First Foray into Reloading

T

TwinMustang

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Well the title says it all.

I have never reloaded before. I understand the basic principle, but I've never used a press or measured powder before. I have recently acquired a new-to-me Lyman T-Mag II Turret press and I'm in the process of acquiring dies. I'm also looking to replace a couple missing parts (non-essential) such as the primer quick release pin and the primer punches and sleeves, if I were to use the built-in primer tool.

I'd like to keep a log of my reloading here so y'all can critique and offer suggestions (or rude remarks so I can block you, because I don't need any more negativity in my life.... I work for the government), but also to keep a record of what I did, and how it worked.

First up, I'm looking for a set of dies for 9mm para. I'll get powder and pills if/when that happens. I'm also looking for .303br dies, but that's less urgent since I have a Lee Classic Loader kit and I plan to hunt, not mag dump. I might also be interested in .30-30 dies, but that's down the line. It's my backup deer gun.

I would also like to take on the dubious project of reloading 7.62x25TT. I suppose I could find Berdan primers and kit and do it that way with the old milsurp shells, but I would rather do it with newish brass. As such, I plan to take .223 Rem brass and trim/neck it down for the job. I have never modified brass before, so that's another journey I'll be on. I know it can be done, as some of you fine folks probably have done some of that yourselves. For now, I really want to be able to have fun with my TT33 without having to pay out the nose for the ammo.

Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Rude remarks? Please give me an excuse to block someone rude. I get great pleasure out of removing negativity.

TM
 
There is alot to unpack there. If don't have a reloading manual (I suggest Lyman 51st edition) and start reading on page one. Try and find a reloading mentor close to you. Your local range may be helpful in that regard. Right here on CGN are some very knowledgeable reloaders that can answer to pretty much any question you have. If in doubt, don't do it and ask for help/clarification. Reloading for 9mm; the case can hold alot more powder than needed. A double charge of pistol powder can blow up your gun with all the negative consequences attached. I always visually check all charged cases before I seat the bullet. Enjoy the journey.
 
go buy a reloading manual or 3. Read a couple times. Press and dies is a start. If you’re gonna make tokarev brass you’re gonna want a decent trimmer set up. A lot of guys like hand primers, I personally use the built in jiggy on my lee classic press. I’ve had no issues but I load for the same general purpose as you. Keep an eye out for cheap diesel everywhere and just get all the dies for the rifles you have. It’s as addicting as shooting and rifles IMO. When I started reloadin I didn’t actually care what was going on down range I was blasting just to reload.
 
Single stage press.
Powder dispenser like a charge master lite.
Lee dies are fine.
Do stainless steel wet tumbling.


No need to go crazy when you’re starting. But get an electronic powder dispenser for the love of god. It’s life changing.

You’ll get the guys saying a beam scale is better. It might be but you’ll hate your life and if you’re not making 1 mile match ammo you’ll be just fine without one.
 
StoneHorse said:
There is alot to unpack there. If don't have a reloading manual (I suggest Lyman 51st edition) and start reading on page one. Try and find a reloading mentor close to you. Your local range may be helpful in that regard. Right here on CGN are some very knowledgeable reloaders that can answer to pretty much any question you have. If in doubt, don't do it and ask for help/clarification. Reloading for 9mm; the case can hold alot more powder than needed. A double charge of pistol powder can blow up your gun with all the negative consequences attached. I always visually check all charged cases before I seat the bullet. Enjoy the journey.
Click to expand...
Hmatt said:
go buy a reloading manual or 3. Read a couple times. Press and dies is a start. If you’re gonna make tokarev brass you’re gonna want a decent trimmer set up. A lot of guys like hand primers, I personally use the built in jiggy on my lee classic press. I’ve had no issues but I load for the same general purpose as you. Keep an eye out for cheap diesel everywhere and just get all the dies for the rifles you have. It’s as addicting as shooting and rifles IMO. When I started reloadin I didn’t actually care what was going on down range I was blasting just to reload.
Click to expand...
I have an old Hodgdon manual (2nd edition?) which should be good enough for the .303 and .30-30 reloading. 9mm and Tokarev I'll need something newer. I have a digital copy of at least one, if not two reloading manuals, I just can't seem to find them at the moment. I think one is a Hornady and the other a Winchester, but I'm not positive.

I feel like I should get the hand primer. In particular, because the parts to put the primer tool back in working order are tough to find and/or out of stock everywhere. My only real problem is I plan to reload 9mm in bulk rather than small batches. The rest is all small batch, unless I can get the Tokarev sorted out.

As for powder loads, There was a relatively traumatic family accident which occurred in part because my grandfather put too much powder in a deer round. I have a reminder of that on my bench, and it's never far from my mind. I have NO desire to repeat the error, and as such I fully intend to double and quadruple check powder anytime I'm reloading anything.

Jon. said:
Single stage press.
Powder dispenser like a charge master lite.
Lee dies are fine.
Do stainless steel wet tumbling.


No need to go crazy when you’re starting. But get an electronic powder dispenser for the love of god. It’s life changing.

You’ll get the guys saying a beam scale is better. It might be but you’ll hate your life and if you’re not making 1 mile match ammo you’ll be just fine without one.
Click to expand...
I have a digital scale. At some point I'll probably get a dispenser. At the moment, I'm restricted to the budget my gun safe clearing can bring me. In this case, I traded a rifle for a press, some ammo, and a fresh halibut fillet. Next equipment purchase will be funded by the clearing of more from the safe. Tumbler is probably the next purchase, besides dies.
 
You toobe is your friend. One of my go to tools is Ultimate Reloader. If your researching a powder, cartridge, or tool they have probably done a breakdown on it. Good info before investing in any given product. Cheers
 
Keep thinking about getting into reloading too, but wouldnt be for the cheap stuff like 9mm, but more like for rounds that cost me $5+ bucks a piece...
 
eco said:
Keep thinking about getting into reloading too, but wouldnt be for the cheap stuff like 9mm, but more like for rounds that cost me $5+ bucks a piece...
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That’s fair. I’m trying to get into IPSC and I only have a 9mm that qualifies, and 350-500 rounds per match gets real expensive at $0.60 per round in the ass end of nowhere with no local gun shop. I can, in theory, reload for around half that, if not less depending on availability of components.
 
Keller said:
Reloading for .303 British has its quirks, make sure you bush up on the specifics of that caliber.
Click to expand...
This seems like a pretty thorough review of the Lee Classic Loader system for .303br and its quirks. Anything it's missing for press loading?

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