reloading equipment and manuals

docmichar · 12-25-2006, 07:28 PM

Does anyone here reload their own rifle or handgun rounds? I think I would like to start doing this myself and would like some recommendations on what equipment to purchase and which manuals or books you found most beneficial.

Thanks,

Doc

baltz526 · 12-25-2006, 07:55 PM

a good place to start is the nosler #5 reloading manual and the latest lyman reloading manual. these will give you the basic info. then a rcbs master reloading kit with a seperate purchase of all the dies you will need. then find a experienced reloader to give you a lesson.

sliverpicker · 12-26-2006, 06:42 AM

Been reloading since I was a kid, about 40 years now. You don't need all the fancy stuff that comes with it, just a decent press like a RCBS JR and powder measure and powder scale will get you started. You can use the primer seating option on the press, or get a handheld primer seating device that actually works a little faster for me. A neck deburring tool is handy, and pretty inexpensive. Eventually you'll most likely need a case trimmer when the neck's get too long.

I've used a small jar of STP lube and powdered graphite for years, but they make lube now that's probably better and won't break the bank. I also have a small screw driver that I use for cleaning the primer pocket, never had a misfire.

RCBS, Lyman, and several other outfits make quality reloading dies.

I have Nosler, Speer, Hornady, and Sierra manual's. My brother has alot of the same manual's, plus a Barnes, and maybe a Swift. So we have many of the bases covered.

Do a google search, I bet you can find alot of info about "step by step for cartridge reloading".

Good luck, and error on the safe side!

docmichar · 12-26-2006, 08:13 AM

Perfect information, just what I was looking for. I had already done a google search and found it a little overwhelming, so thought I would ask a slightly more personal group to limit the search.

Thanks Baltz and sliverpicker

Doc

baltz526 · 12-26-2006, 08:18 AM

if you put your location in your signature, when you ask questions like this you can get volunteers that live near you

Beeatease · 12-26-2006, 08:43 AM

I have Nosler, Speer, Hornady, Sierra, Barnes, and Lyman manuals, all very interesting reading. You might consider Precision Shooting they have a book on reloading.

http://www.precisionshooting.com/books.html

Hunt'nFish · 12-26-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baltz526

if you put your location in your signature, when you ask questions like this you can get volunteers that live near you

Yes, I agree.

Two things I recommend to new reloaders, "The ABC's Of Reloading" by Dean Grennell awesome getting started book. It will help you avoid a lot of mistakes...some which can be harmful. And the other recommendation is the Hodgman manual....it contains pressure data, as does the Accurate Arms manual. Pressure data with the loads is very important for reasons which you will soon learn. There are lots of powders to choose from out there, some better than others. I tend to pick powders that yeild high FPS/PSI ratios...and w/o pressure data you can compare powders very well.

There's also a free video put out by the Handloading Equipment Mfg Association.... or some name like that. (they are actually located in Lake Oswego) Help me out w/ the name guys...

Anyway, here to help if you nearby.
Hunt'nFish

scottishsetter · 12-26-2006, 05:13 PM

What calibers/cartridges are you planning to reload?

Get a digital scale and learn to calibrate it according to the manual.

I look for pressures that yield high fps and are LOW; especially if they are low in the starting load.

Be careful with fast powders in small grain amounts ie 22Hornet etc...

Good Luck

chummer · 12-26-2006, 05:55 PM

Will you be shooting alot? Do you have access to a place to shoot often? I ask these questions because you'll need to do a bit of shooting until you find that "Golden Load" which combines the right bullet and weight to the right powder and the right amount of powder being shot from that particular gun. What you find to be a golden load in your gun, may be only an average load in another gun.When you look at ammunition recipes you will note a range of acceptable grains of powder. You may want to load up 4 - 5 rounds at the low end of the scale, and then add 5 grains to the next 4 -5 rounds, and so on until you near the upper end of the scale, and that's just for 1 powder and bullet combination. Once I had a good collection of used brass fired from my gun only, I would neck size that brass for use in my gun only as has been fire-formed to fit my gun's specific chamber only. This saves having to full length resize your brass.

docmichar · 12-27-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baltz526

if you put your location in your signature, when you ask questions like this you can get volunteers that live near you

Great idea, I live in Sheridan, but work in Lincoln City. I will probably set up a reloading bench in my home here in Sheridan. Got the Nosler book, and read it last night. Of course I haven't committed all that load data to memory, but at least I have a good understanding of what to do next. Thanks all,

Doc

docmichar · 12-27-2006, 07:11 PM

My New Year's resolution is to shoot more. My guns, my bow, handguns etc. I love precise shooting so that is my goal. I will find access to a place to shoot. Join the Mac gun club if they are still up and running or look for a place nearby.

alaskan · 12-28-2006, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docmichar

Great idea, I live in Sheridan, but work in Lincoln City. I will probably set up a reloading bench in my home here in Sheridan. Got the Nosler book, and read it last night. Of course I haven't committed all that load data to memory, but at least I have a good understanding of what to do next. Thanks all,

Doc

Get as many books as you can, and read them all, every one has a little something different. Also, being able to compare load data from one book to the next can be helpful when trying to pick powders to use.
Don't try to remember load data. It's way too important to be accurate. Get a log book and record every load you shoot. Record the accuracy, conditions, primer, powder, case, bullet.

KingFisher85 · 12-28-2006, 10:43 AM

What do you guys think about the battery/electric gram scales when messuring your powder useage?

Triple C · 12-28-2006, 02:06 PM

I've not reloaded in years, but I first started out with a Hornaday single throw press. The kit I bought had just about everything to get started.The manual was very well written and covered the various aspects of reloading quite well. It's helpful to purchase the reloading manuals from
both your bullet and powder manufacturers. They do a good deal of ballistic research that will help you produce some very good loads. As far as electric powder drops, they should have some very good ones out now.When I was reloading the ones available had to be watched very closely.The mechanical drop I had was very accurate as long as you maintained enough powder in the storage tube and did each drop the same way. I put a large rubber band on the return mechanism so it would spring back to the fill position. This caused the powder to drop and settle in the measure section. I would weigh my bullets and separate them by grain weight. The more attention to detail the more accurate your rounds will be. Good luck

OregonHuntress · 12-28-2006, 10:57 PM

My husband reloads quite a bit. For rifle he swears by Sierra GameKing Bullets. The press he uses is a RCBS Rock Chucker (I believe thats the name). He is wanting to go to a Dillon Progressive Press in the next year as it will cut down the time greatly. One thing you have to be when reloading is meticulous about the weight of everything. I wouldn't suggest reloading shotgun shells anymore though with the last price increase of shot it isn't really worth it anymore I can buy Winchesters for the same price. We also have a library of reloading manuals, the Sierra book gets used the most by far.

Ethical hunter · 12-29-2006, 11:15 AM

If you plan on loading large quantities of ammo I would look into "Dillon Precision products, inc." They make the best progressive reloading presses - you can crank out 500-600 rounds an hour.

Most single stage presses work well with small quantitiies.

EH

docmichar · 01-05-2007, 09:01 PM

Okay the first step then to reloading was to build a work bench. Thought I would share a picture since it is my first wood working project I have ever done, and it turned out to be too heavy for me to move or lift without help from my neighbor.

The bench plans can be found on Lowe's website:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio.../rightNavHowTo

If you ever decide to build one, and then need help putting it on its legs, give me a call,

Doc

P.S. I did pick up some reloading manuals and will probably pick up a reloader this weekend. Thanks for all your tips.

Grantspastor · 01-06-2007, 07:38 AM

Bench looks good. Heavy is what you want, so that it doesn't flex or move around when you're resizing cases.

docmichar · 01-14-2007, 08:07 PM

Thanks everyone.

I have the bench, the equipment, been through a couple of dry runs and I am ready to put all the steps together. Think I will load up a few rounds for that VHA gathering.

I do appreciate your suggestions, sincerely,

Doc