Newbie Suggestion for Powder and Primers, Bullets, Etc...

Reverendpdp · January 14 2016 07:17:37 AM MST

Little by little, I've been buying all the pieces to start reloading. In the next few weeks I'll be buying powders and primers. From my very limited research, I think Blue Dot or Power Pistol are safe bets, for a true beginner like me. Initially I'm just looking to load standard, very accurate 180gr. FMJ loads. Can you give me some suggestions on powders and primers? Economical brass, bullets?

What are some stores I can order these from?

The_Shadow · January 14 2016 07:41:27 AM MST

If you want to run Blue Dot 10.4 grains is a very accurate load with the 180 grain. I like the CCI 300 and 350 primers.
You may find more economical powders but they are faster burning and use less, however there is usually enough room to fit a double powder charge! ${$default_shocked_smiley}$ Alliant BE-86 is a nice powder, using slightly less, it is similar to Power Pistol, but BE-86 has a flash suppressant.

If you happen by a LGS or magazine stand, look for the Hodgdon 2016 Annual Manual, these magazines are packed with load data from Hodgdon, Winchester and IMR powder for rifle and pistol cartridges. These are an excellent value despite the data being online.

There are many bullet choices, lately I have been buying from Rocky Mountain Reloading; http://rmrbullets.com/
They have new and pulled bullets. Their prices include shipping. Be sure to read their info about the pulled bullet selections.

Good luck

sqlbullet · January 14 2016 07:49:24 AM MST

Brass, buy direct from starline. Best deal out there.

Powder and primers online. Well, you are about to learn about hazmat fees. The short version is unless you are going to buy about 50 lbs of powder, you are better off going local. Usually a hazmat fee hits you about $30 per order. On a box of primers and a pound of powder, that drives the price per unit up a good bit. Generally I can find powder locally for similar prices to online for Alliant powder, or any of the brand names. The saving come if you are buying bulk pull down/canister powders, and you rarely see one that is "good" for 10mm. If you know a local reloader, you might save some cash buy sharing a purchase, but again, I rarely see online prices for Blue Dot lower than my local shop.

Your powder picks are good ones. I have used CCI and Winchester primers. I prefer CCI, but for no articulable reason.

The big question is what reloading manuals do you have? One is a bare minimum, and two or three are really recommended. It allows you to cross reference loads between different components, so you get a better idea of where you are if you have a non-matched component to the published recipes.

Reverendpdp · January 14 2016 07:57:41 AM MST

I haven't bought any manuals yet, but do have Lyman's 49th Edition saved on my Amazon wish list for future purchase.

Running standard pressure loads, are there any bullets I should look at? Any to stay away from?

Reverendpdp · January 14 2016 07:59:34 AM MST

Thanks for quick and very informative replies.
I just received an email from MidwayUSA. They've reduced their Hazmat fees to $20.

Reverendpdp · January 14 2016 08:08:32 AM MST

Is there an advantage of the #350 magnum pistol primer over the standard #300? I'm also thinking of reloading .45 ACP. Will both of these work in those rounds?

sqlbullet · January 14 2016 08:44:45 AM MST

Unless you are running a high density powder in a compressed load (say a max load of Accurate #9), magnum primers are generally not indicated in a cartridge with a capacity as low as 10mm.

Some handloaders will look to magnum primers for more uniform ignition to reduce standard deviations in velocity, which is actually a variance in pressure. However, such actions are a two edged sword. The magnum primer might increase uniformity of powder burn, but because the volume of primer compound is increased you can introduce new deviations because of variations in the amount of primer compound.

For both 10mm and 45 ACP standard primers work fine.

As far as cheap bullets for standard pressure loads. I cast my own, but when I buy, I like Nosler JHP's and I don't have issue with plated bullets. However, I rarely punch paper. I generally plink at rocks in the desert, so minute of fist sized dirt is good enough.

tommac919 · January 14 2016 10:34:01 AM MST

A target round I like is the Blue Dot @ 10.4gr and the Xtreme 180 heavy plated fn heads.
As low as youll find for a head, but very good quality

Reverendpdp · January 15 2016 03:09:10 AM MST

Blue Dot is not easy to find... ${$default_shocked_smiley}$

Pablo · January 15 2016 09:23:23 AM MST

Look for Longshot.

sqlbullet · January 15 2016 09:39:48 AM MST

Or 800X. Or auto-comp.

VV has some powders that run good in 10mm as well, and I have seen them on the shelves locally.

Quote from: The_Shadow on May 01 2013 08:14:01 AM MDT
Robert over in Slovenia, Europe posted this for N105 over at GT
Hornady FMJ 200gr / N105 / CCI 350 LP Magnum
Equipment/conditions:
- Glock 20
- IGB custom barrel 4.6" with full supported chamber
- primers: CCI 350 LP Magnum
- recoil spring: DPM MS 3-spring system for Glock 20/21
- firing pin spring "Red - 28 Newton"
- powder: Vihtavuori N105
- bullets: Hornady FMJ 200gr
- brass: Starline (new)
- OAL: 1.266
- temperature: 30 F (-1 C)
- 1 string: 4 shots
- distance from 1st Chrony screen: 3m (approx. 10 feet)
- I cleaned barrel quickly with brass-brush and hard-plastic brush after third string (after 12 shots)

load (grains)~~~~~average (fps)

11,0.................1216
11,2.................1218
11,4.................1225
11,6.................1242
11,8.................1264
12,0.................1289 primers flattened a bit

IMO the last load w. 12,0gr is safe in this configuration if barrel is clean and temp. is low, speaking of course for MY aftermarket IGB barrel with full supported chamber and considering that after approx. 500 rounds it has less friction or better said, it's a bit broken in.
My woods carry load against feral boar carrying light body armour will be 11,8gr

Warning: Do not try such loads with unsupported barrel or at higher spring/summer temperatures

Taterhead · January 18 2016 09:05:04 AM MST

Another powder to consider (that seems to be available again) is Accurate no. 7. No powder will meter better. It works well in medium to heavy bullets. Low flash and report, and it burns cleanly. Others will get more top end velocity, but pursuing max effort loads is not advisable for someone getting started. There is also plenty of available load data. Just be aware that there is likely a misprint in the Hornady #8 manual that was updated in #9.

I use a lot of Accurate no. 7 for medium-warm everyday range ammo.

I've loaded 11 different powders in 10mm, and my favorite is Accurate no. 9 for hot and heavy. It is far less efficient than Accurate no. 7 though.

Osageid · January 19 2016 09:13:53 AM MST

Quote from: sqlbullet on January 14 2016 07:49:24 AM MST
Brass, buy direct from starline. Best deal out there.

Powder and primers online. Well, you are about to learn about hazmat fees. The short version is unless you are going to buy about 50 lbs of powder, you are better off going local. Usually a hazmat fee hits you about $30 per order. On a box of primers and a pound of powder, that drives the price per unit up a good bit. Generally I can find powder locally for similar prices to online for Alliant powder, or any of the brand names. The saving come if you are buying bulk pull down/canister powders, and you rarely see one that is "good" for 10mm. If you know a local reloader, you might save some cash buy sharing a purchase, but again, I rarely see online prices for Blue Dot lower than my local shop.

Your powder picks are good ones. I have used CCI and Winchester primers. I prefer CCI, but for no articulable reason.

The big question is what reloading manuals do you have? One is a bare minimum, and two or three are really recommended. It allows you to cross reference loads between different components, so you get a better idea of where you are if you have a non-matched component to the published recipes.

Midway has lowered their hazmat fee to 19! It helps !!

Reverendpdp · January 20 2016 03:19:46 PM MST

On the subject of bullets, is there a particular style I want to start with. I'm looking for a style and weight that will give me the greatest accuracy. 180gr? Not sure what the advantages of non-bonded vs. bonded vs. cast are either. Right now I plan to load them in the light to medium power range. Way down the line, when I feel more confident, then I'll explore building a hot load...

Saw this for bullets...
http://www.basspro.com/Berrys-Preferred-Plated-Pistol-Bullets/product/14102905570069/

And this for primers... (#300-LG Pistol)
http://www.basspro.com/CCI-Standard-Primers/product/1202282/

These any good? It seems BPS is the only local place carrying Blue Dot... so I might as well get some other items I need there.

Hermit · January 20 2016 04:44:01 PM MST

really depends on how much you want to buy at one time...plus i haven't seen blue dot for a bit on the supply sites i frequent or locals

http://www.xtremebullets.com/10-40-s/48045.htm

first time buyers are free shipping you can catch deals quite a bit BUT youll want the HPs or HPCB(for hot work..good to 1500 or so) ones

as far as powder

my local is really high on powder(anywhere from $5 -10 a lb), primers(7$ a thousand...cci 300), and bullets($5-6 on 180/200 xtps) compared to powder valley so shop around and tally it up. If you want to just start with a lb of powder and a few hundred primers/bullets then your going to eat it(plus i shoot anytime i can so yea).

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/