Noob getting in to reloading

[AOR]

Hello all---

I am ready to try my hand at reloading. This forum has provided lots of info for me and I really appreciate it.

I have purchased some once fired military brass (7.62 x 51). It states Winchester and Lake City, but who knows for sure. I am ready to order my primers and do not know if the brass is for large or small primers. I know I sound stupid, but can anyone chime in the correct size?

Thanks!

 

[fishinfoo]

first thing you will need to get is a reloading manual. it will show what powder and how much powder what primers....ect. a good manual is the lyman #49

 

[wankerjake]

I don't reload .308 but it has to be large rifle primers. Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong but I'm not.

 

[Winston_Smith]

.308 does call for large rifle primers.

 

[AOR]

Thanks for the replies. I intend to purchase the reloading manual ASAP. I was trying to take a short cut because a friend of mine plans to teach me how to reload and I wanted to have all my items I need ready.

Thanks again.

 

[edelbrock]

Make sure your friend has a way to remove the primer crimp if you bought once fired military brass. You will still need the manual later even if your friend teaches you how to reload. Welcome to reloading!

 

[Winston_Smith]

If you are reloading for a semiauto you might want to consider CCI #34 primers. To remove the primer crimp a dillon super swage is the way to go.

 

[lgbloader]

I was trying to take a short cut because a friend of mine plans to teach me how to reload and I wanted to have all my items I need ready.

If your friend is a friend, he will agree that you need to have some thorough knowledge in learning how to handload. That comes from studying as well as hands on training. Before you touch the handle, you really need to know the steps. Buy Lymans 49th edition. read the front chapters that cover the process. when you are done, read it again. Then you will be able to ask questions on the things you don't fully understand. And you must fully understand what you are doing or you can very easily kill yourself or those around you at the range. Sound Scary?? Good. Learn the process.

This is not something you cannot take short cuts in, no matter how small or not that big of a deal it seams to you.

Learn correctly and you will never have a problem.

LGB

 

[rfwobbly]

I intend to purchase the reloading manual ASAP. I was trying to take a short cut because a friend of mine plans to teach me how to reload and I wanted to have all my items I need ready.

Well, the most important instruction should be teaching you to refer to the reloading manual at every step of the way. If he's not teaching that the book is the basis for every decision, then IMHO you might want to listen graciously to what he has to say, but get some other instruction before you start.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[AOR]

Gentlemen, your point is clear about the manual. I ordered it today.

I should not have used the term short cut. That was a stupid term as I do not short cut anything in life and understand how serious reloading is.

This friend is out of state and what I should have said is..."I want to take everything with me so that I do not waste his time or my trip with bringing the wrong primers, brass, powder, etc.".

He has a Dillon 550. I assume since this is once fired military brass, that I will need the Dillon Super Swage. He does not have one that I am aware of.

Once again, thank you for the advice.

 

[Walkalong]

The Dillon is great, but there are cheaper alternatives that many reloaders use. If you will be doing a great quantity, often, I am sure it is worth the money.

Here is one cheap easy way to fix the primer pockets. Some folks just use a twist of their deburring tool.

Here is an option I hadn't seen before. Got 5 stars

I am sure the Dillon is the best tool out there for this.