In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Learning to reload
GAGunGal
Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
How do you learn to reload? Is it something you can easily pick up from a book or do you really need to have someone there who knows what they are doing to help you get started?
Comments
Read and absorb all you can & then seek out someone who has been there - done that. Best of luck.
Leaning to reload is nothing to get all gaga-gaga about, GaGunGal. (sorry-- I'll get my coat and go now).
Ok, back to serious and your worthy question. And that is the key: keep asking questions! My experience with rifle & pistol reloading, (I know not of shotgun shell reloading), began first and foremost with buying my ol' RCBS Rockchucker kit and componets from a local & reputable shop.
Yes, I paid a bit more with them, yet they were always there with any questions and had the answers. (Today, for cost saving, perhaps purchase from a bigger supplier, even on-line, yet if you can buy some of your componets, like primers, powder, dies, whatever, from a knowedgble local shop to keep them in the loop, all the better).
Whatever, however, do purchase known & established name brands-- Dillon, RCBS, etc. HOMEWORK TIME! Oh, also, there are good reloading forums on-line with folks eager to assist a new learner.
Reloading itself is pretty basic stuff, myself having learned from the written material supplied with the set up kit purchased. And with a good reloading manual, which is a must-have, such as published by Hornady, Speer, etc.
There are just a few steps in the process, and the written material lays it out where even a simpleton as myself when a young man found not at all daunting. So, your question, yes, it can be easy to pick up that way,(my opine and experience).
That said, having an experienced person along side, as already stated above, is of course very benficial.
Basic rules I do use are the same self-made rules I set for shooting and riding motorcyle: Never reload when tired, smoking, drinking, in a hurry, or whatever else may take my mind off from full attention, and of course-- safety first always. And reloading is loads safer than cyclying!
Hope you enjoy,
45er
Some manufactures have press kits that all you need is to add the brass, powder and bullets.
Forums such as this one are a good source for tips if you've got no one to help you. However, I don't readily accept load recipes I've gotten on-line. I prefer to trust the powder makers and reloading manuals. And I always check multiple sources, becasue anyone can make a mistake. Accurate and Alliant have customer service ballisticians that have helped me out, I suspect other powder makers do as well.
In any event, have fun with your reloading.
GH1[:)]
How do you learn to reload? Is it something you can easily pick up from a book or do you really need to have someone there who knows what they are doing to help you get started?
My 2 cents- Find a GOOD and experienced reloader to help you get started.
Not trying to sound mean, But right out of the get bad habits and practice's start on the first day of reloading. If you have someone helping/coaching it will save you a ton of grief.
Read my sticky at the top.
http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781440213960
I'd recommend you or anyone interested in shooting read it even if you never reload.
With the internet and forums like this it is much easier then in the past. You might also wish to contact "Rockyraab" on this forum, as I have read much of his stuff and he has some good formal information. (wish the internet was around 50 years ago, because I learned from a book only, and I am really learning a lot from this forum)
My advise is after doing the reading and getting some gear, start with one type round and perfect that, then go to others. I think you'll find shotgun the easiest, then pistol, and rifle can be quite an experience.
Great to have a Mentor, but if not available it can be done by following the books. Got questions, ask the forum, opinions are free.