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new to reloading

Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
edited December 2006 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I've been shooting on a limited basis for years and now getting into reloading. I have a turret press, die sets for both size ammo I will be loading, and a scale (all a gift). Were can I get a good book with illistrations, and a source of reference to begin the process. I'm mechanically inclinded but have even seen someone reload before. If there is a total beginning I'm starting there.

thanks for the help
Oh and I'll be loading ACP.45 and ruger .480 if that helps.
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm just starting into pistol ammo reloading...How does one determine the number of times brass can be reloaded? Standard powder charges...Nothing 'hot' or 'wildcat'.

    Thanks
    Mike
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i am thinking of starting to reload. I dont know what i will need i found this and am planning on getting it what else will i need?

    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25237/catid/1/Dillon_Square_Deal___039_B__039_

    thanks for your time
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thinking of getting into reloading my own cartridges and doing some research on GB, but no idea where to start. I have 7.62x54r, and if I end up liking it will want to be able to branch out to different calibers. Any tips on where to start? Books to read? Suggested starter kits. Thanks
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have been given a complete reloading setup in .45ACP. Now all I need is pointed in the right direction in getting bullets. Just looking for some can shooting plinker rounds made of lead. 225 grain would be about where I would think I need to be. If not feel free to educate me. I have a source of brass and primers are easy to find.

    Thanks for any help for a newbie trying his hand at cutting costs to continue to shoot.
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    retired, plenty of time, small farm, 25 & 100 yd range, small shop,
    use lee challanger for basic, & lee c frame to seat bullets. hand dip each case, use hp38 powder for 5 handgun cal. use h4895 for 3 mil surplus cal. keep it simple stupid! also cast lead bullets for same. do any other reloaders follow a routine like this?
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am molding my own lead bullets, There is a grooved ring all the way around the base. Is there something that should fill it? The lead is already lubed and sized. Have seen some lead bullets with a waxy type substance in this groove before.
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    How do you know how to adjust the dies? There is a collar adjustment on most, what is the proper way to set these up and adjust them correctly?
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    b00merb00mer Member Posts: 975 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    lee precision makes a great manual,hodgdon,speer also has good manuals
    read, study then read again
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    brier-49brier-49 Member Posts: 7,037 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You might start here,Amazon has a few.
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-2996832-6908864?url=search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=bullet+reloading&Go.x=11&Go.y=7
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    JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    nosler manual has a good intro on how to do it,..and the die sets will give directions on just how to set the die one of a few ways.
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    sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Steel185,

    +1 on what JustC, Brier-49, b00mer said for manuals. But, if you need some interpretation don't hesitate to ask here. Same guys giving manual info are full of good info too and won't steer you in the wrong direction. Many good explanations forthcoming. Look, listen and feel(+- .0001) before you call your loads finished and then you will continue on with confidence. -good luck
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    juddroyjuddroy Member Posts: 204 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like the sierra setup, but no matter which books you buy,read them cover to cover TWICE.And always refer back when starting a new loading.There is a wealth of info in those books,but most people don't take the time to really read it.
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    dclocodcloco Member Posts: 2,967
    edited November -1
    I actually look for older reloading manuals at gunshows.

    There is a TON of info in every book and ALL of the info is not included in every book.

    So, with my new manuals, I also have as many old manuals as well.
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks for all the information, I ordered 5 different manuals( Speer, Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, and Barnes) . I wanted to understand every part of it before i begin, so i feel comfortable dong it by myself. I'm sure the manuals will tell me when they arrive, but is there hardware pieces I'm missing that I can't even start without, (save the brass, powder, and lead)? I listed everything i have in my first post. I'm egar to learn and get started.
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    MatchshotMatchshot Member Posts: 452 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is there any one you know who can help you get set up? I was helped by a friend down the street who is very knowlegeable. For that first set up, it was great having someone there who could coach me along.

    Also, come back to this forum regularly. These guys know what they are talking about and have been really helpful for a newbie like me....
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    juddroyjuddroy Member Posts: 204 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I see you need a case trimmer.An old forster or herters with interchangeable pilots and collets.A chamfer/debur tool also.Do you have a case tumbler and case lube
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i don't have anything of those things, these isn't any big name stores around here that sell that sort of thing, I'll have to order them. I'll ask around, in a town of Marines you'd think someone close by knows this stuff.
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    Steel185Steel185 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've done some research and it looks like I'll need:

    Tumbler - thinking about this RCBS Vibratory Case Cleaner XG-210556 $59.99 @ Cabela's

    primer pan/dish or primer fliper - don't know which to get, saw a Lee auto primer, and a MTM primer fliper. any recommendations?

    Case Lube Kit - only saw one on cabela's but it only had a brush for .22-.30 cal

    Bullet tray/block - easy

    Bullet puller - several on cabela's and different in design and suggestions?

    also I know its best to store the powder in a close to steady temp environment (indoors) but can i do the work in a garage then store the materials indoors? Finding a place to work on and store everything in doors is challenging (live in girlfriend not too happy with a reloading workbench indoors) "don't you have a garage to get all dirty in" - girlfriend

    thanks everyone
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    dclocodcloco Member Posts: 2,967
    edited November -1
    Midway has a good tumbler for 29.99 on sale until Nov 30.
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    slagmentslagment Member Posts: 117 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can't think of a good book, but here are some of the lessons I learned.

    Clean your primer pockets. A dirty primer pocket can prevent proper primer seating. If your primer is even slightly up, it may fail to ignite.

    If you didn't get carbide dies, be sure to use case lube. The case can become stuck, and the rim can tear off when you try to remove it.

    Titegroup is common with most handgun cartridges and the cheapest to use.

    Examine how your press discards spent primers before bolting it down. Also, make the setup as comfortable as possible. You may be there many hours.

    You might want to think about getting a lee pro auto disk powder dispenser, if you don't have one. Really helps when you just want to make some range ammo.
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    knucklehead14knucklehead14 Member Posts: 2,278 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RCBS makes a great reloading video.
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    reddnekreddnek Member Posts: 1,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a pretty good selection of manuals but I just purchased the Lee manual and it has become my favorite as it is an instruction manual And load guide.I highly recommend it for beginers. Also the one book one caliber series puts all you load data in one conveinient package
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    iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Steel185
    I've done some research and it looks like I'll need:

    Tumbler - thinking about this RCBS Vibratory Case Cleaner XG-210556 $59.99 @ Cabela's

    primer pan/dish or primer fliper - don't know which to get, saw a Lee auto primer, and a MTM primer fliper. any recommendations?

    Case Lube Kit - only saw one on cabela's but it only had a brush for .22-.30 cal

    Bullet tray/block - easy

    Bullet puller - several on cabela's and different in design and suggestions?

    also I know its best to store the powder in a close to steady temp environment (indoors) but can i do the work in a garage then store the materials indoors? Finding a place to work on and store everything in doors is challenging (live in girlfriend not too happy with a reloading workbench indoors) "don't you have a garage to get all dirty in" - girlfriend

    thanks everyone


    Dillon sells the best "Primer Flipper" I've ever seen.

    Closets make great loading areas for small operations.

    Bullet Puller - BE CAREFUL - YOU ARE DEALING WITH LIVE AMMO!

    Two short two drawer filing cabinets make a great base for a loading bench and offer ample storage. Home Depot offers precut 3/4 inch plywood in 2 x 4 foot sizes. That and a 2 x 4 foot piece of Hardboard will make a good work surface. Bolt the plywood to the Filing Cabinets and add the Hardboard. Vola! A cheap, low loading bench w/ storage.
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