want to start reloading,but worryed about safty

[gpwelding1]

ive been considering starting reloading,even started priceing and looking around at equipment and supplys.but i dont know where to start:banghead:i have even saved brass for over 2 years planning to start.
but my biggest consern is that i have no one that i can start out watching and learning from,and im thinking worst case senarios where i do somthing wrong that causes a malfuntion and damage in one of my guns.or even worse,injury or death for me!
does any one have any advise on training videos or anything like that that would help me.

 

[Furncliff]

Books. What books do you have?

Have you taught yourself to do other things?

I consider my wood working machines more dangerous than the process of making or using my home rolled ammo. But I have taught myself to do many things and there is some confidence that comes with that.

You can count on a lot of help from the good folks here. Many many years of experience and a willingness to help. I have learned a great deal here.

I started with .38 special, and made a couple of mistakes. No powder (squib loads). The primer or what there was of a small powder charge sent the lead bullet out far enough to jam the cylinder. I started with a progressive press, in retrospect that might have been a mistake as it can be confusing to the uninitiated.

Read and ask questions. You will find out if it's for you.

 

[rcmodel]

In the 50 years I have been reloading, I had known friends who cut thier foot half off with a lawn mower (1), died in a car wreck (several), blew themselves up lighting a propane grill (1), burned thier house down with a candle (2), and dumped scalding hot water on thier kid (1).

Hardly anyone I know has been hurt reloading, except one guy.
And he could hurt himself bad just shaving, with an electric razor.

Buy a good reloading manual or two, read them several times, follow the instructions, and you can't go to far wrong.

rc

 

[Cosmoline]

Safety is in the measurements and the data. Stick with published data--as in published in real actual reloading manuals. Make sure your powder is the same exact powder referenced in the guide. IMR XXXX may be slightly different from Hogdon XXXX, for example. Measure your loads carefully, esp. when you're starting out. Have a mini maglight for cross checking your loads. Spend money on a high quality scale. You can do fine with a simple hand press for reloading, but you don't want a cruddy scale.

At the range, be mindful of potential squibs. If you fire but have no recoil, check to make sure you don't have a bullet lodged in the barrel.

You don't really need to be shown how to do it. In fact starting from the books is in some ways better than watching an old hand loader. The experienced hand loader may be able to leave out steps which you should not. Or he may be including more advanced steps which aren't necessary.

 

[mdi]

The ABCs of Reloading is a good place to start reading. Most of reloading is fairly easy, just follow the directions supplied with your equipment and read the ABCs. Reloading is as safe as you want it to be. Like the poster above, rcmodel, I don't know anyone that has hurt themselves when they paid attention to what they were doing. I've never personally seen a "kaboom" nor do I know anyone personally that has had one. Reloading is a very rewarding asset to our shooting sport and all you need is a little common sense. Go slow, double check and you can assemble custom ammo for your particular guns for many, many years without any harm to you or your guns...

 

[whipper]

Are there any descent gun stores near you? If so, a lot of times one of the people working there is a re-loader. They would most likely help you with any questions. This is how I started in re-loading. If you are stuck, there are many knowledgeable people here.

And remember there are no stupid questions.

 

[KBintheSLC]

The fact that you are concerned with safety means that you are headed in the right direction. I would hit YouTube and read some books for a while until you've decided on what you want to buy. Just remember, reloading is only as complex as you make it. In simple form, all it takes is 4 elements... bullets, brass, powder, and primers. I would start with the bare minimum of essentials necessary to make those 4 items come together. Everything else is optional.

 

[Magoo]

GP- We've Pm'ed a bit about the shoot at Cedar Ridge. I'm "all the way" over in Greenville, but have recently started reloading. I'm definitely no expert or proper mentor, but you'd be more than welcome to come over and see the setup. I've got the ABC's of reloading, Lyman #49, and Lee's manuals that you could borrow to read through too. Between reading and re-reading the manuals and actually seeing the steps, a lot of the mystery of reloading will go away.
I've also got a Lee single stage you could borrow for a while, though it would need some "accessorizing" for you to be setup to reload.

 

[sniper5]

Reloading is like diving. It's inherently dangerous. It's important to remember that you are handling igniters and propellants. But it's as safe as you want it to be.

Generally speaking, reloaders tend to get in trouble when they do one of the following:

1. Get in a hurry. Take your time. Turn off your ADHD and turn on your OCD.
2. Get distracted. Close the door. Turn off the TV. If you can't get rid of distractions, stop until you can.
3. Get "altered". Guns and alcohol don't mix. Reloading and alcohol don't mix.
4. Get creative. Stick to the book. Don't start trying to be artistic.
5. Get sloppy. "I don't know what happened. . .I was just brushing some of the powder I spilled off the bench so I could have a place to set the 4227. . . at least I think it was 4227, it was the one that I poured into the Folgers can. . .and I was knocking the ash off my cigarette. . .and the next thing I know. . .BOOOOM!!!!!"

Buy a good manual, there are lots of them out there. Then do what it says. Stick to the recipes. Be neat. Be careful. Be alone. Be sober.

You'll do fine. It really isn't hard.

 

[ny32182]

Safety is of course very important, and I know I say this at the risk of sounding cavalier, but it is a wee-bit-overblown on the internet.

If you can make sure you are using the correct components, in good condition, in published data ranges (notice I didn't say "exact"), with good QC, the chances that you blow yourself up should be extremely remote.

If .1gr of powder or .01" of seating depth is what does you in, you were too close to the line to start with. If this were not true, all bullet companies would need to publish data. So... don't be lackadazical, but just take a deep breath and relax. I sweated stuff to that degree when I first started out, learning later that it wasn't really necessary.

Advice I believe IS good for a newbie:

-Buy two manuals and read all the sections related to anything you plan to be doing.

-Start with a single stage or turret press. People say this, not everyone seems to take this advice, but I'm a reasonably intelligent guy and I'm glad I started with a turret press. The reason is simple; there is less to learn at once. When you are starting out, your goal is to learn about how ammo and the ammo-to-chamber relationship works (you'll soon be amazed at what you didn't know). Single stage and turret presses are very simple devices that you will not have to learn about; they will let you concentrate on the ammo. Progressive presses are more complicated machines... when you get a progressive, you will need to learn about the machine and all its automatic gizmos. If you start out with a progressive, you will be trying to learn about both the press and ammo at the same time and will have to diagnose a system with more variables than necessary.

-Get some LE Wilson max case gages for the calibers you intend to load. This will give you a good basic idea of whether your sizing is working out correctly or not. This is basically guesswork with no gage, and is very important.

You can learn to load with no one teaching you; I'm living proof... don't be afraid to ask dumb questions, go slow, use good QC practices, enjoy.

 

[Tim the student]

While there is great potential to hurt yourself, there are many easy ways to mitigate that.

I think Sniper summed them up pretty well.

Basically, buy a couple good books. Read them, and understand them. Follow the directions - both about the safety measures they have, and the recipes. Don't be stupid.

You will be fine, and as KBintheSLC noted, by worrying about safety, you are well on your way to being safe.

 

[twofifty]

Lots of great advice given above.

I would add that your OCD should be directed to staying organized and not mixing components, and making sure that what you are doing is according to the manuals' standard procedures - rather than trying to make "the most accurate or the fastest ammo in the world".

If you're making plinking or hunting ammo, and not benchrest stuff, don't be compulsive about making each round exactly the same as the previous ones. Use a caliper to measure the effects of what you are doing and you will soon realize that each brass case and each bullet has its own unique dimensions within industry (SAAMI) tolerances. And so will your results.

Don't fuss over small stuff like sorting brass by weight, turning necks or accurizing primer pockets, but pay close attention to brass condition, brass length and charge weight.

Again, stay organized and pay attention to what you're doing each step of the way and you'll be safe.

Have fun.

 

[ironhead7544]

First get a manual and study it. The Lyman is good but the others are OK too. I recommend the Lee turret press for new guys. You can use it as a single station press until you learn the process. What rounds do you want to load? Ask any questions here and I will try to help. Been loading since 1972.

 

[soloban]

If you are a visual learner, check out videos by IraqVetran8888, AmmoSmith.com, or UltimateReloader.com on youtube.

 

[Armored farmer]

One must employ a special frame of mind when doing important things that simply cannot tolerate error.

Driving with the family in the car.
Handling firearms.
Reloading.
Breaking 100x100 at trapshooting.
Putting a bullet in a bullseye.
Working in a "hot" electric breaker panel.
Landing an airplane.
Mixing pesticide that could destroy a crop if misused.
etc.

There are times when your brain simply cannot be allowed to wander.
I have tried to instill this in my kids. It would help them when taking tests, driving, operating our equipment, etc.

Like KBintheSLC said....that fact that you are concerned about safety means you'll be responsible.

Go ahead and get started. Reloading adds another layer to shooting sports enjoyment.

 

[rick300]

I taught myself, mostly learned with books and asking here. You tube is good too. Don't hurry and keep good records. I got the "bug" in 2008 and loaded my first round 6/2/09. I can account for every single primer since then (only 4,000) but I haven't had a problem. Take your time and use common sense. Rick

 

[firstater]

I was in the same situation as you. I read and re-read the manuals, watched youtube, and lurked through forums like this for a long time. Lots of good resources here and folks eager to help you out.
There is really good info in this sticky
at the top of the reloading forum.

 

[easyrider604]

Lots of good advice to read reloading manuals. Yes, read one or two cover to cover, for sure.

I did not read a reply that mentioned to "read, understand and follow the instruction manual of your reloading press". So that is my advice.

Please see this link. The OP knew from the instructions that Federal Primers should not be used, but he ignored the clear warning. FWIW, this is not a criticism of the make and model of reloading press. It was a user-induced accident that was completely avoidable.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=523075

 

[James2]

If you can read and follow instructions. If you like to do things with your hands. If you like machines and mechanical gadgets, You will enjoy reloading.

I was still in high school when I started reloading. There was no internet.
I bought the tools and a Lyman manual from the local sporting goods store. The owner reloaded, but he just said: "Read the book and do as it says."
It was OK. I did as the book instructed and everything was fine.

That was many years ago. I am retired now and lovin life. No mishaps due to reloading. Shooting more than at any other time in my life. Good advice above. If you have questions, ask.

 

[Hondo 60]

Youtube has tons of reloading videos.

The best place to start is figure out what reloading press you want.
Then go to Youtube & search for that press.

Then read a couple of reloading manuals like Lyman's 49th Edition (their newest)

You CAN do it. Heck even I did it.
I still have both eyes & all 9 3/4 fingers (don't ask)

 

[Seedtick]

I'm just gonna add a link.

Ultimate Reloader

He has invested many, many hours in his website and it shows. Check it out it's an excellent resource.

ST

 

[GP100man]

I was at my LGS & mentioned reloading & he "GAVE" me a46th edition Lyman manual & told me come back when I`ve read it 3 times , He made his money back tenfold on equipment , that was in `83

No mentor, no videos , just me a lee anniversary kit , 44mag dies & a Lyman 500 scale .

& that Lyman 46th edition manual, I wish I had a picture of myself when I touched off that first reload - - - I remember the feelin though !!!

 

[A and O]

Sinclair has an eight part video series that is really decent for beginners that is available free on their site.

I'm not sure as to how to provide a link here. No problem via email though. So if you are not able to find the videos pm me and I'll get you a link.

 

[MrOldLude]

1. Buy a book.
2. Watch youtube reloading videos

 

[LiveLife]

A and O, here's the Sinclair 8 part video link.

Thanks for the info! Good videos for new reloaders.