Whew, I was busy today. Well...it started yesterday.
228 cases in the wet tumbler for 2 hours.
Then, on the drying tray for another couple of hours.
First I loaded 5 cases of range pick-up 6.5CM. Then I started in on the first hundred cases of .44mag. First, sizing to bring them back to spec. Then, trimming. A crucial step that shows up later in the loading process. (Is that gold dust?)
Priming is next. I use my Co-Ax press to prime with. I’ve used hand primers before. But when one failed on me the night before a competition, I decided to try the press. And I haven’t looked back since.
Charge the cases. Self-explanatory.
Then, time to flare the opening of the cases to accept the bullets for seating.
Seating the bullet is next. OAL should be 1.6010”.
And finally, crimping the neck so the bullet doesn’t move in the case. Crimping is why the case length is so important.
While my passion is extreme distance shooting with bottle neck cases, I have come to really enjoy loading straight walled cased cartridges like the pistol calibers for lever action rifles. With a new rifle and new caliber arriving this week, I’m really looking forward to rolling up some 45-70’s over the holidays.