Author Topic: New to reloading (Read 415 times)

ihuntbucks · « **on:** October 11, 2005, 06:46:38 AM »

Well I said I was not intrested in reloading,but a buddy of mine at work just gave me a bunch of stuff that I don't have a clue what to do with :? So I guess I'm going to have to learn to reload.He gave me several cals. of brass,assortment of bullets(Speer .270 130gr .277 spitzer),Speer .44 240 gr. .429 mag jhp,Speer .270 150gr boattails.Abunch of different primers all CCI.Six sets of dies,Lyman A-A .270,44spec/44 mag,.3006,.223 Rem,9mm,and a RCBS 7 x 57 Mauser.So I guess this is a start...........Rick

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2005, 06:54:19 AM »

Did he give you a press and a good scale and caliper?

Reloader · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2005, 07:24:47 AM »

My dad used to do all my reloading for me so I was never interested in it. When he passed away my mom asked me if I wanted any of his reloading stuff and like an idiot I told her no. When I ran out of ammo I realized something had to be done. Fortunately my brother had most of the stuff and was willing to give me pointers, but I ended up getting a lot of the equipment new. I am now loading for 20+ different cartridges, I've got reloading stuff in every nook and cranny I can find, more ammo than I'll ever shoot, and the wife says if I bring another gun into the house she is heading out.
I've got a 50 and 100 yard range in the back yard so I can test the results of my experiments immediately. I still get a feeling of accomplishment when I touch three off and they go where I want them to.
Take it slow, read a lot, get help from somebody that knows how to do it, and enjoy the hobby.

MnMike · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2005, 05:13:14 PM »

I love reloading, I have several friends who have tried it and don't. Try it out. Since you have the dies, try the Lee aniversary set. If you like, you can upgrade later. If money is no object, buy the Rockchucker. Lyman. or whatever. It will all last forever.

mike

oliverstacy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2005, 07:25:09 PM »

I also can't stress enough on the reading aspect of reloading. I have 8 different manuals and have read them all, most cover to cover. I have also learned a lot reading magazines like Handloader and Shooting Times. Both of those have been very valuable in information both in deciding on a bullet but also powders to try.

It is very addicting...very! It's one thing that has always been very relaxing to me. I try to date all load data and once I find a load that works I load up a bunch and it's funny when I use one and see that it was a couple of years ago. Funny how time just seems to fly by.

Good luck.

Things I couldn't live without now that I have one:

Hand primer
Good Quality Press
Electronic Scale...how did I ever do it without one I'll never know!
Multiple loading trays

Josh

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:56:34 PM »

We're always getting new reloaders looking for starting advice. The answers are always the same (and not likely to change) and usually ends up becoming a debate over whether to start with Lee equipment or not.

I propose that one of the Mods make a sticky with the title "Advice for new reloaders" and compile the essence of a couple of the "new guy" threads into it.

Ian

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2005, 01:34:35 AM »

Quote from: Haywire Haywood

We're always getting new reloaders looking for starting advice. The answers are always the same (and not likely to change) and usually ends up becoming a debate over whether to start with Lee equipment or not.

I propose that one of the Mods make a sticky with the title "Advice for new reloaders" and compile the essence of a couple of the "new guy" threads into it.

Ian

Yeah, but Haywire, it we had a "stickie" post for 10 standard questions there'd be very little else for us to have to talk about, besides after a couple of the new guys get some experience they may find a totally new approach.
They'd also miss the gratification of having THEIR question answered.
You can always do like Steve, have your answers posted somewhere then when one of the standard questions is asked, all you gotta do is provide a link to it.

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2005, 02:54:44 AM »

I`m a firm believer in getting help from someone who has been reloading for sometime, someone that can come into your loading room and give you some advice and answer your question in person. I`ve been loading abt. all of my own ammo since 1965 and between rifle, handgun and shotgun ammo I load between 5,000 and 15,000 rounds a year, and yes I do have help shooting it. With rifle ammo your are working with gun that will safely handle 45,000 to 60,000 psi. The problem come is that you can very ealisy run presure to over 100,000 with 1 small mistake, and then you have a bomb. I have seen guns blow-up and people hurt, but not killed from small mistakes. There are people killed though. If you rember to always put safety first and don`t load anything your not sure of.

koli · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2005, 04:30:17 PM »

I have always said that I wanted to avoid getting into reloading. More stuff to buy.

Well, I have bought and am reading the ABC's of Reloading. I have been following the reloading forums, esp. the questions by "new to reloading" posts. I have priced reloading equipment. I am cleaning out my garage to make a place for a bench.

I think I'm getting close. But, I really want to avoid getting into reloading. More stuff to buy. :-D :-D :-D

bajabill · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2005, 05:13:21 PM »

Without slowing down and reading carefully, I get lost following what you have. fortunately, there is little pain with misreading. But, for loading, there are real penalties from error. so I stongly suggest you pick ONE chambering to work with, and only one, for a few months. Go thru a few different bullets, and powders and making a minimal amount of changes at a time. That way you will be able to monitor the impact of your trials and get a feel for what works better or less. Get a chronograph, it adds some fun to your load iterations. You can see the impact of each progression of powder load.

Also, get some tools to accurately measure you brass. I too like the book "ABCs of reloading", run to the library and look check out every book on reloading they have. i was able to order those that were not on my local shelf. My enjoyment from the hobby comes from the mini science project I make out of it. Thats more interesting than just running the brass thru the press, using someones favorite load data, and smashing a bullet in to the cannelure and calling it a day.