Seeking expert reloaders...

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odysseus

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I have been playing around with the notion of reloading. I would like to start out with .308 and maybe a few other calibers at most.

Anyway I know only the 10,000 ft. view facts about it, and I want to dive into the math and science of it. First I would like to get a hold of good material to read and learn the techinques. A lot of the reading on this board has a prerequisite of knowledge of terms and calculations I am not learned on. For example, what is a "progressive reloader" and other points are missed.

Can anyone recommend good books and\or materials I need to obtain so I can begin studying this? Also if there are classes, I would take them. However with classes, it would need to be a quick one in a location I could travel too, not like a quarter in a community college.

I am adept for the task, and mechanically inclined - but this is not something I feel diving into and learning by error on.

Thanks.
 
Welcome, my friend, to reloading. It is rewarding, interesting, and just plain FUN! Hopefully, this will get you started in the right direction.

First, invest in a couple of reloading manuals. I recommend the Speer, Hornady and Nosler manuals for the wealth of information contained therein. These will describe the basic steps and processes.

I also recommend the NRA book on reloading, available from the NRA.

A bit of advice: start slow, take your time. After you get your manuals and read them, seek the advice of experienced reloaders to decide your first reloading setup. It need not be fancy or expansive. After that, enlist the help of an experienced reloader to talk you through the first rounds that you load. From there, it's open season!

There is nothing quite as satisfying as finding just the right combination of bullet, powder, case and primer, and putting round after round through the same hole at whatever distance you choose. It is a true confidence builder, to be sure! And, you'll save tons of money to re-invest.

Good luck, and good shooting! If there are any more questions, just hop on the board and post it. There is a wealth of knowledge on the board, and I'm sure that everyone who can will fall over themselves to help out.

Now, go forth and burn some powder!
 
(I'm not an expert by any means!)

When I started on my first go-round with reloading (16-18 years ago) I hung out at the shop of the local guy who was selling reloads and did some gopher work for him. (sorting brass, etc). He reciprocated by sharing quite a bit of knowledge with me. He also critiqued my crimps, etc. When I started reloading again this fall it was pretty cool to pull out my old notebook with loads in it and re-read the comments. The only bad side to this approach is that most of these guys have really high end (expensive) equipment which is more than you'd need for your own use. :) :)

I also bought the speer and hornady manuals and read them (in addition to other stuff) before I bought my first equipment.

Have a good one,
Dave
 
Three excellent sources of information for the beginner to expert.

The ABC's of Reloading
The NRA Guide to Reloading
Lyman #48 Reloading Manual

If you belong to a gun / outdoor club there are usually several members with years of experience, (real gurus) that are more than willing to answer any questions, and maybe even invite you over for a private lesson or two.

The best piece of advice I can offer after 25+ years of reloading is read, be patient, (there are no points given for speed), and if something doesn't seem right, investigate before proceeding.

Good Luck
Take Care
 
Odysseus;

I'll second Powderman's post. I use the same manuals. I've got a collection of Speer's that go back a few decades.

Read a lot, ask a lot.

900F
 
Mr. odysseus, welcome

I found the Lyman handbook most instructional.

Buy some of those little adhesive garage sale dots that they use to put the price on.

After you get to the point that the bullet is going through the same hole, you need them after each shot for validation. Otherwise you think you are shooting flyers. :D
 
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