I am (newbie) really ready to start some reloading in 2019... some last minute check?

lavino

lavino

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Disclaimer: I know I am not the only one doing this but I guess when it comes to reloading it is not something I think I can just dive into and start doing out of the blue. This has gone through some serious thinking and planning. Now that I am finally comfortable to get my feet wet hopefully I can start building up my knowledge... it seems there is a LOT to learn about this.

Can I make this my personal reference thread? How do you guys all started reloading? Is there someone in your family or friend that taught you? I don't know anyone can do that so I had been reading and watching vid a lot on the related subject. I have this "beginner's fear" due to all the horrible stories I heard and read. I have nobody else to turn to except for some help from you guys.

I had been using a press to make dummy rounds as well as preparation or practice for sizing brass, checking seating depth etc etc. I know it sounds silly to do this instead of buying a bunch of AZoom but somehow I knew I will get into reloading eventually so if I saw something on a good enough sale then why not? If I do full sizing and follow everything to the book which double checking everything (handy reference is the Lee's 2nd Edition book) the chances of anything going Kaboom shouldn't be very high right?

Would it really be better to start off doing pistol round like 9mm first? Or does it matter if I start with 223 since I already got the die set when making dummy rounds? At the end I want to reload for 308 but I guess baby steps.

Here is what I have so far

Lee's 50th annv single stage press (single stage press + powder measure + non-digital scale but I got a digital one + primer tools). Dry tumbling + medium for now since that while thing is within $100 budget pickedup at some Xmas sale.

I will be using the powder measure come with the kit. It has a non-digital scale but I do have a digital scale for double checking

For Die set I have the Lee 223 deluxe set for making dummy rounds.

I have Lyman case gauge to check brass sizing. I have a caliper for double checking OAL

The kit came with a trimming tool so I got that extra 223 pin for trimming. I guess that would be enough for now? Or should I need something a bit more fancy?

I had been using campro projectiles 55gr stuff for making dummy rounds I assume those are all good to shoot in bolt action and no need for something fancy?

Probably will be using CCI primers. Don;t have any yet and I know I missed the Xmas sale so will have to wait for spring sale. But I will probably buy small quantities for test.

Powder....humm.. Is there a good newbie powder (both in price and availability as well) would you suggest? I wish to use the same powder for 223 and 308 in the future and not need change. I read someone mention CFE223 will work for both.


I think I am good to go? Am I missing anything?

Constructive opinion are always welcome but if I am doing anything wrong please to tell me. Is it ok if I post pictures of all the measurements and data I use later in this thread so I can get some confirmation if I am doing anything wrong?
Would really appreciate if someone wouldn't mind take me in PM for mentoring.

No worries I will go slow... I am not really doing it to save money. I kinda think it is a nice hobby to do along with the shooting. I always found reloading very interesting.
 
I bought a Forster press for it's ability to be a high precision loader for when I started rifle work, I used it for 9mm / 38 special and 45 ACP to work out the kinks and get practice till I was confident moving to rifle rounds that required more handling and preparation. It worked out well and watched a lot of reloading videos and reading manuals plus online forums to get a sense of accurate loads to use and make powder choices.

Subsequently added a DIllon 650 to speed up the pistol process and still use the Forster for rifle and decapping..

I use Bullseye for all pistols primarily and CCI primers
 
What is the barrel twist on your 223? 55 gr Campro are good with 1:9 or slower (1:10, 1:12). They work OK in 1:8 but that really likes a heavier bullet for better accuracy.

Look at Varget or CFE223 for a common to both 223/308 powder. Varget is magic for 223 IMHO (I don't load 308 so cannot comment on it other than it is listed in 308 load sheets).

You will want some kind of case lube for resizing the brass.
 
I just started with the help of a few reloading manuals and youtube videos.

Jumped with both feet in with a hornady progressive for making my first 9mm. reloads lol. This might not be suitable for everyone :)

Do you have a set of calipers? I assume so since you made your dummy rounds.
Just decide what you want to reload first (rifle or pistol) and start.

Regarding "beginner" powder, some powders allow for a double charge (if you are not paying attention) like titegroup because you need very little (other powders might overflow the case when double charged), these might also show bigger spread in velocity if your charge weight is a bit off.
 
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Campro bullets in my experience have pretty lousy accuracy. Personally I would recommend a better bullet if you are going to bother putting in the labor.

Canada Ammo D4198 is fairly decent powder for the.223. There is better options but the price is very attractive.
 
Before you start, pickup a second reloading manual. Maybe rcbs or hornady. Give both manuals a good read, then start. As you begin to learn, start your load development near the lower end of the published data. In your manual, but do not go below their minimum, as too little pressure has its own set of problems.
 
know your head space for each rifle, get a comparator. read the manuals, gas guns and bolt in the same caliber like different powders. you will out grow the canpro bullets, good place to start. learn as much as you can, welcome to the addiction.
 
coleman1495 said:
Campro bullets in my experience have pretty lousy accuracy. Personally I would recommend a better bullet if you are going to bother putting in the labor.

Canada Ammo D4198 is fairly decent powder for the.223. There is better options but the price is very attractive.
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I agree, I think eventually I will move up to better projectiles but for now it is more getting the experience and getting used to it first I guess. Campro is pretty much the cheapest stuff I can find when I was making dummy rounds. Now I am stuck with 450 rounds of them for about a year lol.
 
I would say start loading for a bolt action rifle if you have one. this allows you to check the barrel after each shot. with semi automatic you might pull the trigger a second time before you notice youbhad a squib load (i also know you can load 1 round at a time in semis but check the barrel with a bolt is easier i find).
For the powder find one that is forgiving ie has a good min max spread just in case. i like log powders for new reloaders as they usually fill the case right up so its hard to double charge.

Just take it slow, double and tripple check everything. if your unsure or think something went wrong, stop and ask the forum, rewatch videos, etc. I always find the local range is a good place for information, most people are friends and are usually more then willing to help
 
There are a lot better uses of your time than reloading 9mm on a single stage press.

I'd forget about reloading the 9mm. Get some 3031 or 4064 or H335 or CFE223. One of these will work for both 223 and 308.

Get some 55 grain softpoints and 150 grain softpoints.

Read the Lee book, reloading is not nearly as complicated as some make it out to be. Yes it demands attention but so do a great many other everyday tasks.
 
I reload for 9mm on a single stage press, it's doable if you process it in batches, but I admit it's tedious.

Also, I reload for 9mm at a cost of about .15 cents/rd, so there's that...
 
As with all the other great advice, triple check everything, take it slow, don’t be afraid to go straight to 223/308 and reconsider 9mm on a single stage unless you have lots of free time.
2 manuals is recommended, preferably own the brand for bullets you will be shooting so you have the load data available.
YouTube is your best friend however note some channels show their preferred way, style, setup, additional accessories so best to cross reference a few and see what they do similarly and differently.

Remember, sailboat pace not speedboat in this hobby
 
if you're anywhere in the GTA, I live in Mississauga, you can feel free to come by and I can show you my set up. There is some good advice on here so far. Myself, I don't bother reloading pistol calibres as I don't shoot enough to justify the effort. Having said that, I got into reloading because I bought a Swede 6.5x55 and branched out to other rifle calibres from there. I have since consolidated my calibres, thus I only load 303 British, 7.5x55 Swiss (which uses 308 bullet), 308, 6.5x55, 6.5Creedmoor and 223.
 
stevebc said:
I reload for 9mm on a single stage press, it's doable if you process it in batches, but I admit it's tedious.

Also, I reload for 9mm at a cost of about .15 cents/rd, so there's that...
Click to expand...

YMMV but for me the econonics of reloading 9mm just aren't there. I can use my time reloading things I can't buy or that cost $3-4/shot.
 
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