typically stick to Hodgedon's brand of powders depending upon what I am loading whether I am using a slow burning powder or a faster higher pressure powder.

In terms of primers a lot of competition shooters use Federal NO. 100 they are supposed to be a very soft primer. I still use and like CCI though. I haven't had any problems with it at all. They are supposedly one of the harder primers on the market but like I said they work for me.

My loads vary greatly depending on what the ammo I am making is going to be used for. That also helps to determine the powder sometimes. My advise would be to find a load in a manual. Then tinker with it a little bit. Just a little bit at a time. Making a "custom" load for yourself takes time. I spent a couple of months researching and testing to come up with my competition 9mm load.

While I was making it I was driving back and forth to the range everyday to test another batch. But if your looking for just a plinking round tell me what kind of powder/ grain of bullet you plan to use and I will try to help you out. I will pull a load out of one of my guides and give it to you verbatim.

well, I'm thinking power pistol sounds like good stuff. probably using mostly once fired brass, and 115 grain dardas cast round nose bullets.

 

[sfguard]

Are you going to use a 1.110" OAL or 1.065" OAL?

 

[Ronbo]

Since I don't have a conventional rifled barrel, I only shoot jacketed or plated bullets in my glock. Right now, my pet load is 6.5 grains of power pistol in federal cases moving a hornady xtp 180gr downrange at 980 fps, touched off by cci 500's. I've never used power pistol with cast bullets, but I don't see why you couldn't. You just need to find the correct load data.

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

Are you going to use a 1.110" OAL or 1.065" OAL?

hmmmm.... probably 1.065

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

Since I don't have a conventional rifled barrel, I only shoot jacketed or plated bullets in my glock. Right now, my pet load is 6.5 grains of power pistol in federal cases moving a hornady xtp 180gr downrange at 980 fps, touched off by cci 500's. I've never used power pistol with cast bullets, but I don't see why you couldn't. You just need to find the correct load data.

I'll have to check out loading data from my book.

 

[sfguard]

It's not really that big of a deal in terms of velocity and pressure. I am only seeing a 17fps difference in the two OALs and a 500 C.U.P. pressure difference. For range ammo neither will be a big deal in difference. With the 1.065 try this recipe
Sugg starting grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. Max load grains Velocity Pressure
5.0 1107 27,700 5.6 1190 31,500

 

[sfguard]

It's not really that big of a deal in terms of velocity and pressure. I am only seeing a 17fps difference in the two OALs and a 500 C.U.P. pressure difference. For range ammo neither will be a big deal in difference. With the 1.065 try this recipe
Sugg starting grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. Max load grains Velocity Pressure
5.0 1107 27,700 5.6 1190 31,500

Whoa, what just happened? Let me try this again.

 

[sfguard]

Sugg starting grains 5.0 gives a velocity of 1107fps with a C.U.P. pressure of 27,700


Max load grains 5.6 grains powder velocity of 1190fps with a C.U.P. pressure of 31,500

 

[sfguard]

That looks a little better. If it don't make sense just shoot me a PM and I will straighten it out.

 

[Sgt.Mason.Willis]

It's not really that big of a deal in terms of velocity and pressure. I am only seeing a 17fps difference in the two OALs and a 500 C.U.P. pressure difference. For range ammo neither will be a big deal in difference. With the 1.065 try this recipe
Sugg starting grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. Max load grains Velocity Pressure
5.0 1107 27,700 5.6 1190 31,500

awesome info, thanks very much. what about 1.11 OAL? any reccomendations?