New reloader here

[Jumping Frog]

I'm also looking into the 1895 Nagant cartridge.

Definitely not a newbie reloader cartridge.

If you are looking at powdervalleyinc.com, let me suggest that you get something other than Unique. There are many better powders out there.

[ghostrider]

If you are looking at powdervalleyinc.com, let me suggest that you get something other than Unique. There are many better powders out there.

agreed. There are so many powders available that new ones come out before I can test ones that I have...


for 45acp I recommend looking at one of these:
V340, WW231, power pistol, green dot, HS-6

for 9mm: power pistol, HS-6

[mktacop]

Hodgdon Clays (Not Universal Clays), is a really good powder for .45ACP as well.

[texasmusic]

I bought Unique as I read its a do-it-all pistol powder. I'm open to other options though. What makes them better than Unique?

[jason237m]

I bought Unique as I read its a do-it-all pistol powder. I'm open to other options though. What makes them better than Unique?

Unique has a reputation for being a little dirty, good all around powder though. I use Clays for my .45 loads.

[texasmusic]

I have a few thousand bullets and primers and 5 or 6 assorted powders on order. PVI got berry's 230gr bullets in and I jumped on them.

Jumpingfrog, have you loaded the nagant cartrige? Is it too much of a pain to where I shouldn't plan on being able to get some rounds worked up in the next year or so? I've been doing some reading online.. seems they resize a 32-20 case, while negating the whole "gas seal" aspect. I've also seen some contradicting info out there. No real clear picture on what to do.

[texasmusic]

First 50 are downrange. . Fired some WWB with them and Couldn't tell which was which. I'm going to try out the powder suggestions you guys gave me when the components get here. Still need: digital scale, tumbler of some kind(I'll probably build one that will do larger volumes), reloading trays, and a cabinet for storing my components...

If anyone else is new to reloading and gets the Lee single stage press, check out Iraqveteran888's videos on Youtube. He has almost an hour worth video of setup and reloading on the Lee... very helpful.

Thanks again for the tips! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions before long.

[OldCannon]

If anyone else is new to reloading and gets the Lee single stage press, check out Iraqveteran888's videos on Youtube. He has almost an hour worth video of setup and reloading on the Lee... very helpful.

Definitely agree here. Also, there's some good Ammosmith videos on the Lee Classic Turret on there as well:
[youtube][/youtube]

[APynckel]

if you're loading for pistol, velocity statistics are almost as important as where bullets go. Pick up a chronograph so that you can get statistical data (mean, std deviations etc) for your rounds for your weapon.

ALWAYS start 10% under max load and work up a load for what works with your gun. Never just jump into a load because someone says "it works". That's a great way to lose a hand.

[texasmusic]

I'm definately starting low. I'm building practice rounds not looking for power out of anything at the moment. I'll crank out another 100 of .45 this weekend probably. I have to show you guys a picture of some of the brass out of my 1911 I notice while sorting today. (It looks like the something is hitting the base of the case. There's a small stripe right on the edge of shinier brass. This appeared on my loads and the WW recovered. I'll get a pic up soon).

Powder on hand now: power pistol, green dot, bullseye and unique. I'll try one of them out for the next batch... as soon as Midway gets here with my laundry list of trays and boxes and some 9mm dies.

[MoJo]

I bought Unique as I read its a do-it-all pistol powder. I'm open to other options though. What makes them better than Unique?

Unique has a reputation for being a little dirty, good all around powder though. I use Clays for my .45 loads.

The old (Hercules) Unique was very dirty but, it was such a good all around powder that most of us who used it just cleaned our guns and grinned over the great ammo we were loading gwith it. The new (Alliant) Unique is clean burning and I still clean my gun and chuckle over the great ammo I load with it.

I have loaded reduced rifle loads, shot shells, and a boxcar full of pistol ammo with it both the old and new and love it.

All powders leave combustion residue some are cleaner than others Unique, compared to say Clays is still "dirty" but nothing like in the past.

[texasmusic]

Where'd you find data for your rifle load?

I ran another 50 each of 45 an 9 with power pistol today. Going to try them out before I go any further.

I smashed a primer in the press today. It got turned sideways in the holder before the case came down on it. Kind of a hairy moment there