Author Topic: reloading questions (Read 1412 times)

Trickyasafox · « **on:** December 13, 2004, 03:14:31 PM »

i've never reloaded before.

i'd be interested in getting started though. what kind of setup do i need? and what books should i get to cook up the load recipe?

i'd like to reload 223, 22-250, maybe a few pistol rounds, but mainly those 2 rifle calibers.

any thoughts anyone?

jh45gun · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:18:26 PM »

Buy Lee stuff it is good and not as expensive as some of the other stuff. In fact Lee is all I buy as it has worked better for me than some of the competitors products for a lot better price! Lee makes some kits for the beginner here is the link to their website.

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/index.html

Links to some of their reloading kits:
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/index.html
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1102994319.5358=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html

If you want to get started for cheap the hand press will do every thing the bench presses will do and you do not have to have a bench to use it. I like it so well I sold my old Herters bench press and bought another one of the hand presses after I used the first one I bought. They are great. I would suggest a hand prime tool though as they work nicer I feel than one you use on the press. Jim

savageT · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:21:22 PM »

Go to the RCBS Reloading Site and spend a little time going through their tutorials. It will give you a good idea before you start spending allot of money.

If you want to sanely start in, before purchasing equipment...buy a couple reloading manuals such as Lyman, Speer; Hornady, IMR, Hodgdon or contact: www.reload-nrma.com
National Reloading Manufacturers Association
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 300
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
$10.00 They will send you a bunch of free handouts from various mfgs.

Jim

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:29:48 PM »

Any local gun shops in the area that sells reloading supplies has the same handouts for free and you will not have to part with 10 bucks to get them! :x You can probably get some of the same info going to their repective websites.

savageT · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:50:39 PM »

jh45....Ah yes very true, BUT
For the ten bucks they'll send them all to you at once and postage is covered and you get to save a little on gas and oil. They also have a neat set of plans for building a bench if that's what you need too.....ah $4 more! Hey, I'm drowning here, through me a rope!

Jim

Trickyasafox · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:03:41 PM »

i think my CHRISTmas present to myself will be a sierra and a lymanns reloading guide, as far as lee goes, how many rounds per minute can you actually crank out? if its actually cost effective, i wouldnt mind doing some 9mm and 45acp reloading as well. do you need different powder to do pistol rounds? or just different primers?

thanks much for the quick replies

mike
tcwannabe

Trickyasafox · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:18:56 PM »

went and checked out the lee site. seemed pretty interesting.

im a college student, but have a more flexable budget afforded to me because im a scholarshiped athlete, i work, and i dont drink. this frees up some serious cash in a college setting :-D

anyone use a lee turret press? how about the load master? it seemed pricey though. how about the lee pro 1000?

i think im leaning toward the 1000. i want to be able to churn out 100-150 9mm a week, in addition to 50-100 45acp, and similar batches of 223 and 22-250

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2004, 02:51:25 AM »

Mike,

A suggestion I offer to all new to reloading is to post where you are located and see if there are any folks in your local area who are experienced in reloading who will mentor you beginning this hobby. Getting hands on experience performing the functions with the equipment and components you are considering will help you quite a bit.

I have taken a few under my wing and it will help you learn from the mistakes of others rather than your own.

Trickyasafox · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2004, 04:36:06 AM »

works for me

upstate ny anyone?

rocky_taco · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2004, 12:06:49 PM »

Buy the

Precision reloading and shooting handbook from Sinclair international. I've got the 10th edition and paid around $10 for it. Read it and you will know as more than many self proposed experts.

Catfish · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:05:55 PM »

First try to find someone loacally that reloads and get them to help you get started. Second get a good heavy press, something like the RCBS Rock Chucker, especially if your going to reload rifle ammo. Third, DO NOT buy anything from Lee, there is a very good reason it is the cheapest stuff on the market. I`ve been reloading since 1965 and every piece of Lee junk I`ve ever owned has let me down, and I`m a slow learner. I have been loading on a Dillon 550 for about 20 years now and fell it`s the best deal on the market for the money, but I load 5,000 to 10,000 rounds of ammo a year, rifle, handgun and shotgun, so I don`t want to spend alot of time on every round and I want only the highest quality ammo.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:23:55 PM »

Quote from: rocky_taco

Buy the

Precision reloading and shooting handbook from Sinclair international. I've got the 10th edition and paid around $10 for it. Read it and you will know as more than many self proposed experts.

Sounds good, then you can learn from your own mistakes, rather than those of who have traveled that path before you. Having a nice reference libary is a good thing, but there is really no substitute for sitting down with a mentor and actually doing it on their equipment with them watching over your shoulder.

Hope you find one locally, if not good luck with the books.

Trickyasafox · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2004, 04:29:07 PM »

do you guys think its even worth reloading practice ammo for 9mm and 223? or is some of the white box or UMC stuff just so cheap its not worth your time to hit the press?

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #13 on:** December 15, 2004, 04:45:27 PM »

Using my fired cases and not counting cost for equipment I figure it costs me the following for components.

For .223 with Winchester 55 grain FMJ and AA2200 Data Powder or AA2230C powder I have it at $5.15 per box of 50.

For 9mm practice I cast non gas checked (free) wheel weight bullets and HP-38 powder it comes to about $1.50 per box of 50.

I don't buy the factory stuff so not aware of those prices. I have the time and load those two on progressive presses so they go pretty quick.

Kens · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2004, 02:41:26 AM »

You might check to see if any gunshops in your area have free reloading classes. A shop near me does this to help get people into reloading.

w4dsb · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2004, 05:23:42 PM »

welcome to another $$ Hobby!
I use 90% Lee stuff for all of my reloading and i use the lee turret press,
not the auto index model just the plain old turret press.
It is well made and inexpensive.With several turret plates set up you can swap in different calibers in a snap and they're already set, the 10% I have that is not lee is either hand me down left overs or scales, I don't use lee scales something about plastic scales turns me off.
get a few good books and read them!! Good luck

jh45gun · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2004, 08:02:48 PM »

Quote from: Catfish

First try to find someone loacally that reloads and get them to help you get started. Second get a good heavy press, something like the RCBS Rock Chucker, especially if your going to reload rifle ammo. Third, DO NOT buy anything from Lee, there is a very good reason it is the cheapest stuff on the market. I`ve been reloading since 1965 and every piece of Lee junk I`ve ever owned has let me down, and I`m a slow learner. I have been loading on a Dillon 550 for about 20 years now and fell it`s the best deal on the market for the money, but I load 5,000 to 10,000 rounds of ammo a year, rifle, handgun and shotgun, so I don`t want to spend alot of time on every round and I want only the highest quality ammo.

AH DIllon snobbery strikes again! What is it with you folks that have Dillon stuff that every ones elses stuff is crap?

?? I and countless others have used Lee stuff to great satisfaction! If you have not fine but not every one thinks that Lee stuff is bad!

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2004, 03:00:57 AM »

Quote from: jh45gun

Quote from: Catfish
First try to find someone loacally that reloads and get them to help you get started. Second get a good heavy press, something like the RCBS Rock Chucker, especially if your going to reload rifle ammo. Third, DO NOT buy anything from Lee, there is a very good reason it is the cheapest stuff on the market. I`ve been reloading since 1965 and every piece of Lee junk I`ve ever owned has let me down, and I`m a slow learner. I have been loading on a Dillon 550 for about 20 years now and fell it`s the best deal on the market for the money, but I load 5,000 to 10,000 rounds of ammo a year, rifle, handgun and shotgun, so I don`t want to spend alot of time on every round and I want only the highest quality ammo.

AH DIllon snobbery strikes again! What is it with you folks that have Dillon stuff that every ones elses stuff is crap??? I and countless others have used Lee stuff to great satisfaction! If you have not fine but not every one thinks that Lee stuff is bad!

In my experience you can get by with Lee reloading equipment. However you will be better served in the long run with a company that offers a better warranty, and reloading equipment that is stronger.

I have tried some Lee reloading equipment and it has worked, but not nearly as well as my RCBS stuff. The RCBS equipment is meant to last a lifetime and they have a warranty that supports that, Lee does not. Is Lee reloading equipment junk, absolutly not. It will do the jobs intended for a relatively short time and is then replaced. It is designed well and meets a need.

Now I have a higher opinion of their bullet moulds. Although they are more fragile than the cast iron or steel, their six cavity moulds do perform well for me. They are easier to maintain, but more fragile being made of aluminum. Their melters are along the same line as their presses, designed to last for a while and priced accordingly. I have a few of them in use and they work well for the intended use.

When starting out, your best value is buying used equipment which carries a manufactures lifetime warranty from someone who is getting out of the activity or upgrading to fancier equipment.

tallpaul · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2004, 03:45:14 AM »

As the others have said- Welcome to a whole nuther hobby... I used lee 1000's as my first progressives and still have several. They were cheap enough when I bought and I found deals that I would just buy one for every pistol caliber I owned. I still have them and use them after 1000's of rounds in .38,.357,44, 45 and 9mm. I even loaded .223 once or twice. I have owned a dillon 550 for years and have not even used it yet... I had moved etc and am starting to get back into things now. For the most part the lee 1000's are great if you get used to them. They need to be kept clean and watch as you load. I would suggest that you find a cheap single stage and try that first- you will get a better understanding of the whole process if you do and appreciate the progressives as you move up to them. The single stage would still be great for the 22-250 etc afterwards.

jh45gun · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2004, 10:32:51 AM »

Quote from: Thomas Krupinski

Quote from: jh45gun
Quote from: Catfish
First try to find someone loacally that reloads and get them to help you get started. Second get a good heavy press, something like the RCBS Rock Chucker, especially if your going to reload rifle ammo. Third, DO NOT buy anything from Lee, there is a very good reason it is the cheapest stuff on the market. I`ve been reloading since 1965 and every piece of Lee junk I`ve ever owned has let me down, and I`m a slow learner. I have been loading on a Dillon 550 for about 20 years now and fell it`s the best deal on the market for the money, but I load 5,000 to 10,000 rounds of ammo a year, rifle, handgun and shotgun, so I don`t want to spend alot of time on every round and I want only the highest quality ammo.

AH DIllon snobbery strikes again! What is it with you folks that have Dillon stuff that every ones elses stuff is crap??? I and countless others have used Lee stuff to great satisfaction! If you have not fine but not every one thinks that Lee stuff is bad!

In my experience you can get by with Lee reloading equipment. However you will be better served in the long run with a company that offers a better warranty, and reloading equipment that is stronger.

I have tried some Lee reloading equipment and it has worked, but not nearly as well as my RCBS stuff. The RCBS equipment is meant to last a lifetime and they have a warranty that supports that, Lee does not. Is Lee reloading equipment junk, absolutly not. It will do the jobs intended for a relatively short time and is then replaced. It is designed well and meets a need.

Now I have a higher opinion of their bullet moulds. Although they are more fragile than the cast iron or steel, their six cavity moulds do perform well for me. They are easier to maintain, but more fragile being made of aluminum. Their melters are along the same line as their presses, designed to last for a while and priced accordingly. I have a few of them in use and they work well for the intended use.

When starting out, your best value is buying used equipment which carries a manufactures lifetime warranty from someone who is getting out of the activity or upgrading to fancier equipment.

Thomas I have bought More expensive dies like Hornady They did not work well for me. RCBS may be good stuff as is DIllion but I have never found lee stuff lacking for any thing. OF course I load single stage and do not need thousands of rounds a year but even so My Lee stuff works! What more can I ask of it. Product loyalty is fine but I really get tired of hearing lee sucks ect while the guys with RCBS and DIllion say theirs is the best and Lee Sucks. WEll your opinion just like a butt every one has one! That does not neccessarily mean they are right. Lee Fills a market just like the rest do and they do it well!

poule d'eau · « **Reply #20 on:** December 19, 2004, 11:27:15 AM »

Mike. sorry to see this thread go where it is going. I to would advise you to get a manual and read it. I will not get in the middle of the sillyness of his is best. One word of advice "you finish with what you start with". If you have ANY interest in reloading, buy the best you can afford.
I will better the Snclair advice. Just call them, ask to talk to Bill. He has forgotten more than a lot of folks know.
Jeff

Gregory · « **Reply #21 on:** December 19, 2004, 12:27:05 PM »

Quote from: TCwannaBE

works for me

upstate ny anyone?

I used to live in Woodstock, but not any longer. A good friend of mine is an experienced reloader and he lives in Saugerties.
If you're close to his neck of the woods I could try and see if he's interested in helping you out.

Let me know by PM.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2004, 01:06:15 PM »

Well jh45gun, glad to hear that you confirmed what I was saying. Lee fits a product niche and it is well engineered product. However their warranty reflects the expected product useful life. When you speak with them on the phone you will find friendly and helpful folk as I have, but you won't find the same level help and support your older products, especially at no cost to you. I have had problems with some of my RCBS dies that I bought and have used since the early 70's. They have always been replaced or had parts in the mail the same day to me at no cost. I have had to return Lee stuff to them before they would repair it rather than just send me the broken part to fix it myself. That's the difference I am talking about.

Lee has many inovative designs that often take the most direct route to the desired result, but they also manufacturer product that is not designed for long term heavy use. I think they are trying to enter that market with that new cast iron press they are offering, but the price then get up there with the competition.

Sorry if you feel offended by that evaluation of their products, I do not consider them junk, only tools with specific uses and limitations.

jh45gun · « **Reply #23 on:** December 19, 2004, 03:44:55 PM »

Tom to Each their own. First of all I can afford Lee stuff and it does what I want it to do. Two some of their products like their cast sizers and bullet lubers or their factory Crimp die only they make and they work well. For the price of one RCBS or LYMAN sizing die I can buy a Lee one and not have to pay a way over priced lubersizer and still have to pay a arm and a leg for the dies. As far as I am concerned Lee dies are made just as good as any and better than some. Moulds work well and at a cost that I can buy three moulds for the price of one of the competitions or more and they come with handles. Lee furnaces last for years I have seen that and they cost a lot less than RCBS or Lyman also. It all boils down to what you like and can afford. I can afford Lee and Like it which is the important part. This kinda discussion reminds me of cars The Caddy driver looks down on the guy who drives a chevy and makes snide comments. The chevy guy who knows he will never be able to afford the caddy is perfectly satisfied with his chevy!

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #24 on:** December 19, 2004, 05:25:11 PM »

It's not a status thing, and a mistake is made if it is considered to be that with your equipment, rather than realistically matching the tool to the task at hand. I prefer Lee aluminum moulds and they are very good if you use them within their limitations. The Lee bullet sizing and lube systems are also well designed and easily get the job done. Their custom mould orders provide an opportunity to get styles in six cavity blocks that are often unique and not otherwise available at reasonable cost, but that has gone up I understand. They are an inovative company, but there are limitations often associated with inovation and family owned.

I have one or two Lee die sets around and they are not in use as I also have RCBS dies for those cartridges. Just a preference, and what persons new to the hobby don't often consider, is that later preferences are often in large part due to what equipment you start off with. With RCBS and Dillon you only buy it once. It's often easier to add to a system than mix and match.

If you are in to it for a long term, the investment in more durable equipment will eventually pay off. If short term needs are what's being tackled, then the long term durability may not be a significant concern. The dilema that often arises is that folks starting out don't know that they will end up spending that much time on the hobby. Kind of like the saying "if I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself".

Now buying used equipment that has a lifetime warranty isn't such a bad investment for a new person just starting out. Later the stuff won't often sell for any less than what it's purcahsed for used, and if it breaks then it easily fixed or replaced free. It's like that old oil commerical, where the mechanic says pay me now or pay me later.

Like the others above this have said, buy the best quality you can afford. Like many other things, durable used equipment is often a better buy than new equipment of lesser durability and support.

But there is also specialized needs where that equipment is not available from those providing the long term support.

Trickyasafox · « **Reply #25 on:** December 19, 2004, 07:17:48 PM »

well guys, you've all been extremely informative, and im sorry if i started a bit of a flame war. thanks to all who pm'd me with even more great info then was presented here. im stricken with chicken pox for now, but am doing okay and hopefully will soon rejoin teh world of the living

im buying some manuels and taking it from there!

thanks for all the information guys

jh45gun · « **Reply #26 on:** December 19, 2004, 07:34:36 PM »

No Flame war here and I bet Tom thinks the same

Just a lively discussion

Tom I can order lee stuff Cheap New and while I know guys order stuff from the auction sites ect I do not buy unless I can inspect it before I buy it with the exception of ordering milsurps and I order them from places I know will take them back. IF I waited for the local gun shops around here to get any amount of used stuff in I would never be reloading and the local gun shows around here are no better for used reloading equip. Jim

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #27 on:** December 20, 2004, 02:22:44 AM »

Absolutly no flames considered here. For folks first getting set up, here is something that works on buying reloading equipment, that may work in your area if you live in a large metropolitan area. The assistance of a mentor experienced in the hobby will be helpful if not necessary for this.

That is to check the classifieds in your local newspaper. Mine has it on-line and a search is easy. Used reloading equipment can be difficult to accuratly organize and describe for sale. It can be expensive and sometimes difficult to package and to ship, so often better deals can be made when someone is upgrading to a different brand or leaving the hobby or locality for varrious reasons.

Quite often the person selling the equipment is not aware of what they are selling and the condition it is in and that often can't be determined until it is inspected and inventoried Best deals are often purchased as a package deal. They just want to get rid of the boxes taking up space that's needed for other purposes.

I keep an eye for stuff on line also, for myself and a few others that I shop for, however the best deals on reloading equipment are usually in my local area and out of the newspaper classifieds. Pawn shops here are usually overpriced and really prefer to hold on to their stuff till they can get the price they want. Gun shops are also priced a bit higher than what I consider a good deal for used reloading equipment. It all depends upon the area where you are located, but this has worked here.

jh45gun · « **Reply #28 on:** December 20, 2004, 10:08:09 AM »

Tom, I am a rummage sale nut I hit them all in the summer and I check the want ads often. I have found few items at rummage sales but then not saying they were not there I may have gotten there too late. I have a few things from a friend who's step dad died and that is how I got started. The press was a old Herters C press and was better for a anchor than a press. I prefer my hand held Lee presses to that one. In fact I got rid of it as it was taking up space. DID get a good scale out of the deal and some old dies I traded off as they were nothing I would ever use. Speaking of space for folks that live in a apt like I do the handheld Lee presses work great. Kinda nice also if you have a fussy land lord. I live in a large apt complex that is inspected yearly you should have seen the look on the lady's face when she saw my couple of pounds of gunpowder. After I explained to her they were not explosive just flamable she settled down. Good thing she did not see my blackpowder.

:eek: :eek:

WIth the hand held set up I can reload out of a box and no one is the wiser. :grin: Jim

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #29 on:** December 20, 2004, 12:40:19 PM »

JB, your landlord would have a stroke if he saw my shop. It's an untidy mess but it's mine and the mess helps keep my wife out. Retirement has it's advantages.

Out here we refer to those as yard sales and having been to a few, an understatement, a found very few good deals. Usually I find much better deals in the classifieds where stuff is being sold by an heir to an estate, a separated spouse or someone who is moving or no longer interested in the hobby.

One of the problems I have encountered when I find a good deal on a set of dies for a cartridge I don't have anything chambered for, is I have to struggle and fight the impulse to pick something up for that die set. Eventually I usually do. I know it's a sickness, but if you got it why not just accept and enjoy your fate.