Reloading noob.

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arsentek

arsentek

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Mar 15, 2021
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So, I'm just getting into firearms. Like I've always enjoyed it, but I've never had more than one at a time over the years until recently. I wouldn't really consider myself a gun guy, but I recently assembled an AR-15 in 5.56 and an AR-10 in 308 and I'm working on one of those cool guy back pack pistols with the folding stock and a QRB modification. I like to let the universe lead me where it may.

My mom was out of state and someone asked her if she knew anyone that would want a bunch of reloading equipment. I obviously said yes. I'm working with limited photography at the moment so I don't know everything that's included, but there's tons of brass. I'm looking for any advice that anyone has for someone that is brand new to this and is going to be getting alot more than than someone starting out would normally have.

One of my biggest questions is "Should I dispose of all powder that is open?"
 
Best thing to do is read the first part of the reloading books there, you will learn what you need. For opened powder and not knowing what is really in it I'd say Chuck it, I'm cheap but you never know what's in there unless it's a very distinctive powder that you know.

It makes good fertilizer.
 
arnestek, best advice I have for a new reloader is always use published loads and components and keep records of the loads you like.... hdbiker
 
Dillon scale, Dillon tumbler but no press?
Appears someone got there first.
 
Not sure how old the reloading books are, over the years powders might have their recipes tweaked while still using the same name. So it’s always good to have current up to date books. But if you don’t wanna spend the money, I find the hogedon free online reloader database thingie the best. It’s my go-to and I have a few books myself...
Did I mention it’s free :D
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
 
My advice is to learn as much as you can before you start. The reloading books have good information. You can also check out videos on You Tube. There are some really good ones on a wide range of reloading topics. Also go through and inventory what you are getting in this lot of gear. Determine what you have and what you are missing for the calibers you want to reload.

All reloading supplies are in short supply right now so you will have to be diligent in your search for the things you do not have. The powder is a tough call since it is so hard to find right now. However if you don't know the person you are buying from and they can't assure you that the correct powder is in each can I wouldn't use it. The risk is to high if you use the wrong powder in a load. Good luck and have fun.
 
Skeptic13 said:
My advice is to learn as much as you can before you start. The reloading books have good information. You can also check out videos on You Tube. There are some really good ones on a wide range of reloading topics. Also go through and inventory what you are getting in this lot of gear. Determine what you have and what you are missing for the calibers you want to reload.

All reloading supplies are in short supply right now so you will have to be diligent in your search for the things you do not have. The powder is a tough call since it is so hard to find right now. However if you don't know the person you are buying from and they can't assure you that the correct powder is in each can I wouldn't use it. The risk is to high if you use the wrong powder in a load. Good luck and have fun.
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I don't know anything at all yet. It's all free. I'm not sure if the guy died or what, I just knew I had to say yes because why would I not. It won't be in my possesion for a few more days.
 
Walkalong said:
Well duh. :D

Congrats.

Take your time and go through it. You'll likely have more questions. What firearm/caliber are you going to start with?
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Thank you sir. I asked some Army buddies about the brass in the pictures and they think it's .223/5.56. I have a pretty standard AR-15 with a 16" barrel. So that would be my plan. I'm a big KISS (Keep it simple stupid) guy, so I'm not trying to recreate the wheel.
 
arsentek said:
Thank you sir. I asked some Army buddies about the brass in the pictures and they think it's .223/5.56. I have a pretty standard AR-15 with a 16" barrel. So that would be my plan. I'm a big KISS (Keep it simple stupid) guy, so I'm not trying to recreate the wheel.
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it’s very satisfying to crank out your own ammo
 
Mark_Mark said:
it’s very satisfying to crank out your own ammo
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Man, I'm so excited. It's something I've wanted to do but I hadn't really made a plan for yet. I was going to start looking into stuff once prices calmed down. I'm nervous about whether there are primers or not because everytime I go to my gunshop there is someone in there talking about how hard they are hard(impossible) to get. She said there's a bunch of books.
 
Hopefully there's some primers squirreled away in that stuff. They are extremely difficult to come by right now unless you are willing to pay scalper prices.

Edit: Some oil and steel wool will take that rust off the press (green thing covered in rust in top of first pic). Hopefully it isn't pitted too bad. Looks like it has been neglected for quite a while.
 
mrawesome22-250 said:
Hopefully there's some primers squirreled away in that stuff. They are extremely difficult to come by right now unless you are willing to pay scalper prices.

Edit: Some oil and steel wool will take that rust off the press (green thing covered in rust in top of first pic). Hopefully it isn't pitted too bad. Looks like it has been neglected for quite a while.
Click to expand...
Targa said:
Very nice!! Did you get primers in the mix with that?
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I don't know about primers yet. It's all 300 miles away and I won't have it for a few days. The people getting it know very little about guns. I myself don't know that much about loading. It's a little difficult to communicate.
 
Every reloading enthusiast starts somewhere. Fortunately a good pile of hardware came your way, think of it as an omen. The more you get into it read manuals and ask questions. The powder? Despite things like powder being hard to find right now I would go with the consensus and trash it. IMR has not used metallic cans for years but I still have a few, difference is I know what I have. Safe bet is to just toss it out. Work into things slowly making sure you understand a step before taking another. Enjoy and welcome to the community.

Ron
 
I hate waste but you can never trust some one else's open powder, could be mixed or in wrong containers. Read the manuals, look at youtube and if possible find a local reloader. Keep everything, dont sell dies because you dont have that caliber or have no desire for a gun in that caliber, taste changes and sometimes with trading or buying you will end up with a gun you may never thought of getting. Get some check weights for the scale if you dont have any. Set up reloading area with no distractions. Its a single stage press good to start with and is all I still use. Look to developing good habits like batch making do one step at a time to all cases then move on to the next step in the loading procedure. Make small batches for testing first, dont want to make 500 rounds and then find out they jam or will not chamber or to high of pressure. It's also easier to load not using mixed brass. Also get the 800 # off of sierras website, the guys there will help you with any questions.
 
arsentek said:
Man, I'm so excited. It's something I've wanted to do but I hadn't really made a plan for yet. I was going to start looking into stuff once prices calmed down. I'm nervous about whether there are primers or not because everytime I go to my gunshop there is someone in there talking about how hard they are hard(impossible) to get. She said there's a bunch of books.
Click to expand...
you will never look at ammo the same! A good load with perfect seating depth and perfect powder, can make a OK gun ... accurate as all get up! Be patient son, don’t listen to your non reloading buddies and have coffee ready. You feel smarter in a reloading room with a hot cup of coffee.

Welcome to the Club! password is “headspace”
 
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