Reloading Apprentice

[JMShell]

For anyone who is an avid ammunition reloader in the San Jose, Sunnyvale, Fremont, CA area I would like to offer myself to anyone who would like some free slave labor and perhaps teach me the art of reloading. I would specifically like to learn how to reload 45 colt for cowboy action shooting since I am really eager to try to participate in the sport, but any reloading will be greatly appreciated. I do understand that reloading is mainly a repedative processes, non-complex, and fairly easy perform after the first hundred rounds or so but I currently dont possess the funds to pruchase my own basic supplies to start. But while I wait for that day to come when I can buy them I would like to get some hands on expeirence with someone who has their own eqipment and wouldnt mind teaching a newbie. Also I would like to learn how to reload all types of ammunition and not just one and then learn another when I aquire a different caliber gun. I do not ask for any payment of any type other than to learn and possibly reloading my own ammunition at some distant future pont in time with complete reembersiment of supplies. I am really eager to learn and available after 5pm during the week and most weekends. I am 23 with my own transportation so no worries there. If interested please feel free to contact me. Thank you.

Addition 1: For those of you that also post on Calguns.net you may have seen this same post on there too. I just wanted to clarify my meaning of slave labor. My intentions for this term is that someone would teach me how to reload ammunition and that they would get their ammo reloaded for free. Thats the trade off. For the record I do not not intend to do manual labor such as cleaning the garage or mow grass or anything else that dose not relate to reloading. However I may do something small, half hour or less, depending on what it is if they wish to request it, but unless theres reloading involved, no deal. Sorry for the confusion if there is any. Thanks, JM.

 

[RhinoDefense]

I encourage you to join the California Gun Forum at calguns.net. Post there and there are plenty of local reloaders to guide you.

 

[SASS#23149]

cowboy action requires bout 1500.00 investment in guns and gear,and more.Think about that ,and even though I shoot a 45., .38's are cheaper to reload,and most folks like that caliber for low recoil for quicker target acquisiton.me,I like the CLANG the larger caliber makes.

Hope you find a mentor,it really makes learning the process much easier,and 2 can process a lot of brass/ammo while talking guns.

 

[qajaq59]

If you can't find a mentor right away at least pick up copies of the ABCs of Loading and The Lyman Reloading Manual. That'll give you a head start when you do locate someone to help. He'll likely think it is a great idea too because he wont have to work as hard teaching you the lingo.

 

[Hondo 60]

JMShell,
Welcome to the hobby. You already sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. That's well over half the battle with reloading. qajaq59 gave the best advice a newbie could learn. Get a couple of reloading manuals & read them. If you can't afford them, go to the library & see if they have 'em. I'd offer the same advice to the poorest & the richest.

And don't forget the recipes in them have been tested with the safety being the highest priority. If you follow published recipes you'll stay safe.

Again, welcome & good luck finding a mentor!

 

[ArtP]

I live in Southern Lake County, which is an hour North of Napa. I reload 44 mag and a few rifle calibers. It's about 2 hours from you. I could use the slave labor, I've got about 10,000 cases that need hand cleaning and deprimed, plus my garage needs reorganizing.

Kidding, I make small batches and you're welcome to participate if you don't get a better offer. PM me.

 

[rick300]

PM sent

 

[LiveLife]

JMShell, BTW, welcome to THR.

If you are wondering why there hasn't been a shower of responses offering to have you over to their houses, it maybe that you are a new poster on THR and many could be thinking that you may want to just check/scope out the house security/access points/valuable contents (guns/ammo of course)/number of occupants (targets to eliminate)/routes of escape etc. This is California and Fremont we are talking about and there are many who are up to no good here.

If you are genuine and serious about learning the hobby/passion of reloading but short on funds, there are many other ways. Since you are young (23) and strong, you could probably easily operate a hand press. MidwayUSA has one for $25 and it will accept standard dies ($26 for Lee carbide die set). If you have room for a small press, Lee C-frame press is $28.

For the cost of few tanks of gas, you could probably have what you need shipped to you. As suggested, check with Calguns.net or find a local USPSA/IDPA club matches and see if you can find a reloading mentor.

Check out these Youtube videos. He's in San Francisco and also casts his own lead bullets. Who knows, you may just be his next pupil - http://www.youtube.com/user/sfliberal

Here, he's loading some 38 Spl loads - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj7JwO28Wzo

I like his detailed disassembly/cleaning 9 part videos of Lee Pro 1000 progressive press - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzaPXj4g8D0&feature=related

I would probably help you out (after running your prints), but I am 5 hours from you.

 

[JMShell]

BDS

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. And for others that read my reply I can fully understand why they would think that I am just try to get into their door inorder to steal their stuff. That could'nt be farther from the truth. I am just trying to learn how to reload with what resources I can. And if anyone wants to try to look me up on face book just do a search for Jason Shell and I am the red haired heavyset guy with a white STL Cardinals cap sitting next to his wife.

 

[veyec]

As a fairly new reloader, I would like to say a couple of things...

I did get a few manuals and a copy of The ABC's. It was very informative and helped me understand the terminology of the craft. But what helped me the most was some hands on instruction offered by some fellow members of the www.utahconcealedcarry.com community. We actually got together one day, experienced loaders and would-be loaders, and had a small workshop of sorts. People that had presses brought them and allowed the ones that did not have presses access to the equipment. We were shown how to adjust the dies and how to weigh up our loads, etc. Everyone supplied their own components. It was a great time and I learned alot that day. After a few rounds, I was amazed at how easy it really was. I now have my own press and crank out few hundred rounds of .45 and 10mm ammo a month.

My point is that the books are great, but nothing beats some hands on instruction from a friendly member of the gun community.

 

[JMShell]

The only problem is that no one yet has truly steped up to the bat and decided to give me a shot. Well no one near me that is.

 

[LiveLife]

JMShell, send me a set of prints and you can come over if you want to make that 10 hour round trip.

Just kidding.

Well, in the meantime, you can do what many of us did ... read, lurk, browse Youtube, etc. Post any questions you may have and I am sure many of us will gladly answer them best we can.

 

[rfwobbly]

The only problem is that no one yet has truly stepped up to the bat and decided to give me a shot.

Come on over! All you have to do is drive to Atlanta and take a left.

Just kidding. For something like this you need to make a face-to-face contact. Did you try the California Gun Forum, your local shooting range, or gun store? Another way is to answer a local CraigsList ad. That way you can buy some nice use equipment and meet a reloader at the same time.

 

[JMShell]

Well I do have this exact same post on the Firing Line, Calguns, and also the reloaders nest. As for a gun store and shooting range they are next. Thanks for the craigslist advice, for some reason it never dawned on me. Thanks.

 

[rfwobbly]

IMHO the guy that knows how to operate the equipment best is the guy that's been using it for the last 20 years. lol

Seriously though, if you have doubts and/or you want to start simple (cheaply), go look at used equipment. You can get some dramatic savings on 30 year old RCBS Rock Chuckers, and you can't get better quality at any price. AND you stand the chance that the seller will throw-in his unused powder, primers, manuals, and reloading dies to "sweeten the deal". The truth is, most retiring reloaders really DO want to see their old equipment go to a good home, and that often means more than squeezing out an extra $20 in the sale.

So used is a good deal on several counts.