Help a reloading noob

D

Dfurey

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
NWT
So, with summer coming and the snow on the range melting soon, I will be shooting considerably more and I want to start reloading to offset the cost and to make up for
A lack of ammo availability where I live. I've read some forum posts and watched a few YouTube videos. I've heard a lot of (sometimes conflicting) info and opinions, so now I'm seeing what you folks can teach me. I'm looking at reloading 7.62x39 and 12gauge.

What type and brand of press should I be looking at?

Where do you guys buy components from, and what are the brands to look for?

Any lessons learned the hard way that you could pass on to save me from blowing up my guns/self or wasting lots of money?
 
Don't reload 7.62x39, you won't save any money. Just buy it by the crate when you find it on sale.
I was going to start reloading 12ga but was told the same thing, you won't save any money.

For most people reloading it's not about saving money, it's about shooting quality ammo tuned to your barrel for the same cost of cheap ammo.

Lessons learned and advice.
-Buy at least one reloading manual but more are better. Do not trust what you read on the internet until you've cross checked it against published data.
-Start low and work up every time. Do not just pick a powder charge close to book max and think it's going to be safe. Every barrel is different and every barrel will handle pressure differently.
-Just because Johnboy from wherever says this load is sub moa in his rifle does not mean it will work or even be safe in your rifle. Work up your own loads every time. I use other peoples information to help me pick components not to find my load.
-Find someone experienced in your area to help you get started and to work with you for your first batch of loads.
-Do not buy a progressive press until you are an experience loader, there is too much going on at once until you're comfortable with all steps involved. Stick with a single stage until you know what you're doing. It's slower but more accurate, cheaper, and it's simple.
-Don't waste your time prepping brass excessively and buying micro adjustable dies unless you're loading for a precision rifle. There's no point chasing fractions of an inch smaller groups with a rifle that can't shoot tight groups no matter what ammo it's fed.
-For semi auto's always full length size, this is for reliability.
-In semi's I typically start with the bullet manufacturers suggested COL. This usually ensures it will fit the magazine and feed cleanly. Once I'm close to having my load I may play with seating depth a little but I always ensure that it fits and feeds cleanly from the magazine.
-There are no shortcuts. You must take your time at every step of the process and make sure every piece of brass is in good enough condition to reload. Watch for cracks in the necks, loose primer pockets.
-There is no one powder for all cartridges, and you should be buying it more than one pound at a time so you get from the same lot. When you open powder from a different lot the results may change so your load may need to be tweaked.
-Buy quality tools, you need to be precise and you need the right tools to do it. It's a very large expenditure up front. Just don't think about the money and it will be fine.
-Your brass should be cleaned before you run it through your dies. This keeps your dies cleaner and prevents scratching the brass. A tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner isn't a requirement but I wouldn't load without one.
-Do not use range brass unless you know where it came from. Headstamps should all match when reloading for a rifle (pistol? meh, doesn't matter). If you watched the guy at the range pull out a box of new factory ammo and leave his brass on the range then go for it but if it's just sitting there from who knows when leave it. You have no idea how many times it's been loaded, maybe buddy left it on the range because it has 15 loadings on it and it's weak and cases are splitting regularly so he just let it fly.
-Brand of press doesn't really matter, if you never plan to reload anything bigger than a 300win mag or something like that pretty much any press will do but I had to buy a larger press to handle loading 338 Lapua.

You're not going to save any money but you will be shooting better quality ammo hopefully.

If 7.62x39 and 12ga are your primary concerns then spend the money you would spend on reloading gear and just buy a couple cases of surplus x39 and a couple cases of the $89/250 round boxes they sell at Cabela's.
 
Last edited:
Pick up a reloading manual or two and do some reading.
Get familiar first, then look for recommendations.
I believe most surplus (corrosive) 7.62x39 is berdan primed, so difficult to reload.
Surplus ammo (7.62x39) is cheaper to buy than reload.
 
Reloading 12 gauge isn't worthwhile either, You can buy it on sale if you look around for less than you can reload it for.
 
Shotgun: Mec 600 Jr.

Rifle: Lee turret, Dillon 550. You could go single stage but that will depend on volume.

EDIT: I took too long to reply and the people above have already mentioned some of the issues.
 
ht tp://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Caliber%20Specific%20Load%20Data/Complete%20Reloading%20Manual%20for%20the%207.62x39.pdf

Here's 7.62 x 39 data if you dismiss the above advice.

cr5 said...

"Don't reload 7.62x39, you won't save any money. Just buy it by the crate when you find it on sale."

I would only add you will waste time reloading it.
 
calibrecarstairs said:
ht tp://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Caliber%20Specific%20Load%20Data/Complete%20Reloading%20Manual%20for%20the%207.62x39.pdf

Here's 7.62 x 39 data if you dismiss the above advice.

cr5 said...

"Don't reload 7.62x39, you won't save any money. Just buy it by the crate when you find it on sale."

I would only add you will waste time reloading it.
Click to expand...

Yes, and a lot of the 7.62 x 39 is not even re-loadable, and commercial ammo that you can reload is not cheap. 40 years ago it used to pay to reload 12ga if you shot a lot of trap and skeet. For a few rounds of hunting ammo; buy it!
 
All these 7.62x39 naysayers...

I reload 7.62x39. I bought proper brass and actually cast my own bullets. If you have something other than a red semi auto, reloading is worth it to dial in accuracy
 
snooker said:
pick up a reloading manual or two and do some reading.
Get familiar first, then look for recommendations.
I believe most surplus (corrosive) 7.62x39 is berdan primed, so difficult to reload.
Surplus ammo (7.62x39) is cheaper to buy than reload.
Click to expand...
good advice don't rush in...
 
Both 7.62X39 and 12 gauge can be bought cheaper than you can reload them, however, reloading has it's advantages.
in the case of the 7.62X39, I wouldn't bother if it was for say an SKS. You'll spend all your time at the reloading bench. SKS is an ammo eater. If it's for a bolt gun however, you should be able to come up with an accurate load that's the equal at least of the cost of available high end factory loads. Steel cases can be reloaded provided they are boxer primed, but they are bound to be harder on your dies than brass over time, so you will want to accumulate or buy some brass cases.
The 12 bore again, this can be an ammo eater depending on what you do with it.
I still reload for it, but I can usually find cheap stuff cheaper than I can make that is fine for a bit of clay target shooting in the yard, or pass shooting ducks.
The various loaders like the Lee, are time consuming. Automated presses are available if you have the coin, and a good friend uses one for his skeet shooting. You can reload just about any shotshell, (I've even reloaded paper years back) but, the ones that work best and last longest are (for me anyway) the Winchester AA hulls.

For the two you are considering, it's probably not worth reloading at this point, unless it's just to break yourself into the reloading hobby. It's quite enjoyable.
 
You do not mention the kind of ammo you want to make.

If it is general hunting and plinking ammo for either caliber, as others have stated, you have picked the two calibers for which commercial ammo is cheaper than roll your own.

If you want super accurate rifle ammo for your heavy barrel varmint rifle - that is different.

Likewise if you want to experiment at making your own slugs.
 
Pretty well echo all replies.
For most people reloading it's not about saving money, it's about shooting quality ammo tuned to your barrel for the same cost of cheap ammo.
Click to expand...
Another bit of advice is buy surplus from someone like Tenda find a friend near you that also uses 7.62 x 39 and or 12 ga. buy bulk and split shipping.
@ .41 ea round + shipping isn't bad!!!
A group buy is the best! JMHO.
 
Dfurey said:
So, with summer coming and the snow on the range melting soon, I will be shooting considerably more and I want to start reloading to offset the cost and to make up for
A lack of ammo availability where I live. I've read some forum posts and watched a few YouTube videos. I've heard a lot of (sometimes conflicting) info and opinions, so now I'm seeing what you folks can teach me. I'm looking at reloading 7.62x39 and 12gauge.

What type and brand of press should I be looking at?

Where do you guys buy components from, and what are the brands to look for?

Any lessons learned the hard way that you could pass on to save me from blowing up my guns/self or wasting lots of money?
Click to expand...

My first thought was, pretty much what was said already. For myself, a reloader that has dabbled in quite a few calibers, 7.62x39 and 12 ga included, those are ones that I generally consider as buy ammo calibers.

You live in the NWT, and that is big country, and it extends well into the north. And depending on where you live, these may be your grocery getters.

If you wouldn't mind, could you tell us a bit more about yourself, and what you use your guns for. It also would be nice to know which guns you own and how much spare time you have.

I can well imagine if you live in a small home, you may want compact loading gear, high rate of production may not be important, and you may want to stock up on components.

For shotgun, are you limited to steel shot? Do you shoot slugs?

For the 7.62x39, bolt or semi, which animals do you hunt?

Depending on your circumstances, I do not think ammunition with corrosive primers is for you.

Do you want to cast your own bullets?

Lyman has fairly good manuals, one for shot shell reloading and one for rifle/handgun. The latest versions are the better ones to buy.
 
Dfurey said:
So, with summer coming and the snow on the range melting soon, I will be shooting considerably more and I want to start reloading to offset the cost and to make up for
A lack of ammo availability where I live. I've read some forum posts and watched a few YouTube videos. I've heard a lot of (sometimes conflicting) info and opinions, so now I'm seeing what you folks can teach me. I'm looking at reloading 7.62x39 and 12gauge.

What type and brand of press should I be looking at?

Where do you guys buy components from, and what are the brands to look for?

Any lessons learned the hard way that you could pass on to save me from blowing up my guns/self or wasting lots of money?
Click to expand...

Come on people, a little reading:

snow on the range melting soon
I will be shooting considerably more and
offset the cost and to make up for A lack of ammo availability

Seems like OP wants to shoot a lot of ammos on a range. I don't think he's looking at winning a benchrest competition with an x39.

So conclusion for OP: Unless you shoot a lot of slugs with that 12G, reloading won't save you much money. Shipping ammos up north is expensive, but so is shipping primers and powders.

I have a friend in Yukon. We once rented a truck to take furnitures to his place, cause it was cheaper than getting it delivered. I would think if you want a large amount of ammos, making the trip yourself with a truck full might be your best option. No need to rent the truck if you have a pick-up. An F-150 full of milsurp will last a few years.
 
VinnyQC said:
Come on people, a little reading:

snow on the range melting soon
I will be shooting considerably more and
offset the cost and to make up for A lack of ammo availability

Seems like OP wants to shoot a lot of ammos on a range. I don't think he's looking at winning a benchrest competition with an x39.

So conclusion for OP: Unless you shoot a lot of slugs with that 12G, reloading won't save you much money. Shipping ammos up north is expensive, but so is shipping primers and powders.

I have a friend in Yukon. We once rented a truck to take furnitures to his place, cause it was cheaper than getting it delivered. I would think if you want a large amount of ammos, making the trip yourself with a truck full might be your best option. No need to rent the truck if you have a pick-up. An F-150 full of milsurp will last a few years.
Click to expand...

Yes NWT...shipping will be a fortune for crates of surplus.

Buying brass primers and powder and casting your own bullets would be the best move, especially if lead can be sourced locally.
 
Shotgun Reloading - I load, cast and even make Black Powder for shotguns. As other have said, it is not cost effective. However in my case, I am always scrounging around and looking for components (lead shot, steel shot, wads, ect, ect), getting shells from the range is not a problem. I have 3 MEC presses and all have been found on sales sites like kijjii, graigslist, and local FB pages. I also load steel shot for duck hunting. Since your location is a factor, you might want to put it on the "like to have" list. But, if you are going to plunge in shotgun reloading, get yourself the LEE 12G Load All, great little kit for under a $100, then if you are in town buy the components for reloading. Last year, I got into Black Powder making and using it in shotguns reloading (old style), it has been fun exercise and I can make my own BP, if the stock ever goes dry or a SHTF scenario. Worst case scenario, I can make swan shot, BP, paper or cloth wads and be able to kill small game with it.

Casting bird shot is possible if you get a dripper, The Oasis Lead Dripper is pricey, but works, if you have the welding skills you can make your own (like me). Casting LEE or Lymon slugs is good, but both have serious accuracy consistency as I have experienced. 40-60 yards most safest and consistent groupings. However, if you love to play, or need close in Bear defence cast slugs will meet your needs. I also cast "0" (.32Cal), 00, 000 buck shot and it is cost effective, but I don't use for deer. Self defence against coyotes. Getting raw lead, might be another problem in area.

You cannot beat factory lead slugs for accurate shooting, by loading your own. Just youtube Bubba Roundtree (He does better with slugs/round balls), or fortunecookieLC as both have done extensive testing on cast rounds for shotguns. Fortunecookie has some great wad characteristics explanations and which wad to use for best results. Which leads me to next point, Canadian reloading supplies are less available then our US counterparts, so getting good quality shotgun reloading component is harder in CA.

Take Care and good luck on journey!
 
OttawaHunts said:
Shotgun Reloading - I load, cast and even make Black Powder for shotguns. As other have said, it is not cost effective. However in my case, I am always scrounging around and looking for components (lead shot, steel shot, wads, ect, ect), getting shells from the range is not a problem. I have 3 MEC presses and all have been found on sales sites like kijjii, graigslist, and local FB pages. I also load steel shot for duck hunting. Since your location is a factor, you might want to put it on the "like to have" list. But, if you are going to plunge in shotgun reloading, get yourself the LEE 12G Load All, great little kit for under a $100, then if you are in town buy the components for reloading. Last year, I got into Black Powder making and using it in shotguns reloading (old style), it has been fun exercise and I can make my own BP, if the stock ever goes dry or a SHTF scenario. Worst case scenario, I can make swan shot, BP, paper or cloth wads and be able to kill small game with it.

Casting bird shot is possible if you get a dripper, The Oasis Lead Dripper is pricey, but works, if you have the welding skills you can make your own (like me). Casting LEE or Lymon slugs is good, but both have serious accuracy consistency as I have experienced. 40-60 yards most safest and consistent groupings. However, if you love to play, or need close in Bear defence cast slugs will meet your needs. I also cast "0" (.32Cal), 00, 000 buck shot and it is cost effective, but I don't use for deer. Self defence against coyotes. Getting raw lead, might be another problem in area.

You cannot beat factory lead slugs for accurate shooting, by loading your own. Just youtube Bubba Roundtree (He does better with slugs/round balls), or fortunecookieLC as both have done extensive testing on cast rounds for shotguns. Fortunecookie has some great wad characteristics explanations and which wad to use for best results. Which leads me to next point, Canadian reloading supplies are less available then our US counterparts, so getting good quality shotgun reloading component is harder in CA.

Take Care and good luck on journey!
Click to expand...

Self defense against coyotes? Are your Eastern coyotes different than our coyotes out West? The only brave ones around here are the city yotes that like cats and small dogs.
 
Don't listen to the detractors ref the 7.62X39. I reload for it because I love spending an hour on my hands & knees searching for my brass after a session of shooting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom