Reloading...

Discussion in 'Knives, Gear, Guns And Other Tools' started by Andy the Aussie, Sep 24, 2016.

  1. shivermetimbers

    shivermetimbers Member

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    Awoken some .54 Cal Maxi-Balls from a 30 year slumber. The lube is done and it almost looked like lead oxide build up. Thompson Center no longer makes them, other options are available. Undecided on lube at this point, Bens Red or Beeswax/Olive Oil for lube grooves. I have some Bore Butter, but read it gets runny in the heat. Will be applied via pan. Will be rolling with this round for Deer/Elk this year.

    I washed my hands A LOT during this, careful not to touch my phone, rub eyes or point at my brain.
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    Lengthy soak in mineral spirits.
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    Life anew, ready for some lube. Only 6 more boxes to do.
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  2. shivermetimbers

    shivermetimbers Member

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    Bens Red Cast Boolit Lube:

    Excellent for a lubri-sizer or pan lube. Folks have reported excellent results with magnum pistols and rifle calibers pushing moderate FPS. Do this outside, I was ritualistic about it and took my time 1.5 hours very low heat, constant stirring and I still made a mess. The color is dead on. Burgundy color or burnt tire smell is bad. Slick and tacky stuff.

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    One of many threads. Ben actually chimes in.
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?269207-Making-Ben-s-Red
     
  3. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    You make it look easy. Ill bet its mind numbing.
     
  4. shivermetimbers

    shivermetimbers Member

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    @Strigidae, it’s not bad, it just involves some patience. A lot of folks crank the heat up and burn it.
     
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  5. shivermetimbers

    shivermetimbers Member

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    Some projects I’ve been working on for the casting bench in my reloading room.

    1950’s Lyman 45 cast boolit lube sizer after, stripped, polishing active surfaces then nitre-blued and repainted Chevy orange. Lubed active surfaces with ballistol and pivot points with ballistol and maxima dirt bike grease. Nice and tight unit. Ever mind the dogs eyes....
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    Lyman 61 (made by Saeco for Lyman) lead furnace. Everything I’ve read about them and the Saeco has been good and sought after. They’re built like tanks. It makes my brand new Lee Magnum furnace look very chintzy. It worked when I turned it on for the first time. The spindle on the thermostat had a lot of slop in it. It’s been a fun project so far.

    A bit neglected.
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    After soaking in Kroil for a week. A wire wheel took a lot of garbage off. Soaking in rust remover and it’ll get the wire wheel again, inspect the rest of the wiring/heat element and replace the thermostat.
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    Cleaned up and after several coats of header paint (support rods).
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    Taken down to bare metal, wire wheeled, wiped down with isopropyl and several coats of paint. Drying overnight.
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    This it why, built right. Pot is pretty stout. The new stuff is very thin.
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  6. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    My beartooth bullets have shipped. Looking forward to 525 gr projectiles.
     
  7. shivermetimbers

    shivermetimbers Member

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    My casting section is about done. I’m ready to get this operation off the ground. I have a deal with one of the local tire shops, save their lead wheel weights for me in a bucket. Most of the time it goes in one ear and out the other. Mechanics understand beer. Needless to say, I have a growing stash...
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    I made a heat sink for my moulds between castings. Free from a computer shop, wired to a plug, same VDC, to run the fan. I took a dremel and cut scallops into the plastic scoop—intake/exhaust. Works good, simple.
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    I’m starting off with .45ACP using a H&G 68 clone made by Saeco. This is one of the older ones, the meplat has sharper lines. Should drop at 200-205 grains.
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    I also have a Lee mould for 230 grain LRN, similar to ball ammo, but tumble lubed. Then onto .357, .44, .45 LC and ease into rifle.
     
  8. Mudman

    Mudman Member

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    Has anyone seen the new Frankford Arsonal press? Looks pretty darn good.
     
  9. shivermetimbers

    shivermetimbers Member

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    It’s about time I start start stoking the fires up in the Masterbatoreum, my reloading shop. I have a deal with a local tire shop, beer for lead weights. Mechanics understand beer. At any rate, I’ve been building a “collection.” Both for black powder use and smokeless.

    These are my latest snags:
    RCBS 250g SWC, Keith Elmer clone for .44 Mag. It’s been discontinued for a bit..
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    A very lucky find, Hensley & Gibbs, San Diego—circa 41-64. More recognizable as the H&G 68 flat base. It it probably one the best, hands down mould for .45 ACP. Their work was impeccable, which in turn, produced excellent accuracy. The nose to the meplat is long and mimics a round nose boolit for better feeding. It drops 200g SWC’s.
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  10. Andy the Aussie

    Andy the Aussie Administrator of the Century Staff Member

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    Today's plans to work on my trailer were dashed so it was reloading instead !!!!!!!

    45/70 with 400gn SPFN Speer projectiles and AR2207 powder.

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  11. Expat

    Expat Expat™ Knives Staff Member

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    I’ve been reloading a lot this week as well.

    anyone have a line on Berry’s bullets? Everywhere seems to be out of them. Looking for the 9mm 115 gr RN.

    My mission today is to scour the countryside for another jug or two of Titegroup.


    The problem is everyone is buying all this stuff up and reloading themselves right now. Which says a lot of good things about America.
     
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  12. Andy the Aussie

    Andy the Aussie Administrator of the Century Staff Member

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    I am probably going to do .38Special tomorrow....and then some .308.
     
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  13. Shepherd

    Shepherd Member

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    Here is how I collect and polish my 9 's. 7E99F49E-2BD7-461D-810B-1A1D3455AD00.jpeg 0593B3F3-FFF3-4642-9ED5-2537B3E3997F.jpeg
     

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