stoopid noob question
- Thread starter Norm357
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870
Member
First - there is only one stupid question and that's the one that's NOT asked.
Yes. 38 Special is a very easy cartridge to load. Use a single stage press until you know what you are doing, then graduate to a progressive press.
870.
Yes. 38 Special is a very easy cartridge to load. Use a single stage press until you know what you are doing, then graduate to a progressive press.
870.
Sunray
Member
Yep. Your shooting costs will drop considerably and your accuracy will get better. Look into an RCBS beginner's kit plus a set of dies. You'll get everything you need all at once. Go talk to your local gun shop for prices. Buying on line isn't necessarily cheaper after you add shipping.
Read the manual that comes with it or buy the latest Lyman manual and read it. Another good book is The ABC's of Reloading. Most gun shops will have it. Reloading is far easier than it sounds.
A few numbers you'll want to know.
One pound = 7,000 grains.
One ounce = 437.5 grains.
At 2.7 grains of Bullseye powder(one of the accuracy loads for 148 grain wadcutters), you get over 2592 loads out of a pound of powder.
1,000 148 grain wad cutters costs about $50.
1,000 primers costs about $25-$30.
I'm sure you can see the cost savings. And your ammo will be tailored to your revolver.
Please don't hesitate to ask any and all questions you may have here or of your local gun shop.
Read the manual that comes with it or buy the latest Lyman manual and read it. Another good book is The ABC's of Reloading. Most gun shops will have it. Reloading is far easier than it sounds.
A few numbers you'll want to know.
One pound = 7,000 grains.
One ounce = 437.5 grains.
At 2.7 grains of Bullseye powder(one of the accuracy loads for 148 grain wadcutters), you get over 2592 loads out of a pound of powder.
1,000 148 grain wad cutters costs about $50.
1,000 primers costs about $25-$30.
I'm sure you can see the cost savings. And your ammo will be tailored to your revolver.
Please don't hesitate to ask any and all questions you may have here or of your local gun shop.
I'll second that!
.38's are a great round.
My advice - read up and get to know some of the basics, read the manual that comes with whatever press you choose, go slow and take your time, and above all - BE SAFE! Always wear your safety glasses, especially when dealing with primers.
Norm357
38's are I believe the best round to start loading with. Especialy if you shoot them in a 357 just in case you do something wrong. I have never saved any money loading my own but I get to shoot more. I agree with Sunray read some loading manuels. I also agree with 870 if you have any questions always ask. This forum has lots of good people willing to help. You can also do a search to try to find the answer to a loading question. Good luck and have fun loading.
38's are I believe the best round to start loading with. Especialy if you shoot them in a 357 just in case you do something wrong. I have never saved any money loading my own but I get to shoot more. I agree with Sunray read some loading manuels. I also agree with 870 if you have any questions always ask. This forum has lots of good people willing to help. You can also do a search to try to find the answer to a loading question. Good luck and have fun loading.
Powderman
Member
Small piece of advice: I highly recommend the RCBS kit w/Rockchucker, or the Lyman kit with the turret press. As a matter of fact, RCBS makes a turret press now, too. Great to start with--you can mount your dies all at once, and leave them there. Also, will be worth its weight in gold when you start loading rifle cartridges. And you will. Believe me, you will!
Desert Dog
Member
I am impressed. Not a single person advocated starting on a progressive press, which I think is a mistake for new loaders.
Highly recommend the starter kit from RCBS...
Mike
Highly recommend the starter kit from RCBS...
Mike
stans
Member
I started with a single stage press, then moved to progressive after I gained experience and needed to crank out hundreds of rounds in the least amount of time. As far as saving money by reloading, I never saved a penny, but I shot three or four times as much ammo!
PinnedAndRecessed
member
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- Aug 10, 2004
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Not to complicate things, but I started with a Lee. Long time ago but was pinching pennies. No powder measure; just a series of scoops. Got tired of that in a hurry.
Went to Lyman turret. Carbide dies. Primer pocket reamer, etc. Spent much time loading plinking rounds.
Finally bought a Dillon Square Deal. Man, what a difference. I wish I had gone straight to Dillon because it's so much easier/faster.
Went to Lyman turret. Carbide dies. Primer pocket reamer, etc. Spent much time loading plinking rounds.
Finally bought a Dillon Square Deal. Man, what a difference. I wish I had gone straight to Dillon because it's so much easier/faster.
SASS#23149
Member
Well,siince someone brought up progressves....
a dillon 550b should be no more prone to encourage mistakes than a single stage press.It's the operator not the press,guys.You pay attention or you pay the piper.
First and foremost ignore and forget how long it takes to do x number of rounds.It's safety and safety that matter.And safety
IF all you did with a 550b was run the rounds one at a time forever you'd still be producing a loaded round in less than a minute......more like thirty seconds actually.
.38's are a great round to learn on because you can spot double charges very easily in the short case,and super economical too.And brass is dirt cheap and readily available.
a dillon 550b should be no more prone to encourage mistakes than a single stage press.It's the operator not the press,guys.You pay attention or you pay the piper.
First and foremost ignore and forget how long it takes to do x number of rounds.It's safety and safety that matter.And safety
IF all you did with a 550b was run the rounds one at a time forever you'd still be producing a loaded round in less than a minute......more like thirty seconds actually.
.38's are a great round to learn on because you can spot double charges very easily in the short case,and super economical too.And brass is dirt cheap and readily available.
Paul "Fitz" Jones
Moderator - Emeritus
Star Progressive Reloaders
The 1931 Star Progressive reloader gave the name progressives to later reloaders. Top competitors still use the .38 today and the Star press is good for millions of rounds with only a few primer feeding parts subject to wear and needed replacement. The original owners of many Star presses are passing away and the Stars are appearing ar gun shows and on e-Bay with lots of life left.
I am the long retired 1970's Star Reloader Reconditioning Center and have the needed small primer parts for any Star found wherever today.
I have a web site of highly experienced and helpful Star owners and have 2 years of helpful archives that anyone with a progressive reloader can read.
http://www.topica.com/lists/StarReloadersGroup
I have written a booklet for progressive reloader owners when I was selling 5 different brands of them.
"How To Live With And Love Your Progressive Reloader" Written for Star owners and included in boxes of other brands sold to keep their customers out of trouble and blaming the press when it was the selection of components that was responsible.
The 1931 Star Progressive reloader gave the name progressives to later reloaders. Top competitors still use the .38 today and the Star press is good for millions of rounds with only a few primer feeding parts subject to wear and needed replacement. The original owners of many Star presses are passing away and the Stars are appearing ar gun shows and on e-Bay with lots of life left.
I am the long retired 1970's Star Reloader Reconditioning Center and have the needed small primer parts for any Star found wherever today.
I have a web site of highly experienced and helpful Star owners and have 2 years of helpful archives that anyone with a progressive reloader can read.
http://www.topica.com/lists/StarReloadersGroup
I have written a booklet for progressive reloader owners when I was selling 5 different brands of them.
"How To Live With And Love Your Progressive Reloader" Written for Star owners and included in boxes of other brands sold to keep their customers out of trouble and blaming the press when it was the selection of components that was responsible.
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