Author Topic: Help the Newbie, please (Read 534 times)

Bagpiper · « **on:** April 18, 2005, 11:00:05 AM »

I am interested in starting to reload. I would be reloading only pistol( .45 ACP, .357/.38 and .44 Mag/.44 Special). Where do I start? I have read the various posts about what you guys use, but I need some starting info. What is the minimum I would really need to start and if possible why. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

John
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Q. How can you tell when bagpipes are out of tune?
A. Someone's playing them.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2005, 12:11:05 PM »

Start by getting a good reloading handbook. The Lee manual is one of the most comprehensive, but most manuals will have instructions that are at least adequate. I recommend getting the manual first, and getting the equipment and components after you have throroughly read the manual.

Your choices of presses are Hand, Single Stage, Turret and Progressive. That is also the order of complexity, capability and cost. You have to make your own decision on presses, but in general a turret press is really nice, a progressive a bit complex for a beginner. A hand press can be used for learning, and later when you decide you want more capability, the hand press can be used for reloading at the range when working up loads.

Dies are a matter of preference -- I mostly buy Lees and find they work very well. For the cartridges you intend to reload, get carbide dies -- they last longer, and you don't have to lubricate cases.

While you will eventually need a scale, Lee dies come with a dipper that will be safe for measuring out the appropriate powders (but won't give you a max load.)

You can prime cases on the press, but most people like to use a separate priming device -- the Lee Autoprime II is cheap and works very well.

By the way -- I'm also a piper.

MickinColo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2005, 02:59:36 PM »

I really have a problem with using a dipper for measuring smokeless powder. In fact its a BIG PROBLEM with me.

Vern, thats the only really, really, bad advice you gave.

Buy a reloading manual, buy a scale, before you buy anything else. Reloading manuals and scales will go a long ways to keeping you breathing right and here on earth.

Reading a reloading manual, any reloading manual will go a long way to your education on reloading matters.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2005, 03:22:14 PM »

I've loaded literally thousands of rounds with a dipper -- nothing wrong with it.

Now, if you have a SET of dippers, separate from the die box, you should check carefully to be sure you have the right one.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2005, 03:22:19 PM »

Gee, I wonder how many gazillion rounds of safe, effective ammo have been loaded using those little dippers. One of the competitors I shoot against uses a bowl of powder, a dipper and a credit card to rake the dipper even. Low tech perhaps, but very, very effective.
Exactly what is your "problem"?

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2005, 03:30:52 PM »

Start by estimating how much ammo you'll need. If you need thousands of rounds per year, you really can't start reloading using minimal equipment.

Gregory · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2005, 03:42:05 PM »

I started with a Lee Loader and the one dipper supplied, my first additional purchase was the set of Lee dippers to give me more possible loads. They work just fine if you are careful (as all reloaders must be).

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2005, 04:02:39 PM »

Lee turrent press works very well for pistol ammo and can turn out a large volume of rounds fairly quick. I use one with the four hole turrents a powder pro thru expander die powder measure and Lee factory crimp dies. A good scale is a very good investment no matter what else you buy.

I load for 9MM .38/.357mag/maximum, and .44spl/mag.

jh45gun · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2005, 05:26:01 PM »

Dippers are fine and have been used since reloading and brass cases came into being. Low tech maybe but it works. Some has said you do not get the same amount every time but the last loads I loaded for my 6.5 Swede gave me one 40 cal hole at 25 yards for 5 shots when I was sighting in my scout scope so it must be fairly consistant. jim

MnMike · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2005, 06:13:21 PM »

I started with the Lee aniversey kit. It has worked well for me and sells for less than $70 at most places. This will get you used to using a press, a scale, and a powder measure. You can later upgrade any pieces that you feel are not working out for you. You should buy at least one manual to teach you the steps in the process. Lee's is OK but I use several.

mike

Bagpiper · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2005, 02:37:38 AM »

Thank you gentlemen for all your input so far. This morning I ordered from MidwayUSA both the Lee manual and the Speers manual. Should be in about a week. I plan on shooting about 200 rounds per week of .45(it would be more, but work allows me only one day a weekend to shoot). For the others I would have to guess about 200-300 rounds per month. I know it's not a lot, but the price of ammo around here is insane. Even Wally-World is not such a bargain. Thank you again for your help.

John
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Bagpipes... the missing link between music and noise.

jh45gun · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2005, 03:41:03 AM »

John you will find that reloading is a fun hobby in its self. Jim

bigdaddytacp · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2005, 01:34:35 PM »

Quote from: Bagpiper

I am interested in starting to reload. I would be reloading only pistol( .45 ACP, .357/.38 and .44 Mag/.44 Special). Where do I start? I have read the various posts about what you guys use, but I need some starting info. What is the minimum I would really need to start and if possible why. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

John
_____________________________________________________________
Q. How can you tell when bagpipes are out of tune?
A. Someone's playing them.

........The manuals are a great start......also the part about carbide dies....for pistol loading don't even consider standard dies.......a good single stage press will never be a bad choice.....such as the RCBS RockchuckerII or similar......almost any equipment by RCBS,REDDING,Hornady,Forster is good and reliable equipment with the individual items having some different approaches to the same task......the Lee has some great ideas and some good equipment but is at the lower end of the quality on most items.....but wait to add their niche items later......the press and a priming arm and primer feed mounted to the press will work for pistols...a seperate hand primer is nice for accuracy loading in rifles....the Lee powder dippers are good if you can't afford a scale and powder dispenser/thrower right now......I loaded many a thousand with a handmade dipper from a fired 22mag case made and calibrated for me by a friend who got me loading and I still have it and the first scale and powder thrower I bought when I wanted more than the one target load available with the homemade dipper..good equipment seldom is outgrown or a bad investment in the long run.....a taper crimp die as part of the die set or seperate in some die sets is better for long case life....a case deburrer and a case trimmer will be needed for the auto cartridges.....a lathe type is great but there the Lee hand tool can work for budget and give good results for the one size case.......carbide dies won't require case lube and pad for pistol cartridges.......a loading block is a big help holding the cases for reloading and to seperate them durring the process....you can make them if you have time/equipement or just buy the nylon type plastic holders to keep from spilling powder and help track the cases.......come back to the board for any questions and enjoy the new experience ...you won't regret it.....good luck and good shooting-loading!!