krony

I'm going to start reloading 270 Winchester, will be shooting a Rem 700 bolt gun. Will be shooting only brass used in that gun and curious of thoughts of guys who have used both collet and full length sizing. Appears collet is the way to go to extend brass life and accuracy...are those claims true?

I've been reloading pistol calibers for a while so know the drill on using powder manf load data and reading my instructions.

I'm using corn cob media, no polish and it's been 10 degrees F or less the last two days the tumbler has been going. For a typical 3 hour run the brass comes out bright and shiny. This time it's clean but more of a matte finish. 9mm, 38 special and 357 magnum brass.

Should I tumble it longer, add some polish? Curious what other guys have tried.

For guys that reload, how often do you clean your dies?

I am talking straight walled pistol cases...I usually do it every 500 rounds or so and ended if I should do it more often.

Just curious of the thoughts of the folks here on using factory vs. handloads for carry. Here is an article that discusses it:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/05/travis-le...

While there is potential for handloads to be against you in prosecution (you loaded bullets made to hurt someone...ohy)...it seems unlikely. Seems that risk isn't worth it though, so maybe factory ammo is the best. Thoughts?

I suppose this falls in the same category as the guys who prosecutors go after for carrying a 10mm or 454 casull because it's "too powerful"...as if the guy carrying a 38 spl/9mm/380ACP didn't want to stop a threat...

So safety first, the charge weight has to be within listed ranges and show no signs of overpressure like flattened primers or spent cases that are bulged, split or won't extract.

If you have a powder the has a start load of 4.0 grains and max load of 5.0 grains, where do you usually load it at (after your checks)? Is it a different approach for different gun, lead vs. jacketed vs. plated? Do you compare for accuracy with that particular bullet/powder gun combination?

For me I usually am limited by what my powder measure throws and stay 0.1-0.3 grains below max (I tend to try to go heavy without going over). I do go lighter on 38 cal 100-125 grain lead bullets to reduce leading. If I am loading 158 grain lead or plated/jacketed 357 mag for my lever gun or Ruger Security-Six I may go right at max (obviously while still checking for pressures).

Two questions on prairie dog hunting for those with some experience.

First: Where are the best prairie dog hunting spots in eastern Nebraska/southeastern South Dakota? (I know there maybe better spots out west but trying to find someplace further east.)

Second: I'm struggling to justify buying an 20" AR-15 for hunting only a few times (even though that would be ideal) so wondering what luck I might have with a 357 Mag lever gun with a 20" barrel with iron sights and a 10/22 with a 3-9X32 scope? I can usually take out clay birds on a berm at 75-100 yds with both guns...guessing 100 yds would be the reasonable range limit. I'm up for a challenging hunt but don't want it to be a disappointment.