The new Lee 356-120-TC double cavity mold was delivered Saturday, so I had to try it out. Just cast about 50 or so to see how they do. Using range lead I got from a seller on CB they dropped at right around 124 grains and .357-.3575 diameter (measured the best I could with my calipers - I don't have a micrometer.) Tumble lubed them in LLA and they're drying now. Then I'm going to load a couple and see if they'll chamber in my 9mm's without sizing them.
I don't have a .356 sizer but may have to get one. I only have Lee .357 and .358 sizing dies I found used. Hopefully the shorter OAL will take care of it. If not, I'll pick up a .356 die.Mine size at .356 and drop in all my autos. Do have Lyman sizers in .354 and .355 for the 450 and a Lee TL sizer of .358.
CD
fished setting up my bench, wife loaded 20 shotgun shells and i reloaded my first shell!
What do you use for your citric acid?
My estimate of almost 500 pieces was pretty close, turns out there was exactly 446, guess I spend too much time around brass.
I've given up on the pins, too, and use the same formula - Armor All Wash & Wax and citric acid (Lemishine). I started out with the pins, but after trying it without them I couldn't see much difference. It may help with bottleneck cases, but I haven't wet tumbled any to know.Those are some pretty clean interiors, for using no media. Nice find at the range!
Sounds like you missed picking up 4 pieces, if they were shooting full boxes.
Thanks. How much do you throw in your recipe? I'm converting my way of thinking from the old corn-cob media to doing wet-tumbling.
I did a batch with just Dawn and water and was satisfied that it will work for my needs.
For wet tumbling, the obvious reason is for cleaning the primer pockets. The not-so-obvious reason is so the water will drain out easier, and dry quicker.Having loaded maybe 20,000 rounds over the years (mostly .45ACP), I don't see the reason for depriving before cleaning.
For those who do, why do you do it?
My motivation for reloading was saving money. My strategy for reloading was "spend as little time doing it as possible".
I will admit that cleaning the primer pocket is not really a concern in most cases.As long as the new primer went in, I've never cared if the pocket was pristine or not. BUT, I've only loaded straight-wall stuff for club shooting. I've gone more towards "bulk" and have never been going for precision.
As a follow up to yesterdays post about coming across all that once fired single head stamp brass, found I had some free time last night so decided to wet tumble it as one batch. I never decap first but went ahead and did these, as expected they look like new other than the occasional ding from being extracted. No pins, armor all car wash n wax, and a dash of citric acid. My estimate of almost 500 pieces was pretty close, turns out there was exactly 446, guess I spend too much time around brass.
If you start casting, you already have the oven for powder coating if you dont want to lube.Cleaned my gun from the trip to the range yesterday, and sorted/decapped all the brass. Then I made a wire basket that I can use in the re-purposed toaster oven, for drying brass.
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You don't give up, do you. I ain't going down the casting rabbit hole.If you start casting, you already have the oven for powder coating if you dont want to lube.
Never! Need a casting buddy!You don't give up, do you. I ain't going down the casting rabbit hole.
I have tumbled brass a few times without decapping first. I had a few primers that stuck and ended up breaking out the bottom of the primer but leaving the rest behind (known as "ringers"). The only time I've ever had that happen was when I wet tumbled without decapping, and it only happened a couple of times. I've made it a point to decap all brass when I bring it back from the range now.
Movie Book of Eli. The guy is roasting a cat. He hears a mouse scampering around and says "It's cat" offering the mouse a morsel of the meat.You don't give up, do you. I ain't going down the casting rabbit hole.
I got this neck expander and it is the bomb. Dang, just remembered the poor pizza guy that had the bomb strapped around his neck. ugh
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N8N538/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A1YCI0I3EACE4G&psc=1
Shooooot yeah I did. They feed the binary pistol build great. I have maybe 1k or so left. I'll be hitting you up for some more soon of you have any left.@Apache 4rank
Did you ever load those 224 pills?
I have alot leftI'll be hitting you up for some more soon of you have any left.
Pm sent.I have alot left