Pistol Aerobics!

[joshb]

500 + empty 45 ACP cases nagging at me and nothing on TV. Stretched out the arm and had at it on my Rockchucker. Averaged 13 cases a minute and worked up a little sweat. I’ll be using up the last of my large pistol primers. Oh well! Still fun to do simple pistol reloading!

 

[Twicepop]

I did something similar, I found some 10MM brass, not really a good deal but I found some nonetheless. This was the most I've ever paid for brass, but like I've always said "if you want it and can't find it anywhere else, what you paid is a bargain".

 

[Adam in WI]

My dyslexia kicked in. I thought the thread said pistol acrobatics. I thought we were going to see Josh doing the matrix curve the bullet thingy...

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I need to load some pistol ammo here soon as well. I usually purchase it because for the cost it’s not worth my time but of course there’s none available at the moment. Have always kept plenty of powder, primers, bullets, and brass just in case of times like these. Even keep my old ammo boxes so I can refill them and store them back in the love ammo cabinet. Been years since I’ve reloaded any pistol ammo but looks like I’m gonna have to now

 

[hoz53]

500 + empty 45 ACP cases nagging at me and nothing on TV. Stretched out the arm and had at it on my Rockchucker. Averaged 13 cases a minute and worked up a little sweat. I’ll be using up the last of my large pistol primers. Oh well! Still fun to do simple pistol reloading!View attachment 1256512

I to thought I would see you in the Gym Suit doing the pistol weight circuit. R those all loaded now?

 

[Intheshop]

You can make it real complicated if you want?

Take a home cast SWC,when running through a lube sizer don't just use "any" top punch. Nope,go into the shop and make a reamer to change the nose..... or

Make a top punch that "clears" the nose and acts,or presses on the rim portion of the bullet. And don't just rely on "feel" when sizing. Nope,back to the shop and convert the lube sizer handle to utilize a 3/8" beam style torque wrench. This way,besides being able to actually put yield #'s on that batch of bullets.....

You get to refine the rim/drive band of the bullet nose. Now,back to the shop and make a custom seater stem,yup.... to now engage on the fine tuned bullet band. Finally,we can sit back down at the bench with stripped brrl in hand.... along with the pile of refined bullets. Try for a smidge of "jam" on the seating length. You'll likely need a slight change in mainspring weight. So.....

Back to the shop and build a spring checker. This,like the torque wrench...separates the serious,from the dead serious. Just sayin,it may be printed "X" on the pkg the mainspring came in but..... is it?

Get a 1911 sprung,to shoot a very lite jam with high quality cast,and it can be a real eye opener.....

 

[joshb]

I to thought I would see you in the Gym Suit doing the pistol weight circuit. R those all loaded now?

Haha......you don’t want to see me in a gym suit!
No, those aren’t done. I used to do the marathon reloading sessions but not any more. Resized last night for an hour and a half. Tonight I’ll bell. Tomorrow night I’ll prime, then start loading. I don’t like sitting around. I like the feeling of getting something done.

 

[M-61]

I see the bottle of Hoppes #9.
I have one (only older and dirtier). Any time I reload or clean a rifle I open it. Finish whatever I'm doing and close the bottle.
Just seems I can't do any firearms related task without that smell!

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Josh
I use those same trays at my loading bench. Came in a bundle of about 20 I think. Wish I could remember where I bought them. They cover a lot of bases. I use them on the bench and to store different batches of brass so you know how many times you have fired them.

 

[hoz53]

You can make it real complicated if you want?

Take a home cast SWC,when running through a lube sizer don't just use "any" top punch. Nope,go into the shop and make a reamer to change the nose..... or

Make a top punch that "clears" the nose and acts,or presses on the rim portion of the bullet. And don't just rely on "feel" when sizing. Nope,back to the shop and convert the lube sizer handle to utilize a 3/8" beam style torque wrench. This way,besides being able to actually put yield #'s on that batch of bullets.....

You get to refine the rim/drive band of the bullet nose. Now,back to the shop and make a custom seater stem,yup.... to now engage on the fine tuned bullet band. Finally,we can sit back down at the bench with stripped brrl in hand.... along with the pile of refined bullets. Try for a smidge of "jam" on the seating length. You'll likely need a slight change in mainspring weight. So.....

Back to the shop and build a spring checker. This,like the torque wrench...separates the serious,from the dead serious. Just sayin,it may be printed "X" on the pkg the mainspring came in but..... is it?

Get a 1911 sprung,to shoot a very lite jam with high quality cast,and it can be a real eye opener.....

That’s interesting- my accuracy work on ammo for a 1911 has amounted to using brass with the same head stamp. I do have a main spring checker I got from Dillon though. Wanted to check a bunch I had. how Much difference did the above you did make in accuracy?

 

[hoz53]

Haha......you don’t want to see me in a gym suit!
No, those aren’t done. I used to do the marathon reloading sessions but not any more. Resized last night for an hour and a half. Tonight I’ll bell. Tomorrow night I’ll prime, then start loading. I don’t like sitting around. I like the feeling of getting something done

My dad used to say “ Let’s do Something” He didn’t like sitting around either and neither do I. I have a couple Dillons for my pistol loading- something to be said for doing it the uncomplicated way though

 

[Ledd Slinger]

My Kimber 1911 in 10mm Auto is so accurate with so many different loads using Hornady 180gr XTP that I don’t get crazy with fine tuning it because I doubt I could shoot the difference offhand at any range. I did change to a heavier spring which greatly helped feeding reliability but holy crap it flings the brass about 3 miles now! Lol.

 

[divingin]

Josh
I use those same trays at my loading bench. Came in a bundle of about 20 I think. Wish I could remember where I bought them. They cover a lot of bases. I use them on the bench and to store different batches of brass so you know how many times you have fired them.

Stouffer's Mac and Cheese. You can buy by the case if you're hungry.

For short term storage, I use plastic paint mixing buckets from Home Depot. Quarts and half gallons (I think); I have a couple dozen of each. Long term storage I use plastic boxes sold under the brand name "Really Useful" from Office Depot (handles lock the top on, and they stack nicely, depending on the sizes you get.) A piece of tape with contents written on it and you're good to go.

 

[hoz53]

1911 pattern was always my fave pistol and i have a "few" of them- had about enough of picking up brass though-even though i dont need to now i know i always would-- am converting to mostly shooting revolvers -- 625 for all the 45 acp ammo i have- will try hard to wear it out un my lifetime

My Kimber 1911 in 10mm Auto is so accurate with so many different loads using Hornady 180gr XTP that I don’t get crazy with fine tuning it because I doubt I could shoot the difference offhand at any range. I did change to a heavier spring which greatly helped feeding reliability but holy crap it flings the brass about 3 miles now! L

 

[Forum Boss]

When people tell me they want to get started with handloading, I recommend .45 ACP. Cases are short and you can get a good powder choice that will exceed capacity with a double charge -- instantly warning that you screwed up. The relatively large mouth makes it easier to see inside to confirm the powder column No heavy-duty crimping is required with moderate load and 200gr bullets. The bullets are fat enough that they are easy to pick up. And there's a simple trick for improved accuracy if you are shooting .45 ACP in a revolver. (See if you guys can figure that out -- it has to do with the case mouth.)

 

[Ledd Slinger]

1911 pattern was always my fave pistol and i have a "few" of them- had about enough of picking up brass though-even though i dont need to now i know i always would-- am converting to mostly shooting revolvers -- 625 for all the 45 acp ammo i have- will try hard to wear it out un my lifetime

Yeah wheel guns are great. Unfortunately I only have one in a 44 Mag, Taurus Raging Bull, 8-3/8” barrel. Crazy accurate. 5 shots at 100 yards under 3” from sand bags and open sights regularly with 300gr XTPs. Many groups in the 2.25-2.5” range. Who knows what it would do with a scope but I don’t like scopes on handguns so I’ll probably never know.

I have always thought the Ruger Vaquero is one of the sexiest handguns ever made. I just love that look. Problem is I don’t really “need” one for anything. But one of these days when I have spare change to burn and nothing else I need, I want to get a customized matching set of two Vaqueros.

I also like the looks of more modern sleek revolvers as well. The new Kimber DASA is one hell of a good looking wheel gun in my opinion. I would have one but they only offer it in .357/.38 Spec at the moment. If they ever offer that design in 10mm Auto or 44 Mag with a 4” barrel I will be all over it for sure.

 

[hoz53]

Yeah wheel guns are great. Unfortunately I only have one in a 44 Mag, Taurus Raging Bull, 8-3/8” barrel. Crazy accurate. 5 shots at 100 yards under 3” from sand bags and open sights regularly with 300gr XTPs. Many groups in the 2.25-2.5” range. Who knows what it would do with a scope but I don’t like scopes on handguns so I’ll probably never know.

I have always thought the Ruger Vaquero is one of the sexiest handguns ever made. I just love that look. Problem is I don’t really need on for anything. But one of these days when I have spare change to burn and nothing else I need, I want to get a customized matching set of two Vaqueros.

I also like the looks of more modern sleek revolvers as well. The new Kimber DASA is one hell of a good looking wheel gun in my opinion. I would have one but the only offer it in .357/.38 Spec at the moment. If they ever offer that design in 10mm Auto or 44 Mag I will be all over it for sure.

I was thinking of getting a set of those Vaqueros and a holster rig at one point. I do like them. no SAs for me anymore though- I like S&W revolvers and my Python. When that 44Magnum colt is supposed to be making comes out I mite have to have one. I shoot mostly 44 Mag now. I do like those new model 44 Auto Mags.

 

[joshb]

Josh
I use those same trays at my loading bench. Came in a bundle of about 20 I think. Wish I could remember where I bought them. They cover a lot of bases. I use them on the bench and to store different batches of brass so you know how many times you have fired them.

Nick.......they’re take home doggy boxes from our favorite restaurant. I wash them out and recycle them. For bulk bullets, I buy Tupperware. You probably got yours from a restaurant supply house.
Hoz: I left my “new” Pro 2000 bolted to my desk in Texas, along with 2k LPPrimers, 1500+/- 45 cases and bullets. I thought I left a thousand loaded rounds here but my memory was bad. I only have 400 here, soo........

I got up early and belled the cases over coffee. Did some chores, then primed them before lunch. Ran my wife’s errands, then started loading before dinner. I managed to load 250 rounds before the bell rang.
You’re right Boss! It’s about the easiest cartridge to reload! I like 44Magnum too.
My Safety routine is simple. I keep my cases in the plastic box. Pick one up, charge it, then put it in the tray. Fill the tray, do a quick flashlight assisted case check and press in the bullets. This greatly reduces the risk of a double charge.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I was thinking of getting a set of those Vaqueros and a holster rig at one point. I do like them. no SAs for me anymore though- I like S&W revolvers and my Python. When that 44Magnum colt is supposed to be making comes out I mite have to have one. I shoot mostly 44 Mag now. I do like those new model 44 Auto Mags.

44 Mag is such a great round. One of my all time favorites. So inherently accurate and forgiving with tons of power. Nothing to complain about.

In auto loaders, 10mm Auto is definitely my favorite because of the power-to-mag capacity ratio. It’s bacically at the power level of the 41 Magnum yet you get the magazine capacity of a 40 S&W. Nice being able to have 15 rounds in the double stack mag of my Glock 20 using a round that is significantly more powerful than both the 40 S&W and 45 acp. Even in my 1911 I get 9 rounds of 10mm auto in the single stack mag due to the smaller case diameter.

 

[Monte F]

My Kimber 1911 in 10mm Auto is so accurate with so many different loads using Hornady 180gr XTP that I don’t get crazy with fine tuning it because I doubt I could shoot the difference offhand at any range. I did change to a heavier spring which greatly helped feeding reliability but holy crap it flings the brass about 3 miles now! Lol.

The last time at the range shooting my pistols, the RSO was admiring my Kimber Camp Guard (10mm). I told him it is quite a bit louder than the .45acp and throws the brass quite a ways. He could not believe how far, past the back wall and into some larger crushed rock. He did help me retrieve the brass. (that stuff is like good these days)
Like yours it is the best shooting pistol I have, makes a big hole in the center after a couple of magazines.