Awhile Back I Hand Loaded Some Ammo ...

[JimT]

... by hand! I cast the bullets using a lead dipper and an old Ideal mold #454190

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I primed the .45 Colt cases with a Lyman 310 Tool. Then I loaded the ammo with the Lyman 310 Tool. That really is "hand loading!"

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In keeping with the spirit of things, I used an old set of Lee Powder Dippers ... these are not marked in cc's ... you use the "slide tool" to find your powder and what number of dipper throws what amount of it.

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You can make nice ammo this way.

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I took my Linebaugh .45 Colt Ruger to the Range and shot this ammo with it. I was shooting 20 yards. At first I shot seated, two-hand hold using a barrel rest. Then later I shot standing, two-hand hold.

Some of the targets ...

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As long as the nut on the grip was doing OK the shots pretty much went where they were supposed to.

But it was a fun time. I ran about 120 rounds through the old gun and it's still hanging together...

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[ollogger]

Very nice job Jim!! I have that mold but in the Ruger Vaquero they hit the target side ways
other guns it works just fine,also use the old Lee dippers & use a old of hand tool & the 115 gr bullet mold that came with a old 1873 Win. some times it just fun to use the old stuff



Brad

[JimT]

Thank you Brad. And yes, you are correct. It is fun to load with the old stuff. I am too old be in a hurry and don't mind taking the time to load with the old tools. It makes me feel "connected" somehow with those who went before me.

[High Desert Hunter]

Don't you know the modern progressive will save you all kinds of time so you can be more productive with your chores? Funny, I load several different rounds single stage, and have a Lyman 310 for the '06 I gave to my son, have most everything to load 32 SPL with it too. The Dillon does get the call for 45 ACP and 10mm.

Dave

[JimT]

Don't you know the modern progressive will save you all kinds of time so you can be more productive with your chores? Funny, I load several different rounds single stage, and have a Lyman 310 for the '06 I gave to my son, have most everything to load 32 SPL with it too. The Dillon does get the call for 45 ACP and 10mm.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I ain't in a hurry. I don't mind spending an afternoon or 4 or 5 hours on an evening casting, sizing, loading. I've loaded untold thousands with Lee Loaders, 310 Tools, or an old Rockchucker press. I am happy with it.

[High Desert Hunter]

I know Jim, that was a little tongue in cheek.

Dave

[JimT]

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[piller]

Looks as if you had a good time.

[JimT]

Looks as if you had a good time.

Any day shooting is a good one.
And I am now of the age where any day I wake up above ground, I am thankful to the Almighty for another day!

[BobM]

I learned to load on a 357 Magnum Lee Loader in the late eighties. I bought the Lee dipper set too but I think they were marked in cc by then. I “moved up “ to a Lee Hand Press and then to their Turret press in the early nineties. Now I have a Dillon 550, a Redding turret, and my grandpa’s C-H Tool and Die Pistol Champ. I need to get cracking on the garage clean up so I can get back to loading.

[JimT]

I learned to load on a 357 Magnum Lee Loader in the late eighties. I bought the Lee dipper set too but I think they were marked in cc by then. I “moved up “ to a Lee Hand Press and then to their Turret press in the early nineties. Now I have a Dillon 550, a Redding turret, and my grandpa’s C-H Tool and Die Pistol Champ. I need to get cracking on the garage clean up so I can get back to loading.

My Dad had a C-H press and dies when I was younger. They were good tools.

[Griff]

I have a 310 tool for the .44-40, but have never used it. I have a Lee Loader set for the .30-30, and have never used it. Except for the .223 all my rifle rounds are loaded on the RockChucker, everything else on the Dillon. But, I can certainly see the allure and connection one would feel when doing it the "old way." The last time I did any dip casting was in the early '80s for round balls for my hawken. I must admit... I've never missed it. Although... whether it was because I was still learning to cast, or something else, it was neater, less mess, but I had far more rejects than I get with my PID controlled bottom pour pot.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I could never shoot as much as I do without the Dillon. But there are certain cartridges that I insist on loading with a tong tool. .50-70 Govt. for my Sharps rifle is one of those.

[JimT]

I could never shoot as much as I do without the Dillon. But there are certain cartridges that I insist on loading with a tong tool. .50-70 Govt. for my Sharps rifle is one of those.

I can understand that! You really feel connected. A taste of how our ancestors not too long ago survived.