Loading Procedures

The Steps

Consult any reputable reloading manual for proper reloading processes and procedures. Additionally, starting with the Nov, 2022 release, QuickLoad files for Apex Outdoors bullets are available from Neconos.
Check to see what the waistline of the bullets you have looks like. If the waistline looks like the one on the left, all load procedures and data for jacketed lead core bullets are representative. Start at recommended starting loads and work up in normal fashion looking for pressure signs. Stop here, as there are no further special recommendations. If they look like the waistline of the one on the right, continue below.

For bullets with the waistline like the one the right, powder selection lines up well with data found for the Barnes TTSX or LRX. If a similar weight can’t be found as a cross reference, comparisons to standard bullets are sufficient. Due to the low friction of these bullets, typically the faster powders from the reference loads will work best.
For bullet seating, we provide a “projection length” on these bullets which can be found on the bullet’s shop page for this style of bullet. This projection length is measured from the forward most portion of the small crimp groove machined into all our bullets to the very tip of the bullet. This is the ideal seating depth, but it can be adjusted further out about .03” or further in as far as necessary for clearance. It is important to note that these bullets have a forward and rearward case alignment boss. For best performance, both need to interact with the case mouth. By design, the bosses are set apart such that they work with all factory chamberings today when seated with the correct projection length.
After seating, if the desire is to crimp, these bullets’ crimp groove facilitates this nicely. The collet style crimp die from Lee Precision is our favorite in this instance, but consistent loads can be made with a standard crimp from a seater die set up to perform the task if case OAL is the same for each piece of brass.
Whether crimping or not, these bullets tend to like an additional .001" - .002" of neck tension, and that can be accomplished with smaller bushings in a bushing die, an undersized expander in a standard die, or utilizing a separate undersized mandrel in a mandrel die. All prove to be good choices.
During load work up, there’s a good chance maximum listed velocity and/or charge weight will be achieved without signs of pressure. For those with limited loading experience, stop here and enjoy a high performing combo. For experienced hand loaders, it’s not uncommon to witness higher than listed velocities until pressure signs start to show.
If you get stuck, or are unsure where to start with load development, please feel free to reach out to us through email or our forum. We will be glad to provide any assistance necessary.