Husker_Fan
Member
Hey, I resemble these remarks.
Prediction - Please read new reloaders
- Thread starter kestak
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Husker_Fan
Member
I was just going to bump my question thread. My press (a lee single stage) just arrived today.
I'm starting slow. Single stage, single caliber (.38 spl). I have a total of two bullet types (148 DEWC and 158 SWC), and one powder (W231). Heck, I have more manuals now than componets.
I have more experience with things that can go boom than most, but that makes me respect the process, not be cavalier about it.
I'm starting slow. Single stage, single caliber (.38 spl). I have a total of two bullet types (148 DEWC and 158 SWC), and one powder (W231). Heck, I have more manuals now than componets.
I have more experience with things that can go boom than most, but that makes me respect the process, not be cavalier about it.
I'm fortunate enough to have several very experienced reloaders to ask when I have a question. And besides old timers and books (a lot of books), I have also called Speer, Lee, RCBS, and Alliant Powders. These companies have always been more than happy to try and answer my questions.
MMCSRET
Member
Book; Idon need no stinking book.
I'd like to emphasize that cross-referencing is very important. Always look up multiple sources when starting a load. Even the best manuals can have typos. And some manuals list starting loads near the max load of another reference with the same components and powder - a clear indication of the myriad variables that determine the pressure a given load will generate.
(Yes it was alluded to in a couple earlier posts - just wanted to point it out more clearly)
(Yes it was alluded to in a couple earlier posts - just wanted to point it out more clearly)
Yeah the books aren't consistent.
Speer #14 lists for .40 S&W 180g FMJ:
Power Pistol start 6.2 max 7.2
Unique start 6.0 max 6.7
Bullseye start 4.9 max 5.5
Lyman 3rd edition lists for 180g JHP:
Power Pistol start 6.0 max 6.7
Unique start 4.9 max 5.6
Bullseye start 4.9 max 5.6
That's a big diff in the Unique loads.
And the question of magnum primers in the .40-I ask 10 people and get 15 answers. I am still thinking of trying it after backing down the loads and making sure the OAL is not less than 1.135.
Or am I gonna become one of those newbie statistics. Well I just found out I have a heart condition so maybe it's time to go....
Speer #14 lists for .40 S&W 180g FMJ:
Power Pistol start 6.2 max 7.2
Unique start 6.0 max 6.7
Bullseye start 4.9 max 5.5
Lyman 3rd edition lists for 180g JHP:
Power Pistol start 6.0 max 6.7
Unique start 4.9 max 5.6
Bullseye start 4.9 max 5.6
That's a big diff in the Unique loads.
And the question of magnum primers in the .40-I ask 10 people and get 15 answers. I am still thinking of trying it after backing down the loads and making sure the OAL is not less than 1.135.
Or am I gonna become one of those newbie statistics. Well I just found out I have a heart condition so maybe it's time to go....
adrenalyn
Member
I read the "ABC's" book and talked to 3 "old timers" before I bought my first reloading press. I practiced what I thought of as common sense and safety in all my considerations. I think its an awesome hobby and taught my 12 yr old son. I also think some people shouldnt reload because they are careless and accident prone. But I think they shouldnt drive either. I guess all we can do is promote safe practices and hope it sinks in.
NorCalRanches
Member
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Very true. I don't know the first thing about pistol loads, but there is a big difference in many of the books for rifle. Speer's 11 list a max of H335 in .223 as being 28 grn with a 50 grn bullet.
Hornady says 25.7. That is a big difference in a little .223 case.
I worked up my Varget load in .308 Win for the 168 grain SMK using a number of different sources, including Hodgdon, which gives a Max of 46 gr. Imagine my surprise upon buying the new Hornady manual where it says 44.5 is Max! My load is 45 grain, which has shown to be safe in my rifles, but I don't like being over on any of them, just for safety sake.
I've never figured out why everyone needs to load the max velocity possible.
dmazur
Member
I did take typing in school. My dad insisted on it. He said I'd be glad to have the skill someday. It was with manual typewriters with blank keys. I think I managed to get to 45 wpm, so I wasn't that good. As I remember, there were two other guys in the class. The rest were young ladies working toward jobs as secretaries. Different times.
Since then, I've had to write more tech manuals than I can count. I'm not sure my dad was right...maybe if I couldn't type, I'd have managed to duck these projects.
Back to the thread -
I see that the new to reloading "sticky" has almost 30,000 views, so someone is reading it. Apparently not all, as there are some rather basic questions that are answered in that sticky.
I've weighed the fear of steering someone wrong against the desire to help a new reloader and answered a few questions, even though I'm far from an expert.
I have used the Internet to learn more, even though I'd been reloading "seriously" for around 10 years before there was much info on the Internet. Yes, there is a lot of information...but a lot of it is "iffy", and some is just plain wrong.
So, perhaps if all the experienced reloaders keep reminding the new ones that they have to read the manuals, that there are no short cuts, and that's just part of the game, we won't have too many kabooms...
I agree with your concerns.
I'm a newbie, but have now reloaded 60 rounds successfully, reduced group size by about 50% from $1.50/round store-bought premium ammunition, and completed a ladder test to hunt for a range of insenstitivity to load.
Thankfully, library had a book; internet had multiple sources; bought the Sierra reloading handbook, read the entire chapter twice. Found a step-by-step with drawings on the RCBS site, printed and read/followed; found a "here's my experience" site where a newbie described using Lee equipment -- which helped dramatically in ordering equipment;
and have several available to me to answer questions.
STarted at the ABSOLUTE low end of the Sierra reload book's recommendations for bolt actions with success and triple-checked everything during the process. Very cautious on that first trigger pull.
Biggest scare so far was when a primer got sideways in the loading part on the Lee challenger press and didn't see it and pressed it in sideways.... Nothing went off, it will go in the squib metal box tomorrow at the range, but I had eye and ear protection ON just in case of such errors....
I am ONLY loading one cartridge (.223 Rem) so no possibility of mixing powders, and the load nearly fills the cartridge so double-filling is minimized risk.
I've survived 1,000 of private pilot flying and I intend to surive this hobby as well. Thanks for all the warnings! And ESPECIALLY thanks to the guy who posted a very detailed explanation of exactly why a ladder test for an individual rifle was such a good idea. The data I got demonstrated a distrinct region that would be much better for me, and still well below the max. My ladder test resutls suggest that Rem Preimum Match 223 is loaded way hotter than what I am loading.
gordon
I'm a newbie, but have now reloaded 60 rounds successfully, reduced group size by about 50% from $1.50/round store-bought premium ammunition, and completed a ladder test to hunt for a range of insenstitivity to load.
Thankfully, library had a book; internet had multiple sources; bought the Sierra reloading handbook, read the entire chapter twice. Found a step-by-step with drawings on the RCBS site, printed and read/followed; found a "here's my experience" site where a newbie described using Lee equipment -- which helped dramatically in ordering equipment;
and have several available to me to answer questions.
STarted at the ABSOLUTE low end of the Sierra reload book's recommendations for bolt actions with success and triple-checked everything during the process. Very cautious on that first trigger pull.
Biggest scare so far was when a primer got sideways in the loading part on the Lee challenger press and didn't see it and pressed it in sideways.... Nothing went off, it will go in the squib metal box tomorrow at the range, but I had eye and ear protection ON just in case of such errors....
I am ONLY loading one cartridge (.223 Rem) so no possibility of mixing powders, and the load nearly fills the cartridge so double-filling is minimized risk.
I've survived 1,000 of private pilot flying and I intend to surive this hobby as well. Thanks for all the warnings! And ESPECIALLY thanks to the guy who posted a very detailed explanation of exactly why a ladder test for an individual rifle was such a good idea. The data I got demonstrated a distrinct region that would be much better for me, and still well below the max. My ladder test resutls suggest that Rem Preimum Match 223 is loaded way hotter than what I am loading.
gordon
qajaq59
Member
Unfortunately yes, I have noticed that trait on the forums. And is it dangerous. None of us even has a clue who we're talking to, much less what their credentials are for giving out loads. And you can get free manuals from some of the powder companies, so even if you don't want to buy a manual, it isn't necessary to ask for loads.
My advice for Noobies is get a manual and work up your own loads. It may eat time, but it doesn't eat fingers and eyes!!!
My advice for Noobies is get a manual and work up your own loads. It may eat time, but it doesn't eat fingers and eyes!!!
Husker_Fan
Member
I have asked for loads here, but I will always cross reference to make sure they are safe, and work up to them. It is helpful to have an idea of what works well for others in similar firearms.
Greetings,
It is a very safe procedure to cross-reference loads. In fact, each time I try a new load, I check in many books, on handloads.com and ask in a few boards to see if someone else sees an issue.
I was lucky, each time people could confirm it was a good load.
Thank you
It is a very safe procedure to cross-reference loads. In fact, each time I try a new load, I check in many books, on handloads.com and ask in a few boards to see if someone else sees an issue.
I was lucky, each time people could confirm it was a good load.
Thank you
greyling22
Member
and don't be afraid to dispose of an iffy round. no reseating high primers on a loaded round!
Rancho Relaxo
Member
The good news is that if new reloaders can't find primers anywhere then they can't get into trouble!
Husker_Fan
Member
The cup is a bit higher, so I use my dremel tool to grind them down.
ETA: I want to be clear this is a joke. Some may be stupid enough to try, and others might think I am stupid enought to mean it.
ETA: I want to be clear this is a joke. Some may be stupid enough to try, and others might think I am stupid enought to mean it.
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moooose102
Member
i think that in a year or so, when ammo supplies return to normal, there will be a lot of reloading stuff for sale cheap. i think that a lot of people bought reloading equipment so they had SOME ammo to shoot. even if they have no idea what they are doing. to some people (who have no idea) it is just dump in some powder, add a bullet and primer, and away they go. i just hope that in the mean time, they do not get themselves or others hurt!
Greetings,
Seriously, I use my Dremel tool to put a very small mark on the rim of my 357mag, 44mag and 500mag each time I shot it. So I know EXACTLY how many times the brass has been shot.
I do not trust to put the brass in a container marked with the number of times I shot the brass.
Thank you
Seriously, I use my Dremel tool to put a very small mark on the rim of my 357mag, 44mag and 500mag each time I shot it. So I know EXACTLY how many times the brass has been shot.
I do not trust to put the brass in a container marked with the number of times I shot the brass.
Thank you
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