Which Caliber for a First Time Reloader

[XDRoX]

I'm definitely not a real loader (yet). Thx for the hot tip boys......I will 86 Midway and try those other places.

The only real way to save money reloading is to buy in bulk. Buying powder in bulk isn't the best idea since you may not like it. But you'll use the primers no matter what so you may as well buy a lot of those. You should probably start with 5k. Anything less than that isn't practical because of the hazmat fee.

So I'd get 5k primers and a few different containers of 1lb powders to start off with. Jacketed is way easier to load than lead, but 38 loves lead. So I'd also start with some lead bullets.

[Rotting]

Here's a great source for lead bullets: http://www.missouribullet.com use the promo code "THR-Original" for an extra 10% off.

For 38 SPL, I like these: http://www.missouribullet.com/detail...ry=9&keywords=

As for powder, I buy from Powder Valley as well. I like Vihtavuori N-320 for light 38 SPL loads. It's a little more expensive than other powders, but it burns clean and gives great results (this powder also works great for for 380 ACP!)

[mls204]

F Midway. I buy all my **** from Grafs. Are you going to be shooting indoors or outdoors? I can recommend Berry's plated for your 38. I shoot those and they're great.

You might also want to consider sizing and crimping in separate stations. I had case gage problems with a few calibers before I moved to doing this. Also, buy a case gage. Don't get one for 38 and 357 like I did (stupid newbie impulse buy) just get the 357 one.

[grant22]

Here's where I'm at with this:

I was buying Winchester .38 spl at Walmart for .37/rd

Looking at Powder Valley, Berry's HP 125gr, CCI small pistol primers, and Unique powder come out to around .15/rd (this is after paying the $25 shipping/hazmat fee.

I'm pretty happy with that considering each round will cost me less than half what I was previously paying.

[XDRoX]

For a beginner reloader what is a good all around powder? I was thinking Unique??? It needs to be 'new guy friendly.'

Also, what size would last a while but isn't overkill? I see you can save by buying the 8lb, but I don't want to be wastefull......

40 years ago there were 3 go to powders. It's still true to this day that pretty much any caliber can be loaded with one or a combination of these three powders. Also, these three powders are still among the most popular powders available for a good reason.

2400
Unique
Bullseye

Slow, medium, fast.

Nothing wrong with Unique for a beginner. It's on the slower side, bulky, but a little dirty unless pushed hard. People have been loading 38spl with Unique since they stopped using black powder in them. A great all around well proven powder.

For the most part powders only come in 2 sizes, 1lb and 8lb, sometimes in 4lb.
A 1lb jug will contain 7000 grains of powder. Therefore if you're loading each 38spl round with 4gr of powder, a 1lb jug will load 1750 rounds.

Unique is fine for medium to hot loads. 2400 is great for full size 357 magnum loads. I'd stay away from Bullseye for now. If you want to load mouse farts, try Trail Boss. Awesome powder. Uber bulky, and great for light loads. If you try to load mouse farts with Unique it's going to not fully burn and be filthy.

Like Rotting, I really like Missouri bullet company. They make a great product. I buy all my lead bullets from them.

If you buy jacketed bullets for 38spl you're going to have a hard time finding data and have to load them pretty hot. You don't want to get one lodged in the barrel. 38spl loves lead.

Hope this helps.

[Full Clip]

I buy all my **** from Grafs.

Same. Nice people, too.

[grant22]

40 years ago there were 3 go to powders. It's still true to this day that pretty much any caliber can be loaded with one or a combination of these three powders. Also, these three powders are still among the most popular powders available for a good reason.

2400
Unique
Bullseye

Slow, medium, fast.

Nothing wrong with Unique for a beginner. It's on the slower side, bulky, but a little dirty unless pushed hard. People have been loading 38spl with Unique since they stopped using black powder in them. A great all around well proven powder.

For the most part powders only come in 2 sizes, 1lb and 8lb, sometimes in 4lb.
A 1lb jug will contain 7000 grains of powder. Therefore if you're loading each 38spl round with 4gr of powder, a 1lb jug will load 1750 rounds.

Unique is fine for medium to hot loads. 2400 is great for full size 357 magnum loads. I'd stay away from Bullseye for now. If you want to load mouse farts, try Trail Boss. Awesome powder. Uber bulky, and great for light loads. If you try to load mouse farts with Unique it's going to not fully burn and be filthy.

Like Rotting, I really like Missouri bullet company. They make a great product. I buy all my lead bullets from them.

If you buy jacketed bullets for 38spl you're going to have a hard time finding data and have to load them pretty hot. You don't want to get one lodged in the barrel. 38spl loves lead.

Hope this helps.

All has been very helpful. Thank you!

You just taught me to stick with lead bullets for a .38. I'll do that.

[Cowboy T]

In any decent quality revolver, you're going to get very good results with cast lead bullets. For the last several years, I've shot nothing but my own cast "boolits" over a charge of either Bullseye (for mild loads) or 2400 (for wild loads). The gun loves 'em, and so does my wallet.

As for the concern about double-charging, well, we handloaders are paying attention to what we're doing, aren't we? That's why we don't double-charge. :-) But if that's really a concern...well, that's why Trail Boss was invented. That's probably the bulkiest, case-fillin' powder in existence now.

Tzvia mentioned Dillon dies. I agree, no flame wars here, so I'll also point out that Lee dies (which I use) work very well, too. As does pretty much every other brand.

[Whiterabbit]

ammoseek:
357: $0.32+ a round
380: $0.20+ a round
38: $0.20+ a round

I think you made the right decision.

[noylj]

.45 Auto is the easiest and best to learn on. Short squat case that can be inspected easily. Low pressure so you have a built-in safety margin.

[Baconator]

I think I made the decision today, in light of getting my 2nd .45, to start reloading. I plan on learning with the .45. Not to thread-jack, but powder valley is not easy to navigate if you don't know what they heck you are doing. I don't know the difference in brands for any of the items I want to buy.

[grant22]

I put together an order I haven't placed yet, but was hoping a few of you could tell me if I'm on the right track:

Powdervalley

Berry's .38 125gr flat point - $75/1000
CCI small pistol primers - $25/1000
Unique 1 lb - $15 (as xdrox stated, should do 1750rds @ 4gr)

S&H & Hazmat - $25

Total - $140 ($.14 per round)

I'm happy with the qty and price, if any of you think I'm headed down the wrong path on this order, please let me know (whether the brands suck or whatever).

Much appreciated!

[XDRoX]

Since you're paying for hazmat anyway, if you can swing it, I'd get more powder and primers. You could try some Trail Boss. It's a really cool powder and perfect for beginners. You can only load light with it though. Unique will certainly work, but you may want to mess around with some other powders.

Are the Berry's bullets you listed there lead? If not, I doubt you will be able to find any data for loading them. It's nice when you first start loading to have exact or at least pretty close data to what your components are. I have never seen any published data for plated bullets for 38spl, if that's what those are.

And yes, their site is not easy to navigate. And you should see their catalog. I just got one in the mail today. There's not one picture in the whole thing. But they do have great prices when you figure shipping is included and they have great sales also.

[ireload]

You are on the right track with that combo. That's pretty close to what I load with the exception of primer. I use Winchester or Wolf. CCI also works fine. But like what Xd stated add more powder and primer since you are going to be paying for hazmat. Damn I remember when hazmat use to be $3 back in the days when I first started reloading.

[XDRoX]

You are on the right track with that combo. That's pretty close to what I load with the exception of primer. I use Winchester or Wolf. CCI also works fine. But like what Xd stated add more powder and primer since you are going to be paying for hazmat. Damn I remember when hazmat use to be $3 back in the days when I first started reloading.

Will he be able to find data for those bullets?