Newbie Advice

[azhunter23]

Decided to start reloading. Starting slow I'm in no hurry and want to get my bench setup and efficient. I plan on reloading the following eventually. .380,9mm,.223,.270,30-30,.308 and maybe 300RUM. I will start with 9mm & .223 FMJ. Mostly for plinking. Have a good stock pile of home defense rounds.

 

I've done some research and this is my plan. Please let me know if it sounds ok.

 

I'm looking at getting the Lee anniversary kit on Amazon along with 1 little Lee press. I would like to use it for resizing. Total cost $162 free shipping. Also getting the Lyman 49th edition handbook $22

 

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

[Saguaro]

One thing I think works well is reading through a reloading manual. Not just the load data. Speer manuals have a lot of good stuff in the first half. It explains brass, pressures, and a lot of other scientific type things that are real good reads. I still read through the old and new manuals. That's my advice, start with a manual, then get your setup. All of the rounds you mentioned are popular so you won't have any trouble and some are even used as examples in the pages before the load data.

[azhunter23]

Thank You! I will pick one up.

[Hoss50]

Learn to reload on a single stage, but you will want to invest in a progressive someday if you plan on shooting things like 223 and 9mm a lot. It is slow to reload those on a single stage vs. the volume of ammo you usually shoot in those calibers. I personally don't reload 9mm because it isn't worth my time to do so on my single stage press. I would rather pay $12-16/box instead of paying $8-10 for the components and spending an hour or more of my time loading them.

 

The money savings on a single stage press is on the larger more expensive calibers like .270, 300 RUM, etc.

 

Get a good manual and read through is before you ever even attempt to load a round. Make sure you understand everything and what you are doing before you start playing with real loads. Go slowly and make sure your method is sound.

 

Put thought into setting up your reloading area and making sure you have good equipment. You need a lot more than a press and dies to reload correctly.

 

I got lucky and my dad bought a pretty complete reloading setup from a friend of his when I was young and it had the Speer manual and others with it. My dad never learned how to use it, so I taught myself to reload from reading the manuals when I was about 12 years old. I am not a master by any stretch of the imagination and I have a lot to learn and have learned a lot here. There is a lot more involved than just making a round that goes bang and doesn't blow up the gun if you are trying to reload for accuracy and distance.

 

Reloading is a scientific process and should be treated as such. Start with X and only change 1 variable at a time when you are trying to work up loads. Dial in what you are doing little by little and don't be afraid to scrap 1 or more components if it doesn't look like your gun likes what you are feeding it.

[maximus]

there is a great book is called the ABC's of reloading is a great read and lots of information.

[rossislider]

Learn to reload on a single stage, but you will want to invest in a progressive someday if you plan on shooting things like 223 and 9mm a lot. It is slow to reload those on a single stage vs. the volume of ammo you usually shoot in those calibers. I personally don't reload 9mm because it isn't worth my time to do so on my single stage press. I would rather pay $12-16/box instead of paying $8-10 for the components and spending an hour or more of my time loading them.

 

The money savings on a single stage press is on the larger more expensive calibers like .270, 300 RUM, etc.

 

Get a good manual and read through is before you ever even attempt to load a round. Make sure you understand everything and what you are doing before you start playing with real loads. Go slowly and make sure your method is sound.

 

Put thought into setting up your reloading area and making sure you have good equipment. You need a lot more than a press and dies to reload correctly.

 

I got lucky and my dad bought a pretty complete reloading setup from a friend of his when I was young and it had the Speer manual and others with it. My dad never learned how to use it, so I taught myself to reload from reading the manuals when I was about 12 years old. I am not a master by any stretch of the imagination and I have a lot to learn and have learned a lot here. There is a lot more involved than just making a round that goes bang and doesn't blow up the gun if you are trying to reload for accuracy and distance.

 

Reloading is a scientific process and should be treated as such. Start with X and only change 1 variable at a time when you are trying to work up loads. Dial in what you are doing little by little and don't be afraid to scrap 1 or more components if it doesn't look like your gun likes what you are feeding it.

Hoss50 has some good advise here. Most people get into reloading for increased accuracy and cost savings. You aren't going to see nearly as great of a return on 9mm and 223 as you would on the big long range guns. Again, I am speaking to both accuracy and cost. I would switch it around and start loading with the 300RUM, 270, etc.

 

I live out in Queen Creek. If you ever want to come by a check out my set up, or come watch/help reload a few rounds let me know. I use a single stage RCBS press and currently load for 300 RUM, 7mm Mag, 7-08, 243, 223, and 44 Rem Mag.

[azhunter23]

Thank you all for the info. Rossislider I may take you up on that offer. I'll let you know.

 

As far as loading the 9mm would you change your mind if you had a good amount of once fired brass offered to you for free? My wife is associated with law enforcement and some of the officers have offered to supply me with free brass. Is it worth it?

[willhunt4coues]

I bought just any reloading gear I thought I needed and man was I wrong. It really depends on what reloading you want to do. If you want to make precise, accurate, and long range ammo then you really need to read the accurate shooter reviews of what the bench rest guys use. I bought all this stuff and ended up selling it ALL because I was not getting the results I was looking for. I upgraded all my equipment off of what the bench guys/long range guys recommend taking in reviews from multiple forums and sites of what is the best of the best. If I would have done this first I could have saved money and not bought all the first inexpensive items.

 

Now if you are wanting to do both fast reloading and precision reloading then you will need to check into all the reviews you can. I can tell you from now on thats ALL i do. If i want to buy something i research for months before pulling the trigger (no pun intended) so I know I am investing in something I truly need and want. In the end it is worth the wait and you will already know how to use it before getting it.

 

Also there is a great book out there for Precision Reloading called

Handloading for Competition Making the Target Bigger

It has probably the best info for making those perfect pills for precision shots.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096269259X?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

 

Whatever you do RESEARCH is the key. Dont get something because I said or Joe Blow said so. Get what you want and need the first time. I went through 3 presses before settling on a Harrell Precision Press why because with my dies it creates zero run out and I can take the press to the range if need be. So I spent 450.00 total on the first 3 presses then spending 200.00 on the Harrell and on the 450 I only got back maybe 300.

 

Once you start it is very addicting and time consuming.

[Saguaro]

Also remember to treat the scale with the highest respect. Don't drop it or be rough with it. Always be thinking about it through the process. It's easy to get sloppy with these. Once you zero it, you can't bump it or it throws off your charge. One thing I learned is to use two scales. That way I can check things better as I go. You can even mix it up with electronic and the conventional bar level type.

[azhunter23]

More great info! I'm soaking it up. I'm the same way and do as much research as possible before purchasing. I always try to touch base here because I know I will get great info.

 

I'm really not looking for precision long range shooting. I mostly hunt archery and I love my 30-30 with the lever revolution ammo for everything else. Looking for a new hobby that I can take pride in.

 

My Remington 700 300RUM was custom built for a friend in Alaska and he needed cash and sold it for half of what he had in it. Just to pretty to pass up. I haven't even taken it out yet.

[rossislider]

Thank you all for the info. Rossislider I may take you up on that offer. I'll let you know.

 

As far as loading the 9mm would you change your mind if you had a good amount of once fired brass offered to you for free? My wife is associated with law enforcement and some of the officers have offered to supply me with free brass. Is it worth it?

Hard to pass up free brass. There isn't a right or wrong load to start with, just personal preference. Maybe do the 9mm and a long range rifle like the 300RUM. Loading handgun is quick and pretty straight forward. When you start to push for long range accuracy is where you really start to tweak, refine, and perfect your load formula and process.

[azhunter23]

Also I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to get the cheapest setup and am willing to pay for quality. The reason I was going with the Lee presses is because they seem very adequate for what I want to do after reading reviews. I plan to upgrade the scale immediately and the powder dispensing unit also.

[roninflag]

AZ- I agree with ross. I would only load for rifles or handguns where I wanted/ needed more accuracy . not plinking. 9mm ammo is inexpensive as far as handgun ammo goes. of course you are getting the brass free. I would go with rcbs, my rockchucker is still great after many many years. if I was you I would try one of the rifle calibers besides the 30-30, and the 9 mm to start. 300 rum I believe would be the biggest savings. ron

[mgorm16640]

Handloader magazine from Wolf publishing.