Bunch of noob reloading questions...

[Thecrazyone1]

So I just bought some Lee Classic Hand Loader sets for a couple of calibers with the intent to make dummy rounds (for keychains...) Then I got bored and figured I could try reloading 9mm for shooting.

My local store only sells select brands of powder they told me to look up the load data on Hodgdons website and the load data they have for 115 JHP (which I bought originally to make dummies) says to use Winchester WSF which luckily my local store carries.

The problem is that the load data included with the Lee classic loader set (for 9mm) does not have this powder listed and the set comes with a single 0.5cc scoop.

Will one 0.5cc scoop of Winchester WSF be too little / too much / just right for 115gr 9mm JHP?

How normally do you measure the charge? weight/mass?

Do I need a scale that measures grains or do you have to convert grams?

Does it matter what the bullet oal is as long as it's within the min-max oal? Do I measure oal differently for JHPs?

Do I really need to clean out the bullet cases? What's the cheapest/best way to clean them without buying a large machine?

I'm planning on shooting only a couple of these to make sure they work but stockpiling them for emergencies... Will the carbon from being fired without being cleaned affect the longevity of new powder?

[killshot44]

Stop. Right. There.
Buy and read the Lyman49th Annual reloading handbook or the ABCs of reloading before you open a can of powder.

You are asking questions that one should know before beginning.

You do need a scale that reads in grains

[stand125]

a couple options are.

You can take the money that you could spend on a manual that may or may not awnser all of your questions and buy a Hornandy digital scale and then shave down the scooper with nail file untill it throws the powder charge you want. There is a ton of info online and as long as you do plenty of internet reading you will weed out the BS advice and get the right advice.

Or you can buy the manual for general info and just use the powder that the included load chart tells you to use with the .5cc dipper.

I personnaly never bought a manual and started with 2 Lee classic loaders and a Hornandy digital scale. I shaved my dipper down to throw 4.4gr of Titegroup and it made excellent ammo. I even scooped as much as the dipper could hold because I was concerned about over charging and it threw a whole .3 grains more than if I leveled the powder. The scoopers are just as accurate as any powder drop if you practice a little and dip the same every time. I used a 1.99 slide caliper from Harbor Freight and wiper down my cases to clean them.

The instructions on those loaders are pretty straigh forward. you will probably set off aprimer or two untill you get the feel. Seting off a primer is no big deal since you load powder after the primer anyways. Use a factory round for figuring out your aol and start at the minimum powder charge.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

Stop. Right. There.
Buy and read the Lyman49th Annual reloading handbook or the ABCs of reloading before you open a can of powder.

You are asking questions that one should know before beginning.

You do need a scale that reads in grains

this.....read a good Reloading Handbook, search on youtube for some good reloading videos, and read some more.

[Bill Steele]

I agree with the advice to get a manual.

Lyman's is a good one, Lee 2nd Edition is also a good one and maybe best for you, given your Lee Classic Loader choice.

Unfortunately, the Lee manual (and Lee charts) don't have the comversion for WSF by dipper size (in your case .5cc), so you will still have to weigh what you are scooping to assure it is under the limit for the caliber and bullet weight you are loading.

But then, you will know all that if you get one of these books.