Bert

Shots 1, 2 and 4 shot OK, ejected well, and extracted fine.

But shots 3 and 5 not so good. 

#1- 30 grs. no data.

#2- 30.5 grs. 1,396 fps  

#3- 31 grs. 1,426 fps    This round did not ignite immediately and left a shiny spot on the case.

#4- 31.5 grs. 1,453 fps   

#5- 32 grs.  832 fps      This round did not ignite immediately and left a shiny spot on the case.  Also there was a lot of un burned powder left in the barrel.

I tried to make sure the cartridges were not turned upside down to let any powder move from the primer area.   Obviously some didn't stay put on #5.

#3 and #5 both showed signs of pressure. I had blacked out the old shiny spots with a black magic marker before firing.

The mail just came and I got some 38 cal and 40 cal over the powder wads that I will use next time with the toilet paper.  I might try another lot of primers too.

Next update may be after Greeley.  But if I have time I'll try to load before Greeley.  

kujuak said
Good day!

I am up to 4  resizings with my current loads with no brass loss. I do not have an annealer and don't anneal.Seriously considering getting an annealer after loading a batch of old brass a buddy annealed for me. I could feel a difference in sizing (smoother and more consistent). Accuracy was a bit better, caveats rifles all have receiver sights, eyeballs 7 decades old, and my accuracy potential wth iron sights is impacted by sunlight situation.
So no more "I"s, love to hear from folks who hunt with, shoot, and reload 348Winchester/Winchester 71s.
 
Cheers!
  

Buy a gas annealer with a timer.  You have to set up the flame exactly the same way each time.  Keep the case in the flame just long enough for the mouth of the case to turn orange and gives off an orange flame. The blue tip of the flame should be aimed at the neck and be about  1/2" away.  I use a Bench Source but there are many others.  The AMP is at least 2X what a good flame annealer costs.  Your brass will be easier to size, bullets will seat easier, case life will be much longer, cases will stay where you sized them and not rebound so much.

Erik Cortina who shoots on the US team, and is a World champion f class shooter, did a comparison of the Bench Source and the AMP.  The slight difference may be what a World Class Shooter needs but not necessarily what the average reloader needs. 

Zebulon said
How much did you say that induction annealing machine cost? One trip to the ER might fade it. 
  

Speaking of induction annealers, I note that Burstfire has an offering now that’s less expensive than the AMP version. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like it might have merit. 

I did not use the filler material nor the process I did the last time.  I used toilet paper and let the bullet compact it just a bit. 

TXGunNut said

oldcrankyyankee said

Jim F in CT said
When I anneal cases, I dip the case neck in molten lead using bare fingers.
When case head gets too hot to hold, I drop it on a folded towel . . . .NO WATER QUENCH!
(Usually done before a bullet casting session.)
  

That's ballsy! I respect molten lead with the same regard as Napalm. Got the scars to show why.
  

I've heard of annealing brass that way but I also know what happens when the tiniest bit of moisture encounters molten lead. One visit from the Tinsel Fairy can be one too many.
 
Mike
  

Or a trapped air pocket

oldcrankyyankee said

Jim F in CT said
When I anneal cases, I dip the case neck in molten lead using bare fingers.
When case head gets too hot to hold, I drop it on a folded towel . . . .NO WATER QUENCH!
(Usually done before a bullet casting session.)
  

That's ballsy! I respect molten lead with the same regard as Napalm. Got the scars to show why.
  

I've heard of annealing brass that way but I also know what happens when the tiniest bit of moisture encounters molten lead. One visit from the Tinsel Fairy can be one too many.

Mike

Jim F in CT said
When I anneal cases, I dip the case neck in molten lead using bare fingers.
When case head gets too hot to hold, I drop it on a folded towel . . . .NO WATER QUENCH!
(Usually done before a bullet casting session.)
  

That's ballsy! I respect molten lead with the same regard as Napalm. Got the scars to show why.

TXGunNut said

Chuck said
Thanks, Mike.
I just gave away 50 lbs of lead to one of my shooting friends.  He and the other 4 guys that shoot next to me have explained the process.  Maybe one of them would help me out.  One of them cast 5 bullets for my Sharps rifle for display cartridges.  Too pretty for me to shoot.  The bullet that is.  I have shot the rifle.
  

Yep, they're pretty! I don't have a problem shooting them because I can pour some more. 
 
Mike
  

I need some 45-70's.  I'm not picky.  .458", 400 grs would be nice but I wouldn't complain about something heavier.  My shoulder might though.  The Sharps has 1:18 twist.

When case head gets too hot to hold, I drop it on a folded towel . . . .NO WATER QUENCH!

(Usually done before a bullet casting session.)

Chuck said
Thanks, Mike.
I just gave away 50 lbs of lead to one of my shooting friends.  He and the other 4 guys that shoot next to me have explained the process.  Maybe one of them would help me out.  One of them cast 5 bullets for my Sharps rifle for display cartridges.  Too pretty for me to shoot.  The bullet that is.  I have shot the rifle.
  

Yep, they're pretty! I don't have a problem shooting them because I can pour some more. 

Mike

I just gave away 50 lbs of lead to one of my shooting friends.  He and the other 4 guys that shoot next to me have explained the process.  Maybe one of them would help me out.  One of them cast 5 bullets for my Sharps rifle for display cartridges.  Too pretty for me to shoot.  The bullet that is.  I have shot the rifle.

Chuck said
I have a bunch of my friends telling me I should.  I have enough trouble keeping up with what I'm doing now.
  

Chuck-

I've invited Zeb up to pour a few, hopefully someday he'll wander up here. Would be a bit of a hike for you but I'll extend the offer anyway. It's the same as reloading, it can be accomplished with minimal equipment or you can wind up with dozens of moulds, a box full of sizing dies and more related equipment than you can imagine. There are few things more satisfying than pouring molten lead into a mould and dropping out a fresh, shiny bullet. It can be a bit frustrating at times but you seem to enjoy a challenge. Single cavity steel moulds are almost therapeutic but the aluminum 4-6 cavity moulds will keep you busy until the pot is empty.  I'm sure one of your friends on the left coast will let you sit in on a casting session and maybe even pour a few. On the downside useable lead is getting scarce out here in the free world and I would recommend looking into the local lead supply situation before investing in tools and equipment. 

Mike