<![CDATA[AlphaRomeo15 - Reloading]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/ Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:54:42 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Yard sales]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Yard-sales Sun, 06 Sep 2026 11:22:35 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Yard-sales [Image: IMG-20260905-203302.jpg]
That's all he bought as he knows nothing about reloading. Judging from the condition of powder and the can I'd say there was a bunch of well cared for items there. I wish I could've been there!]]> [Image: IMG-20260905-203302.jpg]
That's all he bought as he knows nothing about reloading. Judging from the condition of powder and the can I'd say there was a bunch of well cared for items there. I wish I could've been there!]]> <![CDATA[45 acp]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-45-acp Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:58:59 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-45-acp Almost 8# of unique and an almost full 4# jug of h.universal clays as well as various 1# cans of a few other suitable powders.  I think I'm set for awhile.
A few years ago I made an impulse purchase of a Lee turret press but didn't use it much. I'm starting to appreciate it for handgun loading, especially with the Lee disc powder measure. It dumps very consistent charges of unique, far more consistent than any other measure I have.]]> Almost 8# of unique and an almost full 4# jug of h.universal clays as well as various 1# cans of a few other suitable powders.  I think I'm set for awhile.
A few years ago I made an impulse purchase of a Lee turret press but didn't use it much. I'm starting to appreciate it for handgun loading, especially with the Lee disc powder measure. It dumps very consistent charges of unique, far more consistent than any other measure I have.]]> <![CDATA[New brass]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-New-brass Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:50:17 +0000 srjdsmith]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-New-brass
Do I need to prep brand new Starline brass? Size? Trim? Or just stuff the load?

I have Hornady 155 gr XTP bullets. I’m thinking 10.8 gr of HS-6 (but I also have Power Pistol).

Suggestions? Does new brass need to be ‘prepped’?]]>
Do I need to prep brand new Starline brass? Size? Trim? Or just stuff the load?

I have Hornady 155 gr XTP bullets. I’m thinking 10.8 gr of HS-6 (but I also have Power Pistol).

Suggestions? Does new brass need to be ‘prepped’?]]> <![CDATA[Always compare data]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Always-compare-data Thu, 09 Jul 2026 22:53:42 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Always-compare-data After double checking things I find QL shows that bullet as being .88" long, not the 1.05 it really is. Adjusted seating depth to correct and it quickly went way over saami max pressures. Not a big deal in a bolt gun, but way too high for the ar15.]]> After double checking things I find QL shows that bullet as being .88" long, not the 1.05 it really is. Adjusted seating depth to correct and it quickly went way over saami max pressures. Not a big deal in a bolt gun, but way too high for the ar15.]]> <![CDATA[Pointless muse of the day]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Pointless-muse-of-the-day Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:19:59 +0000 srjdsmith]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Pointless-muse-of-the-day
Could be or crazy?]]>
Could be or crazy?]]> <![CDATA[been too long]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-been-too-long--2258 Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:35:09 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-been-too-long--2258 I'm surprised I even remembered that the pointy end of the bullet didn't go into the case!]]> I'm surprised I even remembered that the pointy end of the bullet didn't go into the case!]]> <![CDATA[learned something new!]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-learned-something-new Fri, 03 Oct 2025 14:17:51 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-learned-something-new https://thegunzone.com/what-calibers-use...e-primers/
In another article by the same author 1680 is used in big magnum cartridges. Huh]]> https://thegunzone.com/what-calibers-use...e-primers/
In another article by the same author 1680 is used in big magnum cartridges. Huh]]> <![CDATA[Dang mice]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Dang-mice Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:14:36 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Dang-mice

[Image: IMG-20250724-101634.jpg][Image: IMG-20250724-101955.jpg]
I need to teach the dummy to put things away and teach the mice to use a litter box.]]>

[Image: IMG-20250724-101634.jpg][Image: IMG-20250724-101955.jpg]
I need to teach the dummy to put things away and teach the mice to use a litter box.]]> <![CDATA[Cut vs swage]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Cut-vs-swage Wed, 15 Jan 2025 23:14:18 +0000 The Shooters Apprentice]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Cut-vs-swage
I've always cut the crimps out, but i'm wondering if with this large of a batch if I would be better off swaging them out.

Thoughts?]]>
I've always cut the crimps out, but i'm wondering if with this large of a batch if I would be better off swaging them out.

Thoughts?]]> <![CDATA[Why I Love Reloading]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Why-I-Love-Reloading Tue, 26 Nov 2024 22:58:09 +0000 The Shooters Apprentice]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Why-I-Love-Reloading I finally set back up my Hornady progressive press. It’s cold up here and work has been slow, so I’ve been working away at the piles of empty brass I’ve collected turning them into loaded ammo. Today I was working on loading some 38 special. I’ve loaded about 600 rounds of 38 special with a mix of light full wad cutter loads and some hotter 110gn JHP loads. 
The bullets are bullets I got from an estate sale and were practically free since I placed my bid based on other things in the lot. 
The primers are old white carton CCI the local gun shop gave me because he didn’t want to sell primers that old. 
The powder is Winchester 500HS, some of which I got for free, and some of what I bought very very cheap. 
Brass is range brass which I’m into for just my time to pick it up and sort it, and some that came from my own shooting. 
To buy the same amount of ammo in new ammo would have cost me about $350. I’m probably into this 600 rounds for under 10 bucks total. Should keep my combat masterpiece fed for quite some time. 
I’m noticing a trend where reloading components are not only becoming available again, the prices are coming down, and the hoarders are selling off parts of their stash. I haven’t done much reloading the last 3 years and have been buying factory as needed to feed my guns. It’s been a good few days cranking out 45acp, 10mm, 44 mag, 38 special and 357 ammo. I’ve loaded about 5000 rounds total in the last week or two. Next up is some 45 Colt with some old Speer 200gn Magnum JHP, or flying ash trays like they used to be called.
]]> I finally set back up my Hornady progressive press. It’s cold up here and work has been slow, so I’ve been working away at the piles of empty brass I’ve collected turning them into loaded ammo. Today I was working on loading some 38 special. I’ve loaded about 600 rounds of 38 special with a mix of light full wad cutter loads and some hotter 110gn JHP loads. 
The bullets are bullets I got from an estate sale and were practically free since I placed my bid based on other things in the lot. 
The primers are old white carton CCI the local gun shop gave me because he didn’t want to sell primers that old. 
The powder is Winchester 500HS, some of which I got for free, and some of what I bought very very cheap. 
Brass is range brass which I’m into for just my time to pick it up and sort it, and some that came from my own shooting. 
To buy the same amount of ammo in new ammo would have cost me about $350. I’m probably into this 600 rounds for under 10 bucks total. Should keep my combat masterpiece fed for quite some time. 
I’m noticing a trend where reloading components are not only becoming available again, the prices are coming down, and the hoarders are selling off parts of their stash. I haven’t done much reloading the last 3 years and have been buying factory as needed to feed my guns. It’s been a good few days cranking out 45acp, 10mm, 44 mag, 38 special and 357 ammo. I’ve loaded about 5000 rounds total in the last week or two. Next up is some 45 Colt with some old Speer 200gn Magnum JHP, or flying ash trays like they used to be called.
]]> <![CDATA[Case cleaning thoughts]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Case-cleaning-thoughts Sun, 24 Nov 2024 21:44:22 +0000 The Shooters Apprentice]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Case-cleaning-thoughts
Growing up we didn't "waste money" cleaning brass. Range brass from our weekly after church family activity which was going to the shooting range and picking brass might go through one of the vibratory tumblers but that was about it.

Once I started reloading on my own I kept the same principle. I didn't even have a tumbler for a long time. Brass wasnt too bad just got reloaded, and the stuff that did need it got put in a sock, with the end tied shut and chucked in the washer with the laundry. This method actually worked really well and the wife didn't mind it until a sock broke open one time. After that I got a good ol blue frankford arsenal vibratory tumber and would tumble with walnut just long enough to get it clean enough to load.

I didn't really worry about shiny brass until I started getting into writing, and doing videos and competitive shooting. I started to get a lot of comments along the lines of "your ammo looks like sh*t". So I started running the brass through walnut and then a final corn cob tumble post loading. This worked ok, but very time consuming. I tried some ceramic tiles from harbor freight mixed in with the walnut that that helped, but left the brass looking like it has been wire wheeled.

I finally broke down this summer and bought the bigger frankford arsenal wet tumbler and never looked back. It took a few tried to get my solution formula right, but I finally came up with a cleaning solution that works really really well and leaves the brass like brand new inside and out and doesn't have to run for long periods of time.

Just thought it might be interesting to discuss our various methods of brass prep.

[Image: temp-Imageb4pg-BL.avif]]]>
Growing up we didn't "waste money" cleaning brass. Range brass from our weekly after church family activity which was going to the shooting range and picking brass might go through one of the vibratory tumblers but that was about it.

Once I started reloading on my own I kept the same principle. I didn't even have a tumbler for a long time. Brass wasnt too bad just got reloaded, and the stuff that did need it got put in a sock, with the end tied shut and chucked in the washer with the laundry. This method actually worked really well and the wife didn't mind it until a sock broke open one time. After that I got a good ol blue frankford arsenal vibratory tumber and would tumble with walnut just long enough to get it clean enough to load.

I didn't really worry about shiny brass until I started getting into writing, and doing videos and competitive shooting. I started to get a lot of comments along the lines of "your ammo looks like sh*t". So I started running the brass through walnut and then a final corn cob tumble post loading. This worked ok, but very time consuming. I tried some ceramic tiles from harbor freight mixed in with the walnut that that helped, but left the brass looking like it has been wire wheeled.

I finally broke down this summer and bought the bigger frankford arsenal wet tumbler and never looked back. It took a few tried to get my solution formula right, but I finally came up with a cleaning solution that works really really well and leaves the brass like brand new inside and out and doesn't have to run for long periods of time.

Just thought it might be interesting to discuss our various methods of brass prep.

[Image: temp-Imageb4pg-BL.avif]]]> <![CDATA[talking to shooter's apprentice]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-talking-to-shooter-s-apprentice Sat, 23 Nov 2024 03:00:20 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-talking-to-shooter-s-apprentice <![CDATA[Alliant suspends powder shipments.]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Alliant-suspends-powder-shipments Fri, 10 May 2024 02:01:18 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Alliant-suspends-powder-shipments https://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?t...ost-285962

Most of us have probably heard about the nitrocellulose shortage, but it looks like it's hitting home now. In the op, pv is powder valley.]]> https://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?t...ost-285962

Most of us have probably heard about the nitrocellulose shortage, but it looks like it's hitting home now. In the op, pv is powder valley.]]> <![CDATA[How compulsive are you?]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-How-compulsive-are-you Fri, 05 Apr 2024 18:02:27 +0000 srjdsmith]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-How-compulsive-are-you

[Image: IMG-0538.jpg]

How often would you weigh a charge? Let’s say you’re loading .44 mag, just high of center in the load bracket, for hunting.

Would your answer change if you were loading a grain under max (in the Hornady manual)?

What about .223 or .45 ACP for the range?]]>

[Image: IMG-0538.jpg]

How often would you weigh a charge? Let’s say you’re loading .44 mag, just high of center in the load bracket, for hunting.

Would your answer change if you were loading a grain under max (in the Hornady manual)?

What about .223 or .45 ACP for the range?]]> <![CDATA[Materials web page]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Materials-web-page Mon, 22 Jan 2024 01:31:14 +0000 srjdsmith]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Materials-web-page
https://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_...der_id=729

Someone who knows… things… might know what to do with it.]]>
https://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_...der_id=729

Someone who knows… things… might know what to do with it.]]>