New loader didn't think about that.

tws3b2

tws3b2

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
1,154
Location
Asheboro NC
I started out thinking about getting into reloading 38spl because they are still hard to find and price is high. I have not found any primers near me yet but thought I'd go ahead and round up everything else I need. Six shooters gun show will be in town next week, maybe I will find some then.
I ordered a Lee Precision loader kit for 38spl. While I was ordering the kit I noticed they had another kit for 9mm. I do shoot more 9mm than 38 so I thought why not go ahead and get the 9mm kit while I'm at it. Prices on 9mm are kind of good right now, but why not. Give me something to do this winter.
After ordering I got to thinking (that gets me into trouble every time). I can just dump my fired 38 brass straight out of the cylinder into my range bag, no problem. But, 9mm not so easy. Especially at an all outdoor shooting range with nothing but grass, dirt and mud. The ground is always covered with spent brass walked into the ground and grass. The guy says they get them up to sell but I can't tell by looking. Every time I'm there the ground is covered with walked in brass. The range charges by the hour. Seems I may have to pay extra for the time to search for brass not walked into the ground.
I'm just looking to reload for something to do during the cold/wet winter months ahead and not really interested in spending extra money for brass or some way to clean a bunch of mud filled brass.
 
There are a variety of brass catchers, think fishing nets that are available. Harbor freight sells a mesh tarp that can be laid on the ground and captures a better percentage of brass than just leaving it in the grass. Brass tumblers, either wet or dry will clean up dirty brass. Have fun with your new reloading tools!
 
Getting everything needed to reload isn't cheap even if you buy cheap equipment.
For cleaning dirty range brass the only way to go is a decent quality wet tumbler.

As cheap as 9mm range brass is today why even pick it up.
 
Highland Lofts said:
Getting everything needed to reload isn't cheap even if you buy cheap equipment.
For cleaning dirty range brass the only way to go is a decent quality wet tumbler.

As cheap as 9mm range brass is today why even pick it up.
Click to expand...
Well, yeah. Brass is kind of cheap. But, I've spent so much on guns and ammo the past couple years that I'm starting to get some very hard looks from the boss. Each time I carry a box or bag into the house or even look in the direction of the lgs when passing by I can Feel her eyes cutting into me. Scary.
Just trying to keep it down as much as I can
 
FWIW; for my first 12 years reloading I just wiped each case with a solvent dampened rag as I inspected it, no tumbling. Also used the "NRA Solution". A lot of "once fired" brass which are normally cleaned/tumbled from the vendor. If I want shiny brass I just leave the tumbler running longer (I don't need shiny primer pockets or case interiors).

NRA Solution
1/4 cup vinegar
1 Tbsp salt
1/8 oz.(up to 1/4cup) dish liquid. Dawn
1/2 gallon water
Immerse & agitate brass 3-4 minutes
Dump mixture when done, rinse in clean water
 
I reload 9mm but I buy once fired 9mm brass which makes picking up 9mm brass hardly worth the effort of bending over.

I know I am not saving anything by reloading 9mm plinking / practice ammo. But I load my own carry ammo and can afford to put a fair number of carry loads through my carry pistols. This is where reloading 9mm pays off for me.
 
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If you're not interested in shiny mirror finish brass, toss your brass into a milk jug half filled with hot water and a couple drops of Dawn and shake vigorously for a couple minutes, rinse thoroughly with cold water, and let dry. You may not be able to see your reflection in it, but it will be quite clean enough to reload and shoot .
 
Welcome to the world's best hobby and largest brotherhood !

• 38Spcl and 9mm are a good pair of cartridges to reload. They can share the same primers and powders, which will reduce your startup costs.

• Case cleaning is purely optional. When I started reloading, case cleaning consisted of using a soft rag to wipe the dirt off of each case before reloading.

• There's tons of used equipment in your area. Put up a notice on your local range's bulletin board.
 
I shoot a lot more 38 Special now because I don't like chasing down 9mm , bending over and picking it up off the floor .
When my children were little we went to the range , I shot and they picked up empty brass for me ... They got rewarded with a trip to Dairy Queen ... but them day's are over ...
I'm beginning to appreciate all my revolvers ... I even bought a 45 acp Revolver ...
Love shooting and reloading 45 acp but am done picking up far flung brass...
... Long Live the Wheel-Gun !
Gary
 
This makes life much better for gathering brass.

Garden Weasel 47.5 in. Steel Nut Gatherer Steel Handle - Ace Hardware

The Garden Weasel small nut gatherer reduces stress on the back by eliminating bending for picking up small sized nuts and other objects! Comes equipped with a comfortable handle and a hanging hook. The perfect pickup for small objects between 3/8" to 3/4" size with a capacity of approximately...
www.acehardware.com www.acehardware.com
 
mstreddy said:
OP, tried to PM you. It appears that you have PMs blocked.
If you send me your mailing address, I can send you a small FRB of 9MM brass. You can PM it to me.

-Eddy
Click to expand...
Thank you for your offer. I really appreciate it. I have plenty of ammo on hand. I just need to learn to pick up my own brass.
Thank you, again.
 
tws3b2 said:
Well, yeah. Brass is kind of cheap. But, I've spent so much on guns and ammo the past couple years that I'm starting to get some very hard looks from the boss. Each time I carry a box or bag into the house or even look in the direction of the lgs when passing by I can Feel her eyes cutting into me. Scary.
Just trying to keep it down as much as I can
Click to expand...
You haven't figured out a way to get things into the house without her knowing? Good grief, that's the first thing I learned, wait until she's at work.
 
Bush Pilot said:
You haven't figured out a way to get things into the house without her knowing? Good grief, that's the first thing I learned, wait until she's at work.
Click to expand...
I have the opposite problem. I can’t take my wife to a gun store. She will find something and it will be pricey. Last time it was a second issue Colt Cobra. 1968 according to the serial number reference.

She already has one but this one is nicer.
 
I just stand to the right of someone else shooting 9mm. Why chase it when it comes to you? Unless I’m doing load development, I don’t worry about catching my own brass and consider it a “take a penny, leave a penny” proposition.
 
MikeInOr said:
I reload 9mm but I buy once fired 9mm brass which makes picking up 9mm brass hardly worth the effort of bending over.

I know I am not saving anything by reloading 9mm plinking / practice ammo. But I load my own carry ammo and can afford to put a fair number of carry loads through my carry pistols. This is where reliading 9mm pays off for me.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you are right. I don't really think I'm gonna save anything by reloading practice ammo. My reasons for getting into loading 9mm are to have something to tinker with during the cold/wet winter days, and if I can get a good stock of components have something to fall back on when the world goes/still crazy and ammo becomes hard to get again. I do plan on loading mostly carry ammo in 9mm. Gun show coming to town this weekend, if prices not too bad maybe I can get a little stockpile going.
 
I definitely would be looking for a used bench press, scales, and dies OP. Hammering that ammo together in any large quantities will become old real quick I bet. The best thing about reloading is always having the ability to make some even when stores are out. That said the Achilles heel is primers. I always have a good stock of primers on hand. Other components are easier to get.
Oh yeah welcome to the world of reloading. Definately get a paper manual it will have the reloading steps and hints in the front.
 
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