help reloading

[gotsig]

All very good advise. My copy of Lymans 49th is also full of my chicken scratch ! The first book I got was Hornady's ABCs of reloading and I always recommend to start there.

[Cowboy T]

A Taurus Judge? In San Fransicko?!?!!

No, fortunately I'm not quite that dumb. I don't keep it in CA. And it's a shame, too, because there's nothing inherently "evil" about that gun. It's just an ordinary 5-shot revolver, nothin' more. The bigger shame is that I wouldn't put it past Sen. Feinstein to own one....

[tujungatoes]

A Taurus Judge? In San Fransicko?!?!!

Thats what I was thinking.

[yoitsbruce]

most guns stores will have reloading seminars. that should get you going in the right direction. im waiting on my press to arrive

[sequoia_nomad]

A Taurus Judge? In San Fransicko?!?!!

[Cowboy T]

Oh, I see..."you'll show me yours if I show you mine?" OK, fair enough.

Here's a "word to the wise" for those loading .45 Colt. I did some experiments trying to make a round that's less snappy in the Taurus Judge Ultra-Lite. Due to the weight, or lack thereof, of that gun, standard SAAMI-spec .45 Colt transmits lots of recoil to the shooter, and it's not fun without shooting gloves.

Round: .45 Colt:
Charge: 5.0gr Titegroup
Projectile: 200gr cast boolit, wheel weight alloy
Primer: Any large pistol (tried Magtech, Winchester, and CCI)
Test guns: Ruger Super Redhawk 454, 7.5" bbl; and Taurus Judge Ultra-Lite, 3" bbl
Verdict: Works, but don't bother
--------------------
This load comes from Hodgdon's "Cowboy Action" section of their Basic Manual and is a classic case of why you test the load first before doing a big run of them. Yes, it works, but it's not one I'd recommend using. There is a lot of unburned powder in the load, about a quarter to a third. The cases get very sooty. The load sounds more like a cork popping than a gunshot. Two of them sounded particularly strange, and one didn't even cut a hole in the paper (could actually hear the boolit impacting the paper as a separate event). However, out of 20 rounds, no pills got stuck in the 7.5" Super Redhawk's barrel, which was my chief concern. Amazingly, out of the SRH, the load is reasonably precise! That gun really will shoot anything well.

Out of the Judge Ultra-Lite, the load is very comfortable to shoot. Not very good precision out of this gun, though (stock loads do better). No squib threat due to the shorter barrel. Looks like I'm wearing shooting gloves with this gun after all.

The 5.7gr load behaves much better in both guns and should be considered the true minimum charge for 200gr boolits. NOTE TO SELF: after this, don't blindly trust even the powder maker's data!

[donger]

Keep reading the manuals and the YouTube videos are really educational as well. Keep learning and you'll know when you're ready.

[Chief-7700]

Another +1 to Chief-7700's advice. Get a hardcopy. My reloading books also have notes in 'em. This is especially good for loads I haven't used in a while and would like to "dust off" and use again.

You'll see a whole lot of info out there. I would strongly suggest starting on an inexpensive single-stage press and not spending a boatload of money on equipment...yet. First decide if you like it on some simple, lower cost gear. Then, if you decide you like the hobby and want to reload faster, you can always go for the more expensive stuff. The "KISS" method definitely applies.

In addition to reading at least two hardcopies of reloading manuals, alwo view as many video tutorials on the subject as you can. Raymond's got 'em, I've got 'em, Ammosmith's got em, IraqVeteran's got 'em--there are videos a-plenty. They're on both YouTube and other places.

@Chief-7700: "Double top secret", eh? C'mon, share with us!

Cowboy only if you share first! Thank you for the +1
Chief

[Chief-7700]

+1 with Chief-7700 post.

Manual
Online videos
more manual
rinse and repeat.

Thank you Boots.
Chief

[Cowboy T]

Another +1 to Chief-7700's advice. Get a hardcopy. My reloading books also have notes in 'em. This is especially good for loads I haven't used in a while and would like to "dust off" and use again.

You'll see a whole lot of info out there. I would strongly suggest starting on an inexpensive single-stage press and not spending a boatload of money on equipment...yet. First decide if you like it on some simple, lower cost gear. Then, if you decide you like the hobby and want to reload faster, you can always go for the more expensive stuff. The "KISS" method definitely applies.

In addition to reading at least two hardcopies of reloading manuals, alwo view as many video tutorials on the subject as you can. Raymond's got 'em, I've got 'em, Ammosmith's got em, IraqVeteran's got 'em--there are videos a-plenty. They're on both YouTube and other places.

@Chief-7700: "Double top secret", eh? C'mon, share with us!

[Tom Slick]

I'm in Los Osos. I only reload .40s&w and .22-250 but I can show you the process on a single stage press.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Shooter,

click on the tutorial below my signature. (RELOADING .223 VIDEO). It will give you the step-by-step process to get you going.

There are a few other tutorials listed there in case you are interested in different topics.

It was made for yall.

In Christ: Raymond

[Boots]

+1 with Chief-7700 post.

Manual
Online videos
more manual
rinse and repeat.

[Chief-7700]

Hardcopy references materials are always better than the Internet.
Start with:
Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Handbook

You should see my copy it has handwritten notes with double top secret recipes inside the covers.

[Lead Waster]

Everyone will soon chime in and say "buy a manual". I say start on Youtube, there are a many videos about it.

Look particularly for ones using a single stage press as people tend to explain all the stages.

Cowboy T has a bunch of good videos explaining it. I'm sure he'll chime in and point you to it!