Well, I've done it.

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Officers'Wife

Officers'Wife

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A long way from heaven and too close to Chicago
Last winter I managed to buy an old reloading press at an auction sale. Today I managed to convince a local merchant to dip into his personal supply and sell me powder (Bullseye) and primers. I convinced my husband to use my uncle's old swaging machine to make a bunch of 38 ball (158 gr semi wad cutter- never mind how I convinced him.) Saturday I'm going to another auction that I'm told has a number of scales that can be calibrated for grain and I have a reloading book on my desk with the charge weight for my flavor of powder and ball underlined.

Have I forgotten anything? (And to the palos out there - yes I do have a weapon that shoots 38 special.)
 
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Read the material at the front of the reloading book regarding internal ballistics! It's easier to get things right if you understand the theory/principles behind it. (You may already have done this.)

Also, you'll need a set of calipers.
 
Many old used presses don’t have the priming arm/punch installed and or working properly, if yours does you will be OK, but if not you will need some way to seat primers.
 
Make sure you have the proper shell holder to go with those dies. I know it sounds silly but it is a real damper when you get everything set up and forget that one minor piece of the puzzle.

Other than that, sounds like your on your way. Like mentioned a loading block for 50 rounds is pretty handy, also a nice light over where your loading so you can inspect the charged cases as you go.

Hope things work out well for you in your new adventure.
 
It's non of our business, Mrs. Officer, how you convinced your valorous husband to do his part in this pursuit but, speaking for myself, I'm mighty curious how you persuaded the merchant to dip into his personal stash!
 
splattergun said:
It's non of our business, Mrs. Officer, how you convinced your valorous husband to do his part in this pursuit but, speaking for myself, I'm mighty curious how you persuaded the merchant to dip into his personal stash!
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I reminded him the blackberries will be ripe soon and I have a bad habit of making more cobbler than I need. My blackberry cobbler has some small reputation and while the quickest way to a man's heart is through the rib cage the way into his powder supply is through his stomach.
 
Don't really need calipers for 158SWC. Just line up the case mouth with the crimp groove.

And just use the plastic tray from a box of factory ammo for a great reloading block.
 
Walkalong said:
So you bribed him with cobbler? Sounds smart to me.
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Bribed is an ugly accusation sir! I prefer the term "exchange of favors." Have you ever had maruya? (It's kind of a banana fritter) Then imagine that dough baked in the cobbler rather than deep fried.



Bullseye is a rare commodity in this area for some reason, imaginative cuisine is equally rare. As I said, exchange of favors.
 
readyeddy said:
Need a way to charge cases with powder. A powder measure or funnel.
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That I have covered, I took the spout from an old BP flask and soldered it to a small cone made out of sheet copper with a handle from a broken butterknife.

For loading blocks I had hubby drill 7/16" holes in a wood block that should serve until I figure out what I'm doing. Or I should say until my brother figures out what I'm doing and comes over to instruct me. Hopefully I can get set up so I don't look like a complete tulala.
 
You ain't a tulala.

You're a Daisy for even taking that much interest in shooting & reloading!!!

Proud of ya!!!
We need more lady's like you getting into it!!

Go get'm girl!!'

rc
 
I think that it is great that you are taking such an interest in this hobby. CAUTION: read your loading books and watch out -----this here hobby is addictive;)
 
Wow. You made your own funnel.

Let us know how the 38's came out. I need to load some myself soon.
 
Ya, thats barter in my book, too.

I've found its amazing what you can get with Jam.

Never turned up any good powder on account of it, though !

Best of luck on the 38's- and stop by for advice if ya get stuck !
 
When charging your cases with powder, it would be a good idea to measure the powder, drop it into the case and in the same step, seat the bullet. That way you won't miss a charge and more importantly, you won't double charge. Bullseye is a dense powder and 38 special cases can hold close to 14 grains of Bullseye (that's about 4 charges)
 
Welcome

Never underestimate the power of a woman's smile. When my wife goes to get a flat fixed the tire mechanic charges here half of what he does me!

Glad to hear you are getting into the hobby, it is addictive as others have mentioned. I am a new comer also, some things I overlooked when starting out... storage boxes for your reloads, and labels for the boxes. The ones that come in the package are OK to start with, however I quickly dumped them and created my own with avery labels and my printer. I will look for the template i created.

A logbook for record keeping, brass lots, load data, etc. handy and any dedicated notebook will work, i use a school composition book or a three hole binder.

Cigar box... a small wooden box has many uses, holding bullets, brass etc.. at hands reach and stuff won't spill over on your bench.
 
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