I wanna start reloading! But I have questions...

[J_McLeod]

I know it's an old thread...but

Here's another good source for brass. I got my current batch here, and it's all been good so far. About half way through the bag.

 

[dmazur]

I would recommend trying to get a single brand or sorting it by brand so you can weigh the finish cartridge to make sure you aren't way off.

My experience has been that the bullet weight variation makes weighing finished rounds pointless. Even if the cases are identical, you still can't say within 1 gr whether you have the correct powder charge.

 

[slowbutsure]

RCBS makes progressive equipment, that attaches to a single stage press. I use RCBS single stage press both ways. My suggestion for you is to load single stage until you get familar with the process of loading a given bullet. There are lot things that you will learn from a one-at-time approach. I think that most of us here that have been reloading for a along time, would agree that there is those "little things", that you pick up over time, that will stand you in good stead once you start to load with a progrssive.

as for OFB I use it all of the time, but, I also buy from time to time new. Like some one here has already said if you were local I would give you 9mm brass, that I am drowning in. I finally stopped picking the 9mm up at the range. sbs

 

[Lost Sheep]

I buy all my brass new

I buy all my brass new (and already loaded).

My once-fired brass is all personally once-fired by me.

Of course, I have not bought brass in a long while, as my supply of empties seems endless.

Welcome to reloading and thanks for asking our advice

Check out these web sites, posts and threads I think you will enjoy. So get a large mug of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, whatever you keep on hand when you read and think and read through these.


The "sticky" thread at the top of TheFiringLine's reloading forum is good, entitled, "For the New Reloader: Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST "
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230171

The "sticky" thread at the top of TheHighRoad.com's reloading forum is good, entitled, "For the New Reloader: Thinking about Reloading; Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST"
http://www.thehighroad.org//showthread.php?t=238214

"Budget Beginning bench you will never outgrow for the novice handloader". This was informed by my recent (July 2010) repopulation of my loading bench. It is what I would have done 35 years ago if I had known then what I know now.
http://rugerforum.net/reloading/293...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

Thread entitled "Newby needs help."
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430391
My post 11 is entitled "Here's my reloading setup, which I think you might want to model" November 21, 2010)
My post 13 is "10 Advices for the novice handloader" November 21, 2010)

The first draft of my "10 Advices..." is on page 2 of this thread, about halfway down.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13543

Minimalist minimal
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=107332

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=439810

or if the links do not work, paste these into your browser

thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230171

thehighroad.org//showthread.php?t=238214

rugerforum.net/reloading/29385-budget-beginning-bench-you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430391
(posts are #11 and #13)


rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13543

Minimalist minimal (the seventh post down)
rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=107332

thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=439810

Good luck. Always wear eye protection, especially when working with primers and don't pinch your fingers in your press. Be safe. Always, all ways.

Lost Sheep

 

[Walkalong]

Not me. I use all the range brass I can get. I buy once fired, as well as new if I need to.

I can understand why beginners would be more at ease starting with new brass though.

 

[gamestalker]

Most of the brass I use is once fired. I've been hand loading for the better part of 30 years, and haven't bought new brass other than just a couple of times. That was because the particular brass was a difficult cartridge to find at the range. But considering you are going be starting out with two relatively common cartridges, the 9mm and the 45 ACP, I would look for some range brass. I just started loading 9 mm for the first time in like 20 years, and needed brass of course. In the course of maybe a month of checking my favorite shooting spots, I picked up close to 1500 rounds of brass. Nearly all of it was good once brass and all but a hand full was the good headstamps. I'll be honest with though in this respect, range brass needs to be tumbled and inspected well. Keep the stuff that isn't pitted or non reloadable, ect. and toss the rest. Also, there are a lot of online places to purchase inexpensive once fired.

If your going to buy new brass, the one's I've had good experince with are Star, Winchester, and Remington. Federal is excellent brass too, but it seems a little bit harder and can get brittle after a few cycles. Additionally, if your buying your brass, avoid nickel if possible. It has a couple of little quirks that can be troublesome. It can scratch your dies and the chamber of your firearms, so I've been told. But the one issue I've had with it is, pressures seem to be some what higher when loading with it. I'm not exactly certain as to why, but I'm thinking it may have something to do with it's thicker walls. Maybe less internal space, or, possibly because it doesn't flex as much when firing like standard brass?
Welcome to the world of hand loading and THR!