IDEA - How about a barbeque reload party?

[Mark_in_Pasadena]

With 308 going through the roof, and since I was interested in starting to reload my own. Would anyone be interested in having a reload party? People could bring their shells, powder etc and whatever they wanted to barbecue. Guys like myself could get a class on how to do it properly and safely.

So anyone interested? We could do it at my house but I have absolutely NO reloading equipment, just a pool and grill.....

[rksimple]

Sounds like an interesting idea, but with all the equipment I use, it would be a logistical nightmare. When I moved, all of my reloading junk FILLED my entire honda civic. Maybe I have too much brass...

[DV8]

Ita a nice thought, but everyones stuff would probably be a pain to move.

[AJAX22]

If we could get ahold of a highschool auditorium or a Vetterens hall with lotts of folding tables it could work out, but it'd best be an overnight party.

[mike100]

Ok-better idea..You bring food, a cold box of piss, and empty brass to a reloader's house and get schooled.

Then get what you can and start with a couple of loads you made at the other guys house..work slowly from there.

[Black_Talon]

a cold box of piss

[mike100]

I've been spending too much time with Austrailians. (piss=beer)

[Pulsar]

For the party, we should all just go in on this and just grab a handful at a time and reload.

http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=1277884&convertTo=USD

[Sheldon]

It might be a good idea to have everyone agree to a powder and bullet beforehand to prevent the issues of mixed powders and bullets once you get to the reloading.

[PistolPete75]

party sounds good, but i have way too much equipment, powder, bullets, etc to move. plus all my stuff is at my bro's place in Tarzana.

i would offer to do at my house in Valencia. big house with plenty of space for people, and a bbq area. if someone brings food, beer, a reloading machine like a dl 550,..my house is open. i can bring a tumbler, rcbs trim case kit, case guage, scale, caliper, and a lyman's reloading handbook.

if someone brings a dl 550 press and a work bench, i have a quick change set up for 9mm, .45 acp, .38, .357, .223, and .308

i assume no liability on reloading. reload on your own risk.

ammo can be tested out the same day at A Place To Shoot. (i am 5 minutes away from the range)

[jdberger]

For the party, we should all just go in on this and just grab a handful at a time and reload.

http://cgi.govliquidation.com/auctio...&convertTo=USD

That's a rip-off! You don't even get the containers?!

In all seriousness, reloading isn't really a group activity. One person to mentor is just about right.

Caveat: My Gramps tells me that back in the old days, he and his buddies used to reload shotgun shells and ran it like an assembly line. One guy would clean and decap, next prime, next powder, next a guy would use a tool to cut the wad from felt, insert wad, shot, start crimp and finish crimp. All by hand, no Lee Load-All or anything.

Of course, he did mention that they'd go through a couple bottles of gin and cases of beer, so the loads made at the end of the evening weren't quite as reliable.....

[PistolPete75]

let's say there are several people interested in reloading .308 match grade stuff, then they can all buy the components together. for example, three people that are interested can chip in and buy the primer, powder, brass, and bullets. small amounts are needed to learn, like 8 pounds of powder, 1000 pieces of brass (once fired), 1000 primers, and a 1000 bullets (168gr seems to be the norm). at the end of the night, all three can go home with some knowledge of reloading and 333 rounds each to plink off for about $165 each which would be match grade stuff of course. not bad, huh?

308 Gold Medal GM308M 168gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP, 20 rd boxes are about $28/ box. for three people, each would get 16.5 boxes which comes out to $462/ each value for about $165/ each plus beer and steaks! (this is using once fired brass) new match grade brass will set u back alot more.

this is a good listing on ebay for 500 pieces of Federal Match .308 brass

http://cgi.ebay.com/500-Federal-Once-Fired-Gold-Medal-Match-Brass-308_W0QQitemZ150136574926QQihZ005QQcategoryZ31824QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[ar15barrels]

if someone brings a dl 550 press and a work bench, i have a quick change set up for 9mm, .45 acp, .38, .357, .223, and .308

Just so you know, the toolhead you setup on one specific 550 will not necessarily be set the same on other 550's

I figured this out years ago when I got my 2nd 550.

Now I have a 450, three 550's, two 650's and two 1050's
I drinks the Blue Kool-aid...

[ar15barrels]

Starting with dirty brass, you are not going to easily end up with loaded ammo in one day.
You need to tumble the brass an hour or six right from the start.
Then you can commence sizing, trimming and loading.

I also agree that reloading is NOT a group activity.
Best to get a mentor to get you started.

I'm in Culver City if anyone wants to come and learn to reload...

[PistolPete75]

Just so you know, the toolhead you setup on one specific 550 will not necessarily be set the same on other 550's

I figured this out years ago when I got my 2nd 550.

Now I have a 450, three 550's, two 650's and two 1050's
I drinks the Blue Kool-aid...

i don't know what version i have since it is many years old (about 8-10yrs), but all the new toolheads i've been buying lately have worked flawlessly.