Reloading Club Eastbay

[mrbigsteel]

The 2nd meeting of the East Bay Reloading Club will be:

• Date: Sunday July 12, 2015
• Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• Location: San Ramon, CA (Near I-680 and Crow Canyon exit. Address will be given when you RSVP.)

Agenda:

• Welcome by Ghettojet & Mrbigteel
• Introduction of attendees
• Discussion of club goals
• Demonstration of the Dillon XL650 by Ghettojet
• Reloading Q&A
• All other business
• Schedule next meeting
• Adjourn

Due to space contraints, we are limited to about 10 attendees for this meeting. (Space is still available as of 7/10/15.)

If you would like to RSVP or just want to be placed on our mailing list (e-mail), please send a PM to mrbigsteel.

Sincerely,

Ghettojet and Mrbigsteel (and yes, we will be using our real names in the Club!)

[mrbigsteel]

An update on this Sunday's East Bay Reloading Club meeting (see post #281 above):

The meeting is still on, and we still have space. PM me to RSVP or send me your e-mail address to be placed on our mailing list for future meetings.

[AAShooter]

Hoping to join you. PM sent.

[uechikid]

How did the meeting go yesterday? I hope there was a good turnout.

[glocklife34]

I didnt know there is a reloading club in eastbay. How can i join the reloading club?

Thanks

[liber]

Originally Posted by AAShooter

Hoping to join you. PM sent.

Sorry that nobody posted info to you, we did meet at 11:00am, but there wasn't a computer there, and I don't personally check here with my cell.

Originally Posted by uechikid

How did the meeting go yesterday? I hope there was a good turnout.

Went ok, there were only 3 of us, but I thought it was very useful.

Originally Posted by glocklife34

I didnt know there is a reloading club in eastbay. How can i join the reloading club?

Thanks

Just send a PM to mrbigstteel and he will let you know when the next one comes up.

[mrbigsteel]

Originally Posted by uechikid

How did the meeting go yesterday? I hope there was a good turnout.

Thanks for asking, Uechikid.

As Liber said above, the turnout was low...3 people. However, the meeting was excellent and we all had a good time. Ghettojet did a great demonstration of the Dillon 650. All three of us expressed that the meeting was worthwhile.

There were a number of additional people who indicated interest in the club, but invariably not everyone can come on a chosen date, and that is fine.

Ghettojet and I are still interested in taking the club forward. I hope that any of you out there who are interested in reloading will PM me with your e-mail address to get on the mailing list.

I would also be interested to know what other prospective members would like to get out of the group. The Dillon 650 was a fairly advanced topic. We have discussed the idea of doing a meeting on more elementary reloading with an entry level Lee single-stage press...call it Reloading 101.

[XDJYo]

I am still hoping to be able to attend one of these soon. My Dillon is still in a box and I've got a bunch tumbled, de-primed brass and powder and primers.

Please keep this going!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[liber]

Originally Posted by XDJYo

I am still hoping to be able to attend one of these soon. My Dillon is still in a box and I've got a bunch tumbled, de-primed brass and powder and primers.

Please keep this going!

This meeting would have been very useful for you. I have already loaded several times on my Dillon but gettojet was able to answer a number of Qs I had about the 650.

Do you have a 650 or 550?

[XDJYo]

650.

I just wish I wasn't so busy. Plus, Sunday's are a bad day for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[liber]

Originally Posted by XDJYo

650.

I just wish I wasn't so busy. Plus, Sunday's are a bad day for me.

I have a 650 also...just got my 2nd caliber.

We could take a poll to see what day works best for everyone. is Saturday better for you?

I'm ok with either one if I know, but Sunday is my range day on the 3rd Sunday, sometimes the 2nd Sunday, but usually it's the 3rd and is this month (next week).

It is really up to ghettojet as it is his shop, if we do it there in the future.

[mrbigsteel]

Originally Posted by XDJYo

Plus, Sunday's are a bad day for me.

With our current meeting location, we are stuck with Sundays since a business operates there the other 6 days per week.

However, that may change if we can organize other meeting locations.

I would just get on the mailing list. Once we have a decent amount of interest, we will do some polls to see if there is a "best" day for everyone.

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by mrbigsteel

With our current meeting location, we are stuck with Sundays since a business operates there the other 6 days per week.

However, that may change if we can organize other meeting locations.

I would just get on the mailing list. Once we have a decent amount of interest, we will do some polls to see if there is a "best" day for everyone.

If they saw a bunch of us walking in with guns and rifles and ammo cans, maybe they'd be nice enough to let us meet on Saturdays! LOL! j/k.

Totally understand.

Keep the club going. There's bound to be a Sunday that I can make it (may be a bit late though).

Thanks again!

[ghettojet]

Xdjyo,

I can help you set up your Dillon press if you are local to San Ramon area. Is there a reason you have not tried to set it up yet? Pistol or rifle caliber?

[GunsInCalifornia?]

Bad timing as usual. Looks like I missed the July 12th meeting. I'm interested in a reloading 101. I guess I'll PM you, mrbigsteel to get on the list.

I will wait to pm you until you say to.

So it sounds like you guys are mostly eastern contra costa? I'm in Richmond so it's pretty central as far as that goes. Any ideas on best shops for powder and primers? Should I just order it from the Cabelas or something?

[mrbigsteel]

Originally Posted by GunsInCalifornia?

I will wait to pm you until you say to.

So it sounds like you guys are mostly eastern contra costa? I'm in Richmond so it's pretty central as far as that goes. Any ideas on best shops for powder and primers? Should I just order it from the Cabelas or something?

Yes, please PM me with your e-mail address to get on the mailing list.

It is too early in the club's formation to say where "most" of us are from. Ghettojet and I are from the San Ramon area. We've had interest from Oakland to Brentwood and Cupertino to Walnut Creek.

If you are looking to pick up a pound of various different powders to try, I have bought some at Guns Fishing & Other Stuff in Dublin. (Warning: They are hated by some Calguns members.) They were recently running a 20% off sale, including on powder...I don't know if it is still running. For bulk, I buy online where pricing is best. PM me and I can share some store names. Or, you can also use Gunbot.net's pricing engine. Online is the best pricing, but you have to buy in quantity to absorb the extra hazmat shipping charges.

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by ghettojet

Xdjyo,

I can help you set up your Dillon press if you are local to San Ramon area. Is there a reason you have not tried to set it up yet? Pistol or rifle caliber?

Pistol caliber at the moment. 45 acp. I don't have a bench. Just need the time to hit Home Depot for the wood and supplies to make one. Been crazy busy busy with work and other things.

I'm in Martinez.

As far as powder, check out Fetterly Powder and Optics. He's a sponsor on here. I picked up a pound of unique for $30. Easy transaction. They're up in Petaluma. The wife and I hit Sonoma occasionally for the wine tasting thing, so it's an easy drive over to Petaluma.

This has been the most activity and the most promising direction for the East Bay Reloading club!!! This is very encouraging!!!

PS. There is also a reloading clinic to be held at J&R Sports in Livermore on 8/1(?). Cost is $80 iirc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ghettojet]

I should be able to answer all your questions about a 650 in .45 ACP. that is the caliber I load for as well as the press I have spent most of my time on.

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by ghettojet

I should be able to answer all your questions about a 650 in .45 ACP. that is the caliber I load for as well as the press I have spent most of my time on.

Thanks Ghettojet!

Looking forward to a future meet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sheshotme]

YES! sign me up. PM sent.

[mrbigsteel]

Originally Posted by sheshotme

YES! sign me up. PM sent.

You're now on the mailing list. It is that easy!

[rojocorsa]

What do I need to do to check out this club?

[liber]

Originally Posted by rojocorsa

What do I need to do to check out this club?

Send a PM with your email in it to mrbigsteel and he'll get you on the mailing list.

FWIW, I think it would be ok for you to bring your 550 to the club and maybe the next meeting would be good to show how to setup the 550. It's really up to ghettojet, it's at his shop. But since you're in San Ramon, you must be close. I drove up from South Bay the last meeting. If ghettojet sees this maybe he can comment.

[Oxfordbp]

Hey all! I will be the new owner of a Marlin 336 30-30 and am
Thinking of reloading. Never done it before, and don't have equipment. Would this club be a good idea for me? I've watched videos and get the jist.

Thanks!

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by Oxfordbp

Hey all! I will be the new owner of a Marlin 336 30-30 and am

Thinking of reloading. Never done it before, and don't have equipment. Would this club be a good idea for me? I've watched videos and get the jist.



Thanks!

My schedule hasn't meshed with this reloading club yet, but I think any type of instruction, insight and encouragement is a good thing. Videos are great, but not the best thing to train.


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space

[Eljay]

It sure can't hurt. When you start reloading it's definitely good to have somebody you can ask questions to.

Books are still a good resource too - if you check on Amazon for "The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition" by Steven Gregersen it doesn't cover every scenario but it's just what it sounds like - it covers all the basics, and it's a lot more readable (and short!) than the comprehensive manuals. Then if you want to read the comprehensive stuff at least you'll have some context.

[glocklife34]

Hi Eastbay reloading club,

Been planning getting into reloading for a long time and finally i have decided this time around ill be reloading due to the cost of factory ammo. Mainly i will l be reloading just a 9mm and 40 s&w to start with. Im leaning on a Dillon Press a xl650. I like the 650 auto indexing, which decreases the possibility of double charge and for additional convenience. It will be my first reloading machine and hoping to get it by this month.

Any of you guys have time to help me if i have all my equipment ready to install?

Thank you in advance=)

[mrbigsteel]

Originally Posted by glocklife34

...Im leaning on a Dillon Press a xl650...It will be my first reloading machine...

Glocklife34, I believe the prevailing opinion by reloading "experts" is to learn with a single stage press before going to a progressive press. That is not to say that you can't do it, just that it's usually not advised. There is a lot more happening with one pull of the handle on a progressive press. Don't be in too big of a rush and risk your fingers and eyes. For you to decide of course.

We demonstrated a Dillon XL650 at our last club meeting and we will probably do so again in the future.

The next meeting might be a good place to meet some people who could help you. I will post soon about the next meeting (probably October) and some changes that are coming to the club.

[Gryff]

Originally Posted by mrbigsteel

I believe the prevailing opinion by reloading "experts" is to learn with a single stage press before going to a progressive press. That is not to say that you can't do it, just that it's usually not advised. There is a lot more happening with one pull of the handle on a progressive press. Don't be in too big of a rush and risk your fingers and eyes. For you to decide of course.

It might be optimum to learn on a single-stage, but it isn't foolish to learn on a progressive. Lots of people did (including me). If you are methodical and take your time, the complexity of a progressive isn't an insurmountable barrier.

[Eljay]

With a progressive you definitely need to be disciplined. Get whatever help you need. Initially run the cases through one at a time. When you run your first test batch just make 10 rounds and shoot them before proceeding. It's really easy to set yourself up to pulling a 100 bullets which is NO fun...

[mrbigsteel]

Originally Posted by Gryff

If you are methodical and take your time, the complexity of a progressive isn't an insurmountable barrier.

I'll agree. Just advising caution in general and to not leap into progressive without due thought. Ultimately he is going to have to decide what is right for him.

[bruceflinch]

I work Swing Shift so am unable to attend meetings.
But I live in Bay Point & have been reloading 17 years.
So if one of you have the same time problem, I could help you out.
2-650's & a rock chucker.
Please PM, so as not to sully up this thread.

[glocklife34]

I have been reading a watching videos and i think dillon 550 or 650 isnt that hard to learn but i know the fact that i need to be very careful since it will be my first press. But im anal about anything so i think ill be fine on progressive. But this decision was not decided by myself only i have read alot of forums on beginning progressive and some people advise single stage some progressive but majority is single stage and to the fact that it is safer than progressive. But for me i guess as long as your safe and careful on anything ill be fine on progressive and im mechanically incline and i have made a research for months.

[ghettojet]

Originally Posted by mrbigsteel

Glocklife34, I believe the prevailing opinion by reloading "experts" is to learn with a single stage press before going to a progressive press. That is not to say that you can't do it, just that it's usually not advised. There is a lot more happening with one pull of the handle on a progressive press. Don't be in too big of a rush and risk your fingers and eyes. For you to decide of course.

We demonstrated a Dillon XL650 at our last club meeting and we will probably do so again in the future.

The next meeting might be a good place to meet some people who could help you. I will post soon about the next meeting (probably October) and some changes that are coming to the club.

there is nothing dangerous about learning to load on a progressive. not paying attention to what you are doing will cost you fingers and eyes, not the type of machine.

[Eljay]

There's just a lot going on with a progressive and it's easy to get distracted. The key is to remember your biggest job is to visually inspect the powder level every drop to sanity check it's reasonable. Do this even if you have some kind of automated check (that beeps).

[Fetterly Powders]

I do everything on a progressive but single stage style. De-prime and resize, then back to the tumbler or out to clean the primer pockets. Later I prime,charge and bullet install which is not too much. I would recommend finishing all 3 later steps so as not to contaminate the primer or powder which is the advantage of the progressive. I never have bought pre-primed brass because of that thought and never leave powder exposed in a case without something over it[ like perhaps a bullet.] Makes sense to me if you can. Also in keeping everything on 1 toolhead to keep it all uniform. I like 550s. Blue Steel in Suisun City sells them at a pretty good price. Just my thought.
Doug

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by Fetterly Powders/Optics

I do everything on a progressive but single stage style. De-prime and resize, then back to the tumbler or out to clean the primer pockets. Later I prime,charge and bullet install which is not too much. I would recommend finishing all 3 later steps so as not to contaminate the primer or powder which is the advantage of the progressive. I never have bought pre-primed brass because of that thought and never leave powder exposed in a case without something over it[ like perhaps a bullet.] Makes sense to me if you can. Also in keeping everything on 1 toolhead to keep it all uniform. I like 550s. Blue Steel in Suisun City sells them at a pretty good price. Just my thought.

Doug

Hi Doug,

Thank you for your insight to this forum/thread. I had the pleasure of dealing with Doug for some powder a little while ago. Nice easy transaction. THANKS!


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space

[On Deck]

Originally Posted by XDJYo

Hi Doug,

Thank you for your insight to this forum/thread. I had the pleasure of dealing with Doug for some powder a little while ago. Nice easy transaction. THANKS!


Sent by a Monkey in Outer Space

Me too - Bought from Doug twice now. Good Guy to deal with and a fair price, so life is good!

[liber]

Any plans for more Eastbay Reloading Club meetings?

[Wykyd]

When is the next meeting? Hope I can make it!