Learning to handload

[Clickjack]

I’ve been wanting to take a class for a long time. But time always gets in the way. Now I’m stuck at the house bored and ammo is hard to come by.

Is there a video out there or online class that can teach you how to safely hand load or is this something I should wait till I can take a class to get started. Don’t want to do something dumb like blow up a gun.

[scotty99]

[Jesse 2]

http://debdavis.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/106649334/MastrRELOADINGExamKey032015.pdf

[Elgatodeacero]

The first thing you should do is get a manual, like the Hornady or Lee version, and read the first section on “how to reload” a couple times. Then you will be able to better absorb info from a class, an online video, or a mentor showing you how to reload.

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/handbook

[alland]

I started in 1962 by reading a Lyman manual. Bought the equipment and started loading. I never had a class or teacher. It can be done, follow the manual procedures.

[the86d]

I really learned on an XL 650 progressive, and watched some youtube videos, the same way the AR lowers went together...
Make sure to get some reloading manuals for cross-reference, as powder MFRs publish load data that is for just keeping lawyers on retainer, instead paying for their use in a court of law.

[NeilMo]

Since you're stuck at home, here you go. These are older manuals but still relevant and all you'll need to start reloading.

Reloading Manuals

[the86d]

Since you're stuck at home, here you go. These are older manuals but still relevant and all you'll need to start reloading.

Reloading Manuals

THANKS for dropping the link!

[Clickjack]

Money is tight as this self quarantine stuff has severely slowed / almost shut my business down. Cheap but adequate equipment to pick up? Space is also a concern?

I’m not looking to drop 400 bucks on a progressive and crank out a thousand rounds. Just want to learn at the moment, make some useable plinking rounds

[NapalmCheese]

Money is tight as this self quarantine stuff has severely slowed / almost shut my business down. Cheap but adequate equipment to pick up? Space is also a concern?

I’m not looking to drop 400 bucks on a progressive and crank out a thousand rounds. Just want to learn at the moment, make some useable plinking rounds

For brand new stuff Lee is hard to beat for cost/performance. It’s not the nicest, bestest, or most prestigious; but it’ll do fine work and be inexpensive.

For used stuff, you’re probably going to get 30 variations of ‘buy a used rockchucker’.

I started with a small Frankford Arsenal electronic scale, a Lee handpress, cheap digital calipers from Home Depot, and Lee dies. I washed my brass in an empty milk jug partially filled with water and Dawn, rinsed it, dried it in the sun, resized, culled any that needed trimming and reloaded the rest weighing every charge scooping powder from the container with a spoon. At the time my whole reloading kit fit in a shoe box and probably cost less than $150.

I still use the hand press every once in a while, I use the electronic scale quite a bit, and I still use the same dies. If you can afford it by nicer calipers, and a case mouth prep tool (I like the Lyman one that stores all the tools internally, it’ll do primer pockets as well). You can get by with a filing jig instead of a trimmer, but the trimmer makes life easier (assuming you’re loading rifle).

[hermosabeach]

Reading the reloading manual is a great start

The 1st half of the book is on reloading
2nd half is load data/ recipe

[Abenaki]

Reading the reloading manual is a great start

The 1st half of the book is on reloading
2nd half is load data/ recipe

^^^this^^^

I started reloading in the 70's. I did not know anyone who did reload.
I got a manual, And read it a couple of times. I learned a lot. I'm still learning.

There is a lot of great stuff on youtube......but, you have to dig through a lot of trash to find the good stuff.

Jump on in the waters great!

Take care
Abenaki

[Bumslie]

Sinclair made a great mini series. I reccomend newbies to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6AFB02A60275562E

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[RandyD]

Since you're stuck at home, here you go. These are older manuals but still relevant and all you'll need to start reloading.

Reloading Manuals

I was going to suggest buying a reloading manual, but your link enables anyone to download the most popular reloading manuals. Thanks for the link.

OP, the best reloading manuals are available in the above link. Many of them have been the standard for decades.

I would opt for reading a reloading manual over taking a class. Stick with the proven method, which is self teaching, using one of the reloading manuals in the link.

AFTER YOU READ A RELOADING MANUAL, then go on YouTube. There are some good videos and there are some bad ones. You can't go wrong with watching the videos put out by the manufacturers or sellers of reloading equipment like Midway.

[edgerly779]

Welcome to the fraternity. Better late than never. We grew up reloading from time I was 14 years old. What calibers are you going to reload? PM me. I have a lot of components will help you out. Need more proactive people instead of whiners (Oh wo is me wally world will not sell to me) I did not stock up on any ammo.