tahunua001
Member
yahoo ran the same story, it immediately died there... too many lefties use yahoo news if you know what I mean.
All the new new reloaders. (Making the news)
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Fishslayer
Member
This is the second story on reloading I've seen. It's great that a lot of people are taking up the hobby.
The down side is that reloading is now on the anti's radar in California. The're discussing a nickel a round "public safety" tax on not only ammo but bullets as well.
The down side is that reloading is now on the anti's radar in California. The're discussing a nickel a round "public safety" tax on not only ammo but bullets as well.
thelaststand
Member
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- Nov 6, 2009
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- 138
I don't agree. I think that the people who put the time and effort into getting the equipment and components for reloading will continue it. At my local shooting range, I used to be able to pick up a lot of brass, now no one leaves their brass. A lot of people will be collecting the equipment and components over the next several years and will start reloading. It will take manufacturers a while to catch up.
I've noticed this too. Luckily I started picking up a couple years ago so I'm pretty well off. This last trip a guy had his wife combing the ranges with a duffel bag picking up pistol brass after a plate match. I would contribute it to some new reloaders but more likely people trying to make a buck on the internet.
beatledog7
Member
We're seeing an awful lot of new reloaders asking questions in two areas:
-- OAL: Seems the new guys are sort of stuck on book recommendations and don't know how to figure out what will work in their particular chambers. A lot have gotten good advice here and no doubt on other on-line forums, from "process" books, or from a mentor, but I'd bet a lot are just slavishly setting OALs to whatever is recommended in the load data and having lots of issues.
--Powder/cartridge matching: Too many new reloaders buying whatever powder they can find and trying to make it work in whatever cartridge they want to shoot. Again, many are getting good advice before they meet disaster, but I bet plenty are not.
If new reloaders peter out, let us hope it's because they get bored rather than because they get injured.
-- OAL: Seems the new guys are sort of stuck on book recommendations and don't know how to figure out what will work in their particular chambers. A lot have gotten good advice here and no doubt on other on-line forums, from "process" books, or from a mentor, but I'd bet a lot are just slavishly setting OALs to whatever is recommended in the load data and having lots of issues.
--Powder/cartridge matching: Too many new reloaders buying whatever powder they can find and trying to make it work in whatever cartridge they want to shoot. Again, many are getting good advice before they meet disaster, but I bet plenty are not.
If new reloaders peter out, let us hope it's because they get bored rather than because they get injured.
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If I can ever get some time off, and some more boolits, I can give you a few lessons but I'm still learning some things myself.
red rick
Member
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- Aug 11, 2009
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As a new reloader I agree with you Bealedog7. All of the books that I have read advise new reloaders to follow the printed loads, but that is impossible now. So the questions arise and this and another forum is where I come to for advice, along with the manufacturer. I hope that one day I will learn enough to pass it on to the next generation.
a1rstreamer
Member
Another noob - me!
Last winter when I was in Arizona, I wasn't able to get any 9mm ammo. I decided that I would get into reloading. Since I also shoot cap and ball, I was partway into reloading. Money and space were my big constraints. I first read what I could on the subject, and even though my range buddies suggested a progressive press I initially went with a Lee turret. On my first batch I found that I had a few squibs - the primers weren't properly seated. I decided that to do this job safely meant that I needed to see what was happening at each stage of the process. I came across a video showing a guy reloading in an RV, where a bench needs to be small and portable, using the Lee breech lock hand press. That was the solution. So I bought the kit and I've reloaded about 300 rounds in the past week. I find it relaxing to do, and I can keep a close watch on the quality - I take my time.
Last week at the range some guy asked me about reloading - he asked how fast it could be done because he doesn't have time to waste. He said he was thinking about getting a progressive press. I had to tell him that I load about 50 rounds in a bit over an hour and I'm pleased that I can inspect each round at each stage of the process. I can see that the primers are properly seated and that the powder is in the case.
The bonus for me is also that the "bench" fits into a 19"x7"x7-1/5" metal tool box, with supplies & a Lyman ultrasonic cleaner in a Rubbermaid tub.
Last winter when I was in Arizona, I wasn't able to get any 9mm ammo. I decided that I would get into reloading. Since I also shoot cap and ball, I was partway into reloading. Money and space were my big constraints. I first read what I could on the subject, and even though my range buddies suggested a progressive press I initially went with a Lee turret. On my first batch I found that I had a few squibs - the primers weren't properly seated. I decided that to do this job safely meant that I needed to see what was happening at each stage of the process. I came across a video showing a guy reloading in an RV, where a bench needs to be small and portable, using the Lee breech lock hand press. That was the solution. So I bought the kit and I've reloaded about 300 rounds in the past week. I find it relaxing to do, and I can keep a close watch on the quality - I take my time.
Last week at the range some guy asked me about reloading - he asked how fast it could be done because he doesn't have time to waste. He said he was thinking about getting a progressive press. I had to tell him that I load about 50 rounds in a bit over an hour and I'm pleased that I can inspect each round at each stage of the process. I can see that the primers are properly seated and that the powder is in the case.
The bonus for me is also that the "bench" fits into a 19"x7"x7-1/5" metal tool box, with supplies & a Lyman ultrasonic cleaner in a Rubbermaid tub.
beatledog7
Member
Speed may come, but do not go faster than you can go safely. In expressing your own process, you gave good advice; you may have even saved this guy from hurting himself or others.
We've had threads about reloading speed vs. quality control and that sort of thing. My advice to a new reloader would always be to forget about speed and learn proper QC. That's what I do, and I honestly cannot tell you how long it takes me to load 50 rounds. I know it depends on what cartridge, what powder, and the state of the brass before I start, among other things. I can also tell you that if I ever feel I'm not mentally in it, I stop.
There's a lot that can go wrong, and the results of that can be very bad, but that's true of many hobbies. Reloading is safe if the reloader sticks to published data, follows the process, does QC, and doesn't get in a hurry.
glc24
Member
I'm new to reloading too,and there is a heck of a lot of learning. The process of absorbing it all is a slow one.
IMO,anyone who's in a hurry should never consider getting involved in reloading ammunition.
Greg
MadOtis
Member
I, too, learn from my mistakes. I got the Lee turret press and after loading a squib (I obviously missed a powder charge) in 20 test rounds, I promptly took the auto-index bar out and now load each round a single stage at a time and manually index to the next die when I've finished enough to fill a loading block. So, I'll load 50 at a time, then inspect the block with a flashlight, and my glasses (as recommended by the fine folks here) to check each round for proper charge, OAL, etc. 1000 rounds later, and not a single issue with a single reload.
So, the moral of the story is... I've learned from the collective wisdom here, and I appreciate every bit of advice I've received, so: go slow, inspect, inspect, inspect, be safe, and enjoy the hobby!
So, the moral of the story is... I've learned from the collective wisdom here, and I appreciate every bit of advice I've received, so: go slow, inspect, inspect, inspect, be safe, and enjoy the hobby!
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