Learning to reload

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Mightymoose410

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Hello fellow gun nuts.
I have been Looking at getting into reloading for a while now, both shotgun and brass. Reading the layman's shotshell book at the moment.
I was wondering if anyone knows if some good online resources with videos. I am not a "book learner" I achieve a greater understand understanding of something if I have ability to here it and see it. I don't really trust all the crapy you tube videos made my redneck in the basement . Not that they are all wrong but I just know know if they are all 100% correct with all the info.
I was hoping for a reliable source that I could learn from.
Thank you CGN for any help
 
Hi Mightymoose,
A good start is to read reloading manuals as you are doing ( Layman's, Lee, Hornady etc...) I only reload brass, so no experience with Shotshells, on a progressive press and I started a couple of years ago so I don't have decades of experience like other fellow CGNer here. I have to say that you are underestimating the Power of Youtube. There are some excellent videos on Youtube that can show you step by step, how to start with a Single or progressive Press, how they do their reloading recipes, troubleshooting etc...

I recommend you to start with a Single stage ( I won't use a progressive Press for 308, but that's me) then get a progressive one ( faster and higher volume for pistol round). I have a single stage press on which I have learned then I moved to the Dillon XL650. I learned by watching a friend of mine working on his own Press, read some books, Forums. but Videos ( mainly from Youtube) taught me a lot about many aspects of reloading and mainly troubleshooting. So far so good :)

Reloading is fun if you have time for it. But it is also risky and requires full attention, no cutting corners IMHO. Good Luck !!
 
Find a reloading buddy.

P.S. You can learn a lot from those so called "youtube rednecks". Cross-reference all your resources to help decipher the good/useful information from the bad.
 
The "redneck in the basement" videos are fine for learning the general steps and for learning how to use the common tools.

Do NOT look to the videos for load data, which is what I think you might be looking for when you say you want something that is "100% correct with all the info".

You should only take load data from reloading manuals, the info included with your die set if there is any, and from current sources like the Hodgdon data site.

After you've had some experience with reloading and have learned more about it, you can start to carefully experiment with load data you find in videos, forums, and other unofficial sources.

My advice: start simple with a Lee Loader and the Lee case trimming tools.

Say you wanted to start with 308 Win. This is what I would buy:

* Lee Loader: http://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-308-win.html

* Case trimming cutter, primer pocket cleaner, and chamfer tool: http://leeprecision.com/case-condtioning-combo.html

* Case length gauge: http://leeprecision.com/gage-holder-308-win.html

* I'd also get an inexpensive micrometer: maybe something like http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-digital-caliper-0586800p.html or https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/6-in-digital-caliper/A-p8609265e

* I'd also get a plastic-faced mallet for the Lee Loader, like this https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/18-oz-double-faced-soft-mallet/A-p8608135e

The instructions are simple and pretty much any of the videos showing how to use them will get you started.

When loading, pick a powder and a bullet weight from the Lee Loader instructions and load with the included powder scoop. Get used to the process and the feel of things. That will get you going. This set up will let you load functional ammo that will be at least as good as what you can buy at the store.

This is how I started, by the way. First calibre was 30-06, followed by 223. Loaded maybe a hundred rounds of each with Lee Loaders before I got into presses and other tools.

Good luck and have fun with it. Reloading is fun and not as complicated as it may look at first.
 
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Hello, Mightymoose. Agree with all of the above (start with single stage, then to progressive, reloading mentor/buddy, use the videos & at least a couple of different manuals since I've found variations in load data from different manuals, and from older manuals to the newer versions - probably due to lawyers).

Personally, I started small with one of the Lee "Whack-A-Mole" kits, about $30 at the time almost 40 years ago, then went to a used Redding "C" single stage press, then my RCBS Rockchucker single stage, and have supplemented it with a Hornady Lock 'n Load Progressive when I got into handgun reloading. I do not use the Hornady for rifle, only for 9mm/38 Spl/.357 Mag handgun, since I like more precise loads for the rifles.

No bad advice above, from personal experience.

O.N.G.
 
Good info from MDF and OldNewGuy. I started out the same about 30 years ago.

You can refine your method with the lee loader kits using suitable powders and tools to get very consistent ammo. Powders like, H335 and H380, measure the best for consistency when using the dipper.

Don't use a hammer to seat bullets. It's best to use something like a long shanked screwdriver handle to tap bullets into the cases, and a block of hardwood as a base to dampen impact.

You can do a lot with those kits and a good beam scale without laying out more than a couple hundred dollars.
 
I agree with MDF. Lee loader for learning the basics. Inexpensive if you decide that reloading is not for you.

Even after upgrading to various press over the years I still find myself using the Lee Loader from time to time. It is easily portable and can go in your bag for reloading away from home.
 
Bowyer said:
Don't use a hammer to seat bullets. It's best to use something like a long shanked screwdriver handle to tap bullets into the cases, and a block of hardwood as a base to dampen impact.
Click to expand...

I've added a plastic faced mallet to my list of things to buy in my earlier post. Don't use a metal hammer as that will beat up the Lee Loader parts. Use a hard plastic faced mallet and not a soft rubber one.

And as Bowyer wrote, I've also used a big screwdriver handle with Lee Loaders when I could not find my freakin' mallet. :)

Bowyer said:
You can do a lot with those kits and a good beam scale without laying out more than a couple hundred dollars.
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
Check out the websites of your local gun clubs. I've see a few learn to reload clinics on some southern Alberta club sites. You might be able to find something similar in your area.
 
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