On the Road to Sam's ThroneArkansas 9 north, to I-40 west, to north Scenic 7 Byway where the rise to the Ozark Plateau begins:  To try handloading, I gather my load data, buy some components, and use a friend's progressive press to make some test batches. I soon realize that a progressive is not for me: the assembly seems counterintuitive, and there's too much going on at once. Quality control suffers a bit, and I neglect to seat a primer in 1 round (out of 100). A progressive press may have much to recommend it, but it's not for me. An endless view not of mountains but of a plateau with steep and frequent valleys, as explained at Arkansas's first rest stop, Rotary Ann:  Since my 40 auto does not completely support the brass's case head, I decide to stick with the low-pressure, starter loads in the Speer Reloading Manual 13. Of these, I prefer the recoil, accuracy, and consistency of TiteGroup's loads over Power Pistol's. Of the TiteGroup loads, I like the energy ballistics of the 165 grain bullet over the 180; on the other hand, the 180 is noticeably more accurate in my gun at 30 yards whether using Speer Gold Dot or Precision Delta bullets -- or factory ammo. (The relatively fast twist rate of Glock's 40 and 10mm models seems to favor longer bullets. Proportionately, I would expect their 9mm's to favor 147 grain bullets.) Arkansas 123: No Thru Trucks; truly "crooked and steep" near Mt. Judea. A small overlook peers through the forest at a bluff of Sam's Throne:  Measurements: (in another 40 auto, even the same model, completely different results would not be surprising -- only exasperating) best 6-of-7 shots, offhand-because-I-need-the-practice, 30 yards: Glock 35, Winchester brass and WSP primers:
Sam's Throne is an underlooked overlook, uncrowded climbing area, and primitive campground. GPS: 15S 0495955 3970540 (altitude: 1930 feet). Peering back at 123:  In any case, I realize that handloading can improve my shooting, so I purchase a Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic Kit and accessories. The single-stage press easily mounts on a sturdy shelf in a wall cabinet (reinforced with some MDF). The extra, manual manipulation of the components translates into excellent quality control (and beneficial eye exercise). Assembly is done in separate batches, so the individual stages (resizing and depriming; expansion and priming; charging, seating; crimping) are unaffected by any component shortages in a later stage. And the Lock-n-Load system makes changing dies and switching calibers a snap, literally. One example of the ancient, unique sandstone of Sam's Throne:  Lessons learned: first, a single-stage press is relatively easy to use ambidextrously; second, after seating a primer, rotate the case and reseat for better evenness and depth; third, for loads using less than 8 grains of powder, consistent & smooth charges require Hornady's "small-pistol rotor and meter" assembly; fourth, to better understand your powder measure and scale, weigh 10 powder charges together then divide by 10 and use this as your statistical average. And I like Hornady, a company that uses what it makes. A nearby burst of rock (perhaps the Throne itself):  The Classic Kit includes the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 7th Edition, which in turn includes a promising 38 Special +P load: The full, 7.1-grain load of Power Pistol propels a 125-grain bullet to 1050 fps out of a 4" barrel -- the perfect specs for the requirements of IDPA's Stock Service Revolver division -- albeit with pressures and roll crimps unkind to tired brass. (Heavy roll crimping is best done separately from seating for the sake of bullet and brass.) The 144 miles of twisty bits conclude: Skirting the Buffalo National River area on Arkansas 374, whining supercharger, 7 again, 74 to Bexley, gyroscopic front wheels, 21 south to 16 west, and Fayetteville. Another tankful: 513 miles, 49.5 mpg (Exxon). Last modified: 12/7/2006 |
