What lesssons would you pass on to a new reloader?

huntingfish said:
What lessons, tips and tricks have you learned that you wish someone had told you when you started reloading?

Any particular pieces of equipment that comes in kits that is basically useless?
Any steps in case handling that you wish you'd been stricter about and which impacts results downrange?
Any steps that in the beginning are not that important?

Please share!

David
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Step 1. Always consult multiple resources. You can never have too many reloading manuals. If you take the average of all the advice you have a good starting point.

Step 2. The buck stops with you. You are your own quality control manager, health and safety manager, legal advisor, shop foreman and production manager. Don't be in a rush.

Step 3. If something doesnt make sense, stop, and think about it before you break something. This is good advice for life and its just as valid with reloading. I have the second and third rule written on a sign in my shop. Right beside my resource library.
 
I have a dime sitting on my scale base. I weight it each time I start loading. A masking tape label tells me what it should weigh. A real quick way to make sure the scale is still OK. Use a dime if you load pistol ammo, or a quarter or Loonie if you load rifle ammo.

Lots of good advice above.

A sharpie and roll of masking tape will be used a lot and save you grief.

If someone comes in to the loading room (or if you answer the phone) back up a step and make sure you know where you are in the next round.

When you finish loading, dump the powder back into the can. You don't want it to dry out and you don't want to play a guessing game next session as to what powder it is.
 
Ganderite said:
I have a dime sitting on my scale base. I weight it each time I start loading. A masking tape label tells me what it should weigh. A real quick way to make sure the scale is still OK. Use a dime if you load pistol ammo, or a quarter or Loonie if you load rifle ammo.

Lots of good advice above.

A sharpie and roll of masking tape will be used a lot and save you grief.

If someone comes in to the loading room (or if you answer the phone) back up a step and make sure you know where you are in the next round.

When you finish loading, dump the powder back into the can. You don't want it to dry out and you don't want to play a guessing game next session as to what powder it is.
Click to expand...

Adding to this, everytime i dump powder in the powder measure, i have a tape that says what powder, what charge its set on and what xaliber i'm loading. This way if i'm interrupted and for some reason cant get back to the bench before a few hours, i know where i'm at.
Same for the primer dispenser tubes, red tape for rifle, purple tape for pistol. Extra orange tape for magnum. Also always note the weight and calibre if bullets. Saves time weighing and measuring if you have to leave in a rush to get beer because you forgot it was superbowl sunday!!!
 
Never mind the books or manuals,
Go shoot a local competition, Socialize and offer to pay the top shooter some money for a real and serious reload session at his place.
Bring a notepad, take plenty notes.
That’s how I did it for pistol 12 years ago, yes a Dillon 650 was a kick in the nuts starting off but still got it today.

Gonna cost expensive, but you are not going to lose time and money trying gear that doesn’t work, you’ll likely be set up like a pro right off the start!
 
Read the manual to assemble and set up your press.
Read the manual over and over again to understand how your press works.
When something out of the ordinary happens - READ THE MANUAL.
 
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