Reloading for Dummies classes

[kcstott]

Not cheaper than no charge.

Well you can learn for free like i did.. Buy books, read, reread, ask questions of reloaders, buy the wrong gear, learn through frustration, then invest in the correct gear, slowly add to your collection of components and experience. Then 25 years later know WTF you're doing to the point of building Match grade ammo that competes in F class at 1000 yards quite well.
Build ammo for a rifle that shot at and hit a 40" target at 1760 yards on two separate occasions with video proof on the last attempt.

So yeah tell me again how I should offer my expertise for free??

Go price Golf lessons, Guitar Lessons, Private shooting lessons and come back and tell me I'm expensive..
$16.66 an hour is expensive?? my normal shop rate is $65 an hour..

[kcstott]

Hmm. That is like asking if there is a SCUBA for DUMMIES book...

Hey, it is your life under water. If you want to drown or get a case of rice crispies then knock yourself out- that is what PADI is for...

The way to learn reloading is simple, buy a book, read it, think about it a bit, then ask questions to those that have been doing it. The books are NOT novels. They can be finished in a couple of hours- Read a chapter a day and you will have the book finished in a few days usually. And they loo thick because most of that is data that you can reference when you want to reload your own and need a place to start...

It is quite simple and most reloaders here and elsewhere are happy to assist.

We were having the IE RELOADING CLINICS for people like you. I would look for the next Reloading Clinic from Calguns peeps here and get in on it. It will give you a quick crash course and hands on before you need to buy a book. Then you can see right there if it is something you want to do when you are done. And when you are done, you will typically have about 50 rds of ammo to shoot that you made...

You realize you just compared reloading to scuba then said figure it out on your own... Like going to a dive shop buy the gear and a copy of the US navy dive manual and hoping for the best.

You also realize it's illegal and frigging dangerous to let someone reload their own ammo to take with them... They need to show up with all components if they want to leave with ammo, Liability brother, How do I know this guy checked every load?? or grabbed the wrong powder, shot a squib then tried it again just to blow up his gun, Waivers don't hold water in court at least not here they don't.

[SMarquez]

I am a self taught reloader, from back before youtube or internet was available. All I had was printed material to learn from. I am however very mechanically inclined so it wasn't a big deal to me. I am always willing to share what I have learned over the past 25 years. I reload for rifle, for 7-8 different calibers.
I have all my fingers and both eyes, neber been to the ER for any firearms related incident. It's doable by yourself but even today I would attend a reloading seminar.

[stilly]

Not cheaper than no charge.

You get what you pay for...

[tonyjr]

It took me probably 10 years to realize Lee primer setup on load master sucked . It would have been nice 40 years ago to find that out . [ I deprime , ream , use either corn cob or walnut , then reprime by hand .]
I would be willing to pay for what else / advise / show me .
Now I only load for range [ bad knee and too many sound shooters out there , no more hunting ]
The only people I talk too about reloading either only do single stage or think a red press is bad and only blue or green are any good .

[BigBronco]

You realize you just compared reloading to scuba then said figure it out on your own... Like going to a dive shop buy the gear and a copy of the US navy dive manual and hoping for the best.

You also realize it's illegal and frigging dangerous to let someone reload their own ammo to take with them... They need to show up with all components if they want to leave with ammo, Liability brother, How do I know this guy checked every load?? or grabbed the wrong powder, shot a squib then tried it again just to blow up his gun, Waivers don't hold water in court at least not here they don't.

Just how is it illegal?

If you do not know if that guy checked every load and grabbed the correct powder then you are not watching him close enough when you teach him.

[kcstott]

Just how is it illegal?

If you do not know if that guy checked every load and grabbed the correct powder then you are not watching him close enough when you teach him.

Well if you knew a damn thing about ammunition manufacturing you'd know.

I watch my students, but they don't take ammo home. if something they made fails due to my brass, or some other such thing it's my arse. no thanks. They can't blame me for questionable components.

Now if I charge a fee and let the student walk with ammo they made well then thats manufacturing ammo without license. it could be construed the fee covers materials. then I'd be selling them reloads. Not legal.

[kcstott]

It took me probably 10 years to realize Lee primer setup on load master sucked . It would have been nice 40 years ago to find that out . [ I deprime , ream , use either corn cob or walnut , then reprime by hand .]
I would be willing to pay for what else / advise / show me .
Now I only load for range [ bad knee and too many sound shooters out there , no more hunting ]
The only people I talk too about reloading either only do single stage or think a red press is bad and only blue or green are any good .

Depends on who makes the red press. Forster makes a red one better then anything out there.

[BigBronco]

Well if you knew a damn thing about ammunition manufacturing you'd know.

I watch my students, but they don't take ammo home. if something they made fails due to my brass, or some other such thing it's my arse. no thanks. They can't blame me for questionable components.

Now if I charge a fee and let the student walk with ammo they made well then thats manufacturing ammo without license. it could be construed the fee covers materials. then I'd be selling them reloads. No legal.

I would call that a very loose interpretation of manufacturing.


So what happens to the ammo?

Do you end up shooting someones reloads or do you disassemble them?

So if I let a friend use my press and reimburse me for components is that manufacturing also?

[tonyjr]

BigBronco
I thought Forster was out of business .
I think I have some Forster dies - not really into names unless something breaks .
The few people I know consider Lee junk . My nephews [ 2 of them ] have gone to friends and decided to reload here . They kind of party , have music and are talking on phone while reloading - one was a single stage and the other a turret Dillon .
I am in S F / day area . Is there a place close to Oxnard that sells presses / reloading supplies ? My wife has a sister there and I get bored listening to same thing every time someone comes to visit .
If Forster makes a turret with a place for 6 dies [ I use all 5 now on load master ] and extra turrets can be had - I would be interested .
It [ the Forster ] would need a better powder thrower / easier to change set up too . I only have 2 powder throwers on my turrets [ I have 7 turrets but space is a problem , so only 2 are mounted at a time - like one on 44 mag and one on 50 AE or 45 and 9 mm ] Yes , I have a spare one - I leave the one with the 44 mag - 50 AE plates / powder measure things in one .

[BigBronco]

Tonyjr,

No Forster is alive and well. Before getting to name brand calling let me say almost any press made is capable of making good ammo.

I have always said reloading equipment is nothing more than tools. Tools to do a specific job. Now when men buy tools, some men are possessed with buying the very best. For example hand tools. Some guys will only buy tools from lets say a Snap on truck. While others are fine with tools from Harbor freight. I myself am usually guilty of this.

Lee makes good gear it will usually last years and be dependable. Especially their cast Iron press line. Their fit and finish of products IMO is a bit lacking. Though this does not affect it's function. One of my favorite tools is the Lee auto prime tool. I have worn out more than one of them.

Reloading tool manufacturers earn their reputation from the quality of product they turnout and how well they stand behind their products in the form of their warranty. However the Lee warranty is only a year or two.

More than one company has earned a reputation for standing behind their products. Dillon, Redding and RCBS to name a couple. RCBS was the name to go to for a long time. Most every gun shop carried their products ans most still do. After all RCBS is a California based company. Their warranty is unequaled in the industry. Dillon has a great reputation as well However I gave experienced a minor amount f BS from their no BS warranty.

There is a natural human tendency to proclaim the choices we make as the only right choice. Hence the "Koolaid drinker syndrome". I say the best press is the one that gets used.

As for Forster making a turret press they do not. Their only press offering is the Forster Co-Ax. By far in my opinion it is one of the best on the market. The CO-Ax design and ease of die changes make a turret almost obsolete.

The best turret press on the market IMO is the Redding T-7 it is a 7 station press. Or should I say it has 7 die stations.

I feel you may have the Loadmaster progressive placed in a class the same as a turret press which it is not, it is a progressive press that has a removable die head that is often confused with a turret. A true turret moves the die plate and not the merry-go-round style of modern progressives. At this time the only company making a progressive priced under $1,000.00 with more than 5 die stations it RCBS with their Pro-chucker 7 series.

I am located on the east edge of LA county I am afraid I do not know who sells reloading gear in your area. The big three I know of are
1 Angeles range

2 Phillips Wholesale in West Covina (geared mostly for shotgun however they do have quite a bit for metallic)

3 Reload in Anaheim, Well stocked and very helpful owner. This place is well worth the drive and supporting. I bought my Forster Co-ax there.

Oh I forgot to say I have no practical experience with the Loadmaster press. I have a Lokc N Load and a C H Auto Champ in line progressive press.

[tonyjr]

Thanks , I thought and used turret and progressive interchangeably .
Lee's warranty sucks . I have wore out / replaced 90% of the loadmaster .
It has gotten the most use / wear and tear over last 20 years [ as nephews / nieces got into shooting ]
When I got the load master it was a return but only one in stock . Other than the primer system [ which I gave up using 15 - 20 years ago , I have been happy with it .
Up here the closest rifle range is 1 hour away [ most of time longer - traffic .
There is one place that I was told sold reloading presses , but the one time I went , they were closed - I checked on net - it said they opened at 8 - I / we went to eat 9:30 still not open .
The RCBS Pro-chucker 7 series.and the Redding T-7 - no turrets / die plates in stock on their websites and none were listed on ebay . Then Hilary said Australia had right idea , and the idiot governor scared my nephews into buying more guns instead of another press . I have6 nephews and 2 nieces besides myself that reload - at 150 each , and I make up difference we could get almost any press .
One complaint with Lee is I have to hand place the cases for the 50 AE and 44 mag . The cases on 44 are longer and get caught in tube - 45 ACP is a shorter case and goes fine . So I have to remove shell / case feeder . The bullet feeder works O K on the 44's . I tried to make a bullet feeder for the 50 - gave up on that .
Do you know of a good case / and / or bullet feeder that will handle the 50 ?
I / we [ no one reloads without me ] do 25 ACP , 32ACP , 380 ACP , 45 ACP , 38 , 38s , 9 mm , 10 mm , 357 , 41 mag , 44 mag and the 50 AE . Rifles [ maybe once a year ] 270 , 30 carbine and 30/30 . Other rifles - the kids just buy a couple of boxes . When they get to a couple hundred M T cases - I'll buy the dies .

[JMP]

We need to know the basics. Things as simple as what equipment to buy. What not to buy. Getting started.

For me I'd like to start with loading .40 and 10mm since I shoot them the most. Maybe add 9mm later for the wife.

I don't even know where to begin.

There are good stickies on the top of this forum (by ar15barrels) that offers good examples of starting equipment. It will depend on what you want to load. If you load only pistol, you'll want a progressive press, with the Dillon 650 being the obvious choice. If your goal is precision and rifle ammo, you are looking for a single stage press. Most people end up with both, a progressive to make handgun and blasting ammo, then some single stages for precision and rifle ammo.

Then, there are a lot of miscellaneous things needed such as a tumbler, powder drop, scale, etc...

While I say, NEVER TAKE ADVICE FROM RANDOM YOUTUBE PEOPLE, it's a good place to start seeing the process. Then, you can conceptualize it and start by simply reading a manual.

[tonyjr]

One important thing is to realize the little scoop that comes with some die sets is only for one cartridge load and with one size bullet .
Stay with that load until you can afford a scale - beam or electronic .
Lee sells set of scoops and I have one [ set ] but they are not really any good .
Powder should be weighted and not used by volume .

[BigBronco]

I can't speak for Bullet feeders I have only had success with the RCBS die type with a stack tube. As for case feeding on longer brass I load my 44 mag on a single station press. That and I am not too impressed with the case feeder on my LnL. I have found that a progressive loading session is akin to being a machine operator (and the Monkey pulls the lever). Reloading on a single station gets me back in touch with the feel of actually crafting ammo.