Kind of slow here

[DJK11]

I’m pulling the lever like a fiend. Must feed all of them. Anyone else?

Been into 45 acp, 200 SWC Berry’s for the past few months. All my pistols love em, even the carbine.

[Bawanna]

I haven't pulled the handle for quite some time. I was pulling like crazy for awhile and built up a surplus, then dept transitioned to a different duty ammo and I was able to acquire some factory so I'm good for awhile.

I do kind of enjoy pulling the handle though, been pondering loading some 38's or 44's which I haven't loaded in years. Don't shoot them much.

[mr surveyor]

I noticed about 9 years ago when I finally delved into re-loading that the chatter here (reloading) just seemed to come to an abrupt halt. Even though I've been about half brain dead since 2016, I never stopped reloading .... I do something to do with the habit ... hobby .... at least weekly. Only six different chamberings, both cast and jacketed in all of them, but it covers everything I have except .22 and .32acp (the .32 acp is the wife's and she don't care to shoot much). Haven't bought a factory round (other than a few .22 lr) since 2010 ... and don't plan to. Not sure since I have an abundant supply of brass, but I wonder if I've reached the stage of taking ammo to the range just to empty it so it needs re-loading.

jd

[Bawanna]

I haven't bought factory even 22 since then or before. I'll probably get sticker shock if I ever have to buy any.

I mostly just load 45. I loaded a bunch of calibers before rifle and pistol but now days, the 45 is it. I will probably start 38 and 357 again one of these days.

I take that back, I did buy a couple 500 rd boxes of 9mm not long ago. It was cheap enough and I had no brass that it was cheaper to buy it. Plus them little bitty bullets must be tough to load, hard to see and tiny to pick up.

[DJK11]

Nice to have some chatter here. Reloading for 12 years on a Dillion SDB. That little press is a real workhorse about 8k of 45 per year plus a few thousand of 9mm. I load mostly for myself but also for a couple of fellow shooters. I’m a 45acp guy, 9mm doesn’t do much for me. For the last year I’ve been shooting the hell out my JRC carbine and CZ97. Can’t set then down seams like just to cool off, clean and back at it. People ask if it’s cheaper to reload, my response is NO because you just shoot more. The only factory ammo purchased since into reloading are SD rounds and .556 which doesn’t get me excited, too loud. Rather run the 45 carbine.

[yqtszhj]

Nice to have some chatter here. Reloading for 12 years on a Dillion SDB. That little press is a real workhorse about 8k of 45 per year plus a few thousand of 9mm. I load mostly for myself but also for a couple of fellow shooters. I’m a 45acp guy, 9mm doesn’t do much for me. For the last year I’ve been shooting the hell out my JRC carbine and CZ97. Can’t set then down seams like just to cool off, clean and back at it. People ask if it’s cheaper to reload, my response is NO because you just shoot more. The only factory ammo purchased since into reloading are SD rounds and .556 which doesn’t get me excited, too loud. Rather run the 45 carbine.

Seeing you have the CZ75B and the CZ97, how would you compare the shooting experience and ergonomics between the two? Maybe the CZ97 to your TP45 too. I’ve been pondering a CZ97 for a while now and I like 45 but have no access to try a CZ97.

[mr surveyor]

It's good to see that there still are quite a few .45 auto fans. I'll admit that re-loading the .45 auto is my favorite to load, just above the .44 mag. Like "B" insinuated, those big fat bullets are much easier to handle. I don't shoot 9mm anywhere near as much as I did pre-2011 so it would probably be cheaper (especially right now) to just buy factory .... but I still load what I shoot anyway. Loading the 9mm, to me, is just not a relaxing "chore".

Speaking of .45 auto, I've been on a kick the last couple of months using AA#2. Been thinking about giving it a try for the last 7-8 years and finally got around to it. Cast bullets, 200-230 gr, with 5.3 - 5.4 gr of AA#2 has turned out to be a real winner. Accurate, economical and produces ave of 860 fps in my 4" Kimber. The X-Treme plated bullets tend to work well also.


jd

[DJK11]

Seeing you have the CZ75B and the CZ97, how would you compare the shooting experience and ergonomics between the two? Maybe the CZ97 to your TP45 too. I’ve been pondering a CZ97 for a while now and I like 45 but have no access to try a CZ97.

Ironic that you chime in, I’m still drooling over your P-01 picture. LGS has one and may take a drive to fondle.

The 97 is big and the grip is large front to back, a long reach, but it’s thin with the Lok grips. Mine is the CA model and came with the fake wood grips, kind of wide. I have the OEM aluminum grips but prefer the Lok. The 75 seems very light at the muzzle end maybe from the short dust cover. No muzzle flip from either, both shoot dead nuts and can make a lousy shooter look good. I’m a combat not bullseye shooter but at 30’ you can do the Lethal Weapon smiley face. Being both a “B” the ergonomics are the same just more heft to the 97. At 25 yards the 97 will keep all rounds on an 8.5 x 11 paper. If shooting at a combat range stationary target it gets boring quickly.

I have CGW parts in both and polished the internals of the 97 but it’s not as smooth overall as the 75, go figure. The 75 slide is smoother but the 97 trigger is better. Don’t shoot the 75 much.

TP45 to the 97? That’s tough, two totally different pistols. Been handling Kahr 45s for about ten years so it’s like an extension of my hand. Just point and pull. I do carry the 97 at times and the heft reminds you that your carrying a gun. A good reassuring reminder. Just something about a heavy 45, maybe being older.

[DJK11]

It's good to see that there still are quite a few .45 auto fans. I'll admit that re-loading the .45 auto is my favorite to load, just above the .44 mag. Like "B" insinuated, those big fat bullets are much easier to handle. I don't shoot 9mm anywhere near as much as I did pre-2011 so it would probably be cheaper (especially right now) to just buy factory .... but I still load what I shoot anyway. Loading the 9mm, to me, is just not a relaxing "chore".

Speaking of .45 auto, I've been on a kick the last couple of months using AA#2. Been thinking about giving it a try for the last 7-8 years and finally got around to it. Cast bullets, 200-230 gr, with 5.3 - 5.4 gr of AA#2 has turned out to be a real winner. Accurate, economical and produces ave of 860 fps in my 4" Kimber. The X-Treme plated bullets tend to work well also.


jd
Yes I’m also glad to see 45 fans. 45acp and the big entrance hole will never fade away. As for powder, last few years it’s been TiteGroup, WST and Bullseye. TiteGroup is economical and yields acceptable results. WST is my favorite, soft recoil, low noise and flash and very accurate. Bullseye I load for a friend, don’t know why he likes it but he does. Burns fast, loud and harsh recoil. Just a big ol bang. But it’s accurate.

No powderpuff loads

Berry’s plated 185 HBRN with TG 5.1 at 1.225”
Berrys plated 200 SWC with 4.9 TG 200 SWC with WST 5.0
Berrys plated 230 RN with 4.8 TG at 1.250. 230 RN with WST 4.9 at 1.235

I have loaded ACME red coated and Buyue green coated both with very good results just more smoke.

[DJK11]

Forgot to mention. At a recent range trip, it’s a range and large gun shop, a customer was finishing up a purchase of a 40 cal pistol. I asked the employee that I’ve known for 20+ years how many 40s they sell lately. He stated 40 is not dead with younger and newer shooters but many are going to 9mm. I said they should be moving to 45. HOLY $#/% he blew a gasket and said I can’t wait for old people like you to die off and take 45 with you.

Needless to say I had a great day blowing huge holes in targets.

[yqtszhj]

Ironic that you chime in, I’m still drooling over your P-01 picture. LGS has one and may take a drive to fondle.

.

Thanks for that info.

The P-01 is nice. Ashamed to say I haven’t shot it in a couple of years but I take it out of the safe and wipe it down and rack the slide regularly. I know it’s silly but I like it so much I baby it. I shoot my beater polymer pistols I carry all the time. I guess that’s a good thing. I’ve determined that I probably have way too many pistols but just can’t see giving any up or passing up a good deal on an addition. Stocking up on “standard” capacity mags lately in case some restriction comes into play in the next year or 2, im stocked up on CZ, AR, H&K, and now Glock 9mm now for what fits what I own at this time. Need to stock up on some ammo this year as price is low and who know knows what November will bring.

i have a 5 gallon bucket each of 9mm, .45, and .223/556 brass. I may have to buy stuff to load .45 as a starter caliber one day. 9mm has got so cheap I’m too lazy to start now.

[Bawanna]

Trump will happen in November. You have to believe...................

[yqtszhj]

Trump will happen in November. You have to believe...................

I think you’re right, but just in case........

[Bawanna]

First thing on the agenda, first day of the second term is to impeach Pelosi.

If he doesn't win, join a militia asap.

[mr surveyor]

whatever .... I'm still re-loading to shoot and shooting to empty brass to re-load

yep, I'm addicted


jd

[DJK11]

Yes Trump 2020 and impeach Nancy Pelosi!

It’s great being around like minded people.

Back to pulling the lever!

[DJK11]

With all this free time beering off work, I’m pulling the lever like a mad man. Got lucky and ordered supplies before the recent hoarding. Have to work up new 9mm loads for the CZ. The current loads run great in the Kahrs but not so in the CZs. With all the ranges closed and a two hour drive to private land, testing won’t be for some time. So I’ll load a couple hundred of various rounds and go back to my favorite 45acp loadings.

[JohnR]

I almost have my bench, and just need a tumbler and media, and I can start.

[DJK11]

So what’s first on the agenda? If you have bullets and brass, start with the plunk test and get that out of the way. You can make dummy rounds, no powder and primer, without tumbling brass. Make brass lube from alcohol and pump hand moisturizer. I use 90% alcohol and Aveeno. Don’t use much Aveeno and be sure it evaporates from the sprayed brass or your going to have a sticky mess.

[JohnR]

I have a frame of a bench, but plan to buy a piece of plywood to mount on it tomorrow. Then I can bolt the press to it, and start playing.

[bulwnkl]

Speaking of .45 auto, I've been on a kick the last couple of months using AA#2. Been thinking about giving it a try for the last 7-8 years and finally got around to it. Cast bullets, 200-230 gr, with 5.3 - 5.4 gr of AA#2 has turned out to be a real winner.

Hey, what a coincidence! I took some test loads to the range the other day with plated 230s over Accurate No.2 in the 5 to 5.5 grain range, and they shot great! I'm going to load some poly-coated 200s I have with a similar charge, too, and see what happens. Softball loads are just enough nicer to shoot than hardball, at the range, that I like loading them best.

[DJK11]

Well I’m done pulling the lever for a short time. Tired of inspecting all those finished rounds. Plus I’m down to about 1.5K of Berry’s. I need to have some in reserves to test different powders I’ve been considering. With the ranges closed I’ll be sitting on them for awhile. Maybe I’ll get desperate and take the two hour drive to private land and launch a few hundred.

[Bawanna]

I'm available if you need a partner to go along, ......wait...Michigan, that's a far piece. I guess I'm out.

[DJK11]

Bawanna is Clint Smith’s place near you? I have some of his videos and it would be great to take some classes. The governator here just extended the statewide lock down for another month. I’m down to firing the air soft pistol. It’s actually very accurate at 30’. Anyway, another month of lockdown I may drive to your neck of the woods. Plus the weather is screwy, 72 yesterday and snow flurries right now with high winds. But I’m getting my stimulus and unemployment checks tomorrow. Yippee!!!

[Bawanna]

I don't recollect right now where Clint is, I think Idaho? I'm in Washington so he's not close to me. I did meet Clint and his wife Heidi one time, she actually went to school with one of the Detectives at my old department, pretty cool.

[DJK11]

Thunder Ranch is in Lakeview, OR

Never been to the west coast but it’s on the schedule. I have an invite to Berry’s in St. George, UT so I may head west and just continue on to the coast.

[Bawanna]

Just looked up Lakeview it's about the middle of Oregon and right on the California border, about as far from me as you can get in Oregon. Don't that figure, at least it isn't in California.

[Funflyer]

Hey, what a coincidence! I took some test loads to the range the other day with plated 230s over Accurate No.2 in the 5 to 5.5 grain range, and they shot great! I'm going to load some poly-coated 200s I have with a similar charge, too, and see what happens. Softball loads are just enough nicer to shoot than hardball, at the range, that I like loading them best.

I've been wanting to try AA#2 in 45 for a while but haven't been able to find it locally. I have good luck using Bullseye and Clays, but BE is pretty dirty and Clays doesn't meter as well as I'd like. I use AA#5 & #7 in other calibers and love how it meters so I assume AA#2 should meter the same, or does it?

[mr surveyor]

I use AA#9, AA#7, AA#5 and within the last 2-3 months I've gotten fond of AA#2 in the .45 auto. I still keep A2400 and Unique handy, but other than 2-3 rifle powders to feed the 30-30 (when I'm not using Unique or AA#7 with cast boolits), I'm pretty satisfied with the AA pistol powders.

jd

[DJK11]

I’m fond of WST under a 200 swc or a 230 rnhb Berry’s. Soft recoil, quiet and the ejected cases are cool to the touch.

[DJK11]

Well I’m back to pulling the lever on the Dillion and L&L AP. I much prefer the Dillion over the Hornady. The L&L was purchased by a shooting friend but she just can’t get the hang of it so it’s now setup on my bench. It’s a solid unit, I’m used to the blue machine. Going to take some time to warm up to it. I’m going to work up some 9 and 45 loads with Ramshot Silhouette. First attempt using it. PITA working up new loads with eight bullet types and seven different guns. Just looking for acceptable results across the board. My WST recipe is great in all my 45’s. Should eat a few extra Christmas cookies to keep the strength.

[DJK11]

I came to my senses and decided not to load 45 with Silhouette. My 45 loads are fine so it’s 9mm and maybe 380. The 380 loads should be on the hot end of the scale with that powder. The mighty P380.

[mr surveyor]

of the six calibers I load for, I load something every week. I don't load in volume, I just load often. I go to the old man amusement park at least once a week, sometimes twice (or more), but I don't shoot in volume either - just often. It's kind of a routine thing now, so I guess it's not much to talk about for me. I just like punching holes in paper that just seems to be asking to be perforated. :)


jd

[DJK11]

I came to my senses and decided not to load 45 with Silhouette. My 45 loads are fine so it’s 9mm and maybe 380. The 380 loads should be on the hot end of the scale with that powder. The mighty P380.

I just kept thinking about 45 with Silhouette. So I loaded Berry’s 230. Loaded 10 each from min - max in .2 increments. Also loading Acme coated 230 and 200 SWC. While the die is set for SWC I’ll load Berry’s 200 SWC. I really like the feel of 200 SWC in all my 45 pistols. 5.0 of Titegroup under a 200 SWC is a great load. NOT a powderpuff round. Crossed fingers that Silhouette is as good or better and burns cleaner. Titegroup works good for me with 200 SWC but it’s filthy.

[DJK11]

Forgot to mention Silhouette meters great. Very consistent, near perfect drops. Ten drop averages across the range I used, didn’t need adjustment. Three or four drops to set then the ten drop average.

[mr surveyor]

I have been shooting my old 1997-98 Kimber a lot more the last couple of years, and .45 auto is probably the easiest of everything (only 6 different cartridges) I load. And that Compact Stainless is the sweetest shooting handgun I've ever owned. Before my medical whackdown of 2016, I had loaded mainly with Unique but had just gotten into loading AA#7 in the .45 auto .... definately staying on the low side of the charge weights. By 2018, and slightly recovering, I was back to really wanting to occasionally tinker with the .45 auto and started loading with AA#5. I found 8.2 gr of AA#5 was like magic with cast 230 gr RN (either lubed nekkid boolits or plated), and before long I just had to try AA#2. That was a real pleasant surprise ... 5.2 gr of AA#2 cycles the gun perfectly (4" barrel with 20lb spring), and if I remember right, about 820 fps. When you're just punching paper, or trying to knock down them metal dinner plate doodads, it's on the pleasing side.

Since I'm still stuck on revolver and lever gun cartridges (.357 mag and .44 mag), AA#9 and AA#7 are always around (as well as A2400) .... and AA#7 (as well an Unique) is a mainstay in my cast boolit loads in 30-30 Win.

That old "what 1 Powder .... or ... what 4 Powders" question that always pops up on every gun site that discusses re-loading would be pretty simple for me. Either Alliant Powders (A2400 and Unique) or Accurate Arms Powders (#2, #5, #7, #9) would take care of my minimum requirements .... if I had to choose.

Now I sound like a creature of habit .... after a looong (lol) 10 year experience of re-loading, I still haven't tried Bullseyes or any of the three different "Dot" powders. Maybe next year, if powders and primers are still being made.


yep, it was a long, driveling ramble .... but I don't get out much ;)


jd

[DJK11]

Blasted some of the Silhouette 45 test rounds yesterday. Shot six of each charge from both the DE1911 and CZ97. 230 Berry’s were 6.6 - 7.8 grains in .2 increments. At 30’ they all shot great. Very low flash and smoke. Somewhat quiet but not as quiet as WST. A LOT cleaner than WST, Titegroup and Bullseye.

Berry’s and Acme 200 SWC are becoming my favorite. Loaded at 7.2 - 7.6 grains in .2 increments. Most shots were one and two raged hole.

I was kind of surprised on the accuracy, maybe I just had a good day. It’s going to be difficult deciding on a charge to settle on. I’m impressed on the accuracy across the full charge range.

A few Berry’s 230 rounds “keyholed” regardless of the charge. So I mic’d a couple dozen bullets and low-and-behold some were .449 diameter not .452.

Almost forgot I also shot a few through the JRC 45 carbine. Also great accuracy at 150’.
More to come.

[mr surveyor]

looks like it's been 10 months since this thread was updated, but the original title of the thread still fits today.

I still tinker with the re-loading type chores at least once a week, and actually re-load something 2-3 times a month. The old man amusement park still gets a visit at least once a week ... sometimes 2 or three. Thousands of pieces of brass all cleaned, resized, flared/belled are stored away waiting their turn. Plenty of powder on hand. Only half the bullets/boolits on hand and about a third as many primers I prefer to keep on hand. At the idiotic prices being demanded for the apparently limited supply of primers, they can let someone with a whole lot more money than me pay it. At shooting only 20-40 rounds per weekly trip, I can make what's left last another couple of years ... if I have to.

Yep, it's quiet in here


jd

[Bawanna]

My press's are drawing nothing but dust for a long spell. Like you say high prices and lack of availability keep me saving my components. Was just gonna load what I can but decided it was wiser to save components in case I want to do a different approach etc. Got plenty loaded up to last so I'll just wait and see like everybody else.

[mr surveyor]

I probably have only 200-300 loaded rounds of each cartridge I load for ... a lot of which I've found better mix of components for. As low a volume as I shoot (often), I still end up stretching the new stuff out, while shooting up some of the less than desirable stuff along the way. At least that way, I'm able to sort of "stockpile" a little of the newer, better stuff.

I'm gonna ride this damn pony into the ground ... when there just isn't any components available, I'll go back to whittling pointy sticks.


jd

[JohnR]

By the time I find primers I can afford, I’ll have forgotten how to use my equipment.

[mr surveyor]

I would say it's like the old saying about riding a bicycle .... but I'd rather not make that comparison. If it ain't got four wheels under it, you won't see me on it.

After a few flipped primers, and a couple of cases stuck in a sizing die, I bet it all comes back to memory ;)


jd

[Bawanna]

It's far enough between sessions, I really have to focus and pay attention and often times work at remembering how things work.

[mr surveyor]

as long as you remember that square things don't fit well in round holes you should do fine


jd

[JohnR]

Then what do I do with these square bullets? :confused:

[mr surveyor]

I've been asking my ffl/lgs buddy to order me some square primers for the last two years .... too late .... he can't even get any of the round ones

jd

[DJK11]

Been attempting the large primer in a small pocket but just can’t get it to work. Not going to give up, necessity is the mother innovation. Sometimes foolishness.

Just kidding.

[JohnR]

Been attempting the large primer in a small pocket but just can’t get it to work. Not going to give up, necessity is the mother innovation. Sometimes foolishness.

Just kidding.
I thought you were braggin'. :D

[Bawanna]

Thought that's what drills were for. Make the hole bigger duh?

[mr surveyor]

dang, it's slowed down again ....

this morning, early, I squeezed down a few pieces of 45 auto and 9mm brass ... worked a while .... then loaded a small batch of 44 mag....worked a bit more ... then went to the toy store to pick up another can of AA#9 and got mesmerized by a Charter Bulldog 44 spl sitting in the cabinet :rolleyes: .... didn't come home with it - but maybe soon

gonna need more 44 spl brass


jd

[Bawanna]

dang, it's slowed down again ....

this morning, early, I squeezed down a few pieces of 45 auto and 9mm brass ... worked a while .... then loaded a small batch of 44 mag....worked a bit more ... then went to the toy store to pick up another can of AA#9 and got mesmerized by a Charter Bulldog 44 spl sitting in the cabinet :rolleyes: .... didn't come home with it - but maybe soon

gonna need more 44 spl brass


jd

Funny, I was just browsing for a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug. Had one in an earlier life and really liked it. This back when some were good and some were not so good. I had a good one and it wasn't the least bit uncomfortable to shoot. Thought I'd look for another one. Gonna need more 44 Spl brass here too I reckon.

[getsome]

I have a Charter Arms Bulldog at the top of my current list of things I need……I pocket carry my PM9 which works great for me unless I’m driving my pickup and if it ever became necessary to pull it for some reason it would be real slow at best…..My last copy of Dillon Blue Press magazine had a story about a new Charter Arms revolver chambered in .40 S&W which I think would be a perfect truck gun to put between the seat for a just in case quick draw……I’ve never been a huge fan of .40 cal but the ammo is always available and is an effective self defense round and is not so expensive as .44 Special….I’ve never owned a Charter but if it might fit a need for me at a price I can afford…….

[mr surveyor]

well, I did buy the Bulldog and my ffl buddie conned me into buying a box of ammo he had stocked beck from a small time "manufacturer". So, new untested "less than expensive" revolver and unknown quality ammo made for a bit of confusing experience on a rushed range trip. Experienced 4-5 "light strikes" out of 20 rounds ... second strike lit them all fine. I wasn't ready to blame the gun but was really suspecting the primers may not be seated well in the "new" ammo. When I got home, before I cleaned the gun again (cleaned it to get the factory goo off before shooting) I tried the "pencil trick" to test the firing pin strike capability. In all 12-15 times pulling the trigger the pencil launched at least a foot out the muzzle. So, that takes me back (circle back?) to my original suspicion of the ammo.

What little 44spl brass I have on hand is cleaned and prepped for loading, and an equal number of 240gr boolits got an extra swirl with LEE LLA/Mineral Spirits - ready to load with a dash of Unique .... with properly seated primers. We'll see


jd

[Bawanna]

I agree on the primer theory, there's so many little unknown ammo manufacturers out there now days, most I never heard of and then add the foreign stuff. One can't be to awful peculiar now days things being what they are but if I don't recognize the brand I leave it behind. Not hurting for ammo yet.

[mr surveyor]

I loaded my first batch of 44 spl today. Just tweaked the well used 44 mag dies to build the specials. Some day, I'm gonna just spring for it if I load specials - 38 spl or 44 spl - very often, and buy duplicate dies to fit the chambering. Since I don't shoot a lot of 38 spls, they don't tend to get loaded much. With the 2-1/2 inch 44 spl CA Bulldog, I'll probably find an adequate 20+/- yard load to stick with and just keep a good supply on hand.

With stubby fingers, already feeling the touch of arthritis, I'm not going to have much issue with loading the 44 spl. I've noticed in the last few years that loading 45 auto and 44 mag was my favorite. Yep, big fat bullets and big fat brass are a whole lot easier to handle.


jd

[Bawanna]

Agreed on all counts. My 44 dies just come with an extra little ring to go from 44mag to 44spl. Same with my 38/357.

I haven't loaded anything in a long time, need to dust things off and figure out what I can load with components on hand.

[mr surveyor]

components on hand ... I've got plenty of the powders I use ... generally, plenty of brass .... a bit short on bullets, but they can still be found. Then, there's the primer issue, Last time I looked it seems I was down to about 4500 assorted primers, with small pistol primers being the least. Looks like the most I have in any one variety is Large Rifle, and the 30-30win is the only thing I load for needing that primer. Guess I need to order a couple thousand .310 g/c boolits for the long haul. Hopefully the primer issue will turn around pretty soon, but my local ffl buddy isn't real optimistic right now.

jd

[Bawanna]

That's where I'm at, got 1000's of primers but not many small pistol and not a whole lot of large pistol. Buckets of brass so no issue there.
Figured things would start get back to normal by now but apparently it's still a ways off.

[mr surveyor]

at my current rate and even considering on hand components, I guess I could still keep up my "often, but limited volume" one or two weekly trips to the old man amusement park for another couple of years. It still beats whittling pointy sticks - for now. I never would have expected that the land of plenty would be gone before I would


jd

[mr surveyor]

just to keep the thread going a bit longer ... after the "dinner guests" left this afternoon I slipped into the cave and loaded my second test batch of 44 spl. Still staying on the light side, mainly to test the functionality of the new CA Bulldog, loaded 20 rounds of 240 gr lswc over 5.0 gr of HP-38. Might be able to get out to the amusement park tomorrow afternoon if I can get a little something accomplished on my day job. Maybe 10 rounds of each of the two test loads, if successful, will be enough to ease my mind about the previous light strikes.

just using up some internetsuperhighway bandwidth


jd

[Bawanna]

We'll be standing by awaiting a review and report.

By the way I sort of tested the waters with the wife about me maybe getting a CA 44 Spl, she kind of balked as usual so I told her you said it was ok. Hope your good with that. I didn't tell her where you live or anything so you don't have to sleep with a metal garbage can over your upper body to keep her from getting to your throat or anything. I do just to be safe but that's just me.

[mr surveyor]

As an update to the CA Bulldog dilemma ....

I finally did get a chance Friday afternoon to get to the amusement park and try some reloads, and well as the "factory ammunition" again. The first 20 of my reloads ran through without a hitch, then the next few (five or six) started the light strike again. Also same light strike issue with the "factory" stuff. All but two (one factory and one reload) finally lit up after two or three strikes. As much as I wish it weren't the case, I believe the "less than expensive" Charter Arms is on it's way back to the mother ship tomorrow.

Dang, I coulda' had a V8


jd

[Bawanna]

Funny after 20 it starts to act up. Wonder about bad primers especially if the don't light after a second hit but having several would kind of throw that theory out the window I reckon.
Guess we'll have to see what the mother ship has to say about it.
I got a couple others on my shopping list, one on order and the second still pondering so I got time to see how yours comes out.
I told the missus you were ok with my shopping list too. Thanks

[mr surveyor]

Well, the primer issue is what I was thinking/hoping was the original culprit. Keep in mind that this all started the first trip out with what I thought may be suspect ammo that I bought from my toy store with the Bulldog. I had 5-6 light strikes, some of those taking more than one extra strike to go bang. Hoping it was the ammo, I didn't want the problem to be the gun, again (my last new handgun purchase was a Springfield XDS 45 in 2013 recalled for safety issue, came back crap and sold). That's the reason I scrounged together the on hand components and put together a couple different light loads of my own with firmly seated primers. For some reason I got 20 flawless rounds through the tube .... then it started light striking again on both my reloads and the "factory" ammo.

I'm wondering if the transfer bar could be the issue ... it sure don't look like it properly covers the firing pin. At this point, I don't care what it is - I'm not going to play gunsmith on it. It's up to C.A. now.


jd

edit to add: took it back to the "toy store" at 9:00 am ... my ffl enabler agreed it needs to go back and he's taking care of it

[mr surveyor]

the lgs just called a few minutes ago to tell me that the wayward .44 spl was back from the C.A. "mothership", and said their repair letter noted that the timing was in fact "off" .... they supposedly repaired it. I'll pick it up in an hour or so.

That means I can go ahead and return to the .44 spl reloading :)

jd

[Bawanna]

You need to hit the old man amusement park and make sure she works. Good thing I didn't get any of the other toys on my list, I can shift back to the CA. You can't be the only kid on the block packing a 44?

[mr surveyor]

I did go pick it up ... the repair ticket surprised my lgs bud ... it was a lot more detailed than what he was accustomed to see. The short story, the timing was way off - they replaced the hand and extractor star and tweaked/adjusted. Then shot an undisclosed number of test rounds ... same 245 gr lswc factory "cowboy loads" as I plan to shoot in it most of the time. I have both 245 gr and 250 gr cast plain based bullets on hand and plenty of the faster powders suited for the use. I just got through with giving it a good cleaning, and it needed it. They must have put quite a few of their test rounds through the bore, and from the lead I had to clean out I'd guess they were shooting .429 cast bullets.

Maybe next week things will get back to my new normal and I can have uninterrupted time to tinker with making some proper hole punchers to take to the amusement park :)

jd

[mr surveyor]

To update .... next week came early today at 4:00 pm. When no one was watching me, I took the Bulldog out to the range with my previously constructed .44 spl loads of 240 gr lswc over 5.5 gr of Unique to give it a "new gun - sent back to the mothership for repair - repaired and returned" exam. Wow - that "less than expensive" CA Bulldog ran fantastic, and accurate in my hands. Best thing, beyond it working as it should, it fits my digitally challenged hand perfect.

So, now I can get back to the reloading talk :)


jd

[Bawanna]

That's great news. You know how I love happy endings.

[mr surveyor]

At 68 years old now, the words "happy ending" are conjuring up a whole lot different meaning. In cases like the current one, I prefer the words "happy beginning" - and addition of the words "of many years of happy experiences". Sounds more better, huh? :D


jd

[Bawanna]

We must be twins, we're both same age as my Camaro was.

[mr surveyor]

I'm pretty sure we grew up together and went to school together ... at different places ;)


jd

[Bawanna]

Did you go to the school where we walked 7 miles through the deep snow, across 3 rivers up hill both ways?

[DJK11]

Well I’m back to my addiction of shooting 45acp. Been on a 45 loading spree lately. Ran the BUL 38 super UR all year. Not much of a challenge shooting indoors with it so back to 45 and open sights. I’m loading Acme 200 SWC, Acme 230 coated, precision delta 230 fmj, brass monkey 230 coated and power bond 230 plated. Using WST with great results. The Acme SWC are very accurate, I’m very impressed with the groups at 50 yards through the JRC carbine. Off a sand bag, consistently shooting three inch groups to point of aim. WST at 4.8 g is magic. WST at 4.6g is just as accurate but point of impact is two inch high at one o’clock.

The brass monkey coated is very consistent but POI is four inches left at eleven o‘clock with my current zero. Acme and precision delta 230 impact the same. Power bond 230 impact three inches high at twelve o’clock.

At pistol distance 10 yards, the POI is the same but the groups are tighter. Over the years I generally load Berry’s plated so my heaters are zeroed for those. Like most things lately, the cost of components has skyrocketed so I’m using more coated bullets. Just need to find what works for me. A bummer having to load test when one has the magic recipe in use for so long.

[mr surveyor]

"A bummer having to load test when one has the magic recipe in use for so long"


True



jd

[mr surveyor]

Just keeping the thread alive .... I still loaded another box of 44 spl, even though I sent the CA Bulldog back to the mothership again .. for second time. Hope it comes back proper this time as I've become quite a fan of 44 spl

jd

[mr surveyor]

Well, CA still has the Bulldog 44 spl and no word from them ... but in the mean time I got a 750 count batch of 200 gr lswc, pre-lubed, bullets from RimRock and have given them all the usual extra tumble lube with my mix of Lee Liquid Alox and Mineral Spirits. If the CA Bulldog don't want to work out, I'll just load and shoot them in magnum brass in the Rossi R92. At least I still have a couple thousand large pistol primers left to work with - for now ...

jd

oh, for a side note, as a derelict semi-dain bramaged deplorable, I accept any/all donations of primers (small pistol, large pistol and large rifle)

[Charlie98]

JD, you need to try to find one of those Lipsey's Ruger Flattop .44SPC's they had out a few years ago. Not a big single-action guy, but I really liked that pistol.

[mr surveyor]

JD, you need to try to find one of those Lipsey's Ruger Flattop .44SPC's they had out a few years ago. Not a big single-action guy, but I really liked that pistol.

Yeah, I have toyed with the idea of single actions for several years, and if my current budget could stand it there would be at least 4-5 particular BlackHawks in the house. Unfortunately for those of us with "digitally challenged" hands (short fingers) there just aren't a whole lot of handguns that fit, and as (bad) luck would have it that CA Bulldog was the first DA/SA revolver in 44 spl I ever picked up that fit perfect. The idea was to be able to carry it as a field gun during snake season if I had to do without my trusty Ruger SP-101 (.357). It's a crying shame that Ruger never built a small(er) framed revolver, like the SP-101, in 44 spl ... even if they did it just for me. And as for single action in general, I really don't care for it myself since I try to keep all my handguns capable of properly being suited for some type of daily carry purposes. I prefer having the ability to get off faster (relatively speaking) follow-up shots.

jd

[Bawanna]

Guess I'm an outcast, I'd take a single action revolver any day of the week. I won't own a revolver that doesn't have a hammer. If it has a hammer I cock it every time. I had a couple 44 mag Super Blackhawks I used to always carry hunting when I was walking. Also have a S&W 29. Sweet gun, excellent trigger but it never went hunting. Actually feel bad, haven't hardly shot it, and no rounds in probably 15 years. I hate myself.

I guess the one draw back to the single action is the slow loading but we do what we must.

[mr surveyor]

Well, I'm not a whole lot different. I won't buy any hammerless revolver. If I need accuracy, I'll thumb that hammer back .... but if I need a quick follow-up shot, it needs to be done double action. I just about have to have two hands to thumb the trigger on any frame larger than my SP-101, and that's not always possible.

jd

[Bawanna]

The SP101 or any of the Double Actions don't thumb cock nearly as nice as a single action. A Blackhawk or the old Colts have everything shaped much better. It's kind of natural like the thumb safety on a 1911.

With some practice one can get pretty quick with a thumb buster.

[Charlie98]

Unfortunately for those of us with "digitally challenged" hands (short fingers) there just aren't a whole lot of handguns that fit

jd

You might be surprised with the Flattop... it has the smaller grip. I have an old 'new' model Vaquero in .45 Colt, it's grip is a pig compared to that slim .44 grip. It was a nice handling pistol... and I'm not a fan of SA ergonomics. Granted, the follow-up shot thing may be a deal killer for you... but if Hollywood is shooting us straight, only ONE shot from a .44 should handle any situation... ;)

[mr surveyor]

I did get the C.A. 44 spl back yesterday ... since I took the time several weeks ago to type my own description of the issues ("light strikes" instead of "misfires" that my ffl buddy told them the first return), they actually did address the correct issue. I didn't dare tell them that I had already bought an "extra power" hammer spring from Wolff and tested it before having the ffl send it back for a second trip. The Wolff spring did work to some degree (I think mainly by speeding up the hammer just enough to catch the transfer bar before it completely dropped out of range), as it had no failures to fire due to light/no strikes. But, they were pretty severe strikes .... almost, but not quite, pierced primers. I never mentioned that personal "test". They sent it back with the explanation that the "factory" had installed the wrong spring initially, and they replaced it with the proper spring. Well, instead of playing surveyor all morning, I came back by the house from picking up the gun and grabbed a box of cartridges and went to the range. I could tell that the new spring was somewhere between the strength of the originally installed spring and the "extra power" spring I tested. I alternated between shooting single action for five rounds and double action for five rounds, shooting a total of fifteen rounds of each. There were no issues in single action, and I actually kept them all inside a 4 inch circle from a whopping 10 yards :rolleyes:. On the other hand, I had two light strikes (of 15 rounds) when shooting double action ... same as before - just not quite as bad. Since I'm shooting my own loads, I know how they are put together and due to the known "light strike" issue you can bet that a whole lot of extra attention is given at "priming the brass time". I've had this issue with older mixed brass and with new Starline brass. I've had this issue when using both Winchester primers and with Federal primers.

Since I bought a 700 round batch of 200 gr cast bullets just to try in the 44 spl, I'm gonna go ahead and make up a few of them to try (just to experience the feel) before making a final decision on the future of the C.A.. Probably just use the same rather light load of Unique (5.5 gr) that I was using with the 240 gr bullets (around 750 fps at last chrony test).

jd

[berettabone]

That hammer on the SP101 can be improved a bit with some polishing and some shims. Those single action hammer's just have a feel, smooth, no grit, easy, and a tight lock up. Some of the double actions are definitely rough. I had been keeping my eyes open for a Pitbull in .40. Now you've got me thinking.....................................

[getsome]

Glad you got it back and it’s working right Mr. Serv……..I’ve always wanted one of those CA Bulldog .44 revolvers, another one on the list……Whenever I think about a .44 I think of that grave marker from “Tombstone” Here lies Lester Moore 5 shots from a .44 No Les No More

[mr surveyor]

My SP-101 has performed perfectly since I bought it LNIB (1993 safe queen) in 2010. It's the gun that finally convinced me to take up reloading a couple months after I got it. It's been my 5-6 day a week carry gun (especially "in the field" doing land surveys) ever since. I think I may have put two boxes of factory ammunition through it before I started reloading ... since then it's had a healthy diet of reloads, of which 95% were/are cast bullets. I bought the Bulldog on a whim back at the end of last November, mostly because I've never owned a 44 spl, although I've owned .44 magnum shooters (still have my favorite Rossi R92 that gets shot at least one trip a month). But the reason for the Bulldog in particular, it's the only small framed 44 spl DA/SA revolver I've ever found that would properly fit my hand as well as the SP-101. I'm just afraid that the "light strike" issue with the Bulldog is more a design defect of the whole transfer bar system. After seeing the extremely deep primer indents from testing the Wolff "extra power" spring, I'm not going to put it back in the gun to try to overcome what may be a factory design defect.

I'm headed out to the old man amusement park to try the half box of 200 gr bullets - 4.7 gr of AA#2 - Win LPP that I loaded up. I'd doubt that using new Starline brass and very carefully seated Win LPP's will make any difference. I'm just interested to see how much difference there is between the 240 gr lswc bullet and the 200 gr lrnfp bullet.

jd

[berettabone]

There sure is enough reading on the Bulldog and its issues. Seems that some were fixed with spring changes. Some not. Some trigger bar issues. Some not. Lots of do's and don'ts opinions on strength of loads. I'm sure you've read them. I guess my question would be trust. Even as a truck gun, it's got to work.............................................. .................

[mr surveyor]

Yeah, I've other CA revolvers (38 spl) in the past, and they weren't anything to write home about. And, I for sure did a lot of net searching concerning Charter Arms products. It just seemed to me, and not taking any detailed notes, that some models were about 90% functional out of the box .... and some closer to 50/50. When I bought the Bulldog last November I immediately figured it was in that old 50/50 category, but it felt so good in my hand I was willing to take the chance. I really was thinking that my seven years of bad luck just may be over, and I'd be celebrating with a new caliber field gun. Today I decided to whip together some mousefart loads with 4.7 gr AA#2 and the new-to-me 200 gr RimRock RNFP bullets. I had faith in the gun to go bang often enough I could see what the 200 gr bullets did. That was about it concerning the gun. All totaled I shot 45 rounds of various loads, probably 30 rounds single action and 15 rounds double action. Again, single action was 100%, and double action still had two light strikes out of 15 rounds. The more I shoot the danged thing the more I like it and really want it to work out.

I do know I won't be wasting my effort on AA#2 the next time around - it's time to move up to AA#5

jd

[Charlie98]

I do know I won't be wasting my effort on AA#2 the next time around - it's time to move up to AA#5

jd

Swing up to McKinney... I'll give you a pound of Unique... ;) Then you can REALLY load for the .44SPC.

[mr surveyor]

Swing up to McKinney... I'll give you a pound of Unique... ;) Then you can REALLY load for the .44SPC.

Dude, you know I have Unique ... my first 150 re-loads for this silly 44 spl were a low (5.5 gr) of Unique. I've experimented with HP-38 as well, but only about a half pound left and have no need for it in any other caliber I load for. I normally keep a goodly supply of both Unique and 2400, but since Alliant powders have been "unobtanium" in my neck of the woods the last year and a half, I've been buying more of the AA powders (2, 5, 7 and 9) to keep on hand. The AA powders seem to work perfectly in my handguns, and AA#7 is magic in my 30-30 with cast bullets.

Today, I went ahead and loaded a box of 200 gr RNFP with 6.9 gr of AA#5 to shoot in the Bulldog. I'll at least find out how they work, whether the "somewhat inferior" revolver runs properly or not.

I don't think it has to do with my re-loads ... this is the only gun I've shot my re-loads through in my entire, extensive (choke, choke) 11 years of re-loading that has suffered from light strikes. Well, there was another - my old 336 faltered a bit ... finally determined the original firing pin had met E.O.L.

Right now, I've decided to just keep the Bulldog and consider it to be a well fitting, single action revolver ... and hope it goes bang when/if I need a follow-up double action shot. It does shoot well - when it shoots!

jd

[Charlie98]

I know that... ;) I was just having some fun.

In reality, once the shelves start to fill back up again... (haa haa) ...I plan on giving some of the AA powders a try, likely #5 and #7, but maybe #9 as a substitute for IMR4227 in the .41 Marlin. Everyone that uses them seems to really like them.

[mr surveyor]

Yeah, I got addicted to the AA pistol powders on my very first powder purchase in January of 2011. My late mentor convinced me that I could load anything I was starting with (38 spl, 357 mag and 9mm) using Unique or 2400. Actually, the two of them would still work, one way or the other, in anything I load for .... but unfortunately (actually fortunately) there was no A2400 available - so I "settled" for AA#7 which would fit loads for both the .357 mag short barrel and the 9mm. My original plan was that either powder would work, in some way, in the three cartridges in the first step in re-loading. I just couldn't get excited with the 9mm stuff, but the 357 mag became a total obsession .... which very soon lead to AA#9. I still use A2400 on certain loads, but it's pretty unobtanium (as well as Unique) around here, so what little I have on hand gets used sparingly. Along the way, I did get pretty hooked on the AA pistol powders - #2, #5, #7 and #9 - and try to keep a minimum of two pounds of each in reserve. Right now, I think there's 5 cans of #9 in the house, and it gets used a lot for the 357mag and 44 loads to feed the Rossi lever guns. You won't go wrong in trying it.

I'll tell you what, let me know the next time you're heading East on I-20 and I'll meet you at the cross-roads and trade you a shiny new can of AA#9 for a brick of small pistol primers ;)

jd

[Charlie98]

Unfortunately, my stash of SPP's are getting quite low. After I got out of the .38/.357 business, the only thing I used SPP's for was the very little .380 that I loaded for my brother.... but that changed when we entered the Second Dark Age of Reloading, and I had to start loading for 9mm, again. My small stash of 5K SPP's have dwindled to less than 2K... so I'm right there with you looking at bare shelves.

[mr surveyor]

Yeah, I'm down to 1.5K small pistol, 2.5k large pistol, 2.5k large rifle, about 20 lbs of various powders, more than enough cleaned and prepped brass, and maybe 2-3k of various bullets. As small of a volume as I shoot in a single trip (but 1-2 trips per week), I could continue at the same rate (depending on the guns used) for a couple more years - but it wouldn't feel "comfortable".

I did get a bit carried away yesterday when I took the faltering 44spl CA Bulldog out again (3rd time this week) to try the 6.9 gr of AA#5 with the RimRock 200 gr RNFP'S. I think I've finally found a combination that shoots POA/POI. It flawlessly handled 20 rounds shooting single action, but, unfortunately, still had 2 light strikes out of 10 rounds in double action. I may just continue shooting it, as is, with their recently installed "proper spring" ... but if it don't straighten up I'll put the Wolff "extra power" spring back in - if I decide to carry it as a field/snake gun this year. There still seems to be the possibility of pierced primers with the Wolff spring, and it is a little more effort the squeeze the trigger, but it would be nice to know that it will at least go bang when needed.

jd

[Charlie98]

I wonder if there isn't some combination of the Wolff spring and modification you could make... perhaps clip a coil off the spring, or use the spring and take a hair off the firing pin?

[Bawanna]

I think I'd be tempted to send it back to CA and have them get it right. It has to be close so they should be able to make it run 100%.
I don't mind messing with a gun to some extent to fix what needs fixing but sounds like you been there and done that. If they can't get it, send you a new one.

[mr surveyor]

Yeah, clipping the Wolff spring a tiny bit "might" help, but then again, the spring they put in a couple of weeks ago (on it's second trip back) made about "half the distance from the original underpowered spring to the extra powered Wolff spring I tried - without them knowing). What's odd is that the light strikes are very intermittent, and when they happen it's very apparent. In the next few trips I'll test out another "theory". This one having to do with the "extractor star" and cartridge rim fitment. For what it's worth, they said they changed the extractor on it's first return saying that it was "out of spec" causing timing issues.

Looks like the only real timing issue here is me, at 68 years old, buying a cheap revolver and expecting to get lucky :rolleyes:


jd

[getsome]

Dang Surv, I was hoping they got it fixed up for you but I agree with Bawanna, send it back one more time and send a letter demanding they either fix it or give you another revolver that is 100% and start calling up the line if necessary until you get to someone who will take care of you…..You paid good money for it and it needs to work correctly even if it is an inexpensive gun……Don’t except less than what you paid for and try and fix it yourself, make CA fix it or replace it with one that does work……

[mr surveyor]

After this last return (second trip back), and the somewhat brash note that some "lady" sent, I don't know what good would come of sending it back again. This time they sent the 20 empty shell casings to prove that they successfully test fired it. Oddly enough, 10 were PMC brass (understandably factory loads?), and 10 were Starline brass (what big named ammunition factory uses Starline). My ffl buddy knows that I shoot nothing but my own reloads, and even if you tried it would be a huge, expensive problem to track down "factory" .44 spl. He knows that it ain't my "reloads" causing the issues, but also knows better than to even hint that user reloads have been used. I've got another 600 or so of those 200 grain bullets left so I'll probably load and shoot most of them before making a final decision on sending it back again - maybe permanently. The 200 grain bevel based bullets really don't have much of a future in my Rossi R92 lever gun, and nothing else around here will shoot a .431 bullet.

As long as I just pretend it's a single action short barreled revolver things will work - for a while.

jd

[berettabone]

Back to the ship................as many times as it takes.

[mr surveyor]

It's going back tomorrow! I just spent most of the day either cleaning the gun, loading ammunition for it (both cast and jacketed), or going to the range (twice) to shoot it. Exactly the same stinking issue, whether cast or jacketed (HND XTP's) loads. Single action seems to be flawless .... double action 10-20% light strikes. Today, I did start out by marking a single cylinder for an index mark to see if there was any particular relationship to a certain cylinder. In both trips, there was one specific cylinder (double action) that was always a culprit - and a couple of times another.

As good as this gun shoots in my hand, and as much as I've really taken a liking to 44 spl, I believe it's time for this particular copy to disappear. Just got back from seeing my ffl buddy and he has the same opinion. He's going to call them first thing in the morning and start out by pushing for a new replacement. Either way, I'm not wasting any more of my little stash of "components" on it.

jd

[Bawanna]

Fingers crossed for you, hope they get it running or a new replacement that runs as it should.
You got me hankering for another Bulldog Pug like I had in an earlier life, another one I should have never sold. It shot great and never gave me any problems.

[mr surveyor]

Yeah, if this had been a Ruger, built on an SP-101 frame that fit my grubby hand, I'd doubt I'd had made any internet posts concerning 44 spl. No doubt, I would have already shot at least 600 or 700 rounds through it in the last couple of months, just tweaking loads to get whatever I could get from them.

It's all good though, I ain't dead, yet! :)


jd

[mr surveyor]

well, as of this morning the CA Bulldog 44 spl is gone, and as much as I was enjoying loading and shooting 44 spl, that brass is going to be boxed up and stashed back for better times. So, it's time to get back to my old faithfuls - 44 mag, 357 mag, 45 auto and 30-30 win. I load for a few others, but those four calibers I just listed all get shot at least once a month in the weekly rotation.

I still haven't intentionally bought any factory centerfire since 2010. I lost count a year or so ago but at that time it was over 15k rounds squeezed out on a Lee Breech Lock Hand Press, and I'm more than satisfied with my system. I no longer shoot in volume during any single range trip (can't afford the ammo budget-if I could find it), but I do make at least 1 range trip a week - year round.

There! I'm old, I'm cranky and I'm set in my ways. Now, get off my lawn! :biggrin1:


jd

[Charlie98]

Gone... as in back to the MotherShip, or banished to the Island of Misfit Firearms?

Oddly enough, my single .44 I owned... a Ruger Flattop .44SPC... went away as well. I really liked the pistol, and the .44SPC was fun to load for, in much the same manner as loading .41 or .45... but the pistol had so many problems I just couldn't go on with another Problem Child. Really a shame... it was a nice pistol.

[mr surveyor]

Yep .... gone for good. After three months and 300-400 rounds with no joy, I had enough. The gun felt good, was accurate (when it didn't light strike) and I really fell in love with .44spl.

Having gone through a few other similar disappointments over the years, I learned to just dump them for whatever money I could get and spend it on something "non gun related". Seems like whenever I traded a clunker, or used the proceeds from the sale of a clunker on another gun, it too became an unwanted "item". In one ordeal in 2008, I went through three transactions before I finally took what little money I could get from the last one of the chain and spent the money on beer. I figured as long as I was already pissing my money away trying to put lipstick on a pig (low quality guns), I might as well take that money and piss it away for real.