Tag Archives: reloading

Shotshell Reloading – Part 1

by Woodsbum

Lately, I have been almost obsessed with reloading. This may or may not be evident with my posts. If you want to see the next installment that addresses my mindset and why I got what I got, please click here.

A few weeks ago I ran into my neighborhood sporting goods store and came across a mispriced MEC 9000GN loader. Since then I have acquired almost all the parts needed for my pistol/rifle reloading and am now diving into shotshells to get ready for hunting season. To help myself and any of my readers out I decided to do a multipart series of posts on my quest to learn how to reload for my shotgun. This series will be numbered and this is Shotshell Reloading – Part 1.

Here is a good picture of my MEC I purchased:

MEC 9000GN

These units are usually around $600, but due to a mispriced tag I got this one for $300. This made me decide upon MEC rather than going for a Ponsness Warren like my brother and father praise. The fact that I got a progressive for less than the PW single stage was also a nice bonus that I can’t really complain about.

Because I am unable to keep stock items unaltered for very long, I went ahead and did some additional purchases. I picked up a Universal Charge Bar, 3″ conversion kit, steel shot conversion kit, Super Crown and adapter. This will allow me to reload 3 inch steel shot shells that I use for duck hunting and put a very clean, factory style crimp on the shells. Unfortunately, I will have to pick up a different loader for my goose loads, which are 3 1/2″ shells. Once I get heavily back into goose hunting I will take the time to get set up for those. Until then, I will just stick with the 3″ duck loads and 2 3/4″ self defense loads on this machine.

Here are a couple good videos about shotshell reloading and the components used to reload shotshells.

At this time I have a lot of components on order that I am waiting to arrive via Big Brown Truck. When these get here I will go more into my quest to make the perfect duck loads. Until then, I will start Shotshell Reloading – Part 2 with a brief explanation as to why reloading your own ammunition is an important step in my evolution into a well prepared and well rounded outdoorsman. Maybe it will help you get off the fence make a choice for yourself.

Stay safe!!!

Dillon Conversion Cross Reference

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by Woodsbum

Just this Monday my house has become my own again…. Sort of….. We had somehow ended up with a 7 month “house guest” that was just with us long enough to “get on his feet.” Well, he moved out with some assistance so you guys are going to be getting a lot of reloading posts as I get my reloading benches back up and functioning. What does all this have to do with a Dillon conversion cross reference? Simply, I get to actually use my gear again. Since I have been unable to reload, my entire shooting life has revolved around whatever cheap ammo I could find. Life is about to get good even though I still have a few conversion kits left to get!!!!

Since I am transitioning all my calibers over to my progressive, I have been trying to get all the conversion kits for the calibers I shoot. I actually used this site originally. It cross references what you “have, need and don’t care” about. I checked the chart and found that I needed the following for 9mm, .38/.357, .45 acp, .44 mag, .223, 30-30, 30-06, .308, 45-70, 300 Wby, and 8 mm Mauser.

Manufacturer	Item	SKU
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate 1	13692
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate 2	13751
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate 3	13684
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate 4	13610
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate 5	13743
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate 7	12501
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate B	13347
Dillon Precision	550 Shellplate G	13313
Dillon Precision	Locator Buttons 1	13930
Dillon Precision	Locator Buttons 2	14062
Dillon Precision	Locator Buttons 3	14060
Dillon Precision	Locator Buttons 4	14047
Dillon Precision	Locator Buttons 7	13436
Dillon Precision	Misc Parts Magnum Rifle Powder Bar	21353
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel A	13426
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel B	13587
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel D	13599
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel E	13782
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel F	13806
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel G	13427
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel M	12963
Dillon Precision	Powder funnel T	13407

From this point I need to figure out which conversion kits to buy versus individual parts. I can find that information here:

RL 550B Caliber Conversion Cross-reference Chart
Pistol Calibers	Conversion Kit	Shellplate	Locator Buttons Qty. 3	Powder Funnel
9mm / 38 Super	20127	5 – 13743	3 – 14060	F – 13806
9×25 Dillon / 357 SIG	21526	5 – 13743	2 – 14062	F – 13806
38 Special / 357 Mag-Max	20132	2 – 13751	2 – 14062	D – 13599
380 ACP / 38 Supercomp	20133	3 – 13684	3 – 14060	F – 13806
40 S&W / 10mm	20179	5 – 13743	2 – 14062	W – 13600
44 Special / Mag	20136	4 – 13610	4 – 14047	G – 13427
45 ACP	20126	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	E – 13782
45 Colt / 454 Casull	20137	C – 13334	4 – 14047	E – 13782
460 S&W	20888	C – 13334	4 – 14047	18949
50 AE (XL Powder Die required)	21428	50 – 21329	4 – 14047	14465
500 S&W (XL Powder Die required)	20121	B – 13347	6 – 15755	14465


Rifle Calibers	Conversion Kit	Shellplate	Locator Buttons Qty. 3	Powder Funnel
204 Ruger	20307	3 – 13684	3 – 14060	20322
223 – 5.56 / 222 Rem Mag	20128	3 – 13684	3 – 14060	A – 13426
300 Blackout / Whisper	20236	3 – 13684	3 – 14060	AK – 13015
22-250	20145	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	A – 13426
243 Win	20144	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	I – 13305
25-06	20147	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	K – 13216
260 Rem / 6.5-06 / 6.5×284 / 6.5×55	20207	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	Y – 12870
264 Win Mag	20210	B – 13347	4 – 14047	Y – 12870
270 Wby Mag	20196	B – 13347	4 – 14047	J – 13456
270, 284 Win / 7mm-08 Rem	20142	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	J – 13456
30 M1 Carbine	20131	8 – 13135	8 – 14048	C – 13564
300 Win, H&H, & Wby Mag	20188	B – 13347	4 – 14047	B – 13587
300 Rem Ultra Mag	20239	B – 13347	6 – 15755	300-15013
30-30 Win	20139	7 – 12501	4 – 14047	B – 13587
308 Win / 7.62 Nato / 30.06	20130	1 – 13692	1 – 13930	B – 13587
338 Win Mag, 340 Wby Mag	20156	B – 13347	4 – 14047	Q – 13406
444 Marlin	20164	N – 10004	4 – 14047	543X – 12920
44-40 Win	20206	N – 10004	4 – 14047	G – 13427
45-70	20143	G – 13313	7 – 13436	543T – 13407
7.62 x 39 Russian	20213	A – 13211	2 – 14062	AK – 13015
7.62 x 54 Russian	20346	G – 13313	7 – 13436	B – 13587

These charts will require you to do some thinking and planning, but you should be able to figure out which complete kits will get you close and then you will just have to get the individual pieces from there. For instance, here is what I have figured out. If I get the following conversion kits, I will have everything I need for all my calibers I want to reload. Well, I also have to get an “M” powder funnel for my 8mm Mauser and a “B” shellplate holder for my 30 cal’s like my 30-06/308/300 Wby.

.223
45-70
.45 acp
30-30 Win
.38 Special/.357 Mag
9mm
.44 Special/Mag

I already have a couple, but figuring this out will actually save me about $150 by cross referencing the conversion kit components rather than buying each individual kit. Depending on what calibers you have it might actually save you more. With all these references listed above you should be able to figure out everything that you need and get set up.

Weatherby Factory Load Data

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by Woodsbum

For several years I have been trying to dial in my .300 Wby to get the best accuracy and consistency out of it. For some reason the actual factory loads seem to shoot best, but they are REALLY expensive. To reduce cost and be able to recreate these loads I started do some searching on the factory load data to be able to load my own. There seemed to be absolutely nowhere to find this data online. Of course that was until I ran across someone on a forum that had scanned pages from some older book was given. It actually had all the Weatherby factory load data on 5 pages. All Weatherby calibers seem to be included from the .224 through the .460.

To make it easier for everyone here are those pages so you can also reload to factory ammunition specifications.

Weatherby Factory Load Data page 1

Weatherby Factory Load Data page 2

Weatherby Factory Load Data page 3

Weatherby Factory Load Data page 4

Weatherby Factory Load Data page 5

Normally I use either Winchester or CCI primers. I am not sure how much difference this will make overall, but it might necessitate the use of a chronograph to see if the muzzle velocity is any different between factory and what I reload. Oddly enough, I actually find it difficult to find Federal primers in the places I shop. This makes me wonder if it is a regional thing, but I have not really researched the topic of primes to ANY degree. I do like to shoot the 209 primers out of my starter gun though. It makes big bangs and startles people on the firing line……

After having found this data, I might take it upon me to search out the factory data on other brands such as Hornady Leverevolution line. Since they sell their own powder, I would think that data would be available somewhere. Many other companies just use bulk powder rather than canister powder that is sold to the general public. Either way, this data above is VERY nice to have and any other information I get will definitely be passed along as well.

The link I provided actually goes to the NIJ website’s training site. They provide all sorts of online resources and training for various different programs. Although I am not a LEO and don’t really care about a lot of the content on there, the training programs for firearms are actually quite useful to those reloading and wanting to learn more about firearms.

As always, be safe and have fun!!!!

Lee Bulge Buster

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by Woodsbum

I have been having one heck of a time with some reloaded .45 ACP rounds cycling properly through my 1911. My father mentioned that there was a product called the Lee Bulge Buster. It works to remove the funny bulge that is left from unsupported chambers found in firearms like the Glock. When reloaded, these rounds tend to not properly fit into a fully supported chamber.

This seems to be a $40 tool that can even remove the bulge in loaded rounds. I am actually quite amazed and VERY excited to get the almost 1k rounds I have laying around fixed so that they can actually feed and chamber properly.

The kit and a factory sizing die is required. Do not use a taper die. It will not work. Just take the internal parts out of the sizing die and it will push the cartridge through.

Reloading in the Bush

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by Woodsbum

For many years our family has used the old school Lee Loader to reload .410 shells. We really didn’t think too much about it until someone saw the little setup we had and was amazed. This little loader allows you to literally reload your .410 shells out in the field if you wished. You are not tied down to a reloading bench and all sorts of permanently mounted equipment. Other than the kit you only need a hand priming system and a small wooden mallet.

This is the loading kit I am referring to:

Lee Loader

This got me to thinking whether other field type kits were available still or if I was stuck looking for older gear if I wanted something else. A quick search came up with the following results:

.308 Hand Loader
9mm Hand Loader
.38 SPL Hand Loader
.223 Hand Loader
30-06 Hand Loader

These were just a few of the calibers that were available. I didn’t feel like over linking this post, so just click one of the links above and do a search for your specific caliber.

There are also other items that are available to assist if you are setting up to reload in the field. Lee also makes a hand press that will allow you to use your normal dies. It just requires you to strong arm the lever rather than having it bolted to a table. Of course it is also single stage and not progressive, so you wouldn’t want to fill AR15 magazines with what you are loading by hand. It would work well for a SHTF situation or if you had to rebuild some loads with a different bullet weight while in the field for instance. Here is the kit.

Lee Hand Press Kit

Some other items that might be handy if you decide to set up for reloading in the field would be the powder measure kit and maybe some sort of scale to ensure you are getting the right loads.

Even though this might seem a bit extreme just think back to the end of the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Most sportsmen would have similar setups that they took with them to reload as needed in the bush. Factory loads were expensive and had some problems with reliability depending on where you lived. If they were able to reload their hunting loads and pull off the shots that they did, why not take a look at grabbing some equipment for yourself. You don’t have to get a $700 Dillon or Ponsness Warren setup to reload. People like Billy Dixon were able to pull off almost 1 mile shots with their loads. I don’t think that is too bad with an old 50-90 Sharpes, so think how well some simple gear and practice could do for you and your .270.

Here is a video that shows how to use the Lee Hand Loader.