Weight of empty brass?

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

In the late 80's ammo was cheap. Not much savings in reloading. But I had a few thousand fired cases so I thought I would try reloading. I had been loading .45 LC, and .45 acp. It was just another straight case. I liked to plink but at a good velocity. I am one of those not fond of lead cast, so I use a 110 grain FMJ bullet. Checking my cases to be 1.290" and finished size 1.68". I try for 1900 fps and have used H110 13,2 gr., 2400 13.2 gr., IMR 4227 14.0 gr. All seem to meet velocity. They also have been the most accurate for me. I have gone up to 2000 fps with the same powders at 14.3 gr, 14.1 gr, and 15.0 gr. But it seemed a bit much. Haven't loaded any for a few years as I had plenty either bought cheap at $12 a box or the 3K I had loaded. But I do have a bunch of cases in a box now. Hate to admit it but I have neglected the carbine and have been shooting a lot of .45 acp lately in some recently bought semi custom pistols.

Jim, what kind of loads are you putting together for the Carbine? I'm looking around for a nice plinking round, something easy on the gun. I found a recipe for 10.6gr of 2400 with a 110gr LRN. Supposed to be about 1550fps, which is just fine for punching paper as along as it's accurate and cycles the action. The not to exceed is 12gr., so there's a nice window to muck around in and try to find the best charge.

Any favorites you have?

[Reload]

Thanks, gentlemen. Hadn't even considered the lead bullet with regard to the gas system. Something to think about. If I can keep the load slow enough there shouldn't be a problem, but I'll keep my eye on it. The key to lead is slow speed, hardness, and proper lube/sizing. The guy I get my cast from does a lot of casting, he has a nice hard recipe for his lead. I might get a 100 and use them to try and work up a load. I can check for lead fouling while doing accuracy and cycling tests. If there isn't a problem I'll place an order for 1000 and have at it.

One of the main reasons for using lead is cost. He sells 1000 rounds of .30, .380, 9mm, .38/.357, etc for $60. The .40, .45, 10mm, etc is $80/1000. With a couple of 1911's, .380's, a 9, a .357 and everything else that's in the house, FMJ gets expensive. If I have trouble with the lead I might try a plated round like Berry's Bullets or Ranier. Not as cheap as lead, but well less than jacketed and no leading concerns.

Don't feel too badly about not doing much with the Carbine, I'm just as guilty. This weekend I'll be working up a RNSWC round for my Gold Cup to take to pin/plate shoots. Supposedly, the Gold Cup loves to eat SWC with a light charge. We'll see.

Edit:

Almost forgot! I weighed an empty at home, Lake City milspec. It came in at .166oz. That'd translate to somewhere around 1900+ cases. I pick them up tomorrow. Anyone up for some counting? I'll supply the Sam Adams!

[Reload]

Jim wins!

The actual count is 2,006 pieces of brass, 53 pieces of steel, and one .357 Magnum!

That's pretty daggone close to Jim's estimate.

[painter777]

Reload,
I'd say JimF has had a good week.

Charlie-painter777

[USGI]

Is the steel USGI, or maybe Russian? Be sure to watch for brass LC 52 cases (Chinese) that are Berdan primed - they are hard on the decapping pins! Good going, Jim!

- Bob

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Good week indeed Charlie. Doesn't mean I won't need along the way.

So what do I win, 500 cases shipped free????

My $20 scale did all the work. Bought 15 of them for my slot car guys a few years back. Still have a few lying around. Might as well put one to work.

Reload:
That should keep you at your bench for a while. Good for you and have fun finding the load you like.

[Reload]

Is the steel USGI, or maybe Russian? Be sure to watch for brass LC 52 cases (Chinese) that are Berdan primed - they are hard on the decapping pins! Good going, Jim!

- Bob

HAH! They're already decapped!

I need to look into the steel, no time right now.

I just got done taking up an awful lot of time separating .45ACP small primer from large primer. It's really irritating, i wish they'd just go back to all large.

[painter777]

Reload,
Have you ever dealt with 'Precision Cast Bullet Co' from Springport, MI ? Address says out on Mock RD.
I have aprox 1,000 lead hard cast rounds of .45 ACP I bought from them at our small local show at the Mason county fairgrounds back in the winter.
My partner has loaded a couple hundred of the same he bought from them and said he really likes them.
I can't recall what I paid $.
I have their card here and they advertise 'Hard Cast Match Grade'.

Thx,
Charlie-painter777

[Reload]

Never have. There's usually someone local. If they have a website or something I'd be happy to check them out.

[Reload]

Things that make you go 'Hmmmmm'....

With 2k cases and all the reloading stuff, can a Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine be too far away?