Learning to handload

[RNE228]

Look here in a sales threads.

I want a progressive, but my "O" press has made thousands of rounds over 30 years.

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

[RNE228]

We didn't have Youtube 35 years ago. I learned by reading a couple of manuals. My first reloads were 38/35; very easy to reload. A buddy had bought a press etc, but never took it out of the box. I got it set up and going for him.

I started with the Speer book. Everything you need is at the beginning of that book. Since then, I have multiple books; all have had info on how to reload. Although dated now, I really like the theory and info in the Ken Waters "Pet Loads".

Youtube has lots of video's, direct from RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Lee etc.

Would recommend you:
- read a couple of the manuals first. Most of the manuals are load data, so you don't have to read it cover to cover.
-the watch some video by the manufacturers like RCBS, Hornady etc.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1538461

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1595331

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1562424

[Clickjack]

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.

[mrbigsteel]

Lots of good videos online. Here are some that we linked from our club web site:

https://diablorodandgun.com/reloading/

Our reloading club meets monthly in Concord at USI. Come join us and we can do some demonstrations for you too.

[newbie1234]

I started in 1962 2019 by reading a Lyman Lee manual. Bought the equipment and started loading. I never had a class or teacher. It can be done, follow the manual procedures.

Do all above then watch youtube , then bought Lee Turret press. The Lee Precision website also has a very good "How To ... video section". If I got stuck/don't understand some thing I got the answer right here on this forum, a couple hundred years of reload experience right in front of you, that is all you need to do is ask.

[LynnJr]

I would see if there is a Calguns reloading club near you or find a mentor who knows what he/she is doing.
YouTube is a great source but it is also a horrible source if you watch the wrong videos.

[RickD427]

Excellent advice above.

There are many sources of good instruction that don't require you to attend a class. Reloading is pretty simple, but it also requires a great deal of attention to detail. It's real easy to make mistakes that can have bad consequences.

The .45 ACP is a really good starting point. It's hard to overcharge and you've got good visibility into the case.

Take advantage of the time to learn a little bit about interior ballistics.

Start with a good single stage press and move slowly. It's just like working with hand tools before you go to power tools. You'll get a better feel for the various processes and mistakes are harder to make (they're also more easily recognized).

Once you master the basics, you'll want to move on to a progressive press, at least for your handgun stuff. You'll still find plenty of uses for your single stage, so the money is not wasted.

Welcome to the club, it's a great pastime.

[Clickjack]

So I looked for a used rock chucker last night and didn’t find one. The new prices are little more than I should spend right now (not a lot of cash coming in till this mess is over don’t want to spend money I may need to eat).

Would a hand press work for Learning? They are dirt cheap. Or if anyone knows of some better used equipment for sale point me to it

[Elgatodeacero]

I don’t know why anyone would buy a Rockchucker, when the Lee Classic cast single stage is available new for about 115 dollars and has better features and design and is guaranteed made in USA and not in China.

[Clickjack]

[Elgatodeacero]

https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-classic-cast-press.html

[Clickjack]

https://fsreloading.com/lee-precisio...ast-press.html

[Clickjack]

Look here in a sales threads.

I want a progressive, but my "O" press has made thousands of rounds over 30 years.

[NoHeavyHitter]

Would a hand press work for Learning? They are dirt cheap. Or if anyone knows of some better used equipment for sale point me to it

A hand press is a nice thing to have, but not something you'd want to learn on. Keep an eye out for estate sales to find deals on used loading gear.

I always tell new loaders to read up on as many different manuals as possible. You can check them out at a public library - even here in CA of all places. There is always a wealth of information available on YouTube. When you start looking at load recipes / data, always cross-check any data with preferably 3 sources or more before committing to using a recipe. There are typos and people who I think want to propagate bad data on the Internet, so be very cautious.

There are also complete load manuals available to download as .PDF files that you can get for FREE.

[NoHeavyHitter]

What’s an “O” press?

It's a type of press that has a central ram with support across two sides. They tend to be stronger and flex less than presses with a fully open front.