Reloading for Dummies?

[RogerOrange]

One comment pointed me to the Ventura Reloading Club. This is in my neck of the woods, so I signed up for their newsletter and asked for more info.

This press looks interesting to me:-)

http://www.forsterproducts.com/product-category/reloading-tools/co-ax-reloading-press/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzVZe7f6G0

[Dave626]

Sounds like you will be loading for bottle necked rifle. If precision is your end goal a single stage is the way you want to go. Keep in mind for precision case prep is extremely important. As said earlier look to buy Second hand. You can throw a lot of $$$ down the rabbit hole of precision reloading.
For the most part you will need (for precision) several tools not found in any kit.

I couldn't agree more. i took BigBronco class 2 years ago. Reloading outside his garage with unlimited soda and a Huge Pastrami sandwich.

few tools you need (or may not) for precision reloading that starter kits normally don't included
flashhole debur
primer pocket uniformer
primer pocket reamer
Neckturning (Expand Mandrels.. cutter ... etc)
trumbler
a good centricity gauge to measure brass, bullet runout (i like 21st century brand)
brass annealer
Brass wall ball micrometer
and on ... and on ... and on..

Good Luck Sir

[BigBronco]

I hear you, one has to make a lot of ammo just to make up for the investment made in reloading equipment...

The math will change once we cant mail order ammo to our doorsteps...

Try never to look at the total cost of the tools. Tools have equity. Buy second hand and you can reclaim most if not all or profit from them should you ever sell them again. Lets say you pay $150 for a RCBS Rock Chucker supreme. I would think you could easilly sell it second hand for $125 in a few years. Sowhat did it really cost you? Therefore only calculate the depreciation factor of your equipment in to the cost of reloading.

I couldn't agree more. i took BigBronco class 2 years ago. Reloading outside his garage with unlimited soda and a Huge Pastrami sandwich.

few tools you need (or may not) for precision reloading that starter kits normally don't included
flashhole debur
primer pocket uniformer
primer pocket reamer
Neckturning (Expand Mandrels.. cutter ... etc)
trumbler
a good centricity gauge to measure brass, bullet runout (i like 21st century brand)
brass annealer
Brass wall ball micrometer
and on ... and on ... and on..

Good Luck Sir

[Neil McCauley]

I want to keep my fingers, mabye ill just buy factory ammo and get raped by CA

[jimmykan]

HOLY SHIIIEEET!!!

Neil is back?!?!?!?

Noice.

I want to keep my fingers, mabye ill just buy factory ammo and get raped by CA

[Neil McCauley]

HOLY SHIIIEEET!!!

Neil is back?!?!?!?

Noice.

[Elgatodeacero]

If you have an iPad, you can get the first 52 pages of the newest Hornday loading manual for free as a sample in the Apple App/iTunes store. This is the full section on reloading theory and practice. Also, the entire manual with all the load data can be downloaded for 19 bucks, instead of the 40 on Hornady's website.

If you read this free 50 pages you will have a great overview of what is involved and it will cost zero.

Good luck, be careful!

[bohoki]

i started out with the lee-loader kit in .30 carbine after 100 rounds i knew the basics and got a single stage press (the little scoop never provided enough oomph for my gun to cycle) and it required lube

i got a rcbs jr2 and it does the priming i use a lee perfect powder measure it works well as long as you have the tension screw just right

what caliber you planning on loading the most?

[AGGRO]

I want to keep my fingers, mabye ill just buy factory ammo and get raped by CA

Hey ya Mac, good to see ya

[Neil McCauley]

You too I miss the OT lounge hehe

[stilly]

Seems that I read in the Lee Manual or somewhere that the .30-06 cartridge was too long for the LCT-not enough deck height or stroke length. Did I dream that?

I use one for pistol cartridges, but have held off on the .30 bottle necks cuz I didn't want to add another press...... How are you doing .30-06 on an LCT?

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-717832.html

If you use the lee powder dropper maybe that is the case, but if you use a Hornady or Uniflow you should be all good...

I am guessing though based on skimming this page.

Also, I THOUGHT I had heard that the AL based Lee Turret (3 hole) was one that might not have been tall enough, but if you switched to the iron flat/arrow based one you could do just about everything, and somewhere in there you MIGHT need to toss the auto indexer, but I could be wrong on that...

[Enfield47]

Seems that I read in the Lee Manual or somewhere that the .30-06 cartridge was too long for the LCT-not enough deck height or stroke length. Did I dream that?

I use one for pistol cartridges, but have held off on the .30 bottle necks cuz I didn't want to add another press...... How are you doing .30-06 on an LCT?

You can't use the rotating turret, you have to remove the indexing rod and use it in single stage mode. .30-06 is about the max size the press can handle. If you're loading .308, you can use the indexing rod and the rotating turret. In fact, I've loaded 7.62x54R and 7.5x55 Swiss using the indexing rod. They just barely fit but it worked out fine. I've been very happy with the versatility of my LCT.

[sofbak]

^^^ Sweet! I would use the LCT in single stage config anyway gor bottle necks, so thanx for some good news!

[alpha_romeo_XV]

There was thread a while back where a guy posted a "portable" set up he used because he lived in a mobile home and had to store it in a closet. That would be rough for me. A very solid work bench with good lighting and well organized is best. I mounted the sizing/seating press and powder throw on a raised shelf so I can do those steps standing up. Consider the location and footprint you have available in your decision.

[Che762x39]

I hear you, one has to make a lot of ammo just to make up for the investment made in reloading equipment...

The math will change once we cant mail order ammo to our doorsteps...

Well how much you shoot? I started reloading in 1982 so I am guessing I am good. Some friends got into reloading but quit after a couple years. Are you shooting weekly or monthly? Because if you shoot once or twice a year, really what is the purpose. How many rounds did you shoot in the past year?