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school me on reloading

GotteskriegerGotteskrieger Member Posts: 3,170 ✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
I'm going to buy a reloader and i don't know where to start.What do i need?

Comments

  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,291 ******
    edited November -1
    Buy a Speer or other name brand reloading manual and read it cover to cover. Then read it again. Come back and ask questions.
  • redneckandyredneckandy Member Posts: 9,716 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get some books on reloading and start there. If you know anybody locally that reloads see if you can go help them sometime to get some hands-on experiance.
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    you need a forum where all the reloaders gather and conversate. if only we had one...
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    I believe Dillon offers some DVD's on the process. They also build the best reloaders in my opinion. The loading manual is an absolute must for correct loads and safety!
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not only does Dillon offer DVD's they have a forum just for reloading.
  • e8gme8gm Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Make sure to start with a single stage press. Don't try to learn on a progressive. There's too much going on with each stroke of the handle to get comfortable with all that is taking place.
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    Start here-[^]
    http://forums.gunbroker.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9


    now come on franc, thats crazy talk. you mean we have our own forum right here on gb that people begged and pleaded for for months? NO WAY!!!
  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,943 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buy books and read them.
  • SCorversSCorvers Member Posts: 2,063 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get the Lee Anniversary kit to start with. Dillons are alright but overpriced. Keep your eyes opened for a used RCBS Rockchucker.
    If your only loading a few rounds for hunting, look at the Lee Loader. Simplicity at its best.
  • jma2006jma2006 Member Posts: 474 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just don't do what I did when I started.....
  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    Buy the ABC's of Reloading and read it.

    http://www.amazon.com/Abcs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/0896896099/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213493618&sr=8-1

    Once you have done that you will be much better prepared to buy equipment and start reloading.

    As far as buying equipment, there are two methods to do it. Buy used equipment piecemeal via E-barf, GunBroker, yard sales, etc. Or buy a good kit new. If you buy used, you will save money, but it will take some time.

    My advice is to buy the Hornady L-N-L kit.
    http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00005085003

    It is a little more expensive than the others, but Hornady is giving you 500 bullets for the cost of shipping when you buy it, which ends up saving you quite a bundle.
  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buy one of the three major manuals, Speer. Hornady or Sierra and spend some time reading. Then pick one caliber, find a Rockchucker on ebay as well as a few other necessary parts---dies, case holder, scale, measure and put a few together. If you can find someone who has done it, ask them to show you or at least watch what you are doing. It can be a solitary endeavor or a social thing. It's great fun.

    Clouder.. reloading since 1959
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    Start here-[^]
    http://forums.gunbroker.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9



    +1 RCBS makes some of the best reloading equipment out there...without getting into high end custom stuff.
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    waste a lot of componants, blow a gun up and then youll be ready to learn how to load.[:p][;)]

    find someone who knows how. dont depend on WORDS. btw...anything on the internet is WORDS. books are WORDS. forget SOFTWARE.

    you must learn the FEEL of right and wrong. go to someones house who loads and let him show you HANDS ON.

    THEN...buy your books and video crap to confirm what you were taught.

    then buy your stuff.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    if you want I have a program, dvd
    lee loader, it goes thru loading, has gun inventory program too
  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bobski
    waste a lot of componants, blow a gun up and then youll be ready to learn how to load.[:p][;)]

    find someone who knows how. dont depend on WORDS. btw...anything on the internet is WORDS. books are WORDS. forget SOFTWARE.

    you must learn the FEEL of right and wrong. go to someones house who loads and let him show you HANDS ON.

    THEN...buy your books and video crap to confirm what you were taught.

    then buy your stuff.


    Sorry, But I completely disagree, get a manual, I prefer the Lyman Reloading Handbooks, read it and then, try and find someone to demonstate the different techniques that you read about. If you read the WORDS first and view the diagrams in the manuals, it will vastly help you understand the different steps of reloading as you watch someone preform the steps. Sorry Bobski. P.S. if you go with a RCBS Rockchucker press, look for an older one with "C" clips holding it together, they are typically finshed in a flat light green paint. In my opinion the "new" rockchuckers with lock nuts holding things together are junk.
  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    I bought the Lee turrett press it came with everything including a die set for under 200 bucks and the manual came with it.
  • HighballHighball Member Posts: 15,755
    edited November -1
    Just one caution.
    While it is good advice to seek out an experienced reloader...there are complete nuts out there, also.

    Overloading rounds is a way of life for those folks...and you MUST know enough from studying books to know when you are being fed bullcrap.
    Please do not be intimidated. Gather the manuals suggested...you cannot have enough..do some studying..and join those of us enjoying this great endeavor for many years.
    Nothing is quite as satisfing as dropping a deer, a prarie dog, or a nice tight 600 yard group with your very own handiwork.

    Well..when I was younger, I thought a nights fling with a willing young thing was...but I learned better...
  • brickmaster1248brickmaster1248 Member Posts: 3,344
    edited November -1
    its not hard. im new reloading and pretty much taught the basics to myself with manuals. just follow the manuals to the letter and youll do just fine. you will screw up some brass( i know i have anyways)ie crushing cases or getting them stuck, but youll get it. lots of info on here for people just like us
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    I was looking for a cd/dvd for loading data.
    I found the lee loader program, if I did not know
    how to, I watched it, it was pretty darn good
  • redneckandyredneckandy Member Posts: 9,716 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Modern Reloading by Richard Lee

    The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Converions by John J. Donnely & Bryce Towsley

    Two very good books with alot of info and easy to read.
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    What's more important than flinging brand names around is to decide what calibers you need and how many of each you're going to reload at a time. I'd suggest a single stage press to start with, and the easiest round to reload is a straight-walled pistol case like 38 Special/357 mag.
    Once you get a press, dies, caliper, lube, a scale(NEVER trust an unweighed powder charge!), several manuals, a bench to bolt it all down on, and a place where you can be ALONE with your hobby(soon to become an obsession he he); you are ready to start reading.
    The process is very simple: lube and size the case, remove/replace the primer, charge the case with a weighed charge of powder, seat the bullet in the case to the indicated overall length, and then crimp the case around the bullet. Viola! You have one loaded round.
    When buying a press, try to stay away from low-end stuff that wobbles and wiggles around like the Lee Partner Press, or the flimsy and wonky link-driven ones, and stick with something that weighs at least 15 lbs.(like the RCBS Rockchucker)-you'll thank yourself later when your ammo actually hits stuff when you shoot it. Later, when you get a feel for it; you'll want a Dillon so you don't waste all your time doing things the Amish way. My 550b paid for itself in about 6 months, but I shoot a LOT.
    Until then; stock up on powders, primers, brass and bullets for the calibers you shoot, and wait for the day when you can finally put all that stuff to good use.
  • GotteskriegerGotteskrieger Member Posts: 3,170 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i plan on starting out reloading .40 s&w
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    Excellent choice! It is almost straight-walled, but a little stubby; if you have fat fingers, you might have to practice seating bullets in the case "dry" if you leave each round in the shellholder in the press.
    You're not reloading for a Glock are you? There's a little problem that the .40 has with unsupported chambers that drops case life dramatically.
    Go to www.loadbooks.com to order caliber-specific load books (NOT "real" manuals, but excerpts from the major ones only for one caliber), they're a good way to compare powders, different bullet weights, etc. when you're choosing your first batch.
  • GotteskriegerGotteskrieger Member Posts: 3,170 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    yes, reloading for a glock[V]
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    Pull your barrel and drop a loaded round (any brand) into the chamber. Look at the exposed brass at the base of the case; that's where the problems start. If you see any brass forward of the extractor groove you will have to keep your loads safe and sane and your brass fully resized.
  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Gotteskrieger
    yes, reloading for a glock[V]
    I reload for the glock 22 and 27..The load I use is 5.5gr Unique powder, CCI 500 small pistol primers, berrys 165gr plated flat point bullet with a total OAL of 1.120. I have over 3000 rounds of this load through the G22 and about 1000 rounds through the G27. NEVER a problem with either. I clean the barrel on each after around 200 rds. Lead and copper plated bullets in Glocks do have the ability to increase pressures...this load poses no threat.
  • dgacdgac Member Posts: 694 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jimdeere
    Buy a Speer or other name brand reloading manual and read it cover to cover. Then read it again. Come back and ask questions.


    +1 and as far as equipment. Dont start with a progressive press. Get a rockchucker. Its a strong press and a good place to start. Better figure out what your loading for and start buying the bullets and brass. stuff isnt getting any cheaper. case trimmer, scale, powder measure, odds ends. It might seem expensive at first but it worth it when you get those impressive groups.

    dgac
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