Just Reloaded my first rounds

[lonewolf2810]

Nobody is saying anything bad just please be careful. You should make another purchase of the Lyman Re loaders Handbook. It has served reloaders everywhere with some great info.Lyman has one of the best reputations anywhere in the reloading field. Good luck and happy reloading.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Blank Stare 73- You may have created issues for yourself now. By reaming those pockets a bit deeper for the rifle primers to seat, I'm hoping that when you try the pistol primers they aren't too deep for the firing pin to ignite reliably.

More than likely you'll be fine, but it is a distinct possibility.

Anyway- Welcome to the world of reloading.

 

[Blank Stare 73]

Blank Stare 73- You may have created issues for yourself now. By reaming those pockets a bit deeper for the rifle primers to seat, I'm hoping that when you try the pistol primers they aren't too deep for the firing pin to ignite reliably.

More than likely you'll be fine, but it is a distinct possibility.

Anyway- Welcome to the world of reloading.

Thank you and yes, I did have the presence of mind to ask that question of the gentleman at the shop where I purchased these. I said "we'll now that I'm reaming them out will I always need to use the larger primers in these cases?"

He said the same thing you just did.

I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I'm reloading thousands of rounds a year so I started as economically as I could. I bought a few hundred of those primers just to try out to see if what he was saying was true.
If I can just reload for .45 Colt and enjoy shooting it economically I'll be happy.

 

[sniper1259]

Blank Stare 73

as you are just starting out in reloading, please remember the first 2 rules of reloading;
1 safety above and beyond all
2 see rule number 1

you are the first person i ever heard of reaming out the primer pockets to fit larger primers
and as this is just a little deeper, it shouldn't be a problem. HOWEVER, just for the record, i have been reloading for over 30+ years. if you are serious about loading, just remember the dimensions that the cases are made to are industry standards. try not to deviate to much and what you have done so far isn't too much if you did it accurately ( i would like to know how you did this and what tools you used from a curiosity point of view)

i have loaded for the .45LC and its a good accurate round and if used properly can light a match without breaking it ( a favorite trick of a close friend i load for)
as for the dipper in the kit, it is only a starting point!! get a good scale asap BEFORE you load another round!!! and use the ref manuals for the data on the powder loads. if you don't have a book try this site foe some of the loads available on-line; http://data.hodgdon.com

weighing the powder load is not an option when setting up for a loading session.

almost everyone in the business makes a powder measure (Dillon makes the best) but it still REQUIRES a scale to make sure you DON'T put TOO MUCH in the case.

you don't want to have your gun surgically removed from your nose ( i have seen this happen) and the scale prevents a painful trip to the surgeon.

I like the Dillon equipment and after checking it the Dillon scale (made by Ohaus) is perfect for the job and isn't "touchy" like others. this is what i use and i own 5 of them.
(you got into this to save money, I'm in it to make money, full time no less!)
as i load thousands of rounds a week in more calibers than i wish to list here, feel free (and this is to all) to contact me anytime to get help at [email protected]
ill be happy to help

ps you are going to find this is really a lot of fun!!! i kept logs of the rounds i have made, just under 2.4 million so far!!

 

[RoostRider]

As noted, I wouldn't go substituting parts unless I knew what I was doing...

That being said, you have now modified your cases, and as noted, they might light strike now when loaded with the proper primers.... and it might not happen the next time, but after several more reloadings, or never, or just when you really need it.... as such, I would keep those cartridges separate, and dispose of them as soon as I had the proper primers...

I honestly think that going with advice from the sales guy about modifying loads in unconventional manners not endorsed by, well, anyone but him, is kind of cavalier when it comes to something like reloading (no one ever thinks they are being overly cavalier)... I have never heard of anyone doing that, and it clearly isn't a standard anyone would recommend...

I am in no way trying to talk you out of reloading.... you got a great attitude about it, and once you get it down I would recommend experimenting some....

 

[billw_willy]

Blank Stare 73,
I understand you are using a Lee Loader. I started loading 38 Spl with one in 1963, didn't do well as the loader would not size the cases enough to chamber my S&W M10. Since then I have accumulated a very large amount of loading equipment. If I just started now with the knowledge I have, I would get a Lee hand press and a Lee 3 die set, a loading manual or two and a 20 # furnace for casting bullets in a Lee mould, some free wheel weights for metal, a Lee sizing tool with Lee Liquid Alox and a few small tools to prep the empty cases. Even then, a new guy should have a mentor to show all the little steps and tricks not mentioned with the equipment. I have done this with new bullet casters and have shown how to load 32-20's in 30 Carbine dies, for example. There is so much information on this list and all you have to do is ask questions. You should buy surplus and used equipment for half or third of retail and save a lot of money. It is a mistake to buy something you think is useful and turns out not needed or has been damaged and worn out. Some small tools can be made with scrap metal or worn out screwdrivers and other tools.

Editing: I forgot to mention getting a powder scale. I have several but prefer my old cast iron Redding. I have several powder measures but the Lyman 55 and RCBS Uniflow can be had for about 1/2 price. The least expensive is the Lee Plastic measure and works well surprisingly, rather difficult to adjust but is accurate in measuring powder, as all powder measures do very well. I will use Lee dippers for loading only a few test rounds and they are accurate if used in a consistent manner. I could easily leave out other equipment such as a micrometer or dial caliper, some expensive and some very inexpensive and all work well.

Try some want ads in your local paper especially the local free ad papers that seem to exist all over along with the usual daily papers. I have bought a lot of equipment with primers and powder from those quitting reloading for some reason.
Bill McGraw

 

[Blank Stare 73]

I'm looking at buying a press, scale, and some dies from a fellow I met on here who lives near me. I just bought a Hornady hand held priming tool today..........like it alot saves alot of time and not as nerve racking as beating the primers in with the Lee loader, wish I'd known about it sooner.

The same gentleman at the store was telling me about casting bullets today, but I just can't afford all the equipment right now. I've been using Magtech 250 grain LFN from Cabella's mainly because their all I can find right now, and they are relatively inexpensive. In a way, I feel like I'm spending $100 to save $20......, but I enjoy the learning and doing of it and I know it will save me money in the long run.

you are the first person i ever heard of reaming out the primer pockets to fit larger primers
and as this is just a little deeper, it shouldn't be a problem. HOWEVER, just for the record, i have been reloading for over 30+ years. if you are serious about loading, just remember the dimensions that the cases are made to are industry standards. try not to deviate to much and what you have done so far isn't too much if you did it accurately ( i would like to know how you did this and what tools you used from a curiosity point of view)

The one I use looks like the one in the link below. It has really worked to give that little extra space for the taller primer.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000157810215

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I'm reloading thousands of rounds a year

That's what we all said in the beginning........

The more expensive commercial ammo gets, the more I load. And lately, that's been A LOT. I can load 44 mag for about 9-12 dollars a box depending on the slug I use, or buy it for north of $40/box? No contest there.

 

[rfwobbly]

More photos....

Mr. Stare -
Here's more photos in an effort to help.

I like to attach my powder hopper to a small board rather than the bench so that it can be gotten out of the way when not in use. Obviously it's only being used during one step of the multi-step process, so why clutter up your valuable bench space the rest of the time is my thinking.

The loading block shown is an ancient Midway product. Most of the new ones are molded plastic. When I started off, my brother the home woodworker handyman, made several for me out of scrap lumber. All you need is an 8" piece of 2x4 and a $3 plug cutting bit from your local hardware or home improvement store. The holes only need to be deep enough to keep the cases upright so that you don't spill any powder.

 

[rfwobbly]

The same gentleman at the store was telling me about casting bullets today, but I just can't afford all the equipment right now. I've been using Magtech 250 grain LFN from Cabella's mainly because their all I can find right now, and they are relatively inexpensive.

Take a look at the offerings from Missouri Bullet in your caliber. I think you'll find that they have a wider selection, cost less, and arrive at your doorstep faster than Cabellas.

While bullet casting can be a fun side show to reloading, there are just as many tools, tips, tricks, etc, etc needed as in simple "metallic reloading". Since casting involves the melting of lead products, due to the fumes it is also an outdoor-only activity. What percentage of your local weather will allow for that? To stay on the safe side, I highly suggest you concentrate your efforts at the present time on getting your loads consistent enough to work out the best loads for your gun. Put off the other "bunny trails" for awhile longer.


PS. Are you recording all your work in a notebook?

 

[Blank Stare 73]

While bullet casting can be a fun side show to reloading, there are just as many tools, tips, tricks, etc, etc needed as in simple "metallic reloading". Since casting involves the melting of lead products, due to the fumes it is also an outdoor-only activity. What percentage of your local weather will allow for that? To stay on the safe side, I highly suggest you concentrate your efforts at the present time on getting your loads consistent enough to work out the best loads for your gun. Put off the other "bunny trails" for awhile longer

I agree with putting off the "bunny trails" for now. For the time being I need to get a scale and powder measure to get my loads precise and to do away with the powder dipper. It works fine, I mean I shot several of the reloaded rounds that I made using the dipper, it's just if I want to "experiment" it is simply not possible, other than to "eyeball it" which I don't want to get into.

Take a look at the offerings from Missouri Bullet in your caliber. I think you'll find that they have a wider selection, cost less, and arrive at your doorstep faster than Cabellas.

Thanks for the tip on the Missouri Bullets, they are about half the price of Cabellas! I'll definately have to check them out. You Da Man!

 

[Faitmaker]

Consistency during reloading helps a lot. You should pull the lever or squeeze the hand loader exactly the same way with exactly the same pressure every time. That will take some experience but don't give up.

I've never snapped a pint but I have pushed one out by accidentally depriming a burdan. Took a bit more pressure than it should have and instead of backing off to find out why, I pushed it. The Lee pin pushed out the backside, just the way it was designed and I realized that it was a Burdan. Two flash holes instead of one and I was pushing against case, not a primer.

I've deprimed a lot of live primers. Just be gentle. I've not had one go off yet. Yet. I usually have to when I've screwed something up in the progressive (priming a shell ruined in the depriming stage because I'm going to fast).

I've had a lot of oopses since I started reloading but fortunately, none of them made it to the finished round bin or those that did were minor (primer not in completely when I first started). I did have a few light loads because a friend of mine wanted to learn and wasn't as attentive as I would have been. He shot those though