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Philip Mahin
faqs
My semi-auto jams now and then, especially with hollow points. What can I do to improve reliability?
Read moreA quick trip to a competent pistolsmith will put matters straight. Polishing the feed ramp and adjusting the magazine lips…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How many firings can be expected from a case?
Read moreCase life will vary from one firing to a point where you realize they are never going to expire. At…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Do I need to be concerned about the air space between the bullet and powder when using powders like Bullseye?
Read moreNo, not when using propellants fast burning powders such as Bullseye, 231, or Unique. This is especially true when using…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
My fixed sights do not allow me to hit point of aim in elevation. What can I do?
Read moreIf your handgun is shooting high, either the velocity needs to be increased, the bullet’s weight decreased or both. This…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I have a .357 Magnum revolver. Is it always necessary to use magnum primers in my gun?
Read moreNo. Just because the gun is chambered for a magnum cartridge doesn’t mean that you have to use a magnum…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
My cases extract hard from my revolver even with a mild load. What causes this?
Read moreFirst, clean each chamber thoroughly. It could be erosion or residue from shooting short cases and then switching to longer…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why do you recommend to seat the bullet and then crimp in a separate stage?
Read moreMost seating dies will also crimp if the die is adjusted lower. Before the bullet is completely seated, the die…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why are there small copper shavings each time I seat my pistol bullets?
Read moreYou may not be belling the case mouth quite enough to get the bullet started smoothly. Try belling it slightly…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Does my 9mm Makarov use the same bullets as a regular 9mm Luger? I recently purchased a Makarov, but on attempting to load it, found that my reloading dies weren’t sizing the cases down far enough to hold standard 9mm bullets.
Read moreNo. The 9mm Makarov is actually a 9.22mm. It uses .363” diameter bullets, while the more widely known 9mm Luger…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Can I use 10mm bullets in my .40 S&W?
Read moreYes. The 10mm Auto and the .40 S&W use exactly the same bullet diameter.
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Philip Mahin
faqs
What advantage is there in using carbide pistol dies?
Read moreCarbide dies require no lube because they contain a tungsten or titanium carbide insert. Since this is highly polished, it…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Are short barreled pistols less accurate than longer ones?
Read moreNo. They have a shorter sight radius than longer barrels that, in general, makes them harder to shoot accurately. If…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I want to use my six inch .357 with 158 grain JHC bullets for deer. Will this bullet expand at the longer handgun ranges?
Read moreYes, assuming of course that your load develops enough velocity at the muzzle. Although this is usually no problem with…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
My handgun cases have a split in the mouth. What causes this?
Read moreTo begin with, it’s time to scrap any case when it develops neck splits, regardless of the number of firings…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why do I have excessive muzzle flash in my pistol?
Read moreSome powders are more inclined to give a bright muzzle flash than others. There are some powders that are given…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I go on fishing trips each year in Alaska, and want to carry my .44 Magnum in case of an encounter with a bear. What load do you recommend?
Read moreIn the 44 magnum, 21.6 grains of Win 296 with the 300 gr. JSP point makes good defense against a…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Do I have to trim my pistol brass?
Read moreNot as a general rule. However, keeping your brass all the same length will keep your crimp uniform. This will…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why can’t I shoot all your listed .45 Colt loads in my Colt SAA and replicas?
Read moreFor one reason, the metal used in the old guns isn’t up to the standards of that used in modern…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How much taper crimp is enough?
Read moreNo more than necessary to remove all signs of any belling and to lay the case mouth flat against the…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
My revolver spits particles out from in front of the cylinder.
Read moreThe cylinder is out of time. The chambers aren’t in line with the barrel and it shaves particles of the…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Can I interchange small pistol primers with small rifle primers?
Read moreNo. Pistol and rifle primers have different cup hardness and are made to operate at different pressure levels. Switching them…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
In my handgun, if I seat my bullets deeper, will it raise my pressure?
Read moreSeating a bullet deeper will reduce the capacity of the case. Burning the same amount of powder in a slightly…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why don’t you make .221” diameter bullets for my 221 Fireball?
Read moreBecause the .221 Fireball doesn’t actually use .221” diameter bullets. The “221” in the cartridge title is merely a name,…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I want to use IMR 4350 but can only find Hodgdon and Accurate Arms 4350. Are they interchangeable?
Read moreNo, not exactly. While they may not be much different, they are different enough that you should reduce your load…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
What constitutes a hunting load in your manual?
Read morePure accuracy without regard for energy and trajectory is not viable in the game fields. Our hunting loads are a…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How did you establish your accuracy load?
Read moreThese are loads that have a proven history of working well in many rifles. They generally provide a high level…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How much velocity do I gain or lose when comparing my 26” barrel to your 24” test barrel?
Read moreMany factors influence the velocity of a given barrel. Normally you can expect a gain or loss of 30 to…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How do I establish the proper OAL for my rifle?
Read moreTwo factors limit OAL–magazine length and throat length. The heaviest spitzer bullet OAL as shown in your manual for your…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Your catalog lists a .224” diameter 69 grain MatchKing for use in 7”-10” twist barrels. How about my 22-250? Can I use this bullet in my Remington 700 Varmint rifle?
Read moreA longer, heavier bullet in any diameter needs a faster twist to be properly stabilized. Most factory .22-250s are intended…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
A friend of mine shoots an M1 Garand in Highpower service rifle competition. He says I shouldn’t use 4831 powder in my Garand. Why? I told him I didn’t believe a load of 4831 powder that is listed in a manual would be unsafe. Who’s right?
Read moreThe problem here is not one of chamber pressure, but of port pressure. Port pressure is the amount of pressure…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Can I use a MatchKing bullet for deer hunting? They shoot just great in my rifle, so they should be just super for hunting use, right?
Read moreNo, it’s not recommended. The MatchKing bullets are designed for pinpoint accuracy; with no consideration given to what might happen…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Is ballistic coefficient a major consideration for hunting?
Read moreIt depends. If we’re talking about the differences between a Spitzer and a Spitzer Boat Tail, ballistic coefficient can be…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Is military brass interchangeable with commercial brass?
Read moreMilitary cases such as the .308 Winchester (7.62mm NATO) and .30-06 military brass have thicker case walls, and therefore less…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
In my .270 Winchester, your top load for a 130 grain bullet and H4831 powder fills the case. If I’m compressing the powder slightly when I seat the bullet, can this load be safe?
Read moreThere are a number of extremely slow-burning powders that will create this same situation. In the case of these bulky…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Should I free float my rifle barrel?
Read moreIn general, most rifles that are properly bedded shoot best when the barrel is free-floated. It is important to understand…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why are Spitzer (pointed) bullets listed for use in my 30-30 T/C Contender, but not for my Model 94 Winchester Rifle?
Read moreFor reasons of safety. Think about the sharply pointed Spitzer nose of one cartridge in a tubular magazine, resting in…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I have a 30-06 Ackley Improved, but I can’t find any loading information for it.
Read moreOn most improved cartridges, you can start with a mid-range load of the parent cartridge (in this case a 30-06)…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I’ve heard you get better accuracy when your bullet touches the rifling. I want to do that on my deer rifle. Is there any problem?
Read moreYes, you usually get better accuracy when you barely touch the rifling, but not always. Loads touching the rifling will…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I worked up loads for my new rifle early this spring and everything was fine with no pressure signs. We went shooting the other day and my rifle really kicked and we can’t get the bolt open. What happened?
Read moreThis is an occurrence that usually happens when a near maximum load is worked up during cool weather, but when…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I have a semi-automatic rifle. I’m having problems with some of my handloads chambering. Someone said I need a small base sizing die. What are they talking about?
Read moreA set of dies are generally one of three different types– full length, small base or neck sizing dies. Neck…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Are all hollow point bullets designed for rapid expansion?
Read moreAbsolutely not. Our hollow points vary in their jacket thickness, antimony content, distance the lead is away from the mouth,…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I keep blowing up bullets and causing a lot of meat damage on deer, sometimes needing more shots than should be necessary. What should I do?
Read moreSuch a situation calls for either lower velocities, less frangible bullets or both. This may be as simple as changing…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Will the maximum load that you show in your manual be OK in my rifle?
Read moreMaybe, but perhaps not. Loads that are shown to be below “maximum” in our test rifles may prove to be…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why are boat tails better for long range shooting?
Read moreBoat tails have a higher ballistic coefficient than flat base designs. This translates to more retained velocity and less wind…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
What is the difference between turning the outside of case necks and reaming the inside?
Read moreOutside neck turning is done to match case necks to the tight tolerance of chambers with tight necks. Reaming the…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Do I need to weigh each charge?
Read moreNot unless you are working at maximum loads for your rifle. Even coarse grain stick powders can be thrown close…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I worked up a load for my rifle last winter. When I fired the same load this summer, it locked up my bolt. Why?
Read moreTemperature affects the burning rate of powder. This load was apparently near maximum for this rifle at the colder temperatures.…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I’ve heard you aren’t supposed to bottom a carbide sizing die out on a shell holder. Why?
Read moreCarbide is an extremely hard and very brittle metal. This is both an asset and a liability. The carbide’s incredible…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why are cartridge OAL’s with hollow point and full metal jacket bullets of same weight different?
Read moreDifferent nose profiles may require some adjustment to their over-all-length (OAL) for proper feeding and functioning. The correct OAL for…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How do I know when my barrel is clean?
Read moreVisual inspection of the muzzle under direct light will reveal if there is any copper present. Careful attention to the…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How long will my handloads last, if stored in a cool dry place?
Read moreWhen stored in such an environment, cartridges kept in sealed containers will last the best part of a lifetime.
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Can I use cast bullet loads for jacketed bullets?
Read moreNo. Load data should be as specific as possible to the bullet used.
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I have the same barrel length, use the same powder charge and bullet as you do in the manual, but my velocities are different.
Read moreIt’s not unusual for two barrels of the same manufacturer, using the same loads, to vary 100 fps or more.…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I have some military cases. I got the old primer out with some difficulty and I can’t get new primers to seat. Do military cases use different size primers than commercial brass?
Read moreMilitary cases have crimped in primers. The crimp has to be removed before primers can be seated. The crimp can…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Can I interchange data from one manual to another?
Read moreNo. Each manufacturer uses a firearm that would be different from the other in chamber and barrel specs, making it…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Is load data interchangeable from my handgun to my rifle?
Read moreNo. You should stick with the data in your handgun manual while loading your pistols and use your rifle manual…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Are flattened primers always an indication of high pressure?
Read moreNot necessarily. At the cartridge’s ignition, a light load won’t always fully expand the case within the chamber. It does,…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why do loads vary from manual to manual?
Read moreGood question. First of all, we need to understand that reloading manuals are not carved in stone. Think of a…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I don’t want to waste my time wiping all the sizing lube off my cases after the resizing operation, but I’ve been told not to tumble loaded ammunition. Won’t some lubrication help the cartridge chamber more easily? What happens if it is not removed before shooting?
Read moreUpon ignition, the case expands in all directions, with the case walls tightly gripping the chamber. Almost instantly, the case…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Why isn’t my powder mentioned in your reloading manual?
Read moreNo comprehensive manual has the space to show every combination. As a result, there will always be some combinations that…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I don’t like having a bunch of different powders around. Is there any powder that will work well in both my .270 Winchester rifle and .357 Magnum pistol?
Read moreNo. Case capacities in these two cartridges are so drastically different, that any powder that might work well in both…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
What is the difference between single shot pistol and rifle bullets?
Read moreJackets of single shot pistol bullets are thinner to allow reliable expansion at lower velocities. All of our bullets are…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How deep should I seat my primers?
Read moreThe primer anvil should be in contact with the bottom of the pocket for uniform ignition. For safety, be sure…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
My reloading manual recommends a charge weight of 55.0 grains of a particular IMR propellant but this much powder won’t fit in my case. I took my wife’s rolling pin and crushed it into much smaller granules. I then weighed out the same charge and it fits fine. Why hadn’t someone thought of this before?
Read moreBecause when you broke the powder up, you exposed parts of the kernels without a deterrent coating and changed its…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I have some loaded ammo that is pretty badly tarnished. Can I just put it in my tumbler and clean it up?
Read moreNo. Aside from the possibility of a sharply pointed bullet striking a primer and causing a detonation, the deterrent coating…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How can I match that factory load?
Read moreWithout knowing what the propellant is and having it available, you can’t. Factories often use a propellant that is specially…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How do I know whether to taper or roll crimp?
Read moreAs a general rule, roll crimps are recommended for most revolvers, rifles using tubular magazines and situations that call for…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
How can I change my loads to reduce recoil?
Read moreBy using the lightest bullet weights shown, or by using the load showing the minimum listed velocity. Using the lightest…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
Is it necessary to size a new case?
Read moreIt may not be necessary if the mouths are not badly dented and have sufficient tension to hold a bullet…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
I’ve worked up to your maximum load in your manual with a standard primer. Can I switch to a magnum primer?
Read moreNot without reducing your load by 5%. Magnum primers give a hotter and longer flame that causes the powder to…
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Philip Mahin
faqs
My case head has a shiny mark on it. Is this a sign of high pressure?
Read moreYes. High pressure will set the cartridge back into the bolt face, causing the brass to flow into the ejector…
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voltage
faqs
Can I purchase factory seconds?
Read moreYes, you can by visiting our factory outlet located at 1400 West Henry Street. The factory outlet hours are Monday…
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voltage
faqs
Are tours offered of the Sierra Bullets facility?
Read moreDue to security and safety concerns, Sierra Bullets will no longer be offering tours. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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voltage
faqs
Where is Sierra Bullets located?
Read moreSierra Bullets is located at 1400 West Henry Street, Sedalia, MO 65301 (see map)
FAQs
Sierra Bullets > FAQs