picking up speed

[svandamme]

Can't find a gunstore with powder in stock, in the reasonable vincinity. Called 5-6 shops, notthing.. they can order, but no stock.

Called the dude from the shop who sold me the Accurate #7 with Lovex D036 label.. He says he uses it himself, with the Accurate load data.

So went a head and made a small batch with the "mistery" powder.

I did however, start on the very low side of things.
Set the bugger to 6.5 grain, weighed each load.



There is something to say at the precision of the powder dropping, mostly that it wasn't precise at all.
I'm sure the variation has a lot to do with the press not being fully stable yet.
Once i get that sorted (strongmount arrives tomorrow or thursday) i'll be able to fine tune the powder delivery..

But it's ok for now, i just loaded, measured each load and sorted them

ranging from
6.3
6.4
a bunch of 6.5
bunch of 6.6
3 x 6.7
and a single 7.0.

That's all well on the low side of what Accurate table posted as minimum safe
And also on the safe side of the Lovex D-036 guestimate.

For a first batch, to figure out where i am.. i think it will do just fine.
I'll fire em one a a time, check for proper ejection, proper feed and clear barrel

If they are weak, then i guess the dude was right, and the AA #7 load data is indeed right.

for chits and giggles, this is just practice and getting used to the Dillon.
In the mean time i can source a better dealer, who can provide me with better powder and data...

As long as i don't double tap with potentially weak ammo, at worst the action doesn't cycle and lack of accuracy.
Guess i'll feel right away if they are much weaker then my regular factory Fiocchi ammo or not..

[Grizzman]

Thanks for the information.

I'm considering getting a Dillon for myself for Christmas, and am quite interested in the little details.

I've been using an RCBS single stage for years and I need to load up a few thousand rounds.

In the states, we typically use handloading manuals for the load data. I would think that you'd be able to by them from Amazon.com or somewhere similar. The powder manufacturers also generally have a section on their website dedicated to load data.

Good luck!!

[svandamme]

Took half a day off work to go shooting and drinking beer (after shooting)

The handloads were way to weak.. gun did not cycle, hardly any recoil.
I could see the bullet fly, drop, and bounce off the ballistic plates at the back of the range.. they were terribly slow. It was more "plop" then "blam"

Guess the dude in the shop was right, the Accurate #7 load table is the right one.
But better safe then sorry, so it's all good.



And when i arrived home, had a present waiting for me... The strongmount arrived.
Obviously i got cracking and bolted the thing up.



It's a great piece of kit, even when just bolting the press to the mount, not even bolting the mount to the bench, it was incredibly stable... bolting it to the bench.. well, rock steady is the word.

Powder check is up there as well, so friday imma be loading some more..
6-7 was totally weak... so gonna load a spread from 8 to 9.5 at .1 grain steps to see where the gun starts to cycle Once it cycles, i'll run a bigger batch ranging in the ball park, to see what feels good to shoot.

Oh, and i found a supplier of Vihtavuori so next time, no more powder misteries just the good stuff.

[dennisc]

Stijn,
Great looking set-up, and even better news about the Vihtavuori powder.
Sounds like everything is coming together just fine - congratulations.
Dennis

[svandamme]

got the Vihtavuori N340 powder, case lube, also some HN 230 grain ball bullets so i can try some different things...(other was HN 195 grain Semi Wadcutters).


Gonna run the tumbler tomorrow morning, load up a test batch 'round noon and head to the range in the afternoon.

[Grizzman]

Vigtavuori N340 is slower than unique, but faster than Accurate #7 or Longshot. That should work out just fine.

My Sierra manual shows a maximum charge of 6.8 grains with 230s. This should be around 900 fps.

My Hornady book shows 6.7 as the maximum charge at 900 fps, so I'd say this is solid info.

Have fun, and load safe.