DustBuster

Merry Christmas, hope Santa brings Magwa some primers, seemed available in a local store to me for 8.99/100

Okay boys, I’ve been away from this site for a long time… I recognize all the Famous ones here, but I doubt you guys remember me… I built a LR-308 couple years ago… had some problems or perceived problems with a lot of components, but in the end got a decent satisfactory build completed… I learned a lot from the building experience and never will regret it. I took the rifle on an elk hunt last year but never saw an animal. Too Bad, cause I’d would have needed the Larger Target. I spent two years reloading, practicing shooting, and thought I was ready… not even close. This year I went with my bros to MT to antelope hunt. I drew a Doe Speed Goat tag. My older bro dropped me off the road ( he had no tag), and was to wait for me. This road went straight up from the flats into a gully of the foothills. My plan was to parallel the base of the foothills about 1/2 to 1 mile away and then descend back down to the flats where we had spotted the quarry. The plan worked PERFECTLY, almost. I made my way over about 1/2 mile then started gently down a finger “ridge”. I got to where I could see them about 3/4 mile away. I had to get off the higher rise and walk downhill out of sight. I peeked back over and they looked like they were actually going to intersect with the little gully to my right. I ended up scurrying down to that gully where I could more quickly advance. Then right about where the gully petered out to the flat, I had to hit the dirt. It was time. The lead bunch of about 7 animals were at 375 and coming right towards me…. I put my carefully procured magpul lightweight bipods down to the ground, and looked through my 4x scope ( mistake number 1) Mistake number 2) sagebrush was too tall for my bipods. I crawled closer about 4 yards to try to get my gun up and my chest on the ground lower,,,Chest too low now…. They were closer now and had to range find… shitt, my Fanny pack and rangefinder were behind me that 4 yards… I had an emergency radio with a Mic coord, clipped to my Binos swung on my back, and the radio was on the ground tangled with the rangefinder, attached to the fannypack… I tugged on the mic coord and dragged my fannypack, radio and rangefinder bumping along till I could reach back and get it… Now the antelope were in the 250 range… I tried to prop my chest on my Fanny pack, but now the sagebrush was in the way again… By now I was sweating bad. I snaked forward again trying to get the low gun high enough for those stupid Low bipods… I could not find the optimum spot! I finally had to sit up with antelope looking at me… they didn’t spook. I finally picked my animal to shoot at and shot. I was so unsteady there is no way I was going to get it except by sheer luck. I missed of course…. The antelope spooked, ran up hill of me… and I could have shot another easily… I had to go look for blood. No sign of antelope down, no sound of a thud, no blood at all… totally missed. By then the antelop were 500 hundred yards uphill of me in the same dang gully I snuck down in… I went back up as fast as I could,,, but couldn’t quite get close enough… the entire herd of about 50 all ran right by where my brother was parked… and to another land access area… I totally bombed out… I hiked back and reunited with my bro. We then drove to the other adjacent area were I grabbed my 30-06 with the 2ft+ bipods. I had sorrily lost confidence with my prized lr-308, and myself. I did end up getting a doe with that gun, but not without a couple of bad ranging misses. Gone are the days for me where I could shoot a deer through the heart with open sights at 150 yards… I need to either quite hunting or practice my ass off with Both Guns and be able to be accurate in the unexpected conditions… Im ethical enough to not want to be Not-Confident anymore. Luckily I didn’t wound any other creature that day. Back to the range for me. Have a good one dudes, I’m gonna catch up and read some old posts…

Roger, wise words..I have a lot of practice to do just with my lr308 much less with a small pistol… I’ll add to this in another post

Okay, almost a Year later and I got one, for her, Unfortunately 🤨. Kinda wish it was going to be my gun. Sig P365xl Rose. Last year if I’d have gotten one, it would have been the plain p365xl… I balked at a price quote I got for that at 670. Then about a month ago I saw the girly rose package with a nifty safe, and I wanted it for her. Then when I went to get it, gone, but I could get the one with a Romeo Red dot. Now my bank account is empty, and I’m drooling over the pistol that I wish was gonna be mine. In the future I’ll have to get a p365xlspectre comp… The rose will be fun to help sight in and assist with after Christmas… thanks gentleman for your recommendations. I can always consult back to this discussion if want to try Non-Sig pistols. I like what I’ve seen on UTube about this one and think I will like the results I see on the 26th. Glad it will be the Comp version.

When you guys are doing your ladder, do you shoot like a group of 5 of one charge of powder, then go up “.3gr” for the next group of 5, the. Up again .3gr etc, looking for the best group? or do you shout at one bullseye.. onne Of each charge increment , like 42, 42.3, 42.6, etc... Then analyze the elevation of the holes and where the deviation in elevation is least between a few of the shots, that’s where the node is? ive been doing the Former and have never had much success.

I built my Lr-308 with Faxon chambers and have been reloading for it. I just use the standard rcbs full length sizing die and have never had feed problems with the brass sized by it. I did try a Forester Bushing Bump neck sizing die and it definitely didn’t work. I was trying to only bump the shoulder of the case and resize the neck only and I had a jam on the first round. Never had to use a small base die for my .308.

@98Z5V I was thinking of your Military work when I asked that question about shooting/indoors/hearing. Thank you for more of your sacrifice, and you too, @BrianK. Us civilians don’t even have a clue what the soldiers went through during all of those wars. 38% is close enough in my book for more compensation. @Magwa It’s funny, Ive shot my 30-06 a bunch of times outdoors and most of the time hunting, I barely notice the pop. But when sighting in with it if I don’t plug up it hurts... Might be a variety of factors making a difference. I have yet to shoot my LR .308 while hunting and I hope if I don’t have time or foresight to plug up then I guess I will see if the adrenaline/field situation factors make it bearable for that momentary pressure to the ears. Take care fellas...I gotta hit the road.

What do the military guys do in combat? I think I may have asked this before... Out in the fields or hills or in the inside of buildings, are the eardrums of soldiers sacrificed? I guess in a self-defense situation that comes up as a surprise in a house, Tinitus vs Death is an easy choice. I shot a .22mag Pistol outside one time and my ears were ringing... My brother shot an antelope with either a .270 or a .338 off the front bumper of his truck and he had it bad for several months. I have never tried to find out how loud my muzzle braked LR308 is, I use a high tech toilet paper spit ball technique each and every time. @Magwa I’m glad to hear that about the 365xl . It seems like a winner so far... I still haven’t made it to the gun store. I know pistols are louder than equivalent guns with a longer barrel. Wonder if that is simply because the muzzle is closer to ones ears?

@BrianK Yeah, I agree with you on the weapon of choice for Home Defense. Her nephew, has a small 9mm PCC which makes way more sense in a scary life and death home invasion by bad people. If I was more worried around where I live, I’d have myself one... either buy one from a store or craft one. I’ve bought two guns from the store before for myself and I Always get told to come back in Three Days! It’s bullcrap, somehow my name out there brings up a flag, but you know how many duplicate names there are out there. I pawned a flintlock once and I think I had to wait three days to get my money! Anyway, she is going to be buying probably a semi auto smaller pistol. She wants it just for fun plinking but I bet that if I don’t shoot it too, it’ll never shoot more than 200 rounds in over three years. I want her to have it for when she goes on road trips, but crossing state lines depending May complicate that... it shouldn’t but some states are not free anymore. Yeah, in a home invasion I would sincerely hate to have to blow my own eardrums out with my LR308 with the muzzle brake on it. I’ve been thinking about a pistol .223 but I will wait for more plentiful times. My bro bought an Armalite for 400 bucks new... hard to beat that price. I probably sunk 1500 or more into my rifle. Anyway, I go off on long tangents... These days though, self defense is not a laughing matter... That Evil that occurred in Idaho should be a wake up call for every American

Yep, I’m sold on the LeeFactory Crimp Dies so I’d do that for sure. @BrianK ok, so I guess with these kind of cases, an extra Expander die is needed / or it works the same as a bottle neck die which expands when the die is raised up. Your saying at least that the bulge might need to be refined with a little sanding to the expander... Ive learned also that these little pistol cases tend to shrink so with the shorter cases the cartridge may end up head-spacing or staying put with the extractor... Well, before I get requested to move this thread to reloading, I will say this. I bought some w231 and some TiteGroup for this future gun... I see the HellCat in the National Rifleman ads, and I’ve seen the Canik online, and the Sigs.. now I need to look at the Glocks. Damn there are too many choices. If I get a good one, Im gonna be jealous as can be and want one of my own. All I have is a Ruger Old Army and if there are more than 5 or 6 rounds to fire, it takes me about two minutes to reload with the conversion cylinder. If the Courts squash down that stupid Change to the unconstitutional rewritten rule by the anti freedom Bureau, I might have to look at making my own. Seems from web searches it is possible. More fun that way. Still have the Ol Dewalt router and it’s gathering dust. Anyhow, I can see that there are lots of well armed helpful folks. I’m a Ham Radio guy and I know one fellow ham packs a pistola, I’ll ask him next time what he shoots. Cu later men

Ok thanks for the clarification to me. I sure like the look of the p365xl. I guess My brothers less accurate gun was not a Gloc. But I’ll keep in mind 98s info on them. Here’s what my brother said about his two pistols that I tried. “The 1911 is a smith and Wesson PD1911 .45. The 9mm was a Beretta but under a new name. A company bought Berettas tooling equipment but Beretta returned back to the market or something like that. I was not as accurate with it but it could just be me and my sight picture” That’s his words... Well, I’m getting sold on the Sig 365xl or on checking out the Gloc now, but guess what? When the woman puts her hands on them, it could just as easily go “ I don’t like Em... Can I just get the electric Piano stand instead?” And I’ll have to do some persuasion techniques! She shot a Gloc before with a Work friend at some steel target and she enjoyed that. I’ve got lots of investigating to do. Like for instance.. I read about the 9mm headspace being set at its front edge of the casing... that might complicate reloading those things and the Crimp needs to be minimal. I need to research that more. Reloading Compared to other cartridges etc. Thanks again bros for the info...

@MtnMike I think I recognize which one the Sig is(black one), but what does the IWB stand for? Anybody know what Pistol the New Jack Reacher uses? Can it be lifted by normal human hands?

It’s there and Yes your quip was to be expected here with you hooligans...I’m just lucky it hasn’t “blown up” to anything more 🙂 I can’t get her onto this site to prove her existence..I must admit I built my 308 out in the garage and she doesn’t even know I have one. She hunts and uses her Dads ol 30-06, I hunted by myself a few times the last two years with my 308. It’s much better now after putting a 16” pencil barrel on it. After I get her a semi-auto Pistol, I may show her the 308 that I brought forth to life over the last couple years. All u married guys know what the Lady doesn’t want in the house... stays in the garage! Anyway... on another note: This fall I was racing up the mountain to get to the hunting spot first, with my new improved 10 round elk stopper. This was the second day hunting with this setup with UncleMike type sling swivels. So I threw the rifle over my shoulder behind me and entered upon the rocky trail.... 5 yards up the trail, my shoulder suddenly felt lighter and BAM... No sparks flew because it was mostly aluminum but my pride and joy lay there on the cobble. The damn swivel screw came loose and the quick hook came out of the swivel stud of the bipod. Luckily there was only one scratch on the side of the upper and in days hence, the scope had not been changed. I haven’t fired a shot yet hunting with it and it still has not bagged a critter. Maybe next year.

Hardy har har u Jackass!

@98Z5V Thank You for that background.... Now I know a bit more to help me thru the process. I like the prices for those guns as well... checked em on Midway. Yes after I posed that question about Glock accuracy which I did not have with my brothers pistol, for whatever reason, I looked online about Glocks and I realized “duh”. There were tons of different models of them. I will ask my Brother about his and quiz him about it... I bet it’s an older version. Thanks 98, I will also be checking out those Sigs... I don’t think she will be able to get to her Long gun in time, if the ship hits the fan, haha, but hopefully there will be someone around like you in that kind of pickle. Sounds good Tnx... lots of info from you fellas that helps.

Okay now we’re cooking with gasoline.... I looked up the Caniks, and they look pretty good...and now I’ll look up the sigs and the glocks... those models... I have very limited experience with semi-auto handguns. In fact, I think I’ve only shot two of them, in the same day. My older brother has a .40cal 1911 of some make with a laser sight. And he had a glock of some make(9mm I think). We shot them both at a pie plate at about 10 yards, and I was not even close to being accurate with the Glock... Was that because of my shooting abilities, open sights, or a shorter barrel? That 1911 was dead on but I was left with a dislike of that Glocks accuracy. I assume it was shooter error, am I wrong?

Wow you guys, thanks for the feedback... Shooterrex has a great idea, get out there and try before you buy. I’ll explore that possiblility around where I live. As far as cost... Is say I’m willing to shell out more than what she or everybody (like my ol man) thinks is a good price. I’d say my limit is around 1200 bucks, but I’m sure they think the limit should be around 600. Like that Kimber k6sTarget 357mag was prices around 1000 new, and one for 900 nearly new. I will review those other models and calibers you all suggested also... Her Dad listed some of the higher end brands that there were, and he couldn’t think of it but he said the kind James Bond uses... Later that day I guessed “Barretta” and after researching I was lucky... Apparently in the first five years Bond used a Barretta, than he switched to a Walther PPK... New Bond switched again to a different Walther. Now those little boot guns ain’t gonna Cut it for this lady. Good brands maybe but she can take more of a kick than that! Thanks again. Lots of em out there to choose from

Ok sportsmen, I’m trying to pick your Brains about a good semi-auto 9mm Pistol for my gal, but we’re not totally against a .38special/357mag revolver. I kind of like the Kimber k6s Target revolver... saw one in the gun shop... Her hands are smaller and a few of the semi-autos were even too heavy feeling for her... One of the ruger’s had a pretty stiff slide and the little slide release button a little tuff to work... Any Ideas? She doesn’t want some little purse gun, she wants something that looks cool too. ?

Well, you may be right about that, I’ve never shot a semi .223, maybe the feed ramps mar up the little soft points... These bullets I loaded up are spire point,(spitzer). The lead tip is pretty small. My .308ar has had no problem with Spizter lead points. Anyway, the boxes of ammo are all wrapped and Santa does not unwrap presents, The Good Kids do. Thanks for the thoughts, I hope they work anyway, regardless of any possible deformed tip.

@shooterrex yep I used the Lee Factory Crimp Die for the rounds I already made and will be using it again for the next 50. my .308 Crimp die leaves a visable Crimp ring, but this .223rem Crimp die doesn’t leave much of a mark. Maybe it is because most of the cases average just under the Trim to Length of 1.75, I have culled any that we’re less than 1.74. Anyway.... Sierra sent me data and told me to use the info for the 65gr GameKings, so that issue has been solved. It corresponds closely with the numbers I got from you all. Seems like 24gr-26gr is what all of the powders seem to be at, depending

Hi Doc, I prepped about 50 more .223 cases from TopBrass, preparing to fill them with probably one of the powders I mentioned before. I loaded up 50 about a week ago but I had Lyman and Hornady data for the Vmax bullets. I ruined 7 primers because I didn’t prep the Top Brass on the first 50 cases, so I culled a few brass this time and hit em quick with the chamfer if they looked suspicious. I also cleaned the primer pockets more, and I didn’t get any failures this time priming the cases. If I don’t have an email response from Sierra tomorrow I will use your guys’ info and fill em up with something anyway. Stuff came up so that is all I got done this weekend. I sure do like reloading .308 brass better. My very first case I crushed during bullet seating process. Guess a guy gets better with repetition.

Okay, @Armed Eye Doc that is probably good enough. With your SIE SP hodgdon data and @shooterrex s imperical data, I will be loading up some rounds tomorrow. I’ll be using the data from you guys which is for heavier bullets and also in one case using just a Spire Point not a SP Boattail, which would probably take more pressure because The gas from the explosion may get past the boattail abit. According to Guns and Ammo. ”The compressed air is seen much sooner with the boattail than with the flat base. This indicates that there were likely some propellant gases getting past the boattail before the projectile seals the bore. In each of the images seen, the boattail is on the left and the flat base on the right. The first emergence of the air and propellant gases is six frames sooner with the boattail than with the flat base.” I think load data is just BallPark anyway...I think it will be imr4895 with 24 grains that I do. I don’t want to crack open Varget for these gift rounds, I’ve never even tried it for myself yet. Thanks for the info gentleman.

Thank you for that info...My Sierra bullets are Actually SBT(spire boat tail) 62gr. So yours are heavier and same boat tail shape. My limited understanding of cartridges has me thinking that with heavier bullets a little less powder could be required because more pressure can occur. So with my lighter bullets, maybe I’d be OK using around the same amount that you use, @shooterrex for your heavier bullets. Still I’d like to hear more from anybody else, especially if they have the exact load data for .223 Rem 62gr Sierra GameKing SBTs ... IMR 4064,4895, and win748 ??? Anybody else?

Hello Fellas, I am a LR. .308 guy now...been one for about three years. I’ve been reloading plenty for the .308, I’ve just never have used Sierra bullets before. My nephew shoots one of those teeny weeny little .223ARs. I decided to load him up some ammo for Christmas. So I bought a .223 Rem rcbs Die set, and I even got a LFCDie for it. So far, I loaded up a bunch of 60gr Hornady Vmaxs with 24.2gr of Win748. I also bought some 62gr Sierra Game King SP bullets but I don’t have a Sierra manual. I don’t really want to buy a manual since I don’t even have that caliber of gun myself. Anybody have a newer Sierra manual and can give me the Min Max for Win748, IMR 4895, Varget, and IMR 4064? Id be mighty thankful since then maybe I could with confidence load up some more this fine boring evening, instead of waiting till Sierra responds to an email I sent on Friday.... Sierra Load Info anyone?? For 62gr. GameKing SP?

I concur... My first session of reloading I used the rcbs crank trimmer (older style) and that thing made me cringe at the thought of trimming ever again. the collet thingy would never stay tight or hold it to a consistant length. i then bought a drill mounted trimmer similar to the worlds finest trimmer; ( a worlds Cheapest trimmer) for 25 bucks, and that worked pretty good but the set screws stripped out and I had to epoxy it at one good length. It worked great but I ruined it because I wanted to trim a neck sized only case so I tried to modify it... So I bought the worlds finest trimmer like you, and that things rocks. It was recommended to me from some guys here. I’ve been trimming my .308s at about 2.012 +- .0015 every time they get over 2.015. Makes trimming fun actually now.