Author Topic: OK...I did it.  (Read 875 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline buck460XVR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
OK...I did it.
« on: May 03, 2008, 05:48:43 AM »
Since my scooter ride to Omaha got canceled last weekend on account of rain and snow.... and since I had the money for the trip burning a hole in my pocket.... and since Midway had a sale on the dies and the case cleaner I wanted.....I finally took the plunge. It came UPS Thursday and I haven't had time to get it set up yet, but am excited to be able to "roll my own".


Altho, I have read virtually every reloading thread here and on other forums and googled  everything I could think of about reloading, look froward to all sorts of dumb newbie questions.
"where'd you get the gun....son?"

Offline stimpylu32

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (67)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6062
  • Gender: Male
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2008, 05:51:52 AM »
Buck

Now you went and did it  ;) what do you plan to load first ?

stimpy
Deceased June 17, 2015


:D If i can,t stop it with 6 it can,t be stopped

Offline rifleman

  • Trade Count: (11)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 244
  • Gender: Male
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2008, 07:14:15 AM »
You are embarking on a fascinating and rewarding hobby. Plunge into it and have fun. You will find many knowledgeable and experienced people here willing to share their insight. Just ask away.

Dave

Offline beemanbeme

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2587
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2008, 07:19:54 AM »
It sounds like you bought one of the kits. If so, per the instructions you've received in this room, get the book out and read it, cover to cover, a couple of times.  Then ask us about the parts you don't understand.  Don't try to short-cut the learning curve.
Also, set your reloading area up "on paper" and study it for flow of effort before you bolt anything down. 
Welcome aboard.

Offline corbanzo

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2405
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2008, 07:42:09 AM »
Forget that feeling of having extra money!!  ;D

I have most of what you could think of for tools, all that I actually need... but stiil have a list.

Welcome to the game.  One thing is true, a reloader is never bored. 
"At least with a gun that big, if you miss and hit the rocks in front of him it'll stone him to death..."

Offline buck460XVR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2008, 08:46:09 AM »
Buck

Now you went and did it  ;) what do you plan to load first ?

stimpy


.357 magnum for my revolver and .460 for my revolver and my son's TC Pro Hunter. I plan on loading 158's in the .357 and either 250's or 300 grainer's for the .460. Everything I have read in the reloading manual and off powder/bullet manufacturers websites tends to make me think H110/W296 powder would be a good option for all three to start off with. So anyone with pet loads for either feel free to recommend.  Down the road after I get familiar with the equipment and build my confidence I plan on reloading '.06 for mine and my sons deer rifles, .223 and some .32 special for my grandpa's old carbine.

You are embarking on a fascinating and rewarding hobby. Plunge into it and have fun. You will find many knowledgeable and experienced people here willing to share their insight. Just ask away.

Dave

Thanks Dave....responses like yours and others here is one of the reasons I finally decided to go for it. It's nice to have so much knowledge and willingness to help so easily accessible.


It sounds like you bought one of the kits. If so, per the instructions you've received in this room, get the book out and read it, cover to cover, a couple of times.  Then ask us about the parts you don't understand.  Don't try to short-cut the learning curve.
Also, set your reloading area up "on paper" and study it for flow of effort before you bolt anything down. 
Welcome aboard.


I've been fighting the urge to try and load until I can do just that. I've got enough factory ammo to last for a while and figure I'll do some "dry runs" to see if everything feels right. I did get the Rock Chucker Supreme kit and have read the Speer manual twice already.......I plan on getting at least one more manual when I go to the local shooting supply store to get powder, primers and bullets. I also got a case tumbler, cause some of my brass I have been saving for quite a while. I was going to get a case trimmer right away also, but was told that I could reload once fired brass for revolvers and single shot guns at least once before they needed to be trimmed.....true?


Thanks again guys for the positive feedback and plan on this place being full of questions once I get rollin'.

"where'd you get the gun....son?"

Offline OR-E-Gun Bill

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (18)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 907
  • Gender: Male
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2008, 08:57:06 AM »
No dumb questions when it comes to reloading, except the ones not asked.

Welcome to another addictive hobby. (Riding, shooting, reloading...)


Bill

Offline Tom W.

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1294
  • Gender: Male
  • Warning... Does not play well with others!
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2008, 09:46:23 AM »
But wait! There's a darker side to reloading... it's called bullet casting..... ;D
Tom
Alabama Hunter and firearms safety instructor

I really like my handguns!

Offline stimpylu32

  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (67)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6062
  • Gender: Male
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2008, 10:02:25 AM »
Buck

The strait walled cases may not need trimmed for quite a few loadings if ever , so I'd not be in a hurry to get one till you start on the rifle rounds . It is just another thing to distract you while your learning the basics .  ;)

Also stick to the load data for H110 as it can be a bit nasty on pressure spikes ABOVE and BELOW the charge weights listed .

stimpy
Deceased June 17, 2015


:D If i can,t stop it with 6 it can,t be stopped

Offline buck460XVR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2008, 11:30:00 AM »

But wait! There's a darker side to reloading... it's called bullet casting..... ;D

yeah, I know. But I figure it will be awhile 'fore I get to that fork in the road.



Buck

The strait walled cases may not need trimmed for quite a few loadings if ever , so I'd not be in a hurry to get one till you start on the rifle rounds . It is just another thing to distract you while your learning the basics .  ;)

 kinda what I was thinkin' stimpy......I have a several hundred rounds of .357 Remington brass and well over a hundred rounds of .460 Hornady brass once fired so I figured I could do without the trimmer for a while.

Also stick to the load data for H110 as it can be a bit nasty on pressure spikes ABOVE and BELOW the charge weights listed .

stimpy

Wanting to keep costs down at first and investing only in one type of powder to start with, the 110 and 296(I understand they are the same powder now?) were the two powders that fit my choice of bullets and type of loads for both guns the best. I know Lil Gun will work also but have heard that's even trickier. I also figured the larger volume would be easier for a beginner to be consistent with, and double charges would be easier to detect. I also know I need magnum primers for them in order to ignite properly. But again I am open to all suggestions...I have not yet purchased powder or primers as of yet.
"where'd you get the gun....son?"

Offline Mikey

  • GBO Supporter
  • Moderators
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8734
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2008, 12:05:50 PM »
Hey buck - good for ya.  Have fun and good luck. 

I definitely have to 'second' stimpylu32 on his recommendation to stick to factory or listed loads with H110/WW296.  Winchester specifically states to use their recommended charges with their powders but unfortunately, they are all maximum charges.  This is fine for huntin' and the like but it's not so great for lower level plinkin' loads.  Anything less than full power can be attained easier with faster burning powders.  H110 and WW296 do not lend themselves to squib or less than full charge loads.  The same would apply with whatever the cartridge. 

I use both H110 and Winchester 296 in my 357s and 44 magnums.  I shoot 200 gn swcs in the 357 and 300 gn swcs in the 44, each over the factory or recommended loads for that bullet weight.  Both are maximum book loadings and they are so effective and accurate for me that I consider each the hunting load for each gun.  Plinkin' and just shootin' on the other hand calls for lighter loads, which causes me to powders.

You also mentioned the economy of your choice of powder - good thought, once you find the right loads for all the situations in which you would use those calibers.  However, you may wish to consider other powders to start with that will allow you a usable range of pressure and velocity at less than max blasters.  I have Unique and 2400 powders on the shelf next to the 296 and H110, and others; each has their own application.  HTH.  Mikey.

Offline burntmuch

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (114)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2177
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2008, 12:50:01 PM »
Congrats Buck. You re gonna love it. Ive been reloading for about a year. Like they said , there are no dumb questions, I think I came close a few times , But they were all answered. My advise is keep notes. & keep them where you can find them. ;D  Enjoy   Jay
I dont care what gun Im using as long as Im hunting

Offline Sweetwater

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (17)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Gender: Male
  • When it ceases to be fun, I shall cease to do it.
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2008, 07:14:58 PM »
Congrats, Buck - Welcome to the world of the never-ending-adventure!

+1 on notekeeping! My journal dates back to 1959, was originated by my Dad, and makes for some great nostalgic reading for me.  Mine is a 3-ring Binder about an inch and a half thick and standard 8 1/2 x 11 paper. I also insert loading data from magazine articles and neat rifle and revolver articles. After my Chrony sessions, I go back through the notes and write in the results of the shooting session. Shows me direction in my load development.

Regards,
Sweetwater
Regards,
Sweetwater

Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway - John Wayne

The proof is in the freezer - Sweetwater

Offline buck460XVR

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 977
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2008, 05:35:33 AM »
Hey buck - good for ya.  Have fun and good luck. 

I definitely have to 'second' stimpylu32 on his recommendation to stick to factory or listed loads with H110/WW296.  Winchester specifically states to use their recommended charges with their powders but unfortunately, they are all maximum charges.  This is fine for huntin' and the like but it's not so great for lower level plinkin' loads.  Anything less than full power can be attained easier with faster burning powders.  H110 and WW296 do not lend themselves to squib or less than full charge loads.  The same would apply with whatever the cartridge. 

I use both H110 and Winchester 296 in my 357s and 44 magnums.  I shoot 200 gn swcs in the 357 and 300 gn swcs in the 44, each over the factory or recommended loads for that bullet weight.  Both are maximum book loadings and they are so effective and accurate for me that I consider each the hunting load for each gun.  Plinkin' and just shootin' on the other hand calls for lighter loads, which causes me to powders.

You also mentioned the economy of your choice of powder - good thought, once you find the right loads for all the situations in which you would use those calibers.  However, you may wish to consider other powders to start with that will allow you a usable range of pressure and velocity at less than max blasters.  I have Unique and 2400 powders on the shelf next to the 296 and H110, and others; each has their own application.  HTH.  Mikey.


Thanks for the input Mikey.......I have been considering Unique and 2400 also. Again I haven't purchased powder and primers as a yet cause I'm waiting for feedback from folks like you that know better than I. I'm not looking for so called "Hot" loads, but I also was waiting for farther down the road to get into "reduced recoil" loads. I'm actually looking for something similar to the factory hunting loads that I have been shooting and assumed that loading those  bullets @ the listed starting loads would give me something close. Am I off base with this assumption?

BTW.......whatever happened to Redhawk......he was the resident .460 guru, and I haven't seen him around for quite some time.
"where'd you get the gun....son?"

Offline BBF

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10042
  • Gender: Male
  • I feel much better now knowing it will get worse.
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2008, 12:46:22 PM »
 add a caution sign to Unique as well. It is the fastest burning powder that I know  and you want to make double sure you don't put two charges of powder in one case,  they fit, but brother the Bang from that load you don't want to hear !!

Re case trimmers. I have a Forster but now go to the simple, cheap and fool proof type that Lee puts out.
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.

Offline jcn59

  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1450
  • Gender: Male
Re: OK...I did it.
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2008, 05:09:26 PM »
Case trimmer?   I use a belt sander - works for me.

Don't forget X-Dies!  No trimming necessary!
Vote them all out, EVERY election!
 
Does anyone remember the scene from "Quigley Down Under" showing the aborigines lined up on the skyline as far as you could see?   That needs to be US!
NRA Life Member