Reloading - just jumped in headfirst

[guzzijohn]

Just bought a RCBS Rockchucker reloading kit and other needed items. I have loaded shotgun shells before but never rifle/pistol. I am planning to keep things simple at first until I gain some experience. I will be loading .243, .219 Donaldson-Wasp, 38/357, and later 9x18 Makarov. Hope you will all be patient with me as I am sure I will have questions. If I do not respond to any posts it will be due to not having computer access until after the first of the year. If anyone offers any comments or advice please accept my appreciation in advance.
John

[flyboy]

Yo, John;  One of the first things to do is get yourself a GOOD reloading manual, and read all the stuff before the data sections, enough times to be sure you understand the process, and reasons for doing things. THEN turn to the data section, pick a load, and have at it!  Enjoy!

[tn_junk]

I was going to keep it simple also. That was many months and several $ ago.
Now I am planning on remodeling my basement just to set up a better reloading room.
It's addictive.

alan

[99jav]

You will not be sorry that you bought the rockchucker kit. I bought one 3 years ago when I started and couldnt be happier. These guys are right, its addictive.

[PlacitasSlim]

Welcome to the forum. You can't go wrong with RCBS and we all had to start at one time or the other. There is plenty of good experience on this forum, so if you have a question, definitely ask.

[longwinters]

Thats some interesting calibers you will be reloading for.  Read up and have a great time.

Long

[Cheesehead]

Go slow. Patience is key. You will shoot more often with your own ammo, very rewarding.

Cheese

[Questor]

guzzijohn:

That's the only way to get into it the right way. So many are tentative and they end up collecting a bunch of junk equipment before they finally get the good stuff like you did. The Speer manual that comes with the kit is the best in the business.

[guzzijohn]

Thanks for the responses and words of encouragement. I started out with what I think is the simpler loading by loading 38sp. Used 4.3 unique with a Hornady 158 JHP. The weather has been awful so I have only fired a few informally. Do have a powder question. For my .243 and .219 Donaldson-Wasp I want to use the same powder in both for now. I bought H4895. I cannot locate information on using 4895 in the .219. Most sights list 28-32gr. of other powders. Looking at .243 listings 4895 along with other common powders mostly show about a 1.5 gr. less of 4895 compared to most other powders. Am I safe by loading down by 1.5gr? I am shooting this through a Winchester Highwall so I have a strong action. I thought I would start with 28gr. over a 50 gr. bullet. Would appreciate any further advice on this.
thanks,
John

[Coyote Hunter]

Hodgdon has H4895 data for the .219 Wasp on their web site (www.hodgdon.com).

[guzzijohn]

Coyote Hunter,
Thanks for the response. I had seen the site and was not sure if the Wasp was the same as the Donaldson-Wasp. It appears that 28gr. is the way to go for starters anyway.
John

[skb2706]

Just bought a RCBS Rockchucker reloading kit and other needed items. I have loaded shotgun shells before but never rifle/pistol. I am planning to keep things simple at first until I gain some experience. I will be loading .243, .219 Donaldson-Wasp, 38/357, and later 9x18 Makarov. Hope you will all be patient with me as I am sure I will have questions. If I do not respond to any posts it will be due to not having computer access until after the first of the year. If anyone offers any comments or advice please accept my appreciation in advance.
John

The .219 Don Wasp is an interesting task for a newbie handloader. Can I ask what gun the DW is? Do you have available brass for it ?

[guzzijohn]

skb2706,
The rifle for the Donaldson-Wasp is a Winchester Highwall. I do not know the history of it to speak of. I bought it about eight years ago as an investment but have enjoyed shooting it. A friend of mine had inherited it from an uncle. Whether or not the Uncle was pulling someone's leg he told my friend that he had the rifle made up and sent to him to use as a sniper rifle in Korea. My friend is a construction worker and never manages his money well. He got a DUI and needed money quickly so he sold off some of his guns including the highwall. He knew that I had eyed the rifle before so he contacted me and said that he would sell it to me for the same amount as the best pawn shop offer he had received which was $750. The rifle is blued with a walnut stock with some nice swirl, has double set triggers and and the lever has been extended with finger holds. The rifle also came with an eight power Unertl scope. The strange thing about the scope is that the vertical cross hair is wavy but holds a perfect zero. After buying the rifle I found preformed brass through Buffalo Arms. I had them loaded through Bob's Ammo box in Florida. I do not know what components/powder were used except that he loaded 50gr. bullets. Accuracy has been around 11/4-11/2. It is my understanding that 30-30 brass can be used for this.
John

[skb2706]

John - sounds like a fine rifle indeed. The .219 DW brass can be formed up from .219 Zipper, 25-35 Win., 7-30 Waters and of course 30-30 WIn although that is quite a squeeze down from .30 cal to .22 cal. You may have to purchase form dies or come up with a creative way to form cases (Redding makes form dies for the Wasp but they are pricey) depends on available sources for future brass needs. Sounds like a perfect application for a 50 gr. Vmax.

[guzzijohn]

SKB,
Thanks for the additional info. I should be set for awhile with 200 cases and no more than I really shoot it. I did live in Western Kansas for a few years and was able to do some PD shooting with it. I now live by Wichita and do not really get any more opportunities. Probably will mostly punch paper with it.
John