I can't believe this video is 4 years old. So much great info. I've shared two times with guys thinking about a 300 blk. I've learned a lot from you JRB, 👍 Edit: I meant the series of 300 blk vids, such great stuff 🙂
I've been subbed to you for the last couple of months and really enjoy your videos. I can't watch this all at once but I will get to it all over the next few days. I use all Lee products, along with a harbor freight saw and a worlds best trimmer II. I'm interested in your .300 BLK vids since I too am reloading for an 8.5" barrel. Nice work!
I have one of the universal expander dies. It worked well as delivered, but after using it for a while I decided to polish the expanders. It works much smoother now. Nice series so far. Happy new year too =)
Awesome video. Keep the 300 blackout journals going. For the locking back maybe changing a weaker buffer spring might help. Wolff reduce spring or a nemo arms spring.
In terms of case trimming , I started with the Dremel tool first, then a 2" cutting wheel on a hand grinder and now I use the Frankford Arsenal prep center, which is awesome. Of the three, the cutting wheel zips through the casings but is not precise and requires a second and more precise cut. The prep center provides the precise cut the first time. It also has three rotary points to chaff, de burr, uniform the primer pocket, ream the military crimp and/or clean the flash hole. Now if I can just figure out how to save on gloves. I continue to wear out the thumb. Again, I appreciate the videos.
+Noma Martini I think you just sold me on the FA prep center. The cost has always held me back, which is ridiculous, considering all the dumb reloading stuff I spend money on. I saw someone in the Midway reviews complaining about the trimming blade getting dull quickly. Have you experienced that at all? Thanks for watching!
+Johnny's Reloading Bench get a rcbs carbide replacement cutter to use for the FA prep center trimmer/cutter when it wears out . I use a Lee shell holder to hold my brass while using the FA trimmer portion of the prep center . Using a slight angle to keep the brass from spinning.
After watching you kinda struggle I had to jump on and suggest the Lee Quick Trim. Uses a die that screws into your press then a trimmer that works for all calibers. The trimmer is about $30 and the dies are around $8-10. There are manual or drill operated trimmers available. I went w the manual because I don't like being power dependent but I'm thinking of getting the power adapter for use w a drill. I really like the Quick Trim because it is so easy to switch between calibers and lengths. The deluxe model also de-burrs AT THE SAME TIME!! WIN!!
I tried the Quick Trim when I was filming my beginner's guide to reloading, but I don't think I gave it a fair shake. Elvis Ammo uses it over on his channel and it does great. He uses a drill and it looks easy. When I used it I was using the hand crank thingy and I didn't like how my press got covered in brass. I am currently using a Frankford Arsenal Case Trim and Prep Center and like it a lot. It's not the best for 300 blackout due to the small shoulder but it does well enough. Thanks for the comment! Maybe I'll give the Quick Trim another shot someday.
Johnny's Reloading Bench Right on. I built a blk last summer and have a ton of fun reloading for it. It's a 16" pistol gas bbl. Got 3 Whitetail last year with the 110gr Tac-TX and H110. 19.5 gr and 2.25 OAL. Farthest shot was 190 yds. Right now I'm tearing apart some East German 7.62x39 from the 70's-80's and working up loads using the powder for 300 blk. Going to drive some 125gr TNTs w it hopefully.
Yeah. This is why we build a jig for the mini chop saw to get the cut as close to the final cut as possible. On my operation I make my chop saw cut close enough to give me only about 1mm extra length.
Don't beat yourself up Johnny, lots of people have forgotten primers. On charger 4 or 5 cases once and couldn't figure out how the powder was getting all over the bench. You are smart to take a break when your head isn't in it.
Rgr, the price is steep ($149 @ Midway/Optic Planet) but it's worth the money in time and frustration of having to switch stuff on/off the drill. And as mentioned the case cutting/trimming feature is just the best. I HIGHLY recommend this kit.
@Johnny's Reloading Bench - I recognize these videos are older so between the time you uploaded them and my comment (04/26/2020) you've probably had a bunch of different sights and optics on your 300 BLK. I haven't seen them all but in those I have I don't recall seeing a Vortex StrikeFire II Red/Green Dot. If you haven't tried one before I would highly recommend it. I have one on my 16" AR carbine and it has been great. It's a non-magnified optic but the glass is super clear and easy to see targets out to 300 yards or more. It has a 4 MOA Dot at full bright setting but turning down the brightness reduces the perceived size of the Dot and helps you see smaller targets farther away. It stays sighted in once set at your preferred distance. It has 1/2 MOA clicks which is a bit big for longer range but faster to dial in up close. The Vortex StrikeFire II is a very nice optic for an SBR or carbine rifle. Hard to beat for under $200. They are running a little high during the current time. It's possible the prices may come down some after this virus craziness. Here is a link to Midsouth Shooters Supply for the StrikeFire II if you care to take a look: www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00402sfrg501/strikefire-ii-4-moa-redgreen-dot-high-ar-15-mount
I remove the primer with a multi caliber decapping die, then remove the center section of my .300 Die, size a full size .223 case in it, cut the reformed case and then prepare the mouth of the case. It seems to be working well. All my rounds fit my Lymann ammo checker just fine. No need to trim the case for the first firing.
I'm also much more interested in your cast bullets. I'd expect them to function much better (referring to your bolt locking issue) since they are much heavier, meaning more pressure at the same velocity.
+Spencer Horrell I can't expand after sizing, because I have to trim first. For future firings where I don't plan to trim, I'll probably do it that way...but this first time through it didn't conveniently fit anywhere in the process. I shot 3 more powders today and will have a video up tomorrow. The results were mixed, and I think your comment gets to the heart of the matter. These 204gr bullets are on the light side of what people generally use. I think I'll find better powder success and gun function once I move up to my heaver cast bullets. Thanks for watching!
+My Reloading Bench Ahh, I thought you were done trimming. I was thinking about future reloads, but I can see how trimming would muck that up. And keep making good videos and I'll keep watching :) Most reloading videos are rather boring, but you are a pretty entertaining fellah.
lolol don't worry you aren't the only one to not prime.. lol I have made it to 10 loaded rounds before several years ago.. it was funny at first till I realized how much time it took me to put powder in 100 cases then the time to do it all over again cause I weigh to the kernel of powder so it takes a while needless to say... lololol
Where did you get those palmetto projectiles? I’m just getting into reloading and remember seeing them someplace, but have not been able to find them again.
Me thinks as of 2020 Palmetto Projectiles has went out of Business so bullets may not be available but there is still important info in this video about bullet crimp etc.... Thanks for the great video
Have you had any leading issues or coating in your suppressor? ive got a non serviceable specwar and ive read buildup of lead or coating happens after some time.
I made a jig for cutting off 5.56 cases for 300blk and cut them off with a cut off wheel in my drill press. I drilled 20 (2 rows of 10 favoring the edges) 3/8" holes in an old 2x2 and cut a slot at the correct height down each side. I can inset 20 cases into the 2x2 talking care tip set them in flush at the base, set the cut off to the slot, and with 2 pulls I have 20 cases. With a little playing around with the position of the slot I cut mine to where they need very little trimming.
I've never seen somebody have this much talent for complicating simple tasks
Love the 20 minutes of useful information you provide in an hour long video. Thank you.
"I'm an idiot. Yeah, I'm a big fat idiot". Lol. Love it. I constantly talk to myself like this. Love this channel.
I can't believe this video is 4 years old. So much great info. I've shared two times with guys thinking about a 300 blk. I've learned a lot from you JRB, 👍
Edit: I meant the series of 300 blk vids, such great stuff 🙂
I hope you have invested in some WFT little Gunworks trimmer by now. Watching brass being trimmed this way is excruciating.. haha.
I've been subbed to you for the last couple of months and really enjoy your videos.
I can't watch this all at once but I will get to it all over the next few days.
I use all Lee products, along with a harbor freight saw and a worlds best trimmer II. I'm interested in your .300 BLK vids since I too am reloading for an 8.5" barrel. Nice work!
I have one of the universal expander dies. It worked well as delivered, but after using it for a while I decided to polish the expanders. It works much smoother now. Nice series so far. Happy new year too =)
+SomeGuyInSandy I think I'm going to polish mine as well. They were a little bit gnarly looking, to be honest.
+SomeGuyInSandy I did that from the start.
Awesome video. Keep the 300 blackout journals going. For the locking back maybe changing a weaker buffer spring might help. Wolff reduce spring or a nemo arms spring.
In terms of case trimming , I started with the Dremel tool first, then a 2" cutting wheel on a hand grinder and now I use the Frankford Arsenal prep center, which is awesome. Of the three, the cutting wheel zips through the casings but is not precise and requires a second and more precise cut. The prep center provides the precise cut the first time. It also has three rotary points to chaff, de burr, uniform the primer pocket, ream the military crimp and/or clean the flash hole. Now if I can just figure out how to save on gloves. I continue to wear out the thumb.
Again, I appreciate the videos.
+Noma Martini I think you just sold me on the FA prep center. The cost has always held me back, which is ridiculous, considering all the dumb reloading stuff I spend money on. I saw someone in the Midway reviews complaining about the trimming blade getting dull quickly. Have you experienced that at all? Thanks for watching!
+Johnny's Reloading Bench get a rcbs carbide replacement cutter to use for the FA prep center trimmer/cutter when it wears out . I use a Lee shell holder to hold my brass while using the FA trimmer portion of the prep center . Using a slight angle to keep the brass from spinning.
lee does do well at thinking outside the box and actually running with it.. gj lee.. gj johnny
After watching you kinda struggle I had to jump on and suggest the Lee Quick Trim. Uses a die that screws into your press then a trimmer that works for all calibers. The trimmer is about $30 and the dies are around $8-10. There are manual or drill operated trimmers available. I went w the manual because I don't like being power dependent but I'm thinking of getting the power adapter for use w a drill. I really like the Quick Trim because it is so easy to switch between calibers and lengths. The deluxe model also de-burrs AT THE SAME TIME!! WIN!!
I tried the Quick Trim when I was filming my beginner's guide to reloading, but I don't think I gave it a fair shake. Elvis Ammo uses it over on his channel and it does great. He uses a drill and it looks easy. When I used it I was using the hand crank thingy and I didn't like how my press got covered in brass. I am currently using a Frankford Arsenal Case Trim and Prep Center and like it a lot. It's not the best for 300 blackout due to the small shoulder but it does well enough. Thanks for the comment! Maybe I'll give the Quick Trim another shot someday.
Johnny's Reloading Bench Right on. I built a blk last summer and have a ton of fun reloading for it. It's a 16" pistol gas bbl. Got 3 Whitetail last year with the 110gr Tac-TX and H110. 19.5 gr and 2.25 OAL. Farthest shot was 190 yds.
Right now I'm tearing apart some East German 7.62x39 from the 70's-80's and working up loads using the powder for 300 blk. Going to drive some 125gr TNTs w it hopefully.
Good stuff. Thanks for the video.
Little crow gun works WFT trimmer is by far the best for trimming 300blk
Yeah. This is why we build a jig for the mini chop saw to get the cut as close to the final cut as possible. On my operation I make my chop saw cut close enough to give me only about 1mm extra length.
Don't beat yourself up Johnny, lots of people have forgotten primers. On charger 4 or 5 cases once and couldn't figure out how the powder was getting all over the bench.
You are smart to take a break when your head isn't in it.
Rgr, the price is steep ($149 @ Midway/Optic Planet) but it's worth the money in time and frustration of having to switch stuff on/off the drill. And as mentioned the case cutting/trimming feature is just the best. I HIGHLY recommend this kit.
harbor freight mini cut off saw works great that's what I use.
+7.62x54man Yup, that's what I used for the first pass. I just need to figure out a way to cut them more precisely, like a jig.
+My Reloading Bench get a squirrel daddy jig. I use 1 and they are nice. like $13 dollars
You could use the Lee die for forming and then use the Forster for resizing after.
@Johnny's Reloading Bench - I recognize these videos are older so between the time you uploaded them and my comment (04/26/2020) you've probably had a bunch of different sights and optics on your 300 BLK. I haven't seen them all but in those I have I don't recall seeing a Vortex StrikeFire II Red/Green Dot. If you haven't tried one before I would highly recommend it. I have one on my 16" AR carbine and it has been great. It's a non-magnified optic but the glass is super clear and easy to see targets out to 300 yards or more. It has a 4 MOA Dot at full bright setting but turning down the brightness reduces the perceived size of the Dot and helps you see smaller targets farther away. It stays sighted in once set at your preferred distance. It has 1/2 MOA clicks which is a bit big for longer range but faster to dial in up close. The Vortex StrikeFire II is a very nice optic for an SBR or carbine rifle. Hard to beat for under $200. They are running a little high during the current time. It's possible the prices may come down some after this virus craziness. Here is a link to Midsouth Shooters Supply for the StrikeFire II if you care to take a look:
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00402sfrg501/strikefire-ii-4-moa-redgreen-dot-high-ar-15-mount
I remove the primer with a multi caliber decapping die, then remove the center section of my .300 Die, size a full size .223 case in it, cut the reformed case and then prepare the mouth of the case. It seems to be working well. All my rounds fit my Lymann ammo checker just fine. No need to trim the case for the first firing.
I find it goes better when trimming if the inside case mouth gets a chamfer with a low drag chamfer tool first.
Deburr and chamfer whilst in the shellholder/drill?
Is palmetto Projectiles still in business?
I'd do the expanding after the sizing. Set them both up. Size, twist your press thingy, expand, done
I'm also much more interested in your cast bullets. I'd expect them to function much better (referring to your bolt locking issue) since they are much heavier, meaning more pressure at the same velocity.
+Spencer Horrell I can't expand after sizing, because I have to trim first. For future firings where I don't plan to trim, I'll probably do it that way...but this first time through it didn't conveniently fit anywhere in the process. I shot 3 more powders today and will have a video up tomorrow. The results were mixed, and I think your comment gets to the heart of the matter. These 204gr bullets are on the light side of what people generally use. I think I'll find better powder success and gun function once I move up to my heaver cast bullets. Thanks for watching!
+My Reloading Bench Ahh, I thought you were done trimming. I was thinking about future reloads, but I can see how trimming would muck that up. And keep making good videos and I'll keep watching :) Most reloading videos are rather boring, but you are a pretty entertaining fellah.
Who hasn't put powder in before the primer? At least ya caught it on the first load
If the chronograph works by induction replacing the copper jacket with an insulator may be the source of the issue.
If limited to one powder for heavy bullets subsonic what would it be? Love the videos.
CFE BLK or Accurate 1680
lolol don't worry you aren't the only one to not prime.. lol I have made it to 10 loaded rounds before several years ago.. it was funny at first till I realized how much time it took me to put powder in 100 cases then the time to do it all over again cause I weigh to the kernel of powder so it takes a while needless to say... lololol
Where did you get those palmetto projectiles? I’m just getting into reloading and remember seeing them someplace, but have not been able to find them again.
They closed up shop circa 2018.
Me thinks as of 2020 Palmetto Projectiles has went out of Business so bullets may not be available but there is still important info in this video about bullet crimp etc.... Thanks for the great video
Have you had any leading issues or coating in your suppressor? ive got a non serviceable specwar and ive read buildup of lead or coating happens after some time.
I made a jig for cutting off 5.56 cases for 300blk and cut them off with a cut off wheel in my drill press. I drilled 20 (2 rows of 10 favoring the edges) 3/8" holes in an old 2x2 and cut a slot at the correct height down each side. I can inset 20 cases into the 2x2 talking care tip set them in flush at the base, set the cut off to the slot, and with 2 pulls I have 20 cases. With a little playing around with the position of the slot I cut mine to where they need very little trimming.
Cut the cases SHORTER to begin with ... Less Trimming.
I'm not really sure it would make a big difference for your videos if you blew your face off, we so rarely see it. Jk be careful.