Trying to get into reloading, want your input.

You should try to find an "old reloader" to show you the ropes. I would bet if you showed a genuine interest he might even have an extra press and related items. I helped a "kid" get started a few years ago, when he left he didn't need to buy a thing. It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate over the years.

 

Thing is that guns aren't really popular around here. People keep their gun related hobby hush hush here.

 

Probably to keep them from being stolen LOL. Keep asking around and you should find some propellant and primers in the near future.

I find that when stuff is available that a few pounds of propellant and a couple K of primers was worth it even with the HasMat fees.

 

In El Paso?!?

Lord preserve us. These really must be the end times.

 

Well, that’s not good but if that’s how it is, you’re welcome to come here for advice and inspiration - otherwise known as shameless enabling.
If you’re dialed in with Pyrodex, run with it. Nothing wrong with .38Spl black powder cartridge. I would advise using a higher quality real black but, there’s nothing really wrong with the substitution powders - except 777. Avoid it in cartridge unless you’re shooting a strong single action and want nitro pressure. I tinkered with it during the previous shortage and got away from it soon after. You never said what kind of revolver.
Check out the Hunter’s Supply cast bullets. I find them very versatile and well made.

 

We keep it quiet in these parts too which I think is a mistake. Despite some recent setbacks, Virginia still has among the most gun friendly laws in the US. Thanks in great part to the VCDL.

We are a shall issue state and open carry of anything legal is in itself legal but you almost never see a firearm. (Probably our leftist County prosecutor would charge you with brandishing and bankrupt you with lawyers fees if you carried down the street.)

So the overwhelming number of Virginians don’t know their state has among the lowest crime rates in the nation but also the most open firearms laws. These facts just fly in the face of todays popular narrative.

Not too many years ago I saw a comparison of VA & Texas gun laws. Virginia’s were more open. Doubt it’s still true.

 

I’ll wager if I put an NRA sign in my front yard it would be defaced within a week. I stopped putting out campaign signs in 2000 when twice someone came into my yard and wrote “F…You” on my Bush sign.

Yet the neighborhood is flush with leftist virtual signaling yard signs and no one bothers them. I long since removed the NRA sticker from my car out of fear of vandalism.

I just don’t want to be a prick to my neighbors even when they hate my guts.

 

The bulk of the reasoning is the Walmart shooting. My ex girlfriend and I were literally across the street when it happened. Took her for orientation at PIMA. I don't have any "assault weapons", but y'know people. Not to mention, the borderland was really hit by cartel violence. We lost contemporaries in a crossfire once, between Zetas and Federal Police. So yeah , not really popular in my family and in the city anyways.

@GeoDudeFlorida ,it's for a Smith and Wesson model 10-5. Nothing special, but I just put in a new firing pin and heavier mainspring.

Let's keep this on topic, I appreciate all the sentiments about politics, but we don't want this to get shut down.

I'm going to two gunshows on Saturday, I'll be looking for SPP, some smokeless that yall have recommended, and bullets. If I recall correctly, I was told by someone on THR that the Model 10's sights were regulated for heavier bullets, so maybe I'll look for 158 grain or something along those lines.

 

You’re absolutely right—keep on topic.

Gun shows are a great resource. I learned everything I needed to know when I started reloading at the really big gun show we used to have every 6 weeks. Three or more reloading vendors at each show. A wealth of knowledge & face to face interaction. THR is great but real live human beings is the way to go.

The reason I don’t have a shortage of components is a guy at the show told me to “buy way more than you think you’ll need because you will.” I thought he was scamming me for a big sale. My first component purchases at the show I darned near filled my trunk with supplies and I hadn’t even bought a press yet.

 

Gobsauce,
Dont overlook garage and estate sales for all things reloading. if there is a gun club around inquire about reloading stuff for sale.

Regarding presses just about any single stage will do for 38sp. the very cheapest lee press will work fine. I bought a lyman C type press 45 years ago and have reloaded hundreds of 38sp and several other calibers.. 38 sp is a very easy round to reload many powders are suitable. If you find open cans of powder at a garage sale chances are it is good. powders are very stable. Lyman reloading manual is your friend. bring it along when you go shopping for powder. You can find brass at almost any public range for free or cheap. Pick it all up and trade with others for the caliber you need,

You will find reloading to be fun. it will allow you to shoot more and have more fun shooting. Another tip most reloaders are willing to help others get started. Ask around you may be surprised that you may find the things you need just by asking around. all you really need besides dies, a shell holder, a couple of hundred Small pistol primers and a pound powder. you can get by with a set of Lee powder scoops for measuring your charges.

Good luck and ask if you have questions.

Bull

 

You might find a powder that will work, but without primers you might need to do something else for a couple years at least.

 

You mentioned getting brass for free at ranges :nope.

So the indoor ranges only allow you to collect your own brass, which is fine, that's what I do anyways.

Open ranges though? Goddamn brass goblins. Thing is, Dam Ammo in Las Cruces buys brass by the pound. At the wall, which is a public , open range, hardly ever has any brass on the ground.

I haven't been shooting in a while, but last time I was there this dude literally came up to me with a bucket in hand and asked if he could have my brass. He does this , on a daily basis.

As we say, El Paso is on a whole 'nother level of B.S.

 

I only shoot at two ranges (both indoors) and they only allow you to pick up your own brass. If someone wants to give you there’s that’s okay too, but no scrounging allowed and don’t even think about letting the squeegee cross the firing line by an inch or you’ll be banished to the gulags.

One of them, at NRA HQ, used to sell their used brass by the 500 count bag for a relative bargain ($27 for 45ACP) and that’s where I got 90% of what I have now. But since the pandemic they’ve stopped doing that because either not enough shooters to bother or something else. I have no idea where it goes. Heck they’re not even open reliably anymore because of a range officer staff shortage. Can’t work from home too well for sure.

 

We all got trials and tribulations and folks who make assumptions so I think the @gobsauce idea of using black in a Model 10 is not terrible and maybe instead of trying to steer to smokeless, try suggesting some good BP recipes and tips. Here's one: As was mentioned, when you go looking for primers, try to find either small rifle primers or magnum pistol primers. Black powder really performs better with higher brisance.

If you can find smokeless, it might help your brass last longer - maybe - since it won't eat up the brass if you forget to rinse it for a day or two. Then again, I've got .38S&W brass that's been reloaded with Olde Eynsford - a.k.a. GOEX - FFFg a dozen times and still looks new. I'd look for DEWC's - but not bevel-base - and plain-base BNWC in the 148-155gr range lubed with either SPG or DGL. These people sell unsized/as-cast bullets so you can lube and size them any way you want. I never asked if they size and lube with SPG but I'm pretty sure they'd at least entertain the idea if you asked.

 

I like this post because it’s informative sure but also enough acronyms to qualify for government work

 

PUOA is SOP for times when you might have to BOHICA. Typically, total FUBAR SITCON. LMAO, L8R.

Oh, just thought of something else I remembered about cartridge BP. Some of the CAS fellows posted a while back about how they pre-treat their guns with Ballistol and grease to fully enclose and protect the trigger group, hand, ejector and such. Supposed to make cleanup faster and prevent internal rust. Check on the cowboy boards about it, and ping @Jim Watson, I think he is one of the guys who does the whole-gun approach to BPC. I don't do that with my top-break IJ's, H&R's or Webley but, I also don't have a problem getting them cleaned up quick.

 

I do this thing with my 1851 where I "season" the insides with crisco. Fouling hardly ever gets into the innards, but if it does it won't start destroying the components. That, and all i have to do is give it a nice rinse with hot water, dry it and back in business.

 

Not sure how a DA will respond to that but, WTH, give it a shot. Let us know if there's some DA/SA magic we need to add to the BPC spells book.

 

I have, the only people who legally carry reloading components are Cabela's and Academy. Can't find anything in either.

Mesa Pawn on occasion will buy some from people, but that's incredibly rare.

 

Well, it's just grease. The only difference is that it's not petroleum based.

 

Are you in El Paso Texas? I just Googled El Paso Relaoding supplies and there were at least a couple of hits. Chuys and El Paso Gun Exchange advertise that they carry reloading supplies. Sportsmans Warehouse in Las Cruces should have reloading supplies. There aren't many places in the country with reloading shops on every block.

 

Don Chuy retired when I was in highschool , and the exchange hasn't had any in a while. I hardly go there, they had $1k mosins before the pandemic. Very expensive place, but I'll admit that I completely forgot about it.