The Steps

​​

• Consult any reputable reloading manual for proper reloading processes and procedures.  Additionally, the July 18th, 2024 release for QuickLoad from Neconos contains all Stages 1 & 2 bullets from Apex Outdoors, and new bullets will be added in future updates as they become available.

​

Stage 3​

​

• This is our newest geometry and by far the most forgiving of all the different stages in load development with various component combinations.  All load procedures and data for jacketed lead core bullets and copper bullets with relief grooves are representative.

• Start at recommended starting loads and work up in normal fashion looking for pressure signs.

​

Stage 2

​

• This geometry lines up well with jacketed lead core bullet load data.

• Start at recommended starting loads and work up in normal fashion looking for pressure signs.

• Historically, these have shown good results up close from .015" - .025" off the lands or with a bit of jump, .050" - .100" off, so a bit of experimentation may be beneficial.

• If using extruded (stick) powders, we suggest less intense primers for the best consistency.  Hot primers work well with spherical (ball) powders.

• These bullets do best with an additional .001" neck tension for a total of .003".

​

Stage 1

​

• Our original geometry, this lines up well with load data developed for copper bullets with many relief grooves and low friction.  If a similar weight can't be found as a cross reference, a comparison to standard bullets is sufficient.  Due to the low friction of these bullets, typically 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.  See the diagrams below for reference.

• 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.

• If using extruded (stick) powders, we suggest less intense primers for the best consistency.  Hot primers work well with spherical (ball) powders.

• Whether crimping or not, these bullets tend to like an additional .002" of neck tension (.004" total).