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reloading

briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
edited May 2010 in Ask the Experts
I just started reloading last night. I bought the lee anniversary kit and the problem i have is when i seat the round i seat it in too far. i dont know when to stop applying pressure to the lever. Can anyone help me out. BTW i'm reloading 45 acp
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have never reloaded, but am interested in doing so. I was given a RCBS Green Machine that has .357 dies in it. I have read a little about this machine and am confused. Is this machine set for only that caliber and can't be changed. If so is it worth anything if I sell it to get other reloader?

    Thanks,
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can any of the experts recommend a good reloading setup for a reasonable amount of money? Best equipment for the buck, so to speak I'd like to reload mostly handgun ammunition.. ie: .45 long colt and ACP, and .30 Carbine.

    Thanks in advance...
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Best reloading equipment to buy? For rifles and pistols. What do I need to get started.
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think I have made the decision to get on the reloading band wagon. I'm looking for someone in the nor cal---east of Sacramento area as a tutor. From walking me through the purchase of a dependable set up to educating me on the first run. I have lots of brass--38, 9mm 40, 45, 44, 223 243 308 and soon--44.40. I'm a tactile learner so hands on with a mentor is far more effective to me as opposed to just buying equipment and reading a book. Plus---meeting new people.

    Thanks
    Bret
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    hi again, i was just wondering what the proper reloading kit would be to a begginer at reloading? maybe someting strong but affordable

    thanks again


    andrew

    one shot, one kill
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    with all the ammo disappearing these days, I have made the decision to load my own. I have 9mm and .45 in hand gun calibers and am just looking to start with those for now. I found a Lee Pro 1000 (progressive type press) pretty cheap. Just need some advice on what else is needed. i.e... dies and such. Thanks!
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Does anyone know where I can get Norma MRP powder?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Does anyone know where I can get Norma MRP powder?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm considering reloading as an option to putting up with the high cost of ammo everywhere. I would like to start off with the least expensive re loader I can find that I guess would be a LEE-LOADER single stage press,I think. I want to load two calibers 308 Winchester and 45acp can someone please tell me about how much could I expect to spend on this start up venture,any help in this area would be much appreciated. Thanking you all in advance. tavarish
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    if you go with lee buy their dies as the powder measure requiers a "expand the case mouth die" to work.IMG_0956.jpg
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Im looking to start loading my own bullets. Does anybody have any suggestions on machines, or a website that I can take a look at them?

    Any help would be much appreciated.

    - Parisi
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello,
    My son just gave me a pair of handguns both ruger blackhawks. One is chambered in 30-357 mag the other is 32-357 mag. Does anyone have any data on either one. I have been able to find loading dies and forming dies for the 30-357. nothing more than that. NEED HELP.
    Thank you
    Lloyd
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thinking of getting into reloading and was wondering what it would entail. What reloading manual would you suggest ?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    looking for loads for a 25-35 using 100gr. bullets. can not find anything in my old manuals. thanks. e-mail. lpede@infionline.net
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What type of dies will interchange with an RCBS Press? Or will any ?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been shooting for 20+ years but never have tried reloading. I am looking for advise about which type of equipment you recommend for a new reloader (I'll be starting off with 40 S&W). I would also appreciate a list of "need to have", and "nice to have" equipment. I've been doing a lot of reading and am leaning towards the Lee PRO 1000 progressive. Any thoughts?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    does the ring on the bullet set the refrence point for seating or should not pay any attention to it? i am loading a 325 wsm and the coal is 2.860 when seating the hornady 150 grain sp bullet to set at length it is below the ring. 2.820 is in the ring. so do i make them short or seat below the ring for the correct length? having the same problem with seating my 270 wsm. seat to the ring is way below the coal. any info will be appreciated. thanks
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have some 7.5, 8's & #9 shot. Can I mix all these together to reload some AA's without any ill effects on patter,or reloader??? Thanks Tom.
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm shopping around for a complete reloading kit. The calibers i'm gonna reload are 270 win, 7mm-08, 40 smith, 44 mag, and 45 acp. any help in suggesting a press that has the option of both rifle and pistol die capability and any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What's the best and fairly enexpensive way to get started reloading? It would most likely be one caliber: .45 ACP.-Marcus
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I realize this question is almost like asking what the best caliber is for hunting, but here goes: What would the average person need to get set up for reloading? I am looking for a hobby that would actually reduce the expense of my other hobbies. I need to know what to get to start out loading .45acp, .40s&w, .30/.30, and 30.06. I am really not concerned about shotgun shells. I appreciate any advise!
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    cant find any 357 brass---can you load 38 special brass up to 357 specs ?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have over 3,000 empty shell casings. About 2,000 of them are once fired factories. The rest were all reloaded at least once some twice. I have been told that they should not be reloaded more than once. Is this true? Or how many times can a caseing be used?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    what are the pro and cons of neck sizing to fl ?
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am new to reloading. I have 100's of fired 30-06 brass. How hard would it be to cut them down to .308. I just bought a .308 and haven't done enough shootin yet.
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ok, here's the deal. I've never reloaded or known anybody that reloaded. Now that I've bought an SKS I'd love to start reloading for it and my CZ 40P, and I have no idea where to start.
    My questions are these...
    1.) Is it worth it to reload 7.62x39 rounds? What about 40 S&W?

    2.) What do I need to start, best value reloader, etc???

    3.) What literature do you recommend???

    4.) open to comments.......

    Better to carry a pistol and not need it than need a pistol and not have it.
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have reloaded for my 270 for the past 25 yrs.Always used 150 and 130 hornadys.Have worked up loads for each that shoot to same point so there is no resighting when going from elk to whitetails.My brother has started shooting barnes x bullets and says the hornadys are old news and I was wondering if they are that great to be worth the effort of developing a new load.I think not but would like some expert input
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Where is the best and cheapest place online to order reloading components and accessories. Any help would be helpful.Besides www.midwayusa.com Thanks
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  • briguybriguy Member Posts: 459 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey guy's, first off I would like to thank everyone for all the advice and comments you have made regarding my questions. I would like to get into reloading and recently saw an item on GB. The # is
    14479963. Is this a good purchase or are there better deals with dies out there. I dont know a damn thing about it so give me everything you've got.

    Thanks

    Larry
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  • EhlerDaveEhlerDave Member Posts: 5,158 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have cases that have been reloaded many times. I will use a case until it shows loose primer pockets or the rim starts to split.

    I have a case trimmer because some of them get a tad bit long after several loadings.
    Just smile and say nothing, let them guess how much you know.
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  • airmungairmung Member Posts: 579 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are several variables here. What caliber(s) are they? The pressures to which they are loaded have an effect on how long a given case will last. For example, a .30-06 case loaded to moderate pressures will last longer than one loaded to max. Other factors are the quality of the brass, the size of the gun chambers (large chambers will cause the brass to stretch more), etc. Some brass, like .220 Swift are notorious for short case life, while others, like .38 special can usually be reloaded many times. For bottleneck cases, neck sizing can be done if they are used in only one gun which will extend the life of the brass. Careful inspection of brass before reloading is the key to weed out any suspect brass.
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  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Number of times a case can be loaded depends on the caliber, the load, how its reloaded/resized, and the quality of the brass.

    Some cases can't be reloaded at all.

    Some can be reloaded only 1-2 times.

    Most can be reloaded maybe a half-dozen times.

    Some can be reloaded literally 50+ times.

    For example, common .38 special revolver cases usually last a good long time, especially with light practice loads.
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  • heavyironheavyiron Member Posts: 1,421 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi,

    My opinion is cases can be used until they show signs of overuse and then they should be discarded. The life of reused brass also depends on how the brass is treated during the reloading process.

    I have probably loaded some pistol and rifle cases over 10 times or more using low pressure loads. The number of times a case can be reloaded depends loosely upon cartridge pressure, malleability of the brass, and how well the used case is maintained after firing.

    Reusing cases can get complicated and knowing what to inspect on a used case is important and can involve measuring tools. In general, cases with cracks, splits, or unusual stretching should automatically go to the trash. Enlarged primer pockets go to the trash as do stretch bands or unusual bulging if they form above the case head. Case cleaning is important because it helps to identify crack/split formation when inspecting the case for defects. Proper resizing as opposed to over-resizing or neck resizing opposed to full length case resizing may get more life out the cases since the brass does not get over-worked and work hardened. Cases can be annealed if they become too brittle.

    As mentioned previously, keeping the case in spec as far as OAL is very important, along with primer pocket cleaning, and proper resizing. A good brass inspection is also necessary when using fired brass and any suspect bad case should be removed from the lineup.

    Hope this helps.

    Heavyiron
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I started with 250 pieces of once fired 30-06 brass
    I have burned out 2 barrels (about 7500 rounds total) with that brass, and am working on a 3rd.
    I still have 225 of the origional 250 (after all the match prep and weight sorting, I cried each time I lost/tossed one of "my children")
    Each loading has been at the "max" level.
    Not each piece of brass has been loaded the same # of times
    You can do the math, but I come up with a average of 30 reloads/case and most are still going strong (I do anneal the case mouths every now and than).

    Now with something like a 45ACP, you'll lose the cases to the "range gods" before you have to trash them
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    With a good chamber (not oversized) and properly prepared brass, there conceivably could be no limit on number of reloads.

    Some of my 38 special, 45 auto, and 32 auto are approaching 100 reloads.

    Much of my rifle brass used with light cast lead loads is at around 50.

    Even my full power 30-06 and 223 loads get at least 10 or so.

    With trimming after every shot or 2 as needed, load them until the neck cracks or the primers are loose on seating. If you anneal you won't even have to worry about neck cracks.
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  • Pistollero1050Pistollero1050 Member Posts: 1,197 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with everything that has been said in this thread. I would like to add one thing. When reloading belted brass like .300 win mag (witch is a belted case) you need to check for cracks down just above the belt. I use a paper clip that has been straightened out with slight curve left in it. You take it and slide the end of the clip inside the case and feel for cracks from the inside. have had them seperate there and this method has helped me find these cracks before they seperate. thanx
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  • gumbydamnitgumbydamnit Member Posts: 793 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Stupid question. Are you talking about brass rifle shell casings or shotgun casings??
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  • oneoldsaponeoldsap Member Posts: 563 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm guessing that fellow that gave you the misinfo isn't a reloader ! Send that junk to me and I'll take care of it for you !
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