Tip from newb for newbs

[BigMacMI]

new to reloading. Been scrounging mixed range brass at the gun club. I clean it all then place into 100 round 9/380 boxes from cabelas (cheap).

40 doesn't fit. And 380 sticks out (or down) like a sore thumb. I do this to sort out the 40/380 and also keep a count on my growing brass stores. (Spot the 380 in the pic)

Also makes me touch it 2-3 times before reloading to cull bad cases before they hit the press.

 

[hdwhit]

Also makes me touch it 2-3 times before reloading to cull bad cases before they hit the press.

Congratulations!

The realization of the necessity to put hands (and eyes) on the brass is central to safe, responsible reloading in my opinion.

I will take my self-anointed role here and remind you to:

• Make sure you get a published reloading manual.
• Read the section of the manual on how to reload.
• Read it a second time.
• From what you have learned, write down a set of reloading procedures in checklist format.

Use this checklist every time you reload to make sure you are following your procedures to the letter and don't forget anything. I have the checklist on computer and print one out every time I start on a batch of cartridges. The completed checklist travels with the cartridges until they are completed and then the form goes into a three-ring binder that I keep forever! Seriously, I have sheets from 1980! This will, over time, give you a baseline of what works and what doesn't from which to refine your loads and your technique.

Good luck.

 

[Swampman]

My guess is that you're gathering 9mm Luger/Parabellum brass?

That's my final answer (if .40 S&W is too big and .380 is too short).

I really hope you're not talking about .327 Magnum.

I'm looking at this on a 2 inch phone screen, the pics aren't that clear to me...

 

[BigMacMI]

Yes. Primarily picking up 9mm. When I find oddball they are separated and kept to give away or reload later. My wife shoots 380 so will be reloading that as well down the line. Once the box is filled I bag groups of 500. Before they are poured into bags, I once over all the headstamps for any additional calibers that may have been able to sneak in.

HDWHIT. I have started a spiral notebook. But I like the idea of printing it off. Care to share what one of your sheets looks like?

 

[deadeye dick]

Welcome to the forum.
A good tool of the trade is a good light source for inspection of brass before any attempt to reload. I have a bench mounted 6 inch magnifier with light. This way you can get a good look at the brass for splits dents, headstamp info, etc. Mine has a incandescent bulb in it so my hands stay warm on cold days in the garage.

 

[Axis II]

careful with that range brass pickups. I grabbed some 44 I seen in the bucket and had a 9 or 38 case stuck inside it. that would have screwed a die up something bad IMO. you said you look at them anyways but just saying.

 

[Bullseye]

Welcome to reloading. Not a bad way to inspect your cases. I think eventually you'll find a way to save some time but I like your conscientious approach. Never get complacent, new reloaders are usually very careful starting out. Try to make good habits and be EXTRA careful with using proper powder and weights.

careful with that range brass pickups. I grabbed some 44 I seen in the bucket and had a 9 or 38 case stuck inside it. that would have screwed a die up something bad IMO. you said you look at them anyways but just saying.

I found myself tumbling different brass last time around and inside my 45 Colt case and I think it was a stuck 40 S&W inside. Got lazy I suppose. Good thing I didn't ram the heck out of it when I was depriming. That kind of stuff didn't happen when I was a newbie. The stuff that goes bang is the most critical part so BE CAREFUL !

 

[BigMacMI]

Congratulations!

The realization of the necessity to put hands (and eyes) on the brass is central to safe, responsible reloading in my opinion.

I will take my self-anointed role here and remind you to:

• Make sure you get a published reloading manual.
• Read the section of the manual on how to reload.
• Read it a second time.
• From what you have learned, write down a set of reloading procedures in checklist format.

Use this checklist every time you reload to make sure you are following your procedures to the letter and don't forget anything. I have the checklist on computer and print one out every time I start on a batch of cartridges. The completed checklist travels with the cartridges until they are completed and then the form goes into a three-ring binder that I keep forever! Seriously, I have sheets from 1980! This will, over time, give you a baseline of what works and what doesn't from which to refine your loads and your technique.

Good luck.

Currently, i record:

Date. Projectile. OAL. Powder/grains. How many i loaded.

FWIW (if other new people stop here). I did 10 each of 3 progressive loads (HP38 3.7, 4.1, 4.3). Settled on one I liked
HP384.2grains/124grFMJ/1.166.

Tonight I loaded 30 of the above 'preferred load' at 1.166, and 30 at 1.155 to test against them.

Continuing with the progressive load. I loaded 15x each of Titegroup 3.7 and 4.0.

I then record my thoughts.

Anything else you guys normally record? I guess this time of year I should add ambient temperature of range session

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

I like to see other people are as spastic as me. I handle my brass probably way more than I should. But I am always overly cautious. I do a combination of things like many of you.

I pick up any and all brass I can get my grubby hands on. I reload only 9mm right now I do a quick visual sort and pick out what I can and save it for friends that reload other calibers. I have just started wet tumbling- sort of. I used to dry vibrate only and read here about hot water, Lemishine and dish soap. I put a bunch of brass in a OJ bottle add water, soap and Lemishine and shake shake shake. Rinse and repeat once or twice depending on how much crud is in the bottle and then fill it again and let is sit for about 1/2 hour, shake vigorously occasionally and rinse rinse rinse. It comes out amazingly clean. I put it in a towel and spread it out and handle it again looking for cracks, mis-shaped other size cases and wrap them up in the towel and rub and turn them. Opening the towel and running my hands through them again. After they are dry, I lay out paper towels and take each one and turn them upside down and make nice square shapes which makes it real easy to sort them even further.
They sit for 1 to 3 days depending on my schedule. I have found that some of the cases will tarnish in that time. Some really badly and the majority of them are okay but dull. I then run them through my vibratory tumble with corn cob and a little Nu Finish for 30 to 60 minutes and that shines them up real nice.
Then- I take my Bucket-O-Brass and use the square empty 100 count 9MM cases and do like the video and fill them. This leaves 100 cases face up in the trays. I can further inspect the cases, look for left over media in the case. I have recently purchased a wire trash can at the dollar store and after vibrating I dump the media and brass in to the trash can over a bucket and I very rarely have any media in the case. Then- I use another 100 count plastic storage tray and put it over the first one and turn them over. I can then look at head stamps. I then close the case and store them to be reloaded. When I am ready to load them, I put a post card over the top of the plastic box and flip it over on my bench and have a sweet square of 100 cases standing face up at attention ready for duty.
I touch them as many times as I can and so far, I have only had one cracked case that made it to the press and I saw it right away- With my LED light mounted on my press.

I also have an excel spreadsheet that I track all of my info like BigMacMI plus chrono data. Easy to track and find what works best. As I load I put the loaded rounds in a bowl and when I am done loading I place them face down in the plastic cases and inspect again looking for primers that didn't seat completely. I then use another plastic case and flip them again to look at the loaded rounds from the top.
And finally I put them in a ziplock bag labeled with masking tape with the date, quantity, powder, grains, bullet type, COL. I also have a numbering system so when I grab a bag and I have any questions about them I can easily go back to the spreadsheet for additional info if necessary.
I am indeed very spastic but I am also very cautious.

I have a Frankford Arsenal Platinum wet tumbler sitting under the tree and can't wait to replace the OJ bottles and use the (magnetic) stainless pins.
This has been a great place for me to learn all kinds of great things. I learn new things all of the time and try to share what works for me.