New to Reloading

Just be prepared for stoppages if you're loading for an autoloader, those starting weights don't always cycle the slide!

I like to find the MINIMUM charge that will RELIABLY cycle the slide, for each autoloader handgun. It gives me a low recoil impulse round that I can use for training / plinking.

Trent said:

Just be prepared for stoppages if you're loading for an autoloader, those starting weights don't always cycle the slide!

I like to find the MINIMUM charge that will RELIABLY cycle the slide, for each autoloader handgun. It gives me a low recoil impulse round that I can use for training / plinking.

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Once you find that marginal load, you can then practice failure-clearance drills (also known as Tap-Rack-Bang, among other names).

Load a magazine with those marginal loads and shoot a few roundswith a firm grip, then deliberately limp-wrist a shot, inducing a jam (I get stovepipes mostly).

Lost Sheep

Heh you brought back dark memories of my early days reloading.

First time I loaded anything for handgun, it was 9mm. I loaded up 200 of them on a single stage press. (Took awhile).

I get them to the range, and they won't cycle the slide on my handgun.

I got a LOT of tap-rack-bang practice.

Way too much of it, in fact.

If you are wanting to experiment with in between loads and considering the cost of components today, I would find someone with a copy of Quick Load software. You can add powders in .1 gr increments and see what the velocity and pressure will do. I usually recommend a middle of the road load with most powders. I also try to stay away from powders that do not offer this flexibility as I find them less useful and more dangerous. The main problem that I have encountered over the years when you start reloading or tell a friend that you reload is the first thing out of their mouths is "Let's build some hot loads." This is something like buying a new life vest and saying lets go out in the Atlantic and sink the boat and see how long we can float. STUPID. Don't be stupid. Have fun and good shooting.

I don't like beating my guns apart with overcharged loads but the boat thing sounds fun. I'm game of anyone has the boat.

CPLofMARINES said:

Well I received Lyman's 49th edition in the mail yesterday
From Cabela's. This is my first reloading manual I have
Purchased but I expected a bit more load tables. Can
Anyone recommend a manual with more in depth data.

Semper Fi

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The series of books "One Book, One Caliber" are pretty good. About 5" x 8" and 30 or 40 pages containing loading data from many different sources, but no loading instructions. They are bound so they lay flat on your workbench, too. Right handy and just about $9 or $10 each.

Lost Sheep