https://www.alpharomeo15.org/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 01:31:59 +0000 MyBB 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?]]> 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!]]> 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. ]]> https://thegunzone.com/what-calibers-use...e-primers/
In another article by the same author 1680 is used in big magnum cartridges. ]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Dang-mice Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:14:36 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Dang-mice


I need to teach the dummy to put things away and teach the mice to use a litter box.]]>


I need to teach the dummy to put things away and teach the mice to use a litter box.]]> 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?]]> 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.

]]> 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.

]]>
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.

]]> 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 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.]]> 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



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?]]>



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?]]> 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.]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-First-at-bench-in-a-while Tue, 02 Jan 2024 03:19:23 +0000 Towtruck]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-First-at-bench-in-a-while
My reloading bench has been idle and is buried in construction crap. I managed to clear just enough...err, flatten out just enough to set up my scale and check my weights and make room to pull the handle. Maybe one day I will tackle the 45's.....and maybe I will get a chance to shoot these before 2025!]]>
My reloading bench has been idle and is buried in construction crap. I managed to clear just enough...err, flatten out just enough to set up my scale and check my weights and make room to pull the handle. Maybe one day I will tackle the 45's.....and maybe I will get a chance to shoot these before 2025!]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Need-to-buy-350-Legend-dies Sun, 24 Dec 2023 00:15:27 +0000 srjdsmith]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Need-to-buy-350-Legend-dies
1) How is the best way to find the best price on a set of dies? Do you just peruse all the sites (Midway, Optics Planet, Natchez, Graf & Sons…) and compare?

2) I like my Hornady dies in other calibers. Are they ok? I like the “Get Loaded” perk of getting a box of bullets. Hornady is a four die set for 350 Legend.

Advice? Words of wisdom? Amusing anecdotes?]]>
1) How is the best way to find the best price on a set of dies? Do you just peruse all the sites (Midway, Optics Planet, Natchez, Graf & Sons…) and compare?

2) I like my Hornady dies in other calibers. Are they ok? I like the “Get Loaded” perk of getting a box of bullets. Hornady is a four die set for 350 Legend.

Advice? Words of wisdom? Amusing anecdotes?]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-holy-moly-prices Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:36:30 +0000 tommag]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-holy-moly-prices Back when I had to walk uphill both ways through snow to school, primers were under .01 and 2400 cost $12/lb.
I might bite the bullet on primers,  but I have more than enough unique and h universal to last a lifetime. I guess I don't need top energy levels to kill paper and soda cans.
Thankfully,  I've got plenty of surp 844 and imr4895.
I no longer need lrp, and have a few k of those, but I looked at several mail order places out of curiosity. It appears that lrp are are somewhere between hen's teeth and unicorn farts.]]> Back when I had to walk uphill both ways through snow to school, primers were under .01 and 2400 cost $12/lb.
I might bite the bullet on primers,  but I have more than enough unique and h universal to last a lifetime. I guess I don't need top energy levels to kill paper and soda cans.
Thankfully,  I've got plenty of surp 844 and imr4895.
I no longer need lrp, and have a few k of those, but I looked at several mail order places out of curiosity. It appears that lrp are are somewhere between hen's teeth and unicorn farts.]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Bad-case Sat, 18 Nov 2023 01:30:21 +0000 srjdsmith]]> https://www.alpharomeo15.org/Thread-Bad-case




To be sure, I have literally thousands of .223/5.56 cases. I don’t need this one and I won’t load it. I’m just trying to learn. 

After you shoot it, no doubt that wrinkle would get pushed out. But would you reload it to begin with?]]>




To be sure, I have literally thousands of .223/5.56 cases. I don’t need this one and I won’t load it. I’m just trying to learn. 

After you shoot it, no doubt that wrinkle would get pushed out. But would you reload it to begin with?]]>