NEWBIE Reloader Needs Advice. Help please

[Pathfinder1]

For starters I'm in Ca. (I know, lucky me)and in 2011 Ca. is going to institute a law which will 1.Require us to be finger printed during each ammo purchase 2. Online ammo purchase will be illegal (retail stores only)3. Reloaders will now have to purchase all their supplies from retail stores also. i.e. no more online purchases for this either. At least this is how it was explained to me.

Such BULL****! This is going to make even reloading supplies go through the roof here. So...that being said, I haven't bought my 550 Dillon yet, but will in December (gotta keep saving for it) and in the mean time I want to buy as many ONLINE primers,powder, and jacketed and lead semi-wad cutters bullets as I can afford FOR 9MM Sig 226 target and IDPA shooting. I don't really know diddly of what to order. Can you guys give me some good suggestion of what kind of primers (large or small?),powder and bullet I should get and places you like to purchase from?
I already have a lot of brass saved. I think I will still be able to order the Dillon 550 online in 2011...not sure. Maybe some of the Ca. guys know more details on this asinine law.
Looking forward to your advice. Pathfinder1 .Thanks

[SixPointEight]

FUD!

Finger printing and online purchase of pistol ammo(which I suppose does affect your 9mm) but not for rifle ammo. Also, the reloading components won't be restricted by my understanding.

[Pathfinder1]

I hope your right about the reloading supplies JT, but I heard our brilliant lawmakers were also throwing that in with the restrictions. I heard this from one of the staff at our local indoor range, Bullseye in San Rafael yesterday. No one seems to really know for sure. Maybe we have a lawyer on the forum that will put in some input to this.

[SixPointEight]

Tons of lawyers and legal eagles around here.

First bit of advice. Take EVERYTHING you hear for EVERYBODY at ANY gun range or gun store as being worth as much as a spent primer.

Once you escape the conversation, visit google and find out for yourself. I was once told my AR is illegal because it has "More than 2 AW features" which is BS too.

[SuperSet]

Read here:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=230703

[BillCA]

The 9mm cartridge takes the small pistol primer (CCI-500). That's probably the best for you economics wise unless you plan to shoot +P loads.

I'd suggest 124 grain projectiles, both jacketed and RNL. Powders could be (Alliant) Bullseye, Unique, Herco, Red Dot, Blue Dot or Green Dot and I'm sure someone will say (Hodgdon) Universal Clays or HP-38 work fine too. Find whatever powder(s) other say makes for a good, clean and accurate load.

Tools & equipment that I'd suggest:
- Case tumbler/cleaner + tumbling media (walnut shells)
- Micrometer (for measuring cases, bullets & OAL)
- Powder scale (electronic if you have the money or a dampened beam type)
- Primer pocket tool (pocket brush & deburr tool)
- Bullet Puller (reloaders "eraser")

I also suggest getting the Lyman's Reloading Handbook that'll give you plenty of information about reloading as a process. And get two different reloading manuals, such as a Speer book and Hornady. This way you have 2 sources to cross check for each load.

[SixPointEight]

The 9mm cartridge takes the small pistol primer (CCI-500). That's probably the best for you economics wise unless you plan to shoot +P loads.

I'd suggest 124 grain projectiles, both jacketed and RNL. Powders could be (Alliant) Bullseye, Unique, Herco, Red Dot, Blue Dot or Green Dot and I'm sure someone will say (Hodgdon) Universal Clays or HP-38 work fine too. Find whatever powder(s) other say makes for a good, clean and accurate load.

Tools & equipment that I'd suggest:
- Case tumbler/cleaner + tumbling media (walnut shells)
- Micrometer (for measuring cases, bullets & OAL)
- Powder scale (electronic if you have the money or a dampened beam type)
- Primer pocket tool (pocket brush & deburr tool)
- Bullet Puller (reloaders "eraser")

I also suggest getting the Lyman's Reloading Handbook that'll give you plenty of information about reloading as a process. And get two different reloading manuals, such as a Speer book and Hornady. This way you have 2 sources to cross check for each load.

Just an fyi, I'd get the Lyman 49th and another for whatever bullets you'll be using. I'd avoid the Hornady actually. While it's pretty nice in some regards, it's VERY conservative. In fact, the max load listed in the Hornady manual is the min load listed by my powder manufacturer for the .223 bullet I use.

[Pathfinder1]

Great info guys. And that link is excellent SuperSet. Thanks

[jubal]

Go to reloadersnest.com for a lot of good info. too

[Pathfinder1]

Thanks Jubal. Yeah I went there. Good site

[Josh3239]

This was suggested to me by several Calgunners as the first reloading product to buy, and they were right. Read this!!!

[Chk Chk Boom]

I have like, exactly the same plan as you. I started accumulating components this year so when i'm ready to buy the equipment, I can reload immediately. 1000 Lead SWC 9mm bullets, 1000 CCI 500 primers, and a pound of HP-38 sit across my room with my name on it as we speak

[stewiegriffin]

This was suggested to me by several Calgunners as the first reloading product to buy, and they were right. Read this!!!

I second the suggestion of this book. I got it at the library. Very good info and an easy read. Fairly old, but reloading hasn't changed much, if any. Get it and read it.

I also second BillCA's suggestion to get at least two reloading manuals. You can also find load data on bullet and powder manufacturer's websites.

Regarding purchasing powder and primers- are you in a city that is close to one of the gun shows? I know that a local shop here in San Diego sells 100 small rifle primers for $6.00. At the last gun show I got 1000 CCI 400's for $25.00. If you are looking for powder, be sure to go the first day of a show. I made the mistake of going to the last show on the last day, and most of the popular powder choices were history.

I've had good luck with Lizard Litter from a pet store. Packed as "litter" and priced accordingly. I find it works well. It's crushed Walnut shell.

Good luck, it's fun, and you may even save some money. It's pretty cool to shoot a cartridge that you personally made.

[Pathfinder1]

You guys are the best, man. This is excellent help for me (newbie maximus). So I'm going to continue with my plan like Chk Chk Boom.

Thanks, Scott

[Homebrew2]

I've had great luck with xtremebullets.com for plated 9mm and 30 carb