[M1A4ME]

I was out in the shed this afternoon and I "looked" at my reloading bench. Haven't done any in a while but I'm approaching the need to work up some 115 grain hollow point loads for the CZs and Shields. Why do I have to "work up" 115 grain hollow point loads? I used up the last of my Blue Dot powder without realizing that 4 lb. jug was as empty as it was when Blue Dot was gone from the shelves. Want to work on the 124 grain hollow points for the 2.0 5" FDE 9MM, too.

Looking at the reloading section here it looks like we get a couple threads a year on reloading.

Looks like we are getting new members and it looks like reloading supply availability may be getting better (not as cheap as it was, but at least I'm seeing more powder and some primers here and there.)

While I have my favorite loads for some guns (or I've found out some guns' favorite loads, depends on how you look at it) I like the idea of continuing to explore new loads in case we get into a powder/primer/bullet scarcity and can't get our favorite components.

I can say one thing about buying reloading components - if you see them available at a price you're willing to pay then get it. Don't wait till you need it, buy it when you see it for sale. The bullets, powder and primers don't go bad sitting on a shelf.

I've used thousands of primers over 20 years old. I've used powder of the same age. Zero problems.

Spend some time when stuff is available working up new/different loads in case you can't get the usual components.

Keep a nice logbook with info on your reloading efforts. My book shows date, powder type/charge weight, primer brand/type, bullet brand, type, cases used, overall cartridge length, how many rounds I loaded and after a range trip I'll go back and make a note of the really good shooting loads or the ones that had function issues.

 

[Eagle]

I was just starting to get into reloading when everything went dry , I finally found some primers and got a 1lb can of the only powdre I could find that I had researched, working with both 9mm and .380 there are not many powders that will work for both , so I have not had a chance to load much , hoping that supplies become easier to find in the near future .

 

[ShipWreck]

My mind drifts. Reloading would not be a good plan for me...

 

[M1A4ME]

Many times you can make a powder or two work in several cartridges. Work. Often you find the best groups by using different powders. And then there's the different guns part of it. What shoots good in one gun is just so so in another.

I've been unaffected by the recent issues (mostly) because I'm a hoarder and just happened to buy some stuff a couple months before things went south. I'm real serious about buying it when you see it for a good price vs. waiting till you run out. If I'd been paying more attention I wouldn't have run out of Blue Dot. I had not idea that 4 lb. can was empty (yeah, I know, I'm a dummy) until I grabbed it to pour more in the 1 lb. can I keep near the bench.

Another thing to look out for is every so often companies will offer a few days of free shipping. Or no hazmat fees on powder or primers. Buying then can cut $20 or $30 off your order total.

 

[Rick M]

I’ve been using the same few loads for the calibers I reload for many years now.
So no experimentation needed; and the components were bought only during the good times, of which there’s still enough, and then some.

 

[M1A4ME]

I have old favorites, too. So many things work well enough - but what works best for you depends on what your requirements are.

My old standby for the .45 acp is either 5.0 grains of Bullseye or 6.0 grains of Unique. That was all for the 1911's. I've not had the accuracy with this ammo from the big XD Tactical .45 or the M&P 2.0 Compact .45. The Blazer .45 acp 230 grain FMJ shoots well in both of those guns but I have no idea how my standard reloads compare to that factory ammo.

I probably get too tore up about small groups, but that's part of why I like to shoot.

Sometimes and oddball combo works great in some guns. The best lead bullet (or same bullets but coated) load I've found for my CZ .40's uses Herco powder. Just happened to have some Herco (typically a shotgun powder) and worked up some loads and darned if it doesn't shoot really good groups. Same for the Blue Dot I use in the 9MM and .40 hollow points. Blue Dot is a shotgun and/or magnum pistol powder but the best groups my CZ and Shield 9MM pistols shoot uses Blue Dot powder (same for the .40 CZ pistols - the FN and M&P .40's won't impress you with the groups they shoot with that ammo). I found some old load data for Green Dot in 9MM and worked up some loads using it. Not worth making more for the M&P or CZ 9MM pistols but that one charge weight is the best shooting stuff I've run through that SIG 2022 9MM. As I say on other forums, guns are funny. Not haha funny, but funny about what the function well with or shoot good groups with.

 

[billt3160]

......... The bullets, powder and primers don't go bad sitting on a shelf. I've used thousands of primers over 20 years old. I've used powder of the same age. Zero problems.........

I've loaded powder and primers over 30 years old, and can report the same. I have also come across handloads from the 70's recently. (.30-30 Winchester with cast bullets), I shot them, and everyone of them shot just fine. Some were close to, if not 50 years old.

I'm currently loading Winchester 209 Shotshell Primers, and Hodgdon Clays powder from the mid 90's for 12 gauge Trap loads. (16.5 grains of Clays under 1-1/8 ounce of #8 shot). And 2 weeks ago I ran 25 straight at the Trap range with that very load. Age does not effect powder and primers if properly stored.

I have even loaded some very old IMR 4831 with the dreaded "red dust" on it, in some .30-06 loads with 180 grain bullets. Once again, zero problems and they shot fine..... And quite accurately I might add.

 

[M1A4ME]

I've found, over and over, that slow burning powders (sometimes they are compressed powder loads) give me some awesome groups. It's true you use more powder and get less rounds per pound of powder, but the groups are worth it. I used to use IMR4350 in 180 grain .30-06 and .308 loads.

 

[jm7480]

I have found a good recipe for my MP 45 . I use 4.2 of Clays under a 200g SWC. It works great for IDPA and I use the same bullet and powder with a different load for my 1911.