[Kukri]

I am thinking about reloading .38/.357, but I am 16 years old. I would consider myself above average in the intelligence department. I can focus on something and not be distracted. I would also have some help available if needed. I need opinions and think you guys have the expertise to help me.

[Lloyd Smale]

started when I was 14 with adult suppervision

[sm]

Yep, go for it.

[Quantrill]

My 7 year old grandson helps me already, inspecting cases, wiping cartridges, getting the supplies out etc. I think if you can drive a car responsibly, you can reload. I recommend a good reloading guide which you should read and reread and then follow step by step. If there are knowledgable folks nearby, ask them for assistance. If not, the board with all it's combined experience is always here. Good luck!! Quantrill

[Mylhouse]

Dude, you must be above average in intelligence if you're only 16 and you have the foresight and the enterprise to want to take on handloading! I didn't start until I was 28, and I regret that I didn't start much sooner. I had thought about it, but I was always intimidated by the prospect, thinking there was a level of complexity, dedication, and mysticism beyond my capabilities. That couldn't have been farther from the truth.

I know this is going to sound kind of strange, but I swear, taking up handloading has helped me become better at other things in life!

Go for it....you've got one of the best resources right here!

[444]

I see no reason why you shouldn't handload. It would be a lot better if you had someone around to answer your questions; not from a safety standpoint, but more from a learning standpoint. I started loading a few years later than you. I didn't know anything about it and didn't have anyone to ask. I didn't have the money to buy all kinds of manuals and no one ever heard of the internet back then. Took me years to figure out the finer points.

Something to think about; 75 or 100 years ago, people were earning a living at that age. My grandmother had two kids at that age, but this was 95 years ago.

[Mal H]

I agree with all of the above. I wish I had started sooner, I think I was 21 or so. I guess the following goes without saying (ever notice how no one ever actually goes without saying whatever it is?): If you'll be reloading in your home, be sure you have your parents understanding and permission. You don't want to have them be surprised by a bunch of containers of smokeless powders when you and I know your purpose is perfectly benign.

[JSolie]

I don't find reloading particularly difficult, but I got a much later start than you :o

Take your time and don't rush things, refrain from carelessness and shortcuts and, by all means, seek assistance if you need it (looks like you've found a good place for advice already...)

-- John

[Fatelvis]

Kuk, I would recommend reading up on handloading, and become VERY familiar it, before starting. One of the popular load manuals from Hornady, Sierra, Speer, or others have good reading about starting, and they go over the basics. Have fun!

[Standing Wolf]

Go for it! Loading your own ammunition requires effort and practice, but I'm sure you'll find yourself becoming a better, more accurate, more knowledgeable shooter. I wish I'd started at your age instead of waiting until I was in my twenties.

[saands]

And of course there is a lone minority opinion ...

I don't think that 16 is too young to be responsible for the care needed ... I was doing things at that age that required even more judgment ...

My concern for you (and for the grandkids and the young wives) in the crowd is the contact with lead ... the cases by nature are filthy with it as is the air around the tumbler when you emptey it. They say that the worst time to be exposed to lead is before your reproductive system is fully developed ... that's why they have different limits for adults and kids on how much fish you should eat from certain "heavy metal polluted" bodies of water.

Maybe I'm overly cautious, and I know that a lot of us played with the mercury in the broken thermometers when we were kids, but we didn't wear seatbelts then either ... it doesn't make it right!

If you choose to reload, be damned disciplined about your hygiene!

Be safe,
Saands

ps ... I would have written twice as much if you were asking about casting your own ...

[Kukri]

Thank you everybody for the encouraging responses. I also appreciate you concern saands. I will be getting a .357 Blackhawk soon, so it has been a topic constantly on my mind. I would like to hear more opinions. I don't think I would be doing marathon reloading sessions. Just a little bit here and there.

[Matt1911]

I think you should start,BUT,make sure you'r folks are aware of it and give thier blessing,and i would becareful whom you talked with about it(school chums,ect.),I'd hate to read"he had bomb making equipment....."because some blissninny teacher/student overheard something and did not understand/care for facts.
Yeah,i'm paranoid.:uhoh:

[larryw]

I think you're fine, but saands concerns are to be taken seriously. There's a reason you can't drink alcohol (legally) until you're 21, and that's simply because at a young age, your body reacts differently to toxins. Repeated exposure causes your body to quickly adapt; this quick adaptation is what makes it very easy for a teen to become an alcoholic. Lead is nasty stuff, leadoholic?

So go ahead and educate yourself about reloading. Take it slow and easy when you load, and add breathing protection and latex gloves to eye protection as part of your must-have safety equipment.

If you have any questions, ask here, you'll find this group to be very supportive, and quick with answers.

Welcome!

[Poodleshooter]

My reloading data book has info in it from when I was 13. Not very good notes, now that I think about it, but I was pretty inexperienced. Go for it, and stay safe.

[CMcDermott]

If you are like I was at your age, the hardest rule to follow is no eating or drinking while you're reloading. Then wash your hands well when you are done. Most lead exposure from reloading is from getting the lead on your hands, then eating something (sandwich etc) that with those dirty hands. Lead's primary effect is on your brain and nervous system - and once it's affected you can't undue the damage. So keep your hands clean and stay safe and welcome to the world of reloading.

[Sunray]

Sure you're old enough. Get a manual and read it. A single stage press won't cost you a ton of money and with good technique will be fast enough. Be sure and get the carbide sizer die. And don't think about not getting a scale.
Don't worry about lead poisoning. You have to handle lead for a long time and ingest it before it'll bother you. Casting is a different thing though.

[larryw]

Sunray, with all due respect, that's a very reckless comment. Lead poisoning, especially in children is a subject to be taken very seriously and avoided at all costs!

[sebago]

Go for it! I was 17 when I took it up. I had no adult supervision at all but I was bright enough to read all I could first and I strongly recommend that you do so as well. Get all the loading manuals you can afford. If you want to buy used and save a little pengar get only the most recent. The ones from 1953 (or 1973, the ones I used) are only good for historical purposes at this point.

[Kukri]

Would it be ill-advised to have a reloading room in my bedroom? That would be about the only place for it.

[Chugach]

Kukri, go here:

http://www.nra.org/frame.cfm?url=http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp

Look for a course on Metallic Cartridge Reloading in your area.

I took this course about 4 months ago, and I'm more than triple your age. Consider it a kickstart: I learned a lot very quickly and was able to start reloading several months faster than if I had tried to learn on my own. I picked up great tips and hints from the instructor and fellow students, and got to review a wide variety of reloading manuals and reloading equipment.

The NRA course material is outstanding. They illustrate concepts and principles with plenty of exceptionally clear photographs and diagrams. It is the very best condensed description of metallic cartridge reloading that I've ever seen.

You're welcome to PM me if you want additional detail...

Happy Birthday!

David

[Chugach]

Reloading in your bedroom? You might get some hints here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27365&highlight=reloading

Good luck, and go for it! :D

[HankB]

I was in 8th grade - 12 or 13 years old - when I started loading. If you can read and follow instructions, go for it.

On lead poisoning: Don't be munching on potato chips or something when you're loading or shooting. Wash your hands thoroughly after shooting or loading and you should have no problem.

On safety: Avoid distractions - don't watch TV or talk on the phone when reloading. Wear safety glasses at all times when reloading. Check all your loads in at least 2 different manuals.

And don't share your reloaded ammo with other guys in your high school!

[Alan Smithiee]

one thing I haven't seen addressed is can he purchase powder and primers at that age? I have this mental image of him walking to Wal-Mart or some such and ending up cuffed and face down since "he's a kid trying to buy gunpowder to blow up his classmates!"

and a good fan blowing out the window can cut down on the noxious stuff (but be aware, they can affect powder scales), and rubber gloves are cheap and ever so usefull for all kinds of things

Kudos on wanting to get into the art and science and joys of reloading.

[Kukri]

Buying supplies would be no problem because I could get my mom to buy the stuff for me or my brother could buy it for me.

[blades67]

My kids will be able to reload before they can shoot.:D

[KP95DAO]

I was 13 when I started. It didn't take long before the money being spent on model rockets (after hundreds of launches) was being spent on the new found interest. Pay attention to detail and double check EVERYTHING!

[Alan Smithiee]

that sounds good, hope you have asked them, sometimes mothers can be suprising "you want me to buy WHAT for you!!!!" be kinda frustrating to get all the gear and then not be able to get the powder and primers.

and depending on state law even getting relitives to purchase for you may be illegal.

not trying to discourage you, just trying to cover some of the other possibilites