Not reloading yet, but I have questions :)

[Jim Watson]

Geez, I don't spend ten minutes a round on Long Range match ammunition. But then I don't win much, either.

I probably DO spend ten minutes or more for a round of .38-55 black powder match ammo, counting everyting from casting the bullets on.

 

[scythefwd]

Cilffy,
I have no issue over tumbling. The exception I took was to the idea that your brass had to be shiny or you weren't retentive enough to be reloading.

Sunray
For the .30-30, it is a bolt action. The garand is the one I would be full case sizing for. I will take your advice on the .5g load workup.

To those guys only taking a minute per round.. are you using an automatic powder measure, and how accurate are they? I was planning on using the scale to get my measurements.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

The REQUIREMENT of shiny brass for reloaders not selling their ammo is an issue reserved for the ego.

As long as my rounds are clean to begin with and accurately reloaded I could care less about the end shine.

As far as the question above about auto powder dispenser accuracy....I use an RSBS Chargemaster dispenser and scale and it's more accurate than by old beam scale. And far faster, too.

 

[Blacklabelz]

My dillion 550b is progressive and has an automatic one.. Its accurate to the 10th of a gain 90% of the time, but the other 10% it seems if i have it set on say 5.7 it will throw 5.6 or 5.8 from time to time.

It mainly depends on the kind of powder I use.. I know BL(C)-2 measures spot on 100% of the time, but Unique gives me the 10% off.

 

[zxcvbob]

I have no issue over tumbling. The exception I took was to the idea that your brass had to be shiny or you weren't retentive enough to be reloading. [snip]
To those guys only taking a minute per round.. are you using an automatic powder measure, and how accurate are they? I was planning on using the scale to get my measurements.

Your brass needs to be clean. The easiest way to clean it is with a tumbler (or vibrating tumber) and if you just leave it in the tumbler longer it gets pretty and shiny. This step is unattended anyway, so there's no reason not to let it polish the brass. The polished brass is easier to find on the ground, is easier to inspect for cracks, and it cleans up faster next time. But it's up to you. If you shoot a revolver, all you really have to do is wipe your brass with a cloth.

I use an automatic powder measure. If I'm using flake powder (like Unique or Red Dot) I inspect every round to make sure the powder level looks right. If I'm using a ball powder, I trust the measure once I get it set.

 

[AlabamaEd]

A primary reason that I tumble brass is to remove excess lube left from resizing. I normally inspect the brass, remove residue from the necks with fine steelwool, lube and then resize. then all go into the tumbler or vibrator for several hours. They are then removed and separated and primer pockets cleared and cleaned. Then I'm ready to reload.

I consider tumbling absolutely necessary, especially if you lube to resize.