Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

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donhuff
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Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by donhuff »

DSC_5853 (2).JPG
Yep, I messed up.

I reloaded almost every empty case I had, last summer and fall! Now I have nothing left empty but some 38 specials and a few other things that I don't really care much about.

I did a good bit of loading last spring and summer, trying to get loads developed for a couple of new to me cartridges. A 30-357 and a 401 PowerMag.
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Don Huff

to bad those that know it all, cant do it all!
16" SS 92 357
20" BL 92 357
20" SS 92 44
20" BL 92 44
20" Bl 92 45C
20" Bl 92 454
SS Rio Grande 30-30
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by mr surveyor »

Don, that was several months ago …. so, why do you not have a bunch of empty brass by now?

Good to see you posting again.


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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by Ranch Dog »

Yeah, shoot them, Don! Welcome back
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by Archer »

First, I thought the subject was indicative of you getting the virus...

Second, What is a 401 power mag? I need to look that up.
I think I know what a 30-357 is because I think I looked it up when you mentioned it once upon a time.

Third, If all you got is .38 SP empty brass then you might as well fill them if you've got the fixings and if you've got nothing better to do then why not.
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by GasGuzzler »

This topic makes me slightly motivated to finally try powder coating.
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by donhuff »

"Don, that was several months ago …. so, why do you not have a bunch of empty brass by now?"


Because rc model boat racing got in the way again. A race came up and then from that, I got a bunch of motors to build for fellow racers. Then we had another "record Trials" where we try to break existing speed and time records. And by the time of the long weekend, when it finally got around to my class/types turn to run, my usual drivers had left me there because they were through with their stuff. I tried a straight away pass and hit the bank on the first try. I should have given it LEFT not RIGHT!!! After repairing it and waiting for my turn again, I asked around for a driver and the first couple I asked refused and said that I was better than they were! They must be really bad. The next guy I asked, and he should have been the first I asked, was Martin Truex Jr, the nascar driver. Yes, he also runs little toy boats.

He took to my boat like he had been driving it before. He is strictly a hydroplane driver, and my boat is a mono (V hull). Within two laps, he was doing better with it than I could ever do, and I have been racing them since 1986. Watching such talent is truly amazing. But to get to my point, I now share 3 NAMBA (north american model boating ass.) records with Martin Truex Jr! At the end of the weekend and fixing to leave the event and go home, I went over to thamk Martin again. I said 'thanks driver" and he replied " thank you crew chief", That made the whole weekend worth it.

And then we had another race in south Ga, and another in Tampa FL. Each one of them brings with it a few motor rebuilds or rewinds, and hull repairs. V hulls are the stock car type class where, rubbing is racing! So we usually get some damage and broken parts.

So to answer your question, I've been busy, but in a good way.
Don Huff

to bad those that know it all, cant do it all!
16" SS 92 357
20" BL 92 357
20" SS 92 44
20" BL 92 44
20" Bl 92 45C
20" Bl 92 454
SS Rio Grande 30-30
Bl Rio Grande 45-70
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by donhuff »

Yeah, shoot them, Don! Welcome back



Thanks RD. I'm always checking in, just haven't had much to say lately.
Don Huff

to bad those that know it all, cant do it all!
16" SS 92 357
20" BL 92 357
20" SS 92 44
20" BL 92 44
20" Bl 92 45C
20" Bl 92 454
SS Rio Grande 30-30
Bl Rio Grande 45-70
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by donhuff »

Archer, yes I tried to make the title sound scary, it worked!


I'll let you read this article by Lee Martin about the 401, that way I won't have to type so much.
https://www.singleactions.com/files/401 ... pdated.pdf

and also https://gunblast.com/Fryxell_Herters401.htm

So when I saw that Ruger was selling a blackhawk (my favorite gun) in .40 S&W/10 MM, The Idea jumped in my head for a good strong gun to turn into a 401. I had read about the cartridge before, so I knew the background. And I had a good idea that I could make the tools to reform the brass.

Forming the brass is not to hard, but it does take some effort and time. I think I have a couple hundred now, which is enough to get by until I get ready to form some more. But instead of trimming the brass to the spec. 1.275", I leave it at full reformed length which is usually 1.290 to 1.295". The ruger cylinder is plenty long enough to handle that length as it is the longer size like the 44 and 45 and not the shorter 357 length.

For a bullet I am casting a 200 grain SWC. I got the mold from Arsenal molds, which BTW is a very good mold company. I usually get molds from NOE and am in their $1000 club since I have 12 or 13 of that brand. But NOE doesn't make anything like what I wanted in the 40 size. Arsenal makes some different stuff and I have 3 or 4 of their molds because they seem to cater more to the PC crowd by having several sizes in the "no lube groove" style. This SWC is a normal lube style but I liked the nose profile of it. I may later get another in the RFN type without a lube groove, and in a heavier weight as I think that the 401 can handle more weight without any problem. The cylinder is long enough that you could use a lot heavier bullet, and seat it out more, and keep the same case volume as with the shorter slug. I may have to go to Accurate molds or Mountain molds, to get one to the specs that I want and to get a deep crimp groove in the location that will allow the most room in the case for powder.

Speaking of powder, the 401 seems to like the same powders that all the other magnums like. And why shouldn't it, It's not any different and really only .009" smaller than the .41 mag. Kinda makes one wonder WHY??? (picture of the two bullets side by side 41 left 401 right) Why go through all the effort to have something different, that is almost the same. I like it because I like to be different. And when at the shooting range, and I get asked "what you shooting, a 44 magnum?" Then I get to tell the whole story about my different caliber.

But as for powder I have tried the usual 2400, H110, Promo/red dot, 300mp, and of course UNIQUE. Unlike Gas Guzzler I love that stuff, and as usual it's all to easy to find a good shooting load using it. And it's right there along the lines with the other 40+ mags. 7.5 to 8.5 grains is plenty accurate and easy to shoot. Should be around 1000 fps or just a tad over. I haven't used the chrono on any of my loads yet as I am still in the, finding max loads for each powder, stage now. Once I get that figured out, then I'll find out how fast/slow they all are.
Don Huff

to bad those that know it all, cant do it all!
16" SS 92 357
20" BL 92 357
20" SS 92 44
20" BL 92 44
20" Bl 92 45C
20" Bl 92 454
SS Rio Grande 30-30
Bl Rio Grande 45-70
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by donhuff »

GG, slightly motivated?? that doesn't sound very promising. Notice I jabbed you about not liking UNIQUE. LOL :lol:
Don Huff

to bad those that know it all, cant do it all!
16" SS 92 357
20" BL 92 357
20" SS 92 44
20" BL 92 44
20" Bl 92 45C
20" Bl 92 454
SS Rio Grande 30-30
Bl Rio Grande 45-70
donhuff
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Re: Self Quarantine I SCREWED UP

Post by donhuff »

I finally figured out how to make these pictures small enough that I could post them. One shows all my loaded 45acp and 40 short and weak.

And the other most of but not all of my 20 years old, empty 38 special brass
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Don Huff

to bad those that know it all, cant do it all!
16" SS 92 357
20" BL 92 357
20" SS 92 44
20" BL 92 44
20" Bl 92 45C
20" Bl 92 454
SS Rio Grande 30-30
Bl Rio Grande 45-70
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