I'm not translating the gun-ese just yet. Perhaps soon. But in the spirit of encouraging another handloader (the Estimable JeffS), I thought I would list some calibers I have available to me. Not that I reload them all, they are just available for potential shooting.
Here are some that I do (or at least can) load for:
Pistol calibers:
.44 Magnum (though I tend to load to .44 Special velocities for regular shooting)
9mm Parabellum
(sadly not yet for my .45 ACP, but that may change soon)
Rifle calibers:
.280 Remington (several rifles of various flavors, but mostly semi-autos)
.243 Winchester
.244 Remington (which the modern world insists on calling the 6mm Remington)
.25 Remington (Grandpa's old Model 8)
and of course, the time-honored .30-'06
And now for some I don't (can't [yet]) load for, though I have probable access to them through extended family:
Pistol calibers:
.22
.45 ACP (but give me some time, I'm thinking about a Dillon progressive press, assuming enough cash becomes magically available)
Rifle calibers:
.250 Savage (AKA .250-3000)
.30-30 Winchester (not only a venerable Winchester Model 94, but a Savage bolt action)
7mm Remington Magnum (rebarrelled from what was originally a .300 Weatherby Magnum)
8mm Mauser (very cool, I may devote a post to this one sometime)
7.62x39mm
.300 Winchester Magnum (actually not completely sure about this one but I think there's one available)
.300 H&H Magnum (this one is also too cool, I may devote a post to it sometime too)
.338 Magnum (though my cousin's husband, a rather large fellow, says he doesn't like shooting it, which means that though I may have opportunity I may not take it, since he outweighs me by at least 130 lbs)
Hmm. Is that all? I guess so, at least for single-projectile firearms. But I also load for 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns (two different presses, shotgunning is a whole different ballgame) and have access to at least a couple of 16-gauge Winchester Model 12 shotguns, plus an odd, single-shot, lever-action .410 (and a snakecharmer in .410).
All in all, a very cool arsenal to play with. And I may have missed some... Oh, and for you thieves out there? Forget it. All are in mondo-gunsafes.
Iz out!
2 months ago
6 comments:
Pretty nice selection, Ken! I looked at a Dillon progressive press, but I decided to start out small, a basic Lyman model (novice level and the cash issue). I have several calibers that I want to reload, but I'll be starting with .40 S&W, and working my way up.
I'd planned to start reloading, but...well...while I can knit with a baby on my lap, I don't think reloading is a hobby I can pick up anytime soon.
Well yeah, HH, but once the little fella gets to be about four, he can lube your .38 wadcutters!
Jeff, one small piece of advice: get some good, hands-on advice! I learned through unfortunate experience that loading semi-auto pistol ammunition (specifically, 9mm but the same advice applies) is not nearly as simple as for rifles or revolvers. Actually, I think this is primarily because of the hardball bullets, whose sides aren't as straight as lead or flat-nose jacketed bullets.
One other small piece of advice: If you can get them for the Lyman press, spring for titanium dies for pistol/revolver loading. They make life a lot more pleasant (though they cost about twice as much).
I used to work with a guy who handloaded all his ammo. I found it mildly interesting, but not something I wanted to get deep into myself. And it's definitely one of those things that if you are going to do it, you better do it right. More power to those who get into it like you, but in Federal Cartridge I will trust.
Oh, I was mostly tongue-in-cheek about the gun-ese, even if most of my gun info comes from local crime reports, "Law & Order" and my former co-worker whose husband hunts (and makes his own venison sausage!).
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