JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

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wm
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JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by wm »

JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load development?

I use a old Black & Decker portable work station that I can clamp a 4X6" board that I have a Lee C style press attached to. Along with a RCBS scale, calipers, wrench, funnel & powder measure with stand I can do a lot of load development right at the range. The trick is careful note taking and screening the wind.


I was curious if anyone else does this? I used to do a lot of work but I've kind of settled on some favorites, go to combinations for cartridges but with all these new powders I may get more use of it this summer.


Wm
Last edited by wm on Sat Jan 12, 2019 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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GunnyMack
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by GunnyMack »

I bought a Lee C for the same thing, I never. Took it with me to the range though. Now I just use it for crimp dies.
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by Sixgun »

Funny thing...after more than four decades of hitting the range, I never once loaded ammo while there. It makes LOTS of sense to......In load development I usually had it down in three visits...on a hard-to-do gun. Most antique Winchesters have it done in one, two at the most. I've gotten to the point where I can look inside the barrel, take a groove diameter measurement, twist of rifling, velocity needed and get her done fast. The preceding paragraph and the next 3 pertain to open sighted leverguns.

No, I'm not looking nor have the patience to squeeze another half inch of accuracy out of a load. Small variables like wind or my own at-the-time mental stability can vary more than a half inch.

I'll take along several loads in small batches along with my chronograph will tell me what I need to know.

For rifles that use cast bullets....almost all of mine, the first load will be a thou. over at 1000-1100 fps. If that load does not work, I sell the gun.

The accurate long range bolt guns are the ones that take the most amount of time because with these rifles, a half inch at 100 difference means a miss on the ram at 500 meters...so yes William, I should take your advice ...I have doubles, triples, quad. and even a half dozen duplicates in all loading gear. C clamp it and go to town!

Hey, off the subject but my statement reminds me of a joke.

There was this Polish man walking down the street in a town and was naked. A policeman comes up to him and asks him why he was naked. He tells the cop he was at a party and the host said, "Everybody take your clothes off!" which everyone did...and then the host announced, "OK, now go to town!". .....well officer, here I am.----6
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HawkCreek
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by HawkCreek »

I have a very nice Buchnnan (spelling?) I got for that very purpose. Never have taken it to the range.
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by JimT »

My shooting range for years was 100 yards from my shop on my own property. I rarely loaded ammo on the range because I was too close to the shop to worry about it. Nowdays I pretty much stick with what I developed over the years. It works. Thats all I need.
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by Camel73 »

I've only ever owned a Lee hand press and I'm not sure why they aren't more popular.
I think one of the last things on my list for a "range specific handloading set up" is that Lee powder scoop kit instead of trying to weigh charges. I made a few scoops for the one powder I was having fun with (Trailboss), but once I started expanding I realized the kit would be a nice addition.

Right now I'm really enjoying the scenery while developing those "favorite" loads that a lot of you have already become familiar with, and I find there is less stress - knowing I can take full advantage of any range time with the small kit I have. It's got everything I need.

Press, dies, lubes - primers, powder, bullets and checks - scale/scoops, brass in cases. Cleaning kit, push rod and my chronograph.

All of it is neatly packed in a couple soft cases.

So many different powders and great bullets, and cartridges, and rifles........ and such limited time! (most of the time, for me anyway).

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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by mickbr »

The folks here got me onto the Lee handpress and everything I need fits into a small day pack. I take it to remote worksites or on the road with me for something to do during downtime. I should actually be using it at the range too as I am still at developmental stage with my current calibre. However I end up reloading more than I need away from the range.
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by marlinman93 »

Absolutely! My Huntington hand press and Harrell's Precision powder measure always go with me to the range to work up loads. I also use an old Simmons re-decapper to prime and decap cases at the range. They save me time and frustration during load work up, and also save me having to shoot loads I don't want to, or break them down if they don't shoot well.

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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by Griff »

Yep... I have a Lyman "Spartan" "C" press bolted to a ¾" piece of plywood with laminate glued to the "up" side. I initially bought this press back when I lived in CA, I had it so I could then bolt that to the tailgate of my p/u... Then I got rich enough to join a shooting club and could "C" clamp that Lyman press to the shooting bench next to mine and develop away. (That original p/u had been traded away for something that got better fuel mileage... which wasn't sturdy enough to use a loading bench)! The public ranges near me here in TX use CONCRETE benches, and my "C" clamps wouldn't fit. I use a Black & Decker Work-Mate type bench... but, now, after many trips to the range and many hours one load development, I pretty much stick to the tried & true loads I've developed over these many past years. However, I still find myself developing loads for the 45 Colt... and some for the .223/5.56. The 45 Colt as I'm constantly coming across a new component I want to try out, or a new gun... 8) 8) The .223Rem/5.56 as it's still a fairly new cartridge, (to me), and with (soon to be 4), of 'em in the house, I like to have at least one loading that'll work in all of 'em. And a deadly accurate load for each of 'em.

Now I tend to do my load development in the reloading shop, 50 or 60 yards from my informal 75 yard range. For longer work, I go to a public range... during the middle of week when they aren't packed with every yahoo from 6 counties around! :evil: :evil: :evil:
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by crs »

Not me, but I have seen one person doing that at a 500 yard range clubhouse.

He was the 500 yard record holder at the range with a TINY group. He also taught long range hunting and made rifles for that.
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by Fisher-Price »

I am very fortunate that our range is 200 yards from the barn, never considered a portable set-up. Plus I don’t shoot well enough :mrgreen: Some times I make the test loads again for iron sighted equipment if I’m getting inconsistent results.
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Re: JIMT's post got me wondering .... Any of you guys have a range specific handloading set up for load developement?

Post by Glenn »

Lee Hand press for neck sizing/decapping, Lee priming tool, RCBS Uniflow with micrometer and notebook with powder settings, HDS Compact press (no longer available) for seating bullets.
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