Tips on how to begin reloading

[Sharpie1]

I have been a "gun enthusiast" for quite awhile -- I CCW all the time, I am an avid hunter, and I shoot pistols both for fun, and for serious practice on at least a weekly basis.

In the recent past, I have been shooting my Makarov a whole lot -- since I can get the rounds relatively inexpensively, and I was using it for my main carry...

However, I bought my first .45 the other day (Springfield 1911) -- and I absolutely love it. So much so in fact, that since I've gotten it, I have wanted to shoot, shoot, shoot it - and I haven't even touched my Makarov, or any other pistol. It is a full-size, but I like it so much that I don't even care to pack it!

I have always known that I wanted to get into reloading eventually. I have someone that I met through a mutual friend that reloads .243 Win ammo for me (for varmint hunting) -- but I don't think he knows much, or anything about reloading pistol ammo.

I believe that I am now ready to get into reloading.

I have probably 40 guns or so, and I intend to pick up an AK-47 SAR-1 probably on Wednesday of this week -- and the rounds that I want to begin to make are 7.62X39, .243 Win, and .45 ACP.

I am not exactly rich, but I suppose I am able to spend a modest amount on new equipment. I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about reloading, except that measuring the powder is important, there are different kinds of powder -- and that's about it.

Where should I begin? Any helpful comments would be greatly appreciated.

TD

 

[capbuster]

They have been several threads on this subject and you might want to use the search function on this forum and others to access some great information. Reloading is a great pastime and I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys shooting. If you can swing it, a reloading kit from one of the reloading companies is a great way to get what you need and save some money. I favor the rockchucker kit from RCBS mainly because I have helped two friend set up their outfits. There are other kits and one of these may be more suited to your needs. If your budget is really tight, you can get started with a reloading manual, a press, a shell holder,a scale, a set of dies,and your reloading components(brass cases,powder,bullets and primers). If possible, get a shooting buddy who is also a reloader, to help you will your first attempts at reloading.In some areas a NRA certified instructor is available to help you. Your can find a list at the NRA website. There is no reason that you cannot go it alone. Your dies come with instructions and your reloading manual will give you ample information to get you going. I know that this group will be more than happy to help you any way we can. Let us know how you do and enjoy your new hobby.

 

[echo3mike]

Augmenting what Capbuster said. The first step should be plain old research. A search here, TFL, and other firearm related sites should answer alot of basic questions. Some of the other sites (Benchrest dot com and Accurate Reloading might make your head swim initially). And you can look at the floating thread at the top of this forum. This is the cheap part.

Next, acquire one or more reloading manuals. You can get these new from multiple sources, or better yet, try to look for them at yard sales and used book stores. Don't worry if the book is very old, as the basic info is about the same. However, when you start to actually load your own, use an up to date book as the data will have more modern componants listed.

Once you've got that together, you can start toy shopping. Don't get too caught up in equipment wars...you can get by with a simple hand tool set up if you're really not sure about where you want to go with your reloading and not be out more than a few bucks. The kits are often a greater value than buying piecemeal, but most require the additional purchase of dies, componants and a set of calipers, and can be found cheap at places like E-Bay. The Lee Aniversary kit is a good way to do this for a little investment, and it can produce some excellent rounds if you're patient. I love my Rockchucker kit which was a good way to start out, but I've upgraded or replaced much of it over a few years.

Acessories are nice to have, but starting out all you'll really need is a good set of calipers. That, a kit, some dies and the componants are pretty much all you need to get started, along with the manuals and all the information you can read.

And don't stop asking questions.

S.

 

[Jmurman]

I'm with ya tadyson. I am looking at future growth and decided on the Dillon 550b. I can do my pistol and rifle with it.

 

[antsi]

All the other advice here is good -- I'd just add one thing.

If any of your buddies or folks from the gun club or whatever are into reloading, it would really help you to sit in on a session and see how the process goes. Just reading about it and looking at the catalogs, is rather abstract. Try to get some hands-on or at least eyes-on experience before you start buying a bunch of stuff

Oh, and one more thing:
Read the article entitled "The Folly of More Powder" in the Accurate Arms manual. Don't fall into the trap of trying to make all your handloads nuclear-power.

 

[swifter]

In a word: READ! . Read anything and everything you can find that pertains to reloading. Watch gunshows for D.A. Grennell's "ABC's of Reloading, 5 volumes, now out of print.
Read reloading manuals, get a Sinclair's catalog and read it for the "Tech Tips, and as a source for more books. But read. There's always something new to learn, I've been at it about 35 years now, and I'm still learning things!

Tom

 

[Standing Wolf]

...it would really help you to sit in on a session and see how the process goes.

Amen! My first few years of reloading were based entirely on book learning, trial and error, and the oft-cited "school of hard knocks." Watching someone who knows what he's about and asking questions won't likely eliminate trial, error, and dumb mistakes, but can reduce them considerably.

 

[shu]

Yep - do the homework first. I bought Speer's #13 manual and read through it for a month before taking the plunge with the RCBS Master Reloading Kit (which came with another copy of the manual, but that's OK; one for the reloading room and one for the bedside).

 

[ira41magfan]

I checked out from the Library the book called "ABC's of Handloading", then read everthing I could get my hands on. I got into it for less than 100 dollars. Some would frown at using Lee products, but they are great for a beginner. From there you can upgrade later on.

 

[Pendragon]

I learned to reload almost entirely from the internet.

I slowly acumulate my equipment and components.

I think .45ACP is probably one of the best calibers to start with - you save a lot of money over commercial ammo, the cases and bullets are large and easy to work with and its a fairly low pressure caliber.

Out of about 1000 rounds of .45 auto, I have had 1 bad round that was slightly under powered and the casing did not fully eject.

If you want to start cheap, I think the Lee Turret Press is the best way to go. The main reason is you can keep your dies installed in the turret and not go through the major PITA to adjust them every time to have to change dies.

With a singel stage, you have to do things in batches - resize a batch, charge a batch, seat a batch and crimp a batch. I think this system is more easy to mess up - especialy with the charging.

I preprep all my brass - decap, clean, resize and prime. I use a Lee hand press and a general decapping die to speed up the decappng. This hand press collects the spent primers in the ram so they dont go everywhere.

I then run the brass through my vibe cleaner and get them looking somewhat clean. Different media will leave them bright or satin.

I run all the brass through my resizing die.

I then use the RCBS hand prime tool to prime my brass. I try to do hundreds at a time - until my hand gets too tired.

Once I have all my clean, sized, primed brass, I setup to do the reloading:

Put primed brass on press:

1. flare mouth/charge

rotate turret

place bullet on brass

2. seat bullet

rotate turret

3. use factory crimp die to crimp


You should periodically check that your powder is measuring correctly. I check about every 50 rounds now because I am dialed in and its always dead on. I check more often when I am starting a session.

You should also measure the key dimensions of the completed round. Length and mouth diameter.

Also - I have absolutely no desire to test the limits of the pressure curve. I start low and maybe rise to lower mid level in power. I don't need the power to make holes in paper, I want my powder to last and most importantly, I want my precious Valtro (possibly one of the strongest standard 1911s) to last a LOOOOOOONG time. Oh, and I dont want to get hurt.

People who think they can modify recipies and that every round has to be nuclear are idiots - damn idiots.

Dont be shy - take it slow, have fun.

Heh - my first batch of about 40 rounds were all ROLL CRIMPED! - lol. I still have them in a box

 

[winwun]

Tadyson, one thing to be aware of, is that each manufacturer is going to hype their product. The Hornady book is going to feature their product and be screamingly silent on their competitors product, regardless of its quality. Dillon will tell you, in essence, if it ain't blue, it ain't true. Don't listen to any of them. Try to remain generic as far as possible and be aware that dealer recommendations are primarily to make the dealer money and secondary, to help you. Read Chaim's posts. He is about in the same boat with you.

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

I started to reload only about a year ago, so I will offer a few suggestions.

I would agree with the posts about reading for starters. It is a good way to determine IF you really do want to start doing this. However, do NOT let the information intimidate you. You will reada bout measurements in the .001, not a big deal with a caliper, etc... Just dont let the tech talk get to you. Once you actually start the process, you will understand. It was suggested to me that I buy and read Handloading for Competition, a book about highpower loading. I think this was a great way to start as it is very specific, detailed, and most importatntly, starts with the most precise processes. LEARN THE RIGHT WAY FROM THE START AND YOU WILL HAVE FEWER BAD HABITS YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

Ask questions here, and at other boards. Ask lots of questions, and do NOT just assume anything. This is a safety issue.

I will go in another direction related to equipment. I think you should buy higher quality equipment any chance possible, and in particular for any tool you will use with multiple calibers. I have found that accuracy is affected by equipment selection, first, and second, it is overall more more expensive to buy the same tool twice when you do not like how the lower end tool is functioning.

Related to a press, many will suggest a single stage to start with. It is simpler etc.. I will advise that you will end up with a progressive, and can keep cost down just by starting with one. Point is you CAN run the progressive one step at a time, in essence a single stage, but when you are ready to step it up, you dont have to go shopping again for the progressive.

Just a few thoughts right off the top....

 

[John Galt]

What I really don't like is wasting money through buying lesser stuff and then replacing it. However, eBay helps minimize that through selling old stuff.

It gets down to how much you shoot:

For low to medium volume of shooting and for accurate rifle reloading, the RCBS Rock Chucker is the #1 choice. About $100. For pistol, I'd get RCBS Carbide Dies.

If you shoot a lot, especially IPSC or Cowboy as well as 223 varmint, etc, I'd get a Dillon 550b or 650. Instead of 50rds per hour, you can do up to 1000 rds per hour. I bum time off of my friend's Dillon for 45acp once a year and do 1200rds. They sell a video tape showing you how to use it.

For accurate low volume reloading of rifle, people use the Rock Chucker.
For BenchRest competition, they buy a Rock Chucker and an Arbor press and lots of dies and tools. I just visited a guy who is starting off and dropped $1500 in reloading equip.....

I'm going to buy a Rock Chucker to precision load 223 and maybe keep bumming annual time on the Dillon for pistol. Then again, I may just use the RC for both. Depends on if I want to spend the time. Natchezss.com has it for $95. Up to $120 is fair pricing.

It's out of print right now, awaiting the new edition, but for acccurate rifle the Sinclair 11th edition is supposed to be real good.

If you are just goofing around, the Lee Anniversary Kit is available on eBay for almost free and includes everything you need.

 

[WESHOOT2]

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