What did you load or shoot today?

[45-70]

Are those from a lee mold? If so I've had good results concerning accuracy and no leading in my fathers bersa 45

Yep, the mold is a Lee TL452-230TC and the bullets it makes feed in everything I have tried them in. My 1911's from 3 inch to GI all love the rounds.

 

[Dr.Midnight]

I shot about 600 rounds of 38 special out of my S&W 686 today. I shot a 50 round box of Independence ammo as a "control", then ran through 550 rounds of different reloads.

So far, the best target load I made up was a 125 gr. bullet with 3.4 gr. of Bullseye. It's a light load, but I was very accurate with it.

My gun is absolutely filthy right now, and while I'm not 100% certain, I kind of want to blame it on the rounds I used Unique on. I'm trying something new to clean my gun at the moment. I bought a can of Break-Free, and I'm letting it cure for a couple of hours like the directions say. It says all the crud will just wipe away. We'll see about that!

 

[Skip]

I shot about 600 rounds of 38 special out of my S&W 686 today. I shot a 50 round box of Independence ammo as a "control", then ran through 550 rounds of different reloads.

So far, the best target load I made up was a 125 gr. bullet with 3.4 gr. of Bullseye. It's a light load, but I was very accurate with it.

My gun is absolutely filthy right now, and while I'm not 100% certain, I kind of want to blame it on the rounds I used Unique on. I'm trying something new to clean my gun at the moment. I bought a can of Break-Free, and I'm letting it cure for a couple of hours like the directions say. It says all the crud will just wipe away. We'll see about that!

No, not just Unique! Both of the powders you use are notorious for being "dirty". I say, so what! I am going to clean my firearms anyway.

Something that will help in the cleaning process too, and it is much less expensive, Ed's Red Homemade Bore Solvent.

The recipe is found here:
Homemade Firearm Related Products
Homemade Firearm Related Products Cleaner

This is the recipe though:

Ed's Red
As a general bore cleaner, plastic wad remover, and carbon solvent the following formula, a creation of C.E Harris, and dubbed "Ed's Red" works quite well. In fact many folks claim it is better than anything they've tried. The original formula is:

1 part Dexron II, IIe or III Automatic Transmission Fluid - GM Spec D20265 or later
1 part K1 Kerosene
1 part Aliphatic Mineral Spirits federal spec TT-T-2981F (CAS# 64741-49-9) or Stodard Solvent/Varsol
(CAS#8052-41-1)
1 part Acetone (CAS#67-64-1)

Formula Addendum​

It has been reported that methyethylketone/MEK (CAS#78-93-3) can be satisfactorily substituted for the acetone if desired.
It has been reported that Turpentine can be satisfactorily substituted for the Mineral Spirits if desired. The original Frankfort Arsenal formula upon which Ed's Red is based used turpentine rather than mineral spirits which were substituted for lower cost. Turpentine also tends to leave a gummy residue.
It has been reported that Kroil penetrating oil can be satisfactorily substituted for the kerosene if desired.
It has been reported that the lower numbered "JP" jet fuels can be used in place of kerosene.
It has been reported that Goo-Gone (a commercial citrus based solvent) can be satisfactorily substituted for the mineral spirits if desired.
It has been reported that commercial automotive "engine flush" can be substituted for the ATF (but you lose the red color).
​

For each gallon of Ed's Red produced you can also add 1 pound of anhydrous lanolin (CAS#8006-54-0), which helps to neutralize fingerprints but it's really not necessary and current formulations generally omit it. You can also leave out the acetone but then it doesn't remove plastic wad fouling or penetrate as well. Store in airtight chemical-proof containers as the acetone, if used, will evaporate. Two sources for bulk anhydrous lanolin are http://www.selectoils.com/item--Lanolin--SO-Lanolin.html and http://www.thesage.com/ .

According to Ed, "Ed's Red" will flow at -65oF and won't carbonize at 600oF. It has seen use by both the FBI and the Army Marksmanship Training Units.

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
Mix outdoors, in good ventilation. Use a clean 1 gallon metal, or chemical-resistant, heavy gage NFPA approved plastic gasoline storage containers. Do NOT use light weight, thin, high density polyethelyne (HDPE), which is breathable, because the acetone will gradually evaporate. Don't use PVC containers as they will dissolve. A possible online source for metal 1 pint and 1 quart screw top metal containers suitable for storing Ed's Red is http://www.taxidermy.com . This site appears to be some sort of frames based design that does not allow you to link directly to containers, but you can find them via the following site links Products | Molding and Casting | Containers, Cups and Tools. The Blitz USA line of approved gasoline containers can be obtained at Auto Zone, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, and other retailers and are what I use. (www.blitzusa.com).

Add the ATF first. Use the empty container to measure the other components, so that it is thoroughly rinsed.

You can divert a small quantity, up to 4 ounces per quart of the 50-50 ATF/kerosene mix for use as an "Ed's Red-compatible" gun oil. This can be done without impairing the effectiveness of the mix.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
a) Insure that the firearm is unloaded and that all magazines are removed. Cleaning is most effective when done while the barrel is still warm to the touch from firing. Saturate a cotton patch with Ed's Red, wrap or impale on a jag and push it through the bore from breech to muzzle. The patch should be a snug fit. Let the first patch fall off and do not pull it back into the bore.

b) Wet a second patch, and similarly start it into the bore from the breech, this time scrubbing from the throat area forward in 4-5" strokes and gradually advancing until the patch emerges out the muzzle. Waiting approximately 1 minute to let the bore cleaner soak will improve its action.

c. For pitted, heavily carbon-fouled "rattle battle" guns, leaded revolvers or neglected bores a bronze brush wet with bore cleaner may be used to remove stubborn deposits. This is unnecessary for smooth, target-grade barrels in routine use.

d) Use a final wet patch pushed straight through the bore to flush out loosened residue dissolved by Ed's Red. Let the patch fall off the jag without pulling it back into the bore. If you are finished firing, leaving the bore wet will protect it from rust for up to 30 days. If the lanolin is incorporated into the mixture, it will protect the firearm from rust for up to two years.

e) Wipe spilled Ed's Red from exterior surfaces before storing the gun. While Ed's Red is harmless to blue and nickel finishes, the acetone it contains is harmful to most wood finishes and it could damage some plastics if left in prolonged contact.

f) Before firing again, push two dry patches through the bore and dry the chamber, using a patch wrapped around a suitably sized brush or jag. First shot point of impact usually will not be disturbed by Ed's Red if the bore is cleaned as described.

It has been reported that when Ed's Red is used exclusively and thoroughly, that hot water cleaning is unnecessary after use of Pyrodex or military chlorate primers. However, if bores are not wiped between shots and are heavily caked from black powder fouling, hot water cleaning is recommended first to break up heavy fouling deposits. Water cleaning should be followed by a thorough flush with Ed's Red to prevent after-rusting which could result from residual moisture. It is ALWAYS good practice to clean twice, two days apart, whenever using chlorate primed ammunition, just to make sure you get all the residue out.

Thanks to Jim Dodd for the above instructions

An unusual use for Ed's Red. Several correspondents report that an application of ER to an ant hill, especially fire ants, kills 'em dead.

Also, Ed's Red is very penetrative and makes a superior penetrating oil for loosening rusted parts. In fact in some testing by a machinist's magazine a couple of years ago it beat all the commercial products by a wide margin. A dedicated ER penetrating solution can be made by just using a 50-50 mix of ATF and acetone.

A historical note about Ed's Red. When Ed Harris first cooked it up, it exceeded the then current Mil Specs for bore cleaner and CLP. Ed and a cohort were able to test it at a defense contractor's quality lab after hours with chrome-moly and stainless samples provided by Kreiger Barrels.

 

[IndianaSlim]

Loaded 1,000 223 this morning

25.5 gr varget
69 gr sierra MK HPBT
2.230"
Winchester small rifle primers

My 3 gun rifle loves this stuff!!

 

[SERVED_USMC]

Loaded 1,000 223 this morning

25.5 gr varget
69 gr sierra MK HPBT
2.230"
Winchester small rifle primers

My 3 gun rifle loves this stuff!!

Give me some!


Loaded 300 .40 today with the last of the brass I had laying around.

180gr MG JHP
4.7gr Titegroup
Winchester small pistol


Ill have about 200 of those shot through by the end of the day.

 

[Cat-Herder]

158gr LRNFP, 9gr Blue Dot, CCI magnum primer, Colt King Cobra, .357 magnum @10yds

 

[indygunguy]

Heading to the basement to load 300 .45auto 230gr XTPs!

 

[teddy12b]

Today I unloaded 100rds of winchester 12ga cheapo shells and 300 rounds of 69gr handloaded 223.

Right now the brass is getting all cleaned up so I can do it all over again.

 

[tmusall]

Trying some different powders this time:

Loaded 50 starting loads of 4.2gr HP-38, 9mm, 124gr cmj
and 50 starting loads of 4.0gr Titegroup, 9mm, 124gr cmj

Also loaded some .38 spl with 6.0gr unique, 125gr cmj

We'll see how these run at the Elwood range next weekend.

 

[Dave A]

Hey Slim, I was doing the same thing (only 150 rounds):

Sierra MK 69gr HPBT
VV N-135
10 rounds 22.2 grs
10 rounds 22.7 grs
15 rounds 23.2 grs
15 rounds 23.7 grs

Sierra MK 52gr HPBT
VV N-135 24.0 grs up to 25.5 grs

Hornady 55gr FMTBT
VV N-135 24.3 grs up to 25.5 grs.

I might drive down to Atterbury tomorrow to see how they group.

 

[mrfjones]

300+ rounds of 9mm today

 

[NinnJinn]

I need to get off my rear end and go shooting tomorrow!!! I ran out of brass to load!!!

Plus I need to break in the 3 new mags I got today!

 

[IndianaSlim]

Give me some!


Loaded 300 .40 today with the last of the brass I had laying around.

180gr MG JHP
4.7gr Titegroup
Winchester small pistol


Ill have about 200 of those shot through by the end of the day.

I refuse to lose a 3 gun match to my own ammo.....plus I'm still mad about that whole "prettiest limited gun in Indiana" thing

 

[Skip]

158gr LRNFP, 9gr Blue Dot, CCI magnum primer, Colt King Cobra, .357 magnum @10yds

Good shooting, Cat!

 

[Skip]

I refuse to lose a 3 gun match to my own ammo.....plus I'm still mad about that whole "prettiest limited gun in Indiana" thing

Yeah, you gotta watch giving your best ammo to a Jarhead! They will be unmerciful and give you a really bad spankin' with it! hahahahaha

 

[Dr.Midnight]

No, not just Unique! Both of the powders you use are notorious for being "dirty". I say, so what! I am going to clean my firearms anyway.

Something that will help in the cleaning process too, and it is much less expensive, Ed's Red Homemade Bore Solvent.

The recipe is found here:
Homemade Firearm Related Products
Homemade Firearm Related Products Cleaner

This is the recipe though:
[/COLOR]

Hold on to your hat, because this may shock you, but Break-Free isn't the miracle cleaner it claims to be. In the end, I had to use a little old fashioned elbow grease to get that revolver clean. It's never going to be perfect, but I still want to run a lead removal cloth on parts of it. I just wore out last night! Thanks for suggesting another option.

 

[Slow Hand]

Doesn't quite have the AK reliability and 7.62x39mm cost effectiveness and supply.

Cost is an issue, but with reloading, it's not as bad.

I won't get into the whole reliability if ak vs AR but I've got over 800 rounds through my blackout, 99% suppressed (read DIRTY) and it still runs like a champ. Not bad for an upper that was thrown together with no two parts coming from the same manufacturer!

 

[DaCash4GunsGuy]

.308

Found some weird steel .308 at the 1500 and loaded them up heavy and shot some steel plate.

 

[GLOCKMAN23C]

Loaded some .45 ACP, trying a new powder, now I just need time to go shoot it!

 

[mrdave333atgmaildotc]

I go out at dawn to get some good use out of my laser sight on a 380