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Posted: 10/3/2011 3:13:07 PM EDT
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I was wondering what you guys do when working up a load for lead cast bullets. In the process of working up a load I made 4 "batches" at a gradual powder increase of .2 grain. While firing I decided that I needed to reduce the load further and so the 2 loads on the top end I need to pull.
The question is that when you guys pull a lead cast round down and a little powder sticks to the lube what do you do with it? melt it back down and start from scratch on that particular bulet? or just reload it with the little powder sticking to the lube? and the powder you recover as well do you guys toss it or reuse it? Normal jacketed rounds are a no brainer but the cast ones with the lube are new to me for loads. Also in some of the powder from the ones I pull I can see a little shavings from the cast bullet (probably due to seating) |
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I've pulled a few cast loads that were given to me and from some dummy rds. I had made up to check cycling in my semi. For the ones with powder stuck to the lube just use some mineral spirits or fingernail polish remover and wipe it off.
I never reuse cast bullets that have been previously loaded they get thrown in the scrap lead bucket. On the powder I will salvage it if I'm the one that loaded it and know exactly what it is otherwise if it's contaminated or I didn't load it I toss it in the yard. |
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You didn't specify pistol or rifle loads, so I'm going to answer as for pistols.
Any powder that sticks on the lube can be removed with a rag. Just brush it of, couple of powder granules won't matter if you load with the same powder. If bullet was not deformed, I will reuse it. This would be mostly bullets with a crimp grove. Powder left in case can be reused. You didn't name the cartridge, bullet weight or powder, so can't advise on powder steps when working up. If you are getting shavings of lead when you pull the bullets, try using a little more bell. 
Also be sure to start the bullets straight when seating. You don't want shaved bullets like the 3 in the center. Bullet on right was over crimped as far as I'm concerned. These are from rounds that were given to me which I broke down. Never know what your going to find. |
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I have pulled and reused many cast bullets with no problem. Lets say that the progressive press flips a primer over and seats it in the case upside down. I will probably have taper crimped the load, but not too hard.
I catch this when boxing the loads. If I have more than one cartridge that is bad, I save them up and do them as a very small batch. I pull the bullet with an inertial bullet puller, dump the powder back into the measure, rub the bullet a little bit with my fingers to get off the few grains of powder that have stuck to the lube, carefully deprime the case and run it back through the stations. I may or may not salvage the good primer. But there will be no problem with the bullet or the other components. |
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Quoted:
I was wondering what you guys do when working up a load for lead cast bullets. In the process of working up a load I made 4 "batches" at a gradual powder increase of .2 grain. While firing I decided that I needed to reduce the load further and so the 2 loads on the top end I need to pull. The question is that when you guys pull a lead cast round down and a little powder sticks to the lube what do you do with it? melt it back down and start from scratch on that particular bulet? or just reload it with the little powder sticking to the lube? and the powder you recover as well do you guys toss it or reuse it? Normal jacketed rounds are a no brainer but the cast ones with the lube are new to me for loads. Also in some of the powder from the ones I pull I can see a little shavings from the cast bullet (probably due to seating) Yep. If I'm working in total unknown territory I'll start extremely low and work up in .5 gr increments. If I get close with that I'll pull the rest and zero in with . 2gr increments. A little powder on the lube never hurt anything in the lead pot if you start cold. It when you toss it in a hot pot that the fun starts. 
If you are shaving lead increase the bell. |
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