[Northslope Nimrod]

I just borrowed my dad's reloading kit. He's not an expert in the subject. Where can I go on the internet for a concise reloading manual for beginners? I don't want to buy any books.
Also, any suggested formula for the following needs: I want to load two classes of elk loads...one for close range and another for longer range. I use a Remington 700 30-06. I usually use 180 grain.

[Black Snowman]

If your Dad doesn't have the books to borrow, spend the money. Get 2 in fact. Much cheaper than a ruined gun, facial surgery, and trying to learn to shoot with your remaining hand.

If you just really don't want to buy them many libraries have them avilable to check out.

As for recipies I like to check all 3 of my manuals and cross refrence that with the data available on line at the powder mfg sites. If I can't find a good match I find the lightest starting load in all of the manuals of what appears to be the powder that gives the best vel/pressure ratio.

[Chawbaccer]

I second the Snowman's recomendation, get a couple books. They are good reading and have lots of important information that you couldn't get with just load data.

[Bandit01]

Check out: ABC's of Reloading.
It's a good starting point.

[PinnedAndRecessed]

trying to learn to shoot with your remaining hand.

LOL!

[landon74]

I'd second the recomendation of the ABC's of reloading.... You ought to be able to find some used copies of Speer's and Lyman's reloading manuals on Ebay for a couple of bucks...

[The Bushmaster]

Northslope Nimrod...Buy factory amunition. If you just want to short cut the reloading process then I would be very afraid to suggest any site other then get the books as recommended above. This is not a one time thing.

[LHB1]

Nimrod,
I agree with the others! If you don't want to take the time to learn how to load properly and safely, then buy factory ammo. If I remember correctly, full power 30-.06 ammo develops approximately 48,000 - 52,000 pounds per square inch pressure. Accidents/errors in reloading can easily push that to 70K+ and cause serious damage to a gun, not to mention your hands and face. Unless you have spare hands and face, take good care of the originals!

You don't need short range and long range loads. Find a SAFE load and use it from short range to the limit of its trajectory and your ability to properly place the bullet.

I've been reloading safely for 40 years. Some younger shooters tend to ignore experienced loaders and shooters over a certain age. Just remember that we got this old by being safe and careful. I had a LOT of fun along the way. Did some hunting, won some pistol and rifle matches, and in general enjoyed myself. Would like to see you do the same BUT you have to survive first. Just my .02.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: I'm not through yet either!

[Bandit01]

Tell you what. Look at the gentlemen that wrote the ABC's of Reloading. Now take a closer look at his hands--notice anything peculiar about them. Yup, that can happen to you if you're not careful. (For those that don't have the book, he lost em).

[Northslope Nimrod]

Notice that I did not intend to "short cut" the process. I DO want to learn how to reload. I also have an older book. I hoped to find current reload information from a reliable internet source. Say...from the manufacturers themselves.

[Bandit01]

So if you know to go to the manufactures site, why are you bugging us? Why ask a question, if you already know the answer? :banghead:

[SLCDave]

Bandit01, please simmer down and read things more than once. The man said:

Where can I go on the internet for a concise reloading manual for beginners? I don't want to buy any books.

and he also said:

I hoped to find current reload information from a reliable internet source. Say...from the manufacturers themselves.

Apparently he knows to get the load information from the manufacturers, but wants a source for the basics of reloading.

NN, I'm new to it all myself, but I got a couple books from the library that I'm reading up on, and found a nice THR member willing to show me how to reload tonight.

Good luck to you!

[Dave R]

Another recommendation to either get the books, or get an experienced reloader to show you the ropes.

There are really only a few ways to get in trouble when reloading. But the trouble can be bad.

I read a thread on another forum--don't know if it was true or not--where someone substituted powders without knowing what was going on. Put 40-some-odd grains of Unique in .30-06 cases. Blew up the gun. 40+ grains of the appropriate rifle powder is the right range for a .30-06. But 40 grains of a fast-burning pistol powder is essentially a small hand-grenade. You don't want to make that kind of mistake.

Edited to add: in the interest of honesty, I started reloading without a book. But I had a buddy walk me through the first two batches. Relading is no harder than making bacon & eggs, in my opinion. But you do have to follow the recipe and not blow up the stove.

[Ol` Joe]

Most of the powder companies include a basic and in some cases a "advanced reloading" E-manual on their web sites. Hodgdon and Alliant do that I`m sure of the others I`m pretty sure do too. Visit them and take a good look around.

The bullet companies won`t give their basic "how to reload" info out for free but then they don`t give a lot of data either unless it`s for a new cartridge. I`d suggest you go to one of the powder manufactures sites and download their manual, both how to and data. The data will also be much more up to date then any from the past, some powders have changed over the years and current data is always a wise choice. A manual from one of the bullet makers is still the best choice even if you have data from the powder company. The bullet used affects the load and the manufacture has the best idea of what works best with their product. The powder companies data is often for "generic wgt" bullets. I`d go for the one who`s bullet I plan on useing.

As others have stated, you`re makeing either ammunition or granades depending on weather or not you assemble them right. Think about the dangers of setting one off in your hand, a foot in front of your face before you start your first reload and be sure you know what you`re doing.

[BluesBear]

I just borrowed my dad's reloading kit... I don't want to buy any books. Then in all good conscience all I can recommend is that you return the kit and stick to factory ammo.

[Bandit01]

Thanks Bluesbear!
Way to many inconsistencies in that original posting.

[steve4102]

Here is a couple sites to check out.
http://www.varmintal.com/arelo.htm




http://stevespages.com/page8.htm


http://www.reloadersnest.com/index.asp

[model 649]

Hmm, some interesting reading here..... Northslope, you can obviously read, so, spend the relatively few bucks on a good manual like the Speer#13 or any manual with a large explanatory section on reloading. Read it, read it some more, and refer to it as necessary. The old Lee manual was the one I started with back when and I sometimes still refer to it. While there aren't too many ways to get into trouble, as stated before, the consequences can be awful.
The hobby can be very rewarding and relaxing, but it must be taken seriously. A very good idea already mentioned before is to get some O.T.J. experience with a seasoned reloader (preferrably one you trust, with both eyes and both hands). My teacher was excellent and I am truly grateful for the habits he instilled in me. Good luck and enjoy!

Josh