Looking to Reload Questions

Sapper33

Sapper33

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I've done some searches, and found the same things a few times, that have convinced me that the RCBS starter kit I've looked at would in fact be a good way to start.

But what haven't found a good answer to is about the brass prep. What do I actually need to be able to prep all my brass before I start weighing powder and seating bullets?

I've seen the medium spinners, but I'm working with both budget and space constraints so I need to stick to the essentials for now. Are there "regular household products" or techniques that can/are used to prep all the brass (putting brass and the medium in an old blender, as a really bad example)
 
The RCBS kit will have everything that you need to get started except for the dies / shell holders for the cartridges you want to reload. If you are using new or once fired brass, you won't need a case trimmer for a while. You also won't need a brass tumbler right away either, although they do shine up your brass and make them look new. However, you can get by without for a while. A cloth can be used to remove the case lube, and there are other ways to clean the brass.

This has been posted quite a few times before, but here is the step by step operations to load a cartridge:

http://www.rcbs.com/guide/printsteps.html

Consider picking up a reloading manual before you buy your kit. The RCBS kit comes with the Speer manual, so pick a different one. You'll want to have at least two manuals so that you can cross-reference the data for safety sake. And reading through a manual will give you a better idea of what you're getting into and will help you enjoy your new hobby more. It's quite satisfying to harvest game with ammo you've loaded and developed yourself!
 
I have loaded thousands of brass and have not "shined" them up. If there is discolouration at the neck, i use steel wool and get them clean. Never cleaned the primer pockets, but do full length size which usually removes the primers. , reprime, reload measured powder and seat bullet to specs. Never had a misfire, but if appearance is what you want, then tumble. i would rather be out shooting than waiting for a tumbler .
 
I understand the space concern. I recently got into reloading and I live in an apartment. I went with the small-size Dillon case cleaner (500+ cases) and manual media separator. They're the bulkiest of all my reloading gear but, unlike the press, they are not permanently mounted anywhere so I put them both in a garbage bag and stuff them in the closet between uses. Media is dirt cheap. Polish is very optional, but cheap also.

Food for thought. Good luck and have fun!

I'm only about 1,000 rounds into it, so maybe my tone will change, but so far reloading is quite interesting and enjoyable.
 
mtbore,

Out of interest, what do you mount your reloading gear on? I've got space considerations as well, and I'm searching out ideas.

-- S.
 
Coming straight from RCBS, that step-by-step makes me feel better about a lack "cleaning" stuff. And considering I'll be reloading once fired for the first while.

Although I'd guess that shooting a semi-auto (M305) would be harder on the brass, so I'd need to get into the trimming and cleaning up stuff after fewer loads.
 
If your looking at the RCBS starter kit and working with a budget. Why not buy a lee anniversary kit for $125 has everything a new reloaded would need to get started... if your interested let me know I will get one shipped out to you asap.

Personally I have used a variety of presses and value for money you cant go wrong with the lee anniversary kit.
 
"...I'm searching out ideas..." A Black and Decker Workmate will do nicely for small spaces.
There are liquid brass cleaners available. Birchwood-Casey makes one. All you need for that is a bucket and a cookie sheet. The cookie sheet is for speeding up drying. The cleaned brass goes on it and into your oven, set on warm, for 15 minutes or so.
 
hey, sorry, also a very newbie, don't mean to hijack the thread at all.. i understand that cleaning the outside of the case id optional..but how about the inside.. does the burnt powder build up and need to be cleaned out...again sorry for hijacking but this might help out more people than just me...thanks guys
 
dodgeman308 said:
hey, sorry, also a very newbie, don't mean to hijack the thread at all.. i understand that cleaning the outside of the case id optional..but how about the inside.. does the burnt powder build up and need to be cleaned out...again sorry for hijacking but this might help out more people than just me...thanks guys
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The only thing I have worried about is residue in the neck. You can get a brush, think it comes with most kits, that will help to scrub it out. This is more for keeping the dies clean and preventing them from getting scored or damaged.

Scott_N said:
TIf you are using new or once fired brass, you won't need a case trimmer for a while.
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I would disagree SLIGHTLY with this statement. While I have not found overly long new cases, I have found some that could use some trimming. Just remember that they are mass produced and subject to variances.

I asked on this forum a couple of months ago about new cases. Most said to put them through the resizing die before using and some said to do that as well as trimming them. I would say approximately 1/3 of the bag I got required some trimming.

I would also recommend getting some kind of caliper. Canadian Tire sells one fairly cheap and it goes on sale fairly often.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443278728&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672909&bmUID=1223340977690&deptid=1408474396672839&ctgrid=1408474396672847&subctgrid=1408474396672909
 
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You definitely need calipers to measure your overall length once you seat the bullet. Even if you have a trimming setup to trim your cases that keeps the brass uniform it doesn't hurt to check how it's doing with the calipers too.
I don't tumble at all, I just use the Birchwood casey liquid cleaner and it works very well for the inside and outside. If I'm feeling especially fussy, I'll use some fine grade steel wool and a bore cleaning brush to really shine the brass, but you don't need to get a tumbler or an ultrasonic cleaner to reload reliable, accurate loads.
 
Buy the RCBS kit and you won't regret.
For trimming brass,buy the Lee hand trimmer for your caliber.It will come with a shell holder that can fit in a drill.
For cleaning brass,use the shell holder to hold brass in your drill,buy some Brasso and spin the brass with a bit of Brasso on a rag...Take a clean rag for
second cleaning...You won't see nicer brass even with the best tumbler.
Takes a bit more time but worth it and cheap.
 
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One of the biggest advantages to tumbliing your brass is that it becomes a lot easier to see any flaws such as cracks at the neck or other nasty stuff. A really good accessory is a "nut" that will allow you to measure ogive length rather than OAL. OAL mtters only when magazine fit is an issue. For accuracy, you need to know the distance between the lands and the full calibre portion of the bullet (ogive length). Once you find the best ogive length for a rifle, you can duplicate it to keep maximum accuracy potential even when switching bullet weight, shape, or length. (barring real extremes, of course!) Sinclair sells the nut dealys in two models to cover most popular calibres.
 
Lojak said:
Out of interest, what do you mount your reloading gear on? I've got space considerations as well, and I'm searching out ideas.
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Sears Craftsman mechanics toolchest. Found it recently for $130 off regular price. Took the wheels off. Used a Dillon strong mount, drilled the 4 bolts through the front left corner of the top surface of the toolchest. Added gooseneck Ikea LED lamp plus other task lighting. Room for powder scale, calipers, and some workspace on top. It's an efficient use of space for me since I needed ammo, tool, & cleaning gear storage anyways so all the drawers get used. It looks a bit out of place in an otherwise "normal" apartment but it keeps it all very tidy.
 
Sapper: Recommend you use the liquid cleaner. Even after using a tumbler I find the liquid cleaner the easiest, quickest, and cleanest way to clean brass. Definitely recommend you get a trimmer - get a Lee trimmer they work well and aren't expensive.
 
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