LeadChucker's blog

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The process of loading rifle cartridges is conceptually a simple process:

• Clean the case
• Lube the case and case mouth
• Size & deprime
• Trim for length
• Chamfer the case mouth
• Clean the primer pocket and swage if necessary
• Clean the case again
• Prime the case
• Charge
• Seat the bullet
• Crimp

(Obviously I have over simplified this process a great deal with my list. If you want a good tutorial on how to do it properly, grab a cup of coffee and head over to Carteach0, and read his articles on case prep: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3)

Half of the process of reloading rifle cases is case preparation. It’s an important process because it helps to ensure that your ammunition will feed and extract reliably, and it affects the accuracy of your ammunition.

And. I. HATE. It.

I especially hate it when producing ammo in any amount of significant volume. Case prep on my .30-06 and .243 Winchester cases doesn’t bother me too much because I “might” load at most 50 at a time. .223, on the other hand, I might want to load several hundred at a time.

For me, the biggest consumer of time is trimming the brass. I’ve tried a couple different methods. The first involved using the Lee Case Trimmer. I’ve also used the Lyman Case Trimmer. Both worked, but after a while my hands get tired, and I spend more time locking the cases in place to trim them than I did actually trimming them.

What to do?? I have two options. 1) Somehow incorporate the trimming into the sizing/depriming process. Or 2) find a way to make the trimming faster.

Since I load on a Dillion 550B, the logical choice would be to use Dillon’s Rapid Trim Case Trimmer. By the time I purchase the motor and the die, add in shipping charges, I’m out $303. I could buy a bunch of already loaded .223. That option is out.

Since I’m not going to easily incorporate this into my press, the next option it to look at motorizing some parts of the process. I could buy the adaptor for my case trimmer, but I still have the same problem as before. Hornady makes an interesting case prep center, but it’s $350. I like the idea of the Giraud Power Trimmer, and that would also take care of the chamfering part of the process. But, it’s $425… My options are heading in the wrong direction from a price perspective.

There has to be a better way.

Part 2 coming soon….

I had pretty much decided that my corner of the intertubes would go dark. I just didn’t have it in me to continue to provide any meaningful content, nor did I want to just be a repeat of everything else out on the internet. But I’ve since talked myself out of that, and will try to make an effort to publish something from time to time.

I promise that I’ll write that review on the Milt Sparks Holster, as well as a review on a tool that I discovered for trimming brass that has almost made it enjoyable. So, you’ll have those things to look forward to.

In other news, the NRA’s Annual Meeting is in my town this week. I met up with a buddy of mine (otherwise known as my enabler) and we wandered through several aisles and drooled over guns neither of us will ever own. I did end up with a Timney trigger for my Remington 700, only because he had the other $30 I needed since they only took cash (see what I mean?? ENABLER). I’m looking forward to dropping that in and giving it a whirl on the range one afternoon.

I’ve never been to an NRA convention before, but so far I’m impressed. You’re never going to meet a nicer group of people.

Speaking of people….. While taking a picture of my son holding a Thompson, a gentleman walked up and asked if he could take his picture as well. Who wouldn’t want a picture of a 9 year old boy with a Thompson, right????

I looked at the badge, saw the name “Matt G, Better & Better“. Hmm… ok. Wheels start spinning, a blogger…which one?? Which one damn it?? The creep-o-meter didn’t trigger, so I agreed to it. Then up walks a red-haired gentleman…. Don Gwinn. Holy shit, I recognize that name, these internet people are REAL. I read him when he blogged at The Armed School Teacher, which has since become Push The Pull Door. Next up, the infamous Kelly Grayson, aka “The Ambulance Driver“. Now that dude is most certainly famous on the internets.

So there was my brush with almost famous people at the NRA Convention. Guys, if you happen to read this, it was a pleasure getting to meet you. Hope St. Louis treats you well, and welcome to our city!!

For the record, we celebrate today as Independence Day, not the 4th of July. Just wanted to clear that up for some of you.

Happy Birthday America!

May God save these American states!

This is a test of the emergency phone blogging system. This is only a test.

It seems that Westboro Baptist Church is headed to Joplin, Missouri on Sunday to protest the President’s visit.

I never thought I’d see the day when I can’t say who I hate more, Osama Bin Laden, or the Westboro Baptist Church.

You could ALMOST respect OBL’s minions for fighting for something they think they believe in (even if it is hating and killing us). The WBCer’s are spreading hate and venom on people during a time when they need help and support (you know, those things that Christians are supposed to do) while hiding behind rights secured by the blood of their own countrymen.

And while we’re on the topic of the President’s visit. Is it really necessary? I’m sure the folks in Joplin have more important problems to tend to rather than making sure the President’s photo-op goes off without a hitch.

Damn, we’re still here. I was really looking forward to either being swept up in the rapture, or shooting it out during the post rapture looting. And dang it… now I have to go back to work on Monday. Man, I really hate it when I get my hopes up for nothing 🙂