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Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:29 pm
by gomeybear
Interesting and informative pictures rebel. I wont be pushing these past the 18 grains that I was at today. Im going to go ahead and try it out at 17 and work my way up to 17.8 in .2 grain increments as you suggested, rebel.

What do y’all like for powder throwers? Im using a lyman brass smith powder thrower.

Been looking int different options but cant decide where to go with it. Electronic or manual powder thrower....

Ive been most OCD with measuring powder by the way. Triple checking constantly on charge weights.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:04 pm
by rebel
As far as powder throwers go, Harrell's Precision is the cat's ass. Other than that I tend to dip and trickle into my old Ohaus, that I make sure is calibrated with it's weight. I don't like the term OCD. My reloading bench looks like Einstein's desk. A damn mess. Just say diligent so it sounds less crazy :mrgreen:

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:50 am
by plant.one
to follow up with what rebel and dellet have expanded on - this is a great primer to learning to read pressure signs. lots of good pictues and reasonable explanationso as to what/why/etc.

i hope this helps keep your reloading on the safe side of things

https://www.primalrights.com/library/ar ... g-pressure

i know i tend to be a bit hyperbolic, but unfortunately you're messing with a powder which does not have a history of being consistent. as you can see from the various publishers, data is all over the map over the years.


i guess what i'm trying to stress is this

the risk is minimized when doing a full, detailed load development with any powder, but especially when working with powders like h110/296 who are known to be less than forgiving and sometimes inconsistent over time.

the risk is much much higher to you and those around you when u just play guessing games with reloading.



Please be safe :)

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:43 am
by SIMJOSH1
gomeybear wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 1:49 pm Thanks Simjosh1. Shot off my handloads this morning. Didn’t give details on powder charge, was at approx 18 grains of W296. Didnt print too great - 2 moa at best, but Im happy with it. I’ll have to continue to tinker. Maybe lower powder charge to 17.5 grains.....
You using a chrono? How was ES/SD if so?

ought to pony up for one if not. 2moa isn't bad at 100 by any means.. but push that to 200 with massive ES - you'd be missing some shots you weren't looking to. (magneto speed or labradar - only two I'd recommend)

Once you figure out your charge weight - You'll want to start working on seating depth for increased accuracy. Pushing in or pulling it out (little bit!!) to get the desired accuracy bump from 2moa to 1.5 or even 1...

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:50 pm
by gomeybear
No chrono unfortunately - Ill have to save up for one. Just had my firstborn babygirl a few months ago; my Forster seating die was some extra Christmas money I received from the in-laws that didn’t go to her college fund :lol:

My reloading components are probably mid-tier not super high end stuff. Im building my confidence up on the reloading bench though - finding out what’s important; some of y’all might find that worrisome :mrgreen:

Jumped into 300 blackout as my first foray into reloading and Im really enjoying it. Might have a few questions along the way here and there.

Thanks again for the assistance, Gents. If any of y’all are in Central Texas (Austin/San Antonio) holler at me for a reloading knowledge funneling opportunity! I wont be expecting those who said that they’re not willing to sit down next to me at the range though! :lol:

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 2:09 pm
by SIMJOSH1
gomeybear wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 12:50 pm No chrono unfortunately - Ill have to save up for one. Just had my firstborn babygirl a few months ago; my Forster seating die was some extra Christmas money I received from the in-laws that didn’t go to her college fund :lol:

My reloading components are probably mid-tier not super high end stuff. Im building my confidence up on the reloading bench though - finding out what’s important; some of y’all might find that worrisome :mrgreen:

Jumped into 300 blackout as my first foray into reloading and Im really enjoying it. Might have a few questions along the way here and there.

Thanks again for the assistance, Gents. If any of y’all are in Central Texas (Austin/San Antonio) holler at me for a reloading knowledge funneling opportunity! I wont be expecting those who said that they’re not willing to sit down next to me at the range though! :lol:
Before you go too crazy on hot loads (unpublished - IE not in a true manual or powder mfg load) just be careful working on charges up to max published.

Take a look on other forums sale's for used chronographs... You can find good deals trust me! Ar15.com etc..

A chronograph is just one tool you can use to diagnose issues, maintain safety levels, or maintaining consistency. Remember to use others advise and start low and work up in smallish increments. (0.2gn - 0.3gn is what I do) Look for cratering on the primer (from firing pin - google for images!) , Ejector marks / swipes etc on the end of the brass etc. - - - These will help keep loads safe and from getting tooo hot.

I use a variation of the OCW for load development.. Basically take max charge and subtract 10% then work up in 0.7 to 1% increments. This helps find the optimal barrel whip location etc but regardless! There's a ton of good advice out there!

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2020 5:36 pm
by gomeybear
Printed a couple of ~ 1” groups at 100 yards today - 3 shots group though. They were all at a charge of 18 grains of W296. 17.8 grains printed ok too. 17.4 and 17.6 weren’t as accurate, but it could’ve been that I was still getting into my comfort zone when shooting those - they were around 2.5” at 100. Might just keep it at 17.8 grains for any hog hunts I go on - probably pretty negligible difference at that point between accuracy of 17.8 vs 18, and Id be a little under max published charge for W296 in the 125 sst offering.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:16 am
by gomeybear
Going to keep benching it. 3 or 5 shot groups for y’all’s accuracy tests?

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 4:10 pm
by SIMJOSH1
gomeybear wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2020 10:16 am Going to keep benching it. 3 or 5 shot groups for y’all’s accuracy tests?
Once I find a load I normally go for 10 or 20 shot groups. Chrono everything as 1 string to verify es/sd.

Re: Ring around bullet when using hornady bullet seating die

Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:13 pm
by gomeybear
Thanks, Simjosh1. I know Im not working with a bench rest type of rifle here, but Im enjoying shooting it for groups where I was more just going for a hunting load initially. My question for yall, is this process worth doing for my rifle or is the published OAL for the 125 sst from Hornady all I need for getting a good bullet seating depth? See below from Nosler on finding where bullet touches lands:

https://www.nosler.com/blog/news-and-ar ... r-your-gun