how to reload

[bohoki]

i'm a cheapskate so i use an old rcbs jr2 i found and lee dies

there are reloading books on the archive.org

its hard to name all the little bits i use

here are a few

i was able to get a digital scale with grains on ebay got like $10
got a possum hollow trimmer for 223 and the power adapter
a lyman debur tool which fits in the power adapter
harbor freight tumbler i replaced the bowl (that cracked) with an angelfood cake pan
little acrobins for random holdings cases ,loaded rounds
i like putting my bullets in a little glass ashtray
the lee perfect poweder measure a little c clamp to hold it to my table

[RickD427]

Start with a good single stage press. I'd recommend Redding or RCBS. They're well ahead of the other makes.

You'll get a much better understanding of the process with a single stage, and you'll be able to recover from the inevitable "newbie" mistakes much more easily.

If possible get some good "Hands On" instruction before you load on your own. If that's not possible, study a couple of reloading manuals. Make sure that you understand the basics of case prep, powder load, and burn rate.

You don't need to spend a ton of money to get started. Get a kit, slowly load your first rounds, and then use that experience to determine where you go next.

From that point on, nearly all of the "stuff" that you'll spend money on are things that will make the reloading process go easier and faster. They're not necessarily going to produce better rounds.

Once you've mastered the basics, you'll probably want to go to a progressive. Dillon is, by far, the 800 pound gorilla in the field. There's a reason for that. Mark 7 is making some progress, but for now, stick with Dillon. I like the Dillon 550 for the added control I have over the process. The 750 is a lot faster and gives you an extra station for a powder check die. I like that, but I also like the 550. If you're really psycho, look at the Dillon 1100.

When you go to a progressive, you'll still find use for your single-stage, so it remains a good investment.

[Imageview]

Lately I?ve been reloading more with lee loaders than a press. I find it very relaxing. Picked up 45-70, 12, and 20g. Next up are 30-06, 38, and 357. I?m tempted to get a fancy Dillon, but realistically it doesn?t fit my needs or space.

I?m glad I started on a turret press used as a single stage, would have gotten myself in even more trouble if I?d started with a progressive. And I have fired a double charge. But my experience is mine, not anyone else?s. Someone with different life skills and interests will likely get different results. Hopefully better not worse.

Every one of these threads devolves into single stage for new reloaders vs progressive. Arguments can be made for either, but usually it results in the op quietly backing out of the thread and the same tired posts getting made. I?m gonna suggest maybe it?s not as helpful to them as it is balm to our egos, after all we?re right!

[bohoki]

Lately I?ve been reloading more with lee loaders than a press. I find it very relaxing. Picked up 45-70, 12, and 20g. Next up are 30-06, 38, and 357. I?m tempted to get a fancy Dillon, but realistically it doesn?t fit my needs or space.

I?m glad I started on a turret press used as a single stage, would have gotten myself in even more trouble if I?d started with a progressive. And I have fired a double charge. But my experience is mine, not anyone else?s. Someone with different life skills and interests will likely get different results. Hopefully better not worse.

Every one of these threads devolves into single stage for new reloaders vs progressive. Arguments can be made for either, but usually it results in the op quietly backing out of the thread and the same tired posts getting made. I?m gonna suggest maybe it?s not as helpful to them as it is balm to our egos, after all we?re right!

i had a lee loader i thought hey $15 after 100 rounds i hunted down a press

hammering the case out of the sizer onto a primer is nerve racking

[MuayThaiJJ]

i had a lee loader i thought hey $15 after 100 rounds i hunted down a press

hammering the case out of the sizer onto a primer is nerve racking

Yeah, I did that once with a few buddies loading 45LC. It took us like 30 min to load 10rds. LOL **** that

[bigbossman]

i had a lee loader i thought hey $15 after 100 rounds i hunted down a press

hammering the case out of the sizer onto a primer is nerve racking

They are fun for weird stuff, like loading snake shot capsules in 38spl and so forth. I'd love to have on in .32 S&W Short, because I have my grandfather's pocket pistol and would like to load a handful of rounds for it. But yeah, a novelty to play with if you have nothing else to do.

[Imageview]

I agree with not liking the primer bit, and have been using a hand primer for that portion.

Still it goes to show what works for one person doesn?t work for everyone and vice versa. It?s not like I don?t have a couple presses, but frankly if I?m going to the range it?s not like I?m blowing through 200 rounds of 45-70 so volume doesn?t matter to me so much. Same with loading bismuth for hunting, I just don?t need volume and enjoy the lee loader process. It doesn?t have to be better for everyone, just works for my interests and goals.

[RNE228]

No one has mentioned the reloading "Stickies" at the top of this reloading forum! Start there. A couple of CGN members put together some great reloading info for new reloaders!

After that, get a couple books (I like Speer and Hornady, and although it is dated Ken Waters Pet Loads).

FWIW, I still run my 40ish year old RCBS Rock Chucker. I have access to a progressive; it is great for my 357mag and 45acp rounds. But I load all my rifle stuff on the old Rock Chucker.

I still want to get my own Progressive, but can totally see where both are useful, and am glad I started with a single stage

[ar15barrels]

No one has mentioned the reloading "Stickies" at the top of this reloading forum!
Start there.
A couple of CGN members put together some great reloading info for new reloaders!

Did you read post #3?

[RNE228]

Ya browzed the first part, missed the last sentence

Did you read post #3?

[bohoki]

Yeah, I did that once with a few buddies loading 45LC. It took us like 30 min to load 10rds. LOL **** that

funny i experienced the same thing i bought one in 30 carbine i started 100 rounds at around 5pm i had 100 rounds done i think it was 9pm i used 4227 powder i went to fire them the next day and half failed to eject i think the scoop didn't give me enough powder because my gun works fine with aguila
i got a good deal on a bag of pulled surplus bullets

[L4D]

I was staring at the pile of unprocessed brass that I have...this is tempting to have someone else do it...

[bohoki]

well dont panic

sometimes what i do is i size/decap like all i have say 300 or 400 9mm or 45 cases

then the next day count out like 100 and finish up a "batch" prime/bell the 100 then charge/seat

i dont do the loading tray i just have my powder drop clamped to my board next to my press now a little trick i do with my "lee perfect powder measure " is i run it in a "down then up" action each time


i think i get a more consistent measure than an up and then down because when i seat the bullet running the press jiggles the powder in the measure so the chamber is packed when i drop the next charge


i'm weird i sit there and think to myself when i am at the charge and seat
"fill it with mayo then put the lid on"

[stevosmith]

RCBS 9460 Auto Priming Tool <--- is this a good primer tool I should buy?

[stevosmith]

Also whom makes the most accurate manual Powder Measurer?