Want a reloading Mentor

[Rodeo4joe]

Hello,
I have been thinking about starting to Reload. I have a .250 Sav that I would like to be able to shoot more but finding ammo for that is difficult to say the least. My issue with this is that I dont even know where to begin as all of these terms that are used in this forum are well above my knowledge level. I was hoping that I would be able to find a possible mentor. I would be more than willing to cook and or buy dinner for someone in the area who would be willing to sit down and explain the process to me in terms that I could understand so that I have a better idea of time and money required before I start spending money just to find out that it is too time consuming or too expensive or whatever else. I am a true newbie when it comes to this. Thanks for reading my post.
Joe

 

[Rodeo4joe]

Oh yeah Might Help. I am in Hampton Roads Va

 

[cheygriz]

If you have a local gun club, join it. You'll find lots of nice folks there. Second, ask one of your larger local dealers if he offers reloading classes, and if he does, take one.

If none of the above works, write to the NRA, and ask them where reloading classes are offered in your area.

Last resort, just get a good reloading manual or two, like those put out by Lyman, Hodgdon, Speer, or Hornady and read them cover to cover.

 

[bullseye308]

Try advertising on your local craigslist on the sporting goods section. Offer to pay a little, or buy some components and you should get some help easy.

 

[Floppy_D]

I was stationed there this time last year, and would have gladly helped out. You could hit up Bob's or The Armory, and talk to the salesmen to hunt down a lead. On your side of the water you have Wilcox's; they might be able to point you at someone. +1 craigslist; offer to bring the components, and throw a can of powder at whoever offers to help you.

Also, check out this video: RCBS Reloading. Scan through the sticky at the top, too.

Good luck, Joe!

 

[Hondo 60]

Rodeo4joe:

You're showing very good common sense. I wish I would've thought to advertise like this when I started. I can only second the notion of getting a good reloading manual. My first manual was Lyman's 47th (their up to 49 now). That's only one of the good ones. Hornady, Speer, Lee all make good ones (although Lee's is a commercial for all their reloading hardware), but Lee does have loads that some of the others don't.

Good luck & welcome to the addiction!

 

[kutter]

Yurko, it is funny that you say that about the Lee manual, I have to agree that he does talk up his equipment a lot, but by the same token, the man has a lot of experience in the industry as well and as I read it I found that I could overlook him trying to sell his stuff to pick up the pieces of wisdom that he presented, I found it to be a fairly well written manual, nothing that will keep you awake at night though It does however provide a wealth of technical info.sa

I have the Lyman, just got it at Cabela's and I am starting to read it now. After I am done with it, not sure what I will read after, probably what I can get on sale, reloaders being what we are to save money to shoot more, to reload more to shoot more.....

 

[LiveLife]

FYI, I don't know how other public libraries are, but our local libraries have reloading manuals in the reference section (Yes, almost all of them!).

And I have never seen anyone read them - so you can have all to yourself when you get to the library.

Also, consider donating your old reloading manuals you don't want to the library too for the benefit of others - I have donated all of my reference/technical books/manuals over the years to the local libraries.

 

[Grumulkin]

If you want a mentor, it would be helpful to know your approximate geographical location.

 

[tom357mag]

If you want a mentor, it would be helpful to know your approximate geographical location.

Post #2

 

[oneounceload]

Last resort, just get a good reloading manual or two,

Let's have him make that the FIRST resort, and read them.

Then find a rifle, shotgun, or hunt club and ask the members. Used equipment is typically available from ebay, Craig's list and even garage sales. It doesn't take too much with used equipment to get started

 

[dc.fireman]

Rodeo -

If you feel like making the trek up to No.Va. for the day, I can at least show you some of what you might want to know. Just about everyone on this forum has been a huge help to me - from supplying advice, to explaining terms, and showing me pictures of stuff I wanted to see. The best advice I could offer - go to a book store, and buy a reputable loading manual. Most of them have the beginning sections explaining the terms, and why you do certain steps, and in certain orders. I don't own stock in Lyman, but I probably should as many times as I've recommended their manual to friends, and bought three- one for me, the other two for my brother and dad. PM me if you decide to take that trip up north.

-tc

 

[sig220mw]

That's the way to step up dc.fireman. I would do the same if I didn't live way off in Texas. A hunting friend got me started. He kept telling me I needed to reload instead of spending so much on ammo so I bought some rcbs dies for my 270 (the brand he used) and went over to his house in Dallas one day and we sat down and reloaded a few cases. I had actually gotten a starter kit which had enough of the necessary stuff to get me going, but his hands on instructions were helpful. After that I read everything I saw in print about reloading and actually still do though now I read from a more experienced point of view.

You'll love your new hobby, shoot more and therefore be a better marksman.

Enjoy........

 

[twsnnva]

Hi Joe,
I just sent you a PM. I'm in Hampton Roads also, Newport News specifically. I've not been reloading too long myself, but I would be more than happy to help in any way I can. I can help with the basics for sure, and you can familiarize yourself with the equipment and the entire process. I also have some books that you may be interested in borrowing and reading through. I provided my email address in the PM since that's the best way to contact me.

-Thomas

 

[coloradokevin]

Joe,

I'm not anywhere near where you are located, but I might suggest that you also try going to your local library to look for some books. I'm a self-taught handloader, and I'd hardly call myself an expert on this subject (at least not compared to some of the folks in this section of the forum). However, when I started loading I was able to find 2-3 decent books at the local library, and I read them cover to cover. When I finally decided to pick up some equipment, I also bought a load manual, and read the advice in there on how to handload.

From there, I started posting questions on forums like this one, and getting advice from folks who have been loading for a while (I even had a few phone calls with members of this site, who were nice enough to give me some pointers along the way).

There have certainly been some times in the past (and there are still times now) where it would have been nice to have someone standing next to me at the bench to clarify a few issues. But, even while working on this subject alone, I managed to start producing very good ammo within a short period of time.

Just take the time to think before you do things at the loading bench! The basics aren't too complicated when you do them the right way, but reloading is definitely a hobby where you want to pay attention to detail, for the sake of your own safety (by way of example: accidentally loading 25 grains of Red Dot powder into a .223 case will have VASTLY different results than 25 grains of H4895 powder... and not in a good way).