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Getting Started Reloading

96K views 301 replies 130 participants last post by  ZanderMan 
#1 ·
For those interested in reloading, just started, or exeprienced, post your questions, answers, and recommendations here.
 
#2 ·
R Dub said:
For those interested in reloading, just started, or exeprienced, post your questions, answers, and recommendations here.
Start off with a Lee single stage if for no other reason than to understand each step in reloading, and when you move to a progressive, you'll really appreciate the progressive ;) I have two Dillon SDB - love 'em for reloading pistol!

~Mitch
 
#3 ·
SUPPLIES FOR RELOADING

www.midwayusa.com
www.brunoshooters.com/catalog/catalog_frameset.html
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
www.grafs.com/
www.lockstock.com/
www.natchezss.com/
www.leeprecision.com/
www.tntreloading.com/
www.tntreloading.com/index2.ivnu
www.fmreloading.com/
www.kinneman.com/catalog/whole_catalog.html
www.neconos.com/
www.wideners.com/
www.atozreloading.com/indexns.html
www.sinclairintl.com/
www.snowcrest.net/oldwest/
www.clarkcustomguns.com/linksammo.htm
www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/main.htm
www.wholesalehunter.com/product/search.htm
www.starlinebrass.com/
www.blue-star-inc.com/
www.bhshooters.com/
www.gibrass.com/
www.southernbellebrass.com/contact.htm
ammunition-reloading.virtualave.net/products.htm
www.georgiaprecision.com/
www.customreloads.com/
www.huntingtons.com/
www.ballisticproducts.com/
www.precisionreloading.com/
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
www.midwayusa.com/
www.midwayusa.com/home.html


DIE MANUFACTURERS

www.leeprecision.com/
www.hornady.com/
www.rcbs.com/
www.reddingreloading.com/
www.dillonprecision.com

Tutorials
http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=5
http://www.reload-nrma.com/



Powder Manufacturers

Hodgdon Powder
www.hodgdon.com

Alliant Powder
www.alliantpowder.com

Winchester Powder
www.winchester.com

Alliant Powder
www.alliantpowder.com

Accurate Powder
www.accuratepowder.com

A few powders that are considered standard bearers:

Pistol Powders
Winchester 231
Winchester 296 (magnum loads)
Alliant Bullseye
Alliant 2400 (magnum loads)
Hodgdon HP38
Hodgdon H110 (magnum loads)
Accurate #2
Accurate #9 (magnum loads)

Rifle Powders
Winchester 748
Winchester 760
IMR-4895
IMR-4064
IMR-4350
Hodgdon BL-C(2)
Hodgdon H335
Accurate 2230

BrianEnos.com also has a forum for reloading help. He is also a dealer of Dillon Precision Reloading supplies.
 
#5 ·
Thank you guys very much... I just got my Lee Progressive 1000 on Wednesday. I met up with a guy from a local club on Wednesday night also and he went through his Dillon steps but he completely explained the process to me and gave me a ton on material to read. I've begun to set up mine but I need to get a bench. Once that's ready, I can fill you guys in on the progressive.

You guys are awesome.:D
 
#6 ·
I have used RCBS for as long as I can remember, and I still load .38, .357, .44, and all my rifles on a single stage press. They are very easy to pay for when you start reloading rifles with them.
 
#7 ·
First time reloading rifle...
I re-loaded my first rifle rounds this past weekend on a RCBS single stage. .223 shooting a barnes 50 gr HP bullet, remmington brass, federal premium rifle primers and IMR powder. I have reloaded shotgun shells before which is very easy to do. Reloading for rifle was quite involved.

We reshaped the brass and punched the old primers. Cleaned the primer pocket, We trimmed the brass to length, measured a few just to be sure durring the process. Threw them into the tumbler for a while. While the tumbler was running we set the powder measure up. Set primers with a hand primer tool. Then measured & weighed powder for each case. The powder measure was close but we needed to add a few grains of powder for each load. I was amazed at how sensetitive the scale was. I could add a very small pinch of powder and drop it by the grain to get it where we wanted it. We would weigh the powder for each case. After that we set bullets. Measured over all length several times, we also chambered a bullet in the rifle to make sure it didn't sit against the rifiling in the barrel. After a few times of measuring the over all length we were good. Set the die and loaded the rest of the shells and crimped.

So for my first time re-loading what a process for only 15 shells. I can see the need right off the bat for the best quality set of digital calipers and a digital scale money can buy. My buddies worked OK but we took multiple measurements just to be sure. He has a pretty cool case trimmer once that was set for the right length you are good to go. We are going to reload a few more types then head to the range.

I can see how reloading gets addicting.
 
#8 ·
Some of this may be repetitive, but while I
have it captured, I want to post it -

Speer Gold Ammunition Information -
http://www.miragetechnologies.net/SPEER%20Gold%20Dot%20Ammunition.htm

Handy Energy Calculator:
http://www.firearmexpertwitness.com...ns/calcnrg.html

Reloading Page:
http://www.reloadammo.com/


Here is one to do with headspace:
http://www.realguns.com/archives/001.htm


Want to get into some reloading stuff:
http://dillonprecision.com/default.cfm?

http://www.leeprecision.com/

Need some bullets???? here you go:
http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/317224


Some more info:
http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IIIC2q6.html

http://www.handloads.com/images/cartridge/357sig.htm

Enjoy!

Ed

 
#12 ·
Any recommendations for good reloading manuals?
 
#14 ·
XD Springer said:
Interesting question -- Mostly you need to understand that you won't save heaps of money. It's a hobby that requires some understanding of tools/dies and setting them up.
I am not sure I completely agree with the statement that you won't save money. If you cast, you will save a bunch of money or your plinking rounds.

I do agree that it is a hobby that allows you to spend more time in the shooting sport while not actually shooting.
 
#15 ·
Anyone use the Adjustable charge bar on a Lee reloader? I'm thinking of upgrading my reloader as preventative medicine to make it a little easier on me.
 
#16 ·
Krackels said:
Anyone use the Adjustable charge bar on a Lee reloader? I'm thinking of upgrading my reloader as preventative medicine to make it a little easier on me.
I use it for when I want to be more precise in my loads.

I suppose it might be nice if you switch the measure to other dies too, but I just bought another measure for my 45 Colt. I hated spinning off the thing to put on other dies.
 
#17 ·
IF you mean an adjustable charge bar for the LEE Powder measures that use the horizontally sliding powder bars, yes I use that. It works identically to the pre-set ones so it can be quite handy. Since you always need to check the volume vs. weight for almost any volumetric powder dispenser AND since you also need to verify correct operation by throwning test charges with regularity; there is no good reason to not use these adjustable devices if you want to.
 
#19 ·
To start reloading .45 ACP, what kind of cost am I looking at the get the required equipment? I have no experience whatsoever and I'm starting to research what's involved.

are there different options as far as equipment that does everything on it's own, you just load up the primers, casing, all that stuff and let it run or do you always have to sit there and do it by hand?

Thanks.
 
#20 ·
#21 ·
#23 ·
bump ^^^^ - still looking for an answer...
Is your question; How much ? or just what you need ?

How much varies, but you should be paying about 10 cents or less per round when you buy powder, primers, and bullets (cast).

What you need has been amply covered in this thread concerning equipment and basic (renewable) supplies go, as far as I can tell, unless you have some more specific questions.

P.S.... The kit from kempfs should probably be upgraded with the PRO disk measure and the lever prime stuff. You will probably also want the kinetic bullet puller and a set of calipers and (if it were me) a digital scale for weighting the charges.
 
#25 ·
does anyone have any experience with the lee 45acp loadmaster kit?
its a progressive press that seems to come with everything you need (except a tumbler and scale) to reload 45 rnds--carbide dies and all--around 220 at cheaperthandirt
I own and use a LoadMaster in .45 acp . I am, despite what some would tell you, easily able to load quality ammo with it. HOWEVER:

You will probably be BEST off buying a reconditioned one from Lee Precision directly. It will cost less and have been (hopefully) gone over a bit more throughly than the first time it left the factory. (ALL presses, regardless of whom makes them, are subject to the same kinds of machining issues when we pay less than $ 1500 for one. Just be sure to get one with the same warranty as the new one. Then you are getting a great price and a re-worked press !!)

Then when you get it take it apart and if required smooth all of the surfaces that cam against one another. And *only* break the edges of such "cam" surfaces if it would lead to binding. Then reassemble the press and get some time in running it.

IF you are comfortable with owning machinery that may require the occasional disassembly and diagnosis, I can easily recommend it to you as the instructions STINK, but the press is FINE. DIagnostic info is just a phone call away from the Lee factory techs as well. Parts are free for the two years too on the standard warranty.


Bottom line: great press, but since the instructions stink, you get to be the mechanic that gets it running. Not at all hard, but you DO need some mechanical aptitude.
 
#26 ·
I think OS has one also. I think when I first got my Lee Pro 1000 he was saying he had one and then moved up to the LoadMaster.
 
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