new reloader!

[Rainman76]

Well I loaded my first twenty rounds tonight. I set up my press and slowly read up on the proper way to use the scales to set up everything. Took me a couple dry runs to get it set and finally started to turn out some test rounds of 9mm. I found out after the first pass that I had my dies in the wrong order with respect to my crimper... I thought it was supposed to be first. oh well got it fixed, and then setting proper hieght to set the bullet in the cartridge.

I have been reading alot on this forum, got the Speer reloading book (I wasn't too impressed with it) couldn't find the ABC's anywhere. Anyway I want to thank this forum for all the great information that it has provided to me. Everything from the suggestions on the Lee Turret Press which I got to being careful, measure the loads, and be careful.

I had a friend who reloads ALOT for USPSA, he is a top competitor, and uses a Dillon 1050L and was trying to talk me into the 650. I got the LEE because I wanted to learn what I was doing first, and have some speed, the single stage just wasn't an option. So I have the auto powder, and auto primer,and so forth.

Where do you guys buy your brass from? and how can you trust 1x fired lots? Also how bad is it to use lead bullets out of 9mm and .40?

Also how many here cast thier bullets?

 

[baz]

Congratulations, and welcome to THR. I think you were wise to start with the Lee. I'm still using a hand press, though a Lee classic turret press is on my Christmas list.

I buy used brass off ebay. If you are not a frequent bidder on ebay, then be careful, and start slowly. Don't get into a bidding war with anybody. If you want or need more advice, just ask. New brass can be bought from just about any of the usual online ammo sources, but is a lot more expensive. I haven't bought from him, but Brassmanbrass.com's prices look reasonable.

 

[RustyFN]

Welcome. I think you started with a good press. I don't buy brass because it is to easy to pick up at the range, especially 9mm. It doesn't matter to me if it is once fired.
Rusty

 

[jfh]

good going on starting up.

I just returned to reloading after ten years; it's an enjoyable hobby. I unpacked my old Lee gear, updated an original turret press and the powder measures--and went to work. Were I buying new today, I would probably get the Classic Cast Turret.

When your friend leans on you to buy the Dillon gear, tell him you're waiting for the progressive version of the Classic Cast turret--I'm betting there is one in development, along with a turret update kit if you wait long enough.

Good reloading component suppliers include Midway, Kempf Gun Shop, and Graft & Sons. Shop the sale pricing, and buy your primers and powder in some volume to save on the hazmat fee.

You can find the ABCs on Amazon, and I recommend you do buy it.

I like to have at least one order of factory new brass--and I buy Starline. However, for 9mm, you can certainly get the freebie pickup stuff cheap. I don't shoot 9mm any more, so I'll withhold further comment except to say that I found 9mm reloading too tedious; it was just too small to enjoy doing.

Jim H.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Welcome...

JFH, to The Magnificent Obsession--Reloading!

Good posts, above. I would add that you can order The ABC's from the publisher, Krause Publishing, if you want to. www.krause.com

My spy at Krause reports that a new edition(#8) of The ABC's is in the works, but it won't be ready before this winter, or maybe Spring 2008. They're also working on a new Handloaders Digest.

Each edition of The ABC's is a little different from the previous, IMX, but they all present a very comprehensive introduction to reloading, and provide info beyond the basics, to boot.

 

[Hawk]

Welcome!

You'll still have plenty of use for the Lee even if you do wind up with a 1050 adjacent.

I only load revolver chamberings at present. There's not much in the way of cheap factory ammo in .41 mag so new brass made sense for me. I use Starline as well.

 

[kellyj00]

welcome to THR. I also just got into reloading, and used THR to find all kinds of information.

The only thing I didn't agree with was the purchasing of all these books. It *can* be a science, but if you just want to shoot cheap, you really don't need a single book...just the internet and access to google and all the powder company websites.

I do have a copy of "the abc's of reloading" that I paid about $30 for off amazon. This book is by far the most worthless that I've read. There is a lot of historical information, and how to measure pressures....blah blah blah... here's the entire value I got out of reading the entire book cover to cover (other than all the history that they throw in there) a cartridge consists of measured powder (by weight) , a measured bullet (by weight and size) and a primer (the cheapest you can find, there's really 4 kinds (plus magnum)...oh and their used to be a primer that was corrosive but hasn't been used in years, so it is of absolutely no relevance to a reloader like me who isn't reloading using components that are decades old (or older).

For your basic pistol loads, I'd say just be smart about loading them up. Be attentive, and try to keep your charges around the minimum listed on your powder co's website. Buy your once-fired cases/powders/primers from powder valley (he's cheapest) and buy in bulk.

oh, and watch out for that return spring on your powder measure or you'll shoot your eye out.