It's been nice knowin' you guys...

[Liquid Rhino]

So today's the day I'm finally gonna test my first batch of reloads at the range. I'm bringing a few boxes of factory ammo so at least I can get some shots downrange in case I die, lose a limb, face or my beloved AR.

I started out with .223's since my .45 bullets hadn't arrived yet. Made a starting batch of 38rds a few days ago based on the recommended starting loads (from Speer#14, Hodgdon's Online Data, Sierra .223 AR Loads) all within 23.9-24gr of H335 using Hornady 55gr FMJBT's.

Wish me luck!

[ForTehNguyen]

good luck, dibs on your AR

[jeepinbanditrider]

It's always.........nerve wracking for that first reload shot.

I remember the first .45s I reloaded. The first shot I fired, I closed my eyes turned my head gritted my teeth and fired the shot into the earthen berm mere feet away. After that I've never had those "first shot" reloading jitters.

[sourpatch45]

my first mag i had a squib load on my xd45. the bullet was almost out of the barrel it was hanging out. just the round portion was, i could only see a millimeter or two of the part that contacted the threads. *so if you have any sort of FTF or FTE CHECK THE BARREL FIRST. i say this because its really easy to just pull the charging handle when you have a jam and load another round. be safe. WEAR GLASSES AND EAR PROTECTION

[RobFMJ]

Sounds like a good load (you might end up upping the charge a bit, but see how it groups first).

Originally Posted by sourpatch45

my first mag i had a squib load on my xd45. the bullet was almost out of the barrel it was hanging out.

Heh, sounds like something I saw at the last falling plates match:


But in all seriousness, what he said was right. Your loads will probably recoil a little lighter than factory ammo, but if the recoil feels wierd or if the report is not as loud as normal, check your bore before loading another.

[Liquid Rhino]

Thanks guys... Well I'm still OK & my AR ran smooth.
You're right on the money Rob, they did feel a bit light for the most part compared to the factory UMC's, so I'll definately try a a few laddered loads & check for overpressure. Overall though it's still fine for plinking.

Here's my target. 50yrds on irons:


I'm not exactly a great shot to begin with, but I'm fairly satisfied w/ the results (even with the light loads) as some folks have reported their first loads aren't even accurate.

[paintballwannab]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

I remember the first .45s I reloaded. The first shot I fired, I closed my eyes turned my head gritted my teeth and fired the shot into the earthen berm mere feet away

LOL I did the same exact thing, also as I was setting up my rounds every other round I would pull out of the press and measure the power and all dimensions of the round before loading another one.

[rickett]

Congrats on your first batch of reloads! I load for my .300 Savage and in addition to being much cheaper they do seem more accurate. Nice shootin there! Have fun with it!

[RobFMJ]

Originally Posted by Liquid Rhino

Thanks guys... Well I'm still OK & my AR ran smooth.
You're right on the money Rob, they did feel a bit light for the most part compared to the factory UMC's, so I'll definately try a a few laddered loads & check for overpressure. Overall though it's still fine for plinking.

Hehe... I find that (for the .223, at least) Hodgdon's data tables are pretty conservative. My pet load with a 60 gr. Sierra JHP is a grain over what they say the max for H335 is, and it runs just fine with absolutely no pressure signs.

[Cali Aviator]

Originally Posted by RobFMJ

Hehe... I find that (for the .223, at least) Hodgdon's data tables are pretty conservative. My pet load with a 60 gr. Sierra JHP is a grain over what they say the max for H335 is, and it runs just fine with absolutely no pressure signs.

Sorry for the newbness... but what would be such "pressure signs" in a hand load? Do you feel it?