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Welcome to the Reloading Forum -- Introduce Yourself

Old man who has been reloading for nearly 60 years. Currently, I load 54 various cartridges, 45 year bullet swager, use about 20 various cast bullet molds, have 8-9 wildcats, experimenter, I even owned and operated an ammo reman business for a few years. I love creating unusual loads.

Through the decades, I have competed in various shooting comps from BR, Nat'l Match, IHMSA, Smallbore, etc. I've read this site for a long time.
 
Howdy
Been lurking and learning for a while
Into long range shooting
And anything that goes bang
Reloading for 40 years
From Free Florida (previous inmate of ILL inois)
 
Glad I found this site. I have shot shotguns and pistols for years, being a reasonably good bird hunter and target shooter. I’m a decent shot on pistol and trying to improve. This year I decided to try to become a proficient rifle marksman. Of course fairly quickly I decided to try to hand load. I have really enjoyed it but clearly need a lot of time to become good at it. I don’t really have any friends who reload so I’m looking for places to learn from others and maybe get questions answered.

It seems like a great group of people on this site.

Glad to be a part of it.
 
I've been hunting since I was 18. For many years rabbits, ducks & the odd fox. Later goats or pigs when the opportunity arose. I had a few goes at deer hunting but was wasnt very successful. But getting into it more these days now I'm retired and doing much better. Been reloading for about 35 years. Started out with a donated 12g Lee Classic in a biscuit tin. LOL Mainly self taught. As many do I started to save money. But I really enjoy it. Collected and improved the gear as required over the years. Mainly load for 223 and 30.06. Last 4-5 years been slowly trying to improve my reloading knowledge. Don't shoot paper often so it's a slow process for testing.
 
Good day all. I have been hand loading for 25 years. I have owned progressive presses and just didnt like them. I still use my original Rockchucker but I do have some upgraded equipment like electronic scales, ect. I hand load for pistols and rifles. Most of my rifle loads are .204 Ruger, .223, and .22-250
 
Welcome to Accurate Shooter Tom.
That's a good selection of firearms you load for and shoot. Enjoy the site.

Don Dunlap
 
Hello All,

Shooting for 60 years, mostly competitive pistol shooting, from Bullseye in the early days to IPSC for the most recent twelve years. Retired and moved to Canada and am still enjoying shooting. Right knee went ‘kaput’ two years ago and am looking at a replacement in the near future. Meantime I got interested in long distance F Class rifles (1000 yard), started with a Tikka but soon realized I needed something different. Photo below is my latest and probably last F Class rifle.

Originally started loading 9mm for IPSC shooting (relatively simple) then moved to precision rifle …. what a change. The photo shows my setup for F Class FTR in 223. Also have additional bolt / barrels for F Class FTR in 308. Barrels (2 per caliber), 34” Heavy Palma contour, one with a tuner the other without, FTR rifle as shown with bipod weighing in at 8.2 kg. Finally, added additional bolt / barrels for F Class OPEN in 7mm SAUM. Barrels (again 2, 34” Straight 1.25” contour, with and without tuner, rifle as shown weighing in at 9.9 kg.

1759628653342.jpeg

There are several ‘rabbit holes’ for loading F Class, each costing $1000 (average) and take time to do. Examples are many: special case cleaning and preparation (trimming / chamfer, primer pocket, etc), annealing cases, very accurate powder measurements (0.02 gr accuracy), very accurate case sizing (neck or full), and very accurate seating depth control (base to ogive measurement only). I am sure I forgot some. Then, bullets with very accurate bullet prep (weighing / sorting, concentricity, etc).

I live by the rule that if a ‘rabbit hole’ does not show on the target (typically 600 yards), it is not worth the time and expense, thus I do not use it. An example, cleaning cases.

Finally, both a mandatory comprehensive powder load and seating depth processes with range testing.
This testing typically puts 150 rounds through a new barrel, then competition follows. Looking for best velocity node with very low es (less than 15) and sd (less than 7), specifically to reduce longer range vertical dispersion.

Results for my rifle with 3 calibers and six barrels. After above, I shoot 5 - 5 shot groups as a final test (using 2 foulers, then 5 shots and barrel cool down). All 3 calibers have all 5 groups at sub-caliber size at 200 yards. Testing only on a good day; no wind, very slight (if any) mirage, etc. Interestingly, the barrels with the tuner have slightly better groups. End result is simply one ragged hole, what I like.

Then, it is time for competition at 1000 yards. Success is then how well I can read the wind and mirage.

Whew …..
 
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Hello all, I came here for all the great information from knowledgeable people.

I'm also looking for a #7 Lee loadmaster shell plate for .32 acp. Already watching ebay and gunbroker but figured I'd ask here too.

Thanks
Dave
 

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