I am very interested in handloading/reloading. Im also new to guns in general and none of my freinds are into guns (so i dont have personal available resources) .. Are there any places that teach handloading/reloading..more specifically in GA. But i am curious if classes exist. Thanks !
Is there a such thing as a class for reloading ?
- Thread starter Don Lu
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I don`t know about Ga but a gun shop here in Michigan use to have class on reloading. The class as I remember was a deal where you signed up if interested and they had a class when they had enough interested people. I also have seen it offered as part of a "women & kids" day at a rifle club along with introductory training in shooting, hunting and archery. I would call a few gun clubs in your area and see if they offer training or know where you can find it. Most clubs should have a good idea if such a thing exists in their region.
I took a class a few months ago at Sportsmans Warehouse. It was really helpful. It also was free. Still have to really study the manuels but the class was well worth it. Making dummy rounds with someone teaching me really helped my confidence with using the equipement and eased my fear of blowing myself and/or my gun up.
Hi Don Lu , I'm on the other side of the US so no good local tips here, but get and READ the ABC's of reloading , then you'll need one or ? reloading manuals . As for these forums, just ask the right questions, some may asume you know things you don't so be careful and specific when asking
Jim_M
Member
These guys look pretty close. Give them a call. I imagine they got someone there to walk you through the process.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94&storeID=3
Jim
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=94&storeID=3
Jim
Not sure about your local resources, but the likely supsects would include
Bass Pro
Gander Mtn.
Sportsmans Warehouse
Local gunshops that have reloading supplies.
Many local shooters are more then happy to spread the knowledge. Check with your state shooting sports association. Check out at the range you hang out at. Check adult education classes.
Go check out www.ar15.com in the GA hometown forums and post for a reloading mentor! I bet you would get all kinds of offers!
In lieu of that.
http://www.reload-nrma.com/ and Sierra has reloading videos! There is effort in reloading. You have to put in some research into the process!
Your first step is buying the best reference book or what I call Reloading for Dummies or The ABC's of Reloading from Krause Publications.
There are several great reloading manuals of the real kind not the freebee ones! Paperback manuals are good for cross referencing data, at times. For meaty manuals a person can not go wrong with the Lyman48th and Sierra. One must always look at the loads when you compare data. Especially in larger calibers as some data might be using different brass from yours. Case in point Hodgdon used WW brass to work up loads with, whereas Sierra used Fed cases in their 308 Winchester loading information.
Press - Single Stage or Turret presses are the best way to learn before advancing to any kind of progressive press. You will always have need for a single stage press. Redding and RCBS are good sources of all kinds of presses. RCBS Rockchucker Supreme for a single stage and Redding T7 for a turret press are basically the gold standard for press types.
Dies - I like Redding Dies, and I would get the carbide expander ball upgrade for bottle neck rifle cases. Dillon makes carbide rifle sizer dies, but you still need to use case lube and make sure you lube the inside of the case neck, too. I would just stick with regular dies for rifle cartridges. Dillon makes die sets specifically for their press so to speak, meaning that it does not come with a case mouth belling die; Redding makes a set of dies for progressive presses, too. I like Forster competition seaters, and they can be had as an individual item. Dies are pretty much threaded universally, except for Lyman 310 dies, and Dillon dies for the Square Deal N. Accuracy nuts will use hand dies, and they require an arbor press be used.
Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them like Lee) or the appropriate shell plate for the progressive press. Remember that many shell holders work for more then one cartridge. I would do some home work, especially if you get a Dillon. Some cartridge conversions might only require you to get powder funnel for the new cartridge.
A tumbler will be a good investment, as clean cases will not harm you dies. There are vibratory and rotary tumblers out there. I like corn cob media treated with some Iosso case polish. You can get walnut in bulk at Petco or Pet Smart. Bulk corn cob grit is a great way to reduce the cost of commercially supplied media, because you pay through the nose for the treated media from other vendors.
MTM makes great loading block tray that handles most cartridges.
Case Lube is great for both conventional dies, and to treat your brass used in a progressive press even with carbide dies. That extra lubricity makes the cycling of the press a tad slicker! Dillon spray lube works well for shake and bake application. I like Imperial Die Wax for rifle cartridges when FL sizing.
Case Neck Brush to clean bottleneck rifle cases
Dial Calipers
Case Trimmer (Lee works, but Possum Hollow is better, Wilson makes the best hand powered Lathe trimmer, and Giraud is the best powered Trimmer)
Deburring/Chamfering Tool
Primer Pocket Cleaner and uniformer
Primer Flip Tray is needed for loading pick up tubes for some primer systems like the Dillon.
Priming Tool (I like the RCBS (now even better with universal shell holder, but Sinclair makes the best)
Powder Scale - remember that is always better to have a mechanical scale as a back up to any electronic scale.
Powder Funnel kit with drop tubes especially if you intend to use powders like Varget.
Powder Trickler (used to tweak powder charges )
Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges it does require a bit of learning curve to get consistent powder charges sort of rhythm thing) standard with progressive presses, but the RCBS Uniflow is nice! Redding makes a better one, and Harrell is the gold standard!
Hammer Type Bullet Puller (for taking down the boo boo's)
Ammo boxes and labels
A notebook for recording your results! Saves covering the same ground twice!
A chronograph is great when working up loads, but is more a luxury in the beginning.
Bass Pro
Gander Mtn.
Sportsmans Warehouse
Local gunshops that have reloading supplies.
Many local shooters are more then happy to spread the knowledge. Check with your state shooting sports association. Check out at the range you hang out at. Check adult education classes.
Go check out www.ar15.com in the GA hometown forums and post for a reloading mentor! I bet you would get all kinds of offers!
In lieu of that.
http://www.reload-nrma.com/ and Sierra has reloading videos! There is effort in reloading. You have to put in some research into the process!
Your first step is buying the best reference book or what I call Reloading for Dummies or The ABC's of Reloading from Krause Publications.
There are several great reloading manuals of the real kind not the freebee ones! Paperback manuals are good for cross referencing data, at times. For meaty manuals a person can not go wrong with the Lyman48th and Sierra. One must always look at the loads when you compare data. Especially in larger calibers as some data might be using different brass from yours. Case in point Hodgdon used WW brass to work up loads with, whereas Sierra used Fed cases in their 308 Winchester loading information.
Press - Single Stage or Turret presses are the best way to learn before advancing to any kind of progressive press. You will always have need for a single stage press. Redding and RCBS are good sources of all kinds of presses. RCBS Rockchucker Supreme for a single stage and Redding T7 for a turret press are basically the gold standard for press types.
Dies - I like Redding Dies, and I would get the carbide expander ball upgrade for bottle neck rifle cases. Dillon makes carbide rifle sizer dies, but you still need to use case lube and make sure you lube the inside of the case neck, too. I would just stick with regular dies for rifle cartridges. Dillon makes die sets specifically for their press so to speak, meaning that it does not come with a case mouth belling die; Redding makes a set of dies for progressive presses, too. I like Forster competition seaters, and they can be had as an individual item. Dies are pretty much threaded universally, except for Lyman 310 dies, and Dillon dies for the Square Deal N. Accuracy nuts will use hand dies, and they require an arbor press be used.
Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them like Lee) or the appropriate shell plate for the progressive press. Remember that many shell holders work for more then one cartridge. I would do some home work, especially if you get a Dillon. Some cartridge conversions might only require you to get powder funnel for the new cartridge.
A tumbler will be a good investment, as clean cases will not harm you dies. There are vibratory and rotary tumblers out there. I like corn cob media treated with some Iosso case polish. You can get walnut in bulk at Petco or Pet Smart. Bulk corn cob grit is a great way to reduce the cost of commercially supplied media, because you pay through the nose for the treated media from other vendors.
MTM makes great loading block tray that handles most cartridges.
Case Lube is great for both conventional dies, and to treat your brass used in a progressive press even with carbide dies. That extra lubricity makes the cycling of the press a tad slicker! Dillon spray lube works well for shake and bake application. I like Imperial Die Wax for rifle cartridges when FL sizing.
Case Neck Brush to clean bottleneck rifle cases
Dial Calipers
Case Trimmer (Lee works, but Possum Hollow is better, Wilson makes the best hand powered Lathe trimmer, and Giraud is the best powered Trimmer)
Deburring/Chamfering Tool
Primer Pocket Cleaner and uniformer
Primer Flip Tray is needed for loading pick up tubes for some primer systems like the Dillon.
Priming Tool (I like the RCBS (now even better with universal shell holder, but Sinclair makes the best)
Powder Scale - remember that is always better to have a mechanical scale as a back up to any electronic scale.
Powder Funnel kit with drop tubes especially if you intend to use powders like Varget.
Powder Trickler (used to tweak powder charges )
Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges it does require a bit of learning curve to get consistent powder charges sort of rhythm thing) standard with progressive presses, but the RCBS Uniflow is nice! Redding makes a better one, and Harrell is the gold standard!
Hammer Type Bullet Puller (for taking down the boo boo's)
Ammo boxes and labels
A notebook for recording your results! Saves covering the same ground twice!
A chronograph is great when working up loads, but is more a luxury in the beginning.
thanks ...
Great great info guys..keep it coming but i think you guys have given me at least a gameplan for how i can aproach it. And i must say as is read different post and forums I think its great that so many people are willing to share good detailed info w/people in this manner...hopefully one day ill acuire enough expirience/knowledge to share w/ some other newbie..but thanks again.
Great great info guys..keep it coming but i think you guys have given me at least a gameplan for how i can aproach it. And i must say as is read different post and forums I think its great that so many people are willing to share good detailed info w/people in this manner...hopefully one day ill acuire enough expirience/knowledge to share w/ some other newbie..but thanks again.
Mr. Tettnanger
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2004
- Messages
- 232
Mentor up with somebody
I learned by watching ands asking questions. A friend that I grew up with finally busted my chops enough to get me into it. Another friend brought all his stuff up to hunting camp one year and we spent an afternoon loading brass! Hopefully you can buddy up with someone locally.
Mr. Tettnanger
I learned by watching ands asking questions. A friend that I grew up with finally busted my chops enough to get me into it. Another friend brought all his stuff up to hunting camp one year and we spent an afternoon loading brass! Hopefully you can buddy up with someone locally.
Mr. Tettnanger
Lone_Gunman
Member
The NRA also has a reloading course, but I have never actually seen it offered anywhere.
I started on my own
and I have yet to blow up anything. Anything that I didn't want to that is. Seriously though, and remember that when I started I did not have acces to a computer, buy yourself a good manual like Speer or Lyman. I mention those two in particular because I have both and they take you through the process as well as give you recipes. I normally recomend that a beginner get a single stage press, Powder measure and, scale. I also highly recomend a hand primer as well. You will have other sources of info as well like when you buy your dies. They usually tell you how to adjust them properly. You might want to have your wife or girlfriend on hand to READ THE DIRECTIONS. Since it appers that you will only be loading for 40 S&W in the beginning you might not see the savings for quite a while but, don't worry shooting and reloading are disease like in nature and soon you will be consumed by one or both.
and I have yet to blow up anything. Anything that I didn't want to that is.
Seriously though, and remember that when I started I did not have acces to a computer, buy yourself a good manual like Speer or Lyman. I mention those two in particular because I have both and they take you through the process as well as give you recipes. I normally recomend that a beginner get a single stage press, Powder measure and, scale. I also highly recomend a hand primer as well. You will have other sources of info as well like when you buy your dies. They usually tell you how to adjust them properly. You might want to have your wife or girlfriend on hand to READ THE DIRECTIONS. Since it appers that you will only be loading for 40 S&W in the beginning you might not see the savings for quite a while but, don't worry shooting and reloading are disease like in nature and soon you will be consumed by one or both.JA
Member
Here is the link to NRA training courses offered in each state.
http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp
http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp
CZ223
I hear ya...it is addicting. Im already addicted to shooting..i go through +400 rounds a week. my range is on the way home from work so i always happen to "crash" into their parking lot and fall out my car into the range but thats why i think reloading is for me..im not rich and from what i hear..after the initial upfront charges i should be saving money fairly quickly. also i took one gun saftey class and besides that I have taught myself how to shoot. im in love..and the wife hates it..lol. anyway for now it is only 40 s&w, but i am getting a .357 by x-mas so i know if i start loading , ill be loading those too. again guys thatnks for all the goo info !
I hear ya...it is addicting. Im already addicted to shooting..i go through +400 rounds a week. my range is on the way home from work so i always happen to "crash" into their parking lot and fall out my car into the range
but thats why i think reloading is for me..im not rich and from what i hear..after the initial upfront charges i should be saving money fairly quickly. also i took one gun saftey class and besides that I have taught myself how to shoot. im in love..and the wife hates it..lol. anyway for now it is only 40 s&w, but i am getting a .357 by x-mas so i know if i start loading , ill be loading those too. again guys thatnks for all the goo info !scout26
Member
On the National Reloading Manufacturers Association Website. They have a list of Insturctors.
http://www.reload-nrma.com/NRAinstruc.html
Type in the first digit of your zip code (Georgia is under "3" and there are 6 NRA ceritifed reloading instructors listed.) and then call the instructor(s) closest to you.
http://www.reload-nrma.com/NRAinstruc.html
Type in the first digit of your zip code (Georgia is under "3" and there are 6 NRA ceritifed reloading instructors listed.) and then call the instructor(s) closest to you.
Waitone
Member
Hang around the reloading forum on THR and make conspicious use of the search function. You'll be up to weight in no time.
makeitdo
Member
Over the years I have help a couple off people get started. I work in Sandy Springs, but live in-between Dalonaga and Cleveland. I started loading in the early 70's with a hand loader and slowly keep upgrading. If I can be of help please let me know.
billsnogo
Member
Cool! I think I will need to read up alot on this section of the forum. I think it would be both fun and more economical to maybe reload myself. Now I need to find a mentor, read this forum on a regular basis, and got to work
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