Easier/safer caliber for beginners?

[JShirley]

I loaded my first handloads under the guidance of another staff member recently. .38 seemed about as easy as possible.

John

 

[Mohave-Tec]

I started with .223 on a single stage press.
Don't do that.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Am assuming you mean for reloading.

The .45ACP is an excellent beginner case, as it is short and fat (i.e. easy to handle). Use a bulky powder and there can be no double-charges.

The 9mm would be a good candidate also, except that since it is both short and narrow, it is not as easy to work with (harder to handle).

 

[beatledog7]

I have to add that I'm not a fan of teaching a reloader with a powder that can't be double-stuffed without overflowing the case.

Teaching this could easily give the mistaken impression that a double charge will always overflow the case and is therefore easy to avoid with no QC measures. I prefer to teach using a powder than can in fact be double or even triple-stuffed so the new reloader learns from day one to apply proper QC.

 

[jlucke69]

For me, the 38 special or 44 special are the easiest. When you start with the auto calibers, you need to test each load in each gun you are going to be firing it out of. Some autos don't like specific bullet shapes or seating depths.

 

[Potatohead]

American Select is good stuff.

Really glad to hear that..I can't find a .380 recipe anywhere. Any thoughts?

 

[Potatohead]

I have to add that I'm not a fan of teaching a reloader with a powder that can't be double-stuffed without overflowing the case.

Teaching this could easily give the mistaken impression that a double charge will always overflow the case and is therefore easy to avoid with no QC measures. I prefer to teach using a powder than can in fact be double or even triple-stuffed so the new reloader learns from day one to apply proper QC.

This is a pretty good point..

 

[Potatohead]

Awesome fellas, thanks for your help so far. Now I've got an excuse to purchase another gun. (38) Like I needed an excuse!

 

[jwrowland77]

I'd say learn on whatever firearm you have.

The 9mm is easy to load, just a matter of paying close attention to everything. I started with the 9mm using Unique, Autocomp and Titegroup.

I keep all my primed cases in a Tupperware type bowl. I take them out one at a time and fill them and put them in the blocks. After done, I check each and every case. If one looks different, I redo it.

 

[Potatohead]

Sounds good. I was kidding, I will still be starting with 9mm, but can always use a good excuse for another pistol.

 

[jwrowland77]

Sounds good. I was kidding, I will still be starting with 9mm, but can always use a good excuse for another pistol.

Preaching to the choir...I'm always looking for the smallest reason to buy another firearm. Lol. I recently acquired a .308 Savage Axis, just so I could reload for another rifle. I was getting bored with my 7mm Rem Mag and .223. Lol

 

[Potatohead]

Awesome. Yea, my friend, bought the wrong ammo a while back at Gander. He bought 22-250 but meant to get 22LR (I think thats what it was-i might not have those calibers just right) but we were laughing about him not being able to return it- I told him the only thing a rational person could do now is to go and buy a gun that shoots 22-250

 

[GT1]

Use a bulky powder and there can be no double-charges.

Easiest way to be safe for a brand new reloader, no matter the caliber. I started with 9mm and AA#7, I couldn't come close to a double charge.

 

[Paladin7]

I prefer straight walled revolver cartridges for beginners...namely the 44 special and 38 special.

The dies for these cartridges will allow you to move up to the 44 Magnum and 357 Magnum, so you have some versatility to move up when you are ready.

I prefer the 44 Special because the case capacity is such that it's easy not to do anything incorrectly as compared to the 38 Special.

The 38 Special started as a black powder cartridge so over charging the case is the worry for a beginner. Trail Boss in this cartridge is an excellent option to start with, due to that powder having more bulk to fill the cartridge.

 

[Potatohead]

thanks

 

[ATLDave]

I have to add that I'm not a fan of teaching a reloader with a powder that can't be double-stuffed without overflowing the case.

Teaching this could easily give the mistaken impression that a double charge will always overflow the case and is therefore easy to avoid with no QC measures. I prefer to teach using a powder than can in fact be double or even triple-stuffed so the new reloader learns from day one to apply proper QC.

Hmm. By this logic, new drivers should only be taken out in the rain so that they learn to leave appropriate distance to the next car.

I think it's better for people to learn, to the extent possible, in an environment where the feedback for beginner's mistakes is not serious injury, but is instead a mess of gunpowder and a sick feeling that an overcharge was just averted but NOT through the skill or diligence of the loader.

 

[ATLDave]

As for the straight-walled v. taper (not bottlenecked issue), I cannot tell any difference. I don't load .38 any differently than I load 9mm (except the latter, being an auto cartridge, gets a taper-, not roll-, crimp).

 

[demerp]

good thread

just wanted to say thanks to Potatohead for asking a question I have been thinking about, as well as to those who answered with some good thoughts.

Have been thinking about reloading for quite some time, never got around to it, then got caught with low supply during the recent ammo troubles.

I have a lot of various pistol brass, sorted by caliber in plastic bags, & have even acquired some bullets & primers.

Won't be caught with my pants down the next time around.

 

[RussellC]

Saw this post on another thread



and got to thinking, I'm sure all will be well with any caliber if you mind your P's and Q's, but are some handgun calibers easier/safer to handle for a beginner? Which is safest/easiest to deal with? Or to put it another way, I was planning on starting my career with 9mm Luger, is this cartridge/case/caliber a booger to work with particularly? Thanks in advance guys and gals, I'll check replies in the am...been a long day...AndyQ

I load 9mm, I think it is safer as the case is small. Most powder loads except titegroup just about fill the case, making it darn near impossible to double load. Like you said, watch your Ps and Qs and you will be find. Oh, and I always ask here if I have ANY doubt....

Russellc

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks guys (and gals if any)

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I currently load 9mm and .45LC.

Unless you have the right powder, primer and bullets, the 9mm can cause you problems as mentioned before, too much powder, seated to deep, and a magnum primer all can cause a headache. Yes its easy to load, but also real easy to not load correctly.

I actuall started reloading with .45lc for cowboy loads, using Trailboss and 250gr Lead bullets. I think that it was almost fool proof on my Dillon SDB.

But unless you need to Load .45LC I Beleive the .45acp may be a better choice. Just my 1 1/2 cents worth for comparison. As mentioned, if you go at it slow and follow the data you should be okay. Oh, make sure you get a couple of good reloading manuals, not primarily for the reload data, but ALL the other reloading information, it goes a long way.:banghead:

 

[IdahoSkies]

I think 9mm is one of the easiest. It is hard to double charge it (generally not enough room to do it), and there is usually a decent range of 'safe' charges, and if you have a gun that takes +P that gives you that much more leeway.