Ready to start reloading, just a few questions

[balmo]

Finally, redid my workbench and installed my Lee Classic turret. I will start with 45acp; 230FMJ bullet with Bullseye powder.

-Do you deprime first or tumble the brass? (I plan to deprime using single stage)

-When you hand load a new caliber (I my case first time ever) for the first time, Do you develop a load first? So just a few cartridge (may 10-20?) at a time with different powder charge?

-Can you run a brass through the die with a case mouth bent inwards and is not really a circle? Or is this a no-no?

Thanks

[CSACANNONEER]

I tumble before decapping. It keeps the chance of clogging the flash hole with tumbling media to a minimum.

I suggest getting an experienced reloader to mentor you for a while. Yea, I'd just start with loading a few rounds to test them before doing a larger batch.

It really depends on how big the dent is. Try a few and find out what's too much and what works.

Where are you? We are starting a state wide reloading club and already offering beginner's clinics in some areas.

[XDRoX]

Unless you're using stainless steel wet tumbling you won't deprime first. Media will get stuck in the flash holes if you do.

Also no need to deprime on a single stage. The turret will do it just fine.

It's wise to load between 5 and 10 rounds when developing a new load. I usually do 5.

You can run pretty jacked up brass through the sizing die. Most of the dents and imperfections will straighten out.

Good luck, have fun.

[emptybottle151]

Are you using the Lee Auto Disk?

[Fjold]

I only tumble my 45 ACP brass about every 4 or 5 reloads.

[Enfield47]

Do you have a manual? If not, pick one up and read through it - not that much reading really, most of it is the load data. The Lyman 49th edition is a good one and I also like the Hornady manual too.

Tumble first, then deprime unless you are using a wet tumbler, then deprime first.

If you are doing 5-10 rounds with incremental increases in grains of powder for each set of test rounds, I think you will be better off using you press in single stage mode and manually rotating the turret for each stage. Measure your powder manually on a scale it will be quicker and more accurate for your purposes that adjusting and readjusting a powder dropper. You will still need to verify your grains anyway on a scale. Once you know what works in your gun then you can use the turret in auto indexing mode and crank out the ammo.

[balmo]

i am in eastern contra costa county. i am using the lee auto disk. id like to use single stage on decapping so i can clean the.primer pocket.

[emptybottle151]

Use a scale to cross reference with the auto disk for testing reasons and keep a cheat sheet or reloading log.

You don't "need" to clean your primer pockets but you can if you want to take that extra step.

Pistol reloading is easy and 45 brass lasts forever. Have fun.

[aleng888]

Don't forget the sort out the small pistol primer case.

[stilly]

Finally, redid my workbench and installed my Lee Classic turret. I will start with 45acp; 230FMJ bullet with Bullseye powder.

-Do you deprime first or tumble the brass? (I plan to deprime using single stage)

-When you hand load a new caliber (I my case first time ever) for the first time, Do you develop a load first? So just a few cartridge (may 10-20?) at a time with different powder charge?

-Can you run a brass through the die with a case mouth bent inwards and is not really a circle? Or is this a no-no?

Thanks

Looks like everyone else already answered, so I will add a cherry...

If you do not yet have a single stage, maybe to decap you should consider a Lee Breech Lock hand press with the universal decapping die...

If your brass is REALLY bad, chuck it. but you will know what really bad is after you come across about 10 REALLY bads. Just jam them all into the CARBIDE sizing die and see what happens...

Also, good idea to seperate and label SP vs LP brass for .45. Looks like I am picking up about a 5:1 ratio of LP:SP .45 acp...

[stand125]

I have ran some pretty out of shape cases through my sizing die and they come out nice and pretty. Alot of people find that a little lube even with carbide dies makes sizing smooth as butter. Buy a little block of canning wax and every 5th or so case wipe your 2nd and 3rd fingers across the wax. When you pick the case up roll it between your fingers and thumb on its way to the shell holder and you will see how smooth it will resize. Don't lube the primer pocket though ( common sense right ).

[Germz]

-Do you deprime first or tumble the brass? (I plan to deprime using single stage)
-When you hand load a new caliber (I my case first time ever) for the first time, Do you develop a load first? So just a few cartridge (may 10-20?) at a time with different powder charge?
-Can you run a brass through the die with a case mouth bent inwards and is not really a circle? Or is this a no-no?

1. either or. Easier if you tumble first, no media will get stuck in the flash hole.
2. Yes if you want tailored loads for your weapon. If not, use published metrics.
3. It can be bent or unrounded, if it is curling over I would toss it.