My LoadMaster-5 and Chrono Results

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I did some reloading yesterday in anticipation of shooting with the local lever gun nuts up at the Strickland range in Daytona today. This gave me the chance to take a few pictures and show off the LoadMaster-5.

We started with 50 pieces of Quality Cartridge 450 Alaskan brass. These were probably formed from 50-110 basic brass, annealed, and then headstamped. The last time out, I had some very erratic velocities and so I quit shooting what I had loaded and did some measuring. This showed that the necks were too thick and needed a bit of a trim. The ends of the necks were also a bit uneven on some pieces.

The best part of outside neck turning by hand is that part when it's finally done ...



Here I've twisted the case in a piece of 3000 grit polishing cloth to show the ripples in this new brass ... probably from the forming operation in dies. It's hard to see or feel and is only highlighted by the polishing cloth missing the low spots in the ripples. In honor of YK, the next few shots will show my socks ... very much out of focus ...



The cases were apparently heated on only one side when annealed ...



The neck thickness varied a bit and here you can see the Forster cutter didn't take brass from some of the low spots on the neck. I only took off 0.0015" all the way around for a total outside reduction of 0.003" in diameter. I suppose a thicker neck is to be expected when a larger case is swaged down ...



This probably looks like an RCBS AmmoMaster press setup in single stage configuration to you, but I have this special Chinese made LoadMaster-5 attachment for mine.



The LoadMaster-5 inserts brass, bullets, cycles the press, and removes the completed rounds ...







The LoadMaster-5 doesn't handle powder or primers, but it does do resizing and other loading operations automatically. The best part is that the LoadMaster is self-upgrading. Come January, this system will automatically convert into the LoadMaster-6. My wife assures me however that once it reaches the LoadMaster-13, it will permanently fail to load ever again.

Unfortunately, you can't get these at Harbor Freight. My wife refers to her as Annie and she is our youngest and only daughter. She is a big time carnivore and loves her weekend bacon and eggs.

I met up with Rihmfire and Duff L Bagg at the range this morning. As usual, I was 30 minutes late. This is my stall with my chronograph setup about 15 feet away. There wasn't enough light to bring it in any closer so all velocities will be at about 15 feet from the muzzle. At 15 feet, I'm amazed I didn't shoot it ... I gave it a pretty generous holdover.



This is Duff L Bagg's stall with his 1895 in 405. We're not exactly a quiet group ...



This is Rihmfire doubling down with a '92 and a nice Italian '73 ...



We had a fourth show up, but I didn't get his board handle. I assume he's up here on the forum somewhere. His Marlin experienced a feed failure at one point and Duff L Bagg went in for the clearing ... naturally, there was a thumb injury during the process.



I brought 50 rounds of 450 Alaskan loaded to various levels. These are all from a 20" heavy barrel. Three shots each instead of five because ... well, I couldn't handle it. All rounds were crimped with a Lee FCD. I measured their OAL and neck diameter before I boxed 'em up. All are using Remington 9-1/2 large rifle primers.

Code: Select all

Powder    Bullet            Charge    OAL      Velocities      Avg.  ES.
IMR-3031  350gr Speer JFP   66.0gr    2.745"   2136 2129 2126  2130  10
IMR-3031  350gr Speer JFP   67.0gr    2.745"   2160 2150 2164  2158  14
ReLoder7  350gr Speer JFP   58.0gr    2.745"   2096 2099 2089  2094  10
ReLoder7  350gr Speer JFP   59.0gr    2.745"   2218 2196 2178  2197  40
ReLoder7  350gr Speer JFP   60.0gr    2.745"   2207 2229 2196  2210  33
IMR-4198  350gr Speer JFP   52.0gr    2.745"   1990 1984 2029  2001  45
IMR-4198  350gr Speer JFP   54.0gr    2.745"   2080 2041 2029  2050  51
IMR-4198  350gr Speer JFP   55.0gr    2.745"   2063 2054 2086  2068  32
IMR-4198  405gr Rem.  JFP   52.5gr    2.585"   1984 1943 1952  1959  41 *
IMR-3031  405gr Rem.  JFP   65.0gr    2.690"   2060 2038 2044  2047  22 **

The * load is supposed to be Harold Johnson's favorite load. The bullet was crimped in the groove above the two cannelures.

The ** load is longer than the previous because the 3031 wouldn't compress down farther. The bullet was crimped with the case neck even with the top of the upper cannelure.

It's obvious that the 3031 is the most consistent as it shows the lowest extreme spreads in the table. It also always fills the case nearly to the base of the bullet or to a slightly compressed load. Of course, it could be that I'm just better at measuring it on my 5-0-5 scale. I hate doing IMR-4198 ... it seems to bounce around in the funnel and if I set a cartridge in the tray too haphazardly, a few grains will pop out. This kicks in my OCD impulses and I have to dump it back in the pan and bring it back to the target charge.

That's all for me today. Hopefully everyone will get out to shoot at least once over the holidays.

[salvo]

Great report! I feel for you shooting those loads from a bench, the 405's had to hurt. What rifle are you shooting?

[Sixgun]

McNutJob,
Thats what I call a China doll.!!! Your doing a fine job with the young lady.

Those velocities with those bullet weights say "ouch" in a big way. What do you boys hunt down there? Are those illegal Cubans that tough? --------Sixgun

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Great report! I feel for you shooting those loads from a bench, the 405's had to hurt. What rifle are you shooting?

Mine's a Win 71 takedown in 348 WCF and 450 Alaskan. I was shooting offhand over the chronograph. I've fired it from a rest and it's not pleasant. Much easier offhand. I much prefer the 350's to the 405's.

Those velocities with those bullet weights say "ouch" in a big way. What do you boys hunt down there? Are those illegal Cubans that tough?

The 350's at 2100fps or so aren't too bad. I'm not all that stoked about the 400+ grain stuff. After 30 or so, I've had enough.

There's nothing local around here for this gun. A friend and I are thinking of making a run up to Alaska in the next few years ... funds permitting. I'd also like to make a trip over to 86er's place before too long ... take it for a test drive. Other than that, I'm just trying to knock down the backstop at the range.

[flatnose]

So, Mr Mcnutty, how did your results compare to your previous session?

[Rimfire McNutjob]

So, Mr Mcnutty, how did your results compare to your previous session?

The last time I only fired a few rounds and used a slightly lighter load of 3031. The extreme spread was larger and the rounds were a bit tight to chamber and extract. I measured the necks of the remaining loads and checked against my chamber cast. I then ordered a Forster neck turner knowing that I would have to thin them a bit. I also got the Hornady collet bullet puller to take the left overs down. I love that thing.

[mescalero1]

Too bad they have a life limited self turn off device

[J Miller]

Rimfire McNutjob

Your RCBS LoadMaster-5 looks to be some of the much superior Chinese goods. I suspect that if you keep it well maintained and stimulated it will continue functioning long after the projected cease function date.


In all seriousness she is one cute little gal.


I don't think I'd like to shoot loads like that from a bench, not even once. I'll stick to my 30-30 thank you.

Joe

[RKrodle]

Rimfire McNutjob,

I like your Loadmaster-5. I have a Loadmaster-4, but I may need a couple of upgrades before it will function properly. It replaces my Loadmaster-21 that functioned well but discovered girls and ceased to function all together.

Great range report, thanks.

[mescalero1]

Remind LoadMaster-21 of it's failure to function when it returns for upgrade!

[slimster]

Outstanding!... the maintenance and upkeep probably runs your "cost per round" up somewhat, but I'll bet it'll feel great to take a deduction every year for the "evil ammunition" manufacturing device!

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Yep, she's a keeper. She's learning some basic spelling and reading in Kindergarten along with numbers and counting. When I was in Kindergarten, I was playing with wooden blocks and finger paints. They seem to be pushing them earlier these days.

I'm wondering if my loads with 4198 and RL-7 might benefit from a magnum primer. It seems that the 3031 with it's low ES in these loads burns well with the normal primer. Does anyone think that these charge weights in 4198 and RL-7 might be at the edge of what a non-magnum primer can ignite evenly?

[Grizz]

I love the part about the automatic version upgrade; great fun.

Try dropping the charge on those 405s and compare penetration. You can shoot 'em all day at 1000fps and there's not muching living that will stop 'em.

You could do a side by side jug test. I would not bet against the slower bullet myself...

Great report, thanks

[RKrodle]

I'm wondering if my loads with 4198 and RL-7 might benefit from a magnum primer. It seems that the 3031 with it's low ES in these loads burns well with the normal primer. Does anyone think that these charge weights in 4198 and RL-7 might be at the edge of what a non-magnum primer can ignite evenly?

I was told by a custom ammo manufacture that he only uses mag primers, no matter the cartridge. He says you will get better burn with all loads. I have sense switched to mags for all my new loads. As of yet I haven't compared my old loads verses new loads with mag primers.