[Wizard]

the .38 sp. brass is in the tumbler...should have my powder by Tuesday or so, and hopfully the SWC's will be in next week....

 

[deputy125]

sounds good........what powder you going to use?

 

[Wizard]

I got HP38 and W231 on order, with Federal small pistol primers. I've used both powders and like them both....in fact, I really think they are the same stuff...just packaged under different names.....

 

[Bountyhunter]

Do you already reload or is this the very beginning? You'll have to keep us updated on your progress.

 

[Wizard]

Just getting started with my new setup. When I shot ISPC in the mid '90s, I reloaded all my ammo on a single stage Lee press. I was shooting a lot back then, and had to reload just to afford the ammo.

 

[deputy125]

i've used 231---god stuff.
unique is a favorite as well as universal clays.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Just getting started with my new setup. When I shot ISPC in the mid '90s, I reloaded all my ammo on a single stage Lee press. I was shooting a lot back then, and had to reload just to afford the ammo.

I see. You'll be pumping out the rounds pretty quick then.

 

[Wizard]

The .38 brass looked so good, I put on some 9mm this morning. I've got about 2500 9mm (1500 new Starline, and 1000 fired), to load, also. Looks like the next few weeks are gonna be busy for me.....

My goal this year is to finish the year with 5000 - 10000 each in 9mm, .38 sp, 45acp, with a few .380's thrown in for good measure. My wife is really after me to get another gunsafe to store ammo and powder in.....

 

[Bountyhunter]

Sounds like a great goal to me! I'm shooting for about 2000 rounds of 45 acp and 2000 rounds of 357. I know me though and will probably go far beyond that. :mrgreen:

 

[Wizard]

I know that a lot of people think I'm a little off center, but with the election ahead of us, I think we all should strive to stock up on ammo....and I don't mean a couple of boxes....I mean STOCK UP......

 

[Bountyhunter]

You won't get any arguement from me! I'm telling anyone who will listen.

 

[Terry_P]

I don't have the patience to load all that up because I get ahead and I have to got to the range and bring the inventory back down. I agree it wouldn't hurt to have components enough for a few years of shooting. You may want to quietly check your local fire regs though to see if there is any special regs in keeping a lot of powder on hand.

I'm not sure a safe is the way to go for powder storage. From the Alliant web site:

When ignited in an unconfined state, smokeless powder burns inefficiently with an orange-colored flame. It produces a considerable amount of light brown noxious smelling smoke. It leaves a residue of ash and partially burned powder. The flame is hot enough to cause severe burns.

The opposite is true when it burns under pressure as in a cartridge fired in a gun. Then it produces very little smoke, a small glow, and leaves very little or no residue. The burning rate of smokeless powder increases with increased pressure.

If burning smokeless powder is confined, gas pressure will rise and eventually can cause the container to burst. Under such circumstances, the bursting of a strong container creates effects similar to an explosion.

For this reason, the Department of Transportation (formerly Interstate Commerce Commission) sets specifications for shipping containers for propellants and requires tests of loaded containers - under actual fire conditions - before approving them for use.

When smokeless powder in D.O.T. approved containers is ignited during such tests, container seams split open or lids pop off - to release gases and powder from confinement at low pressure.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/safety/storage.htm

 

[Bountyhunter]

I only have one pound of Unique on hand. I'll buy the powder as I need it.

 

[Wizard]

The good part of the fire codes thing is, I live out in the country...

 

[velvalco]

i need to get started in reloading, but wife doesn't want it in the house. I gotta build a reloading building........kinda adds to the cost of reloading.

 

[Wizard]

Out behind the house, I have a 25 X 30 shop, and a 16 X10 storage building. I've set up my reloading in the storage building, but the powder and primers stay in the house, until I'm ready to use them.....

 

[velvalco]

that's probably exactly what i'm going to do. Except my shop won't be that big. If it's that big somebodies gonna want to fill it up with crap..........