Learning to reload for the M14?

degreeszero

degreeszero

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What is the best way to learn how to reload? What are the best info sources ... books, websites, product reviews, etc?

Has there ever been a clinic or workshop organized to teach reloading? Could be a venue to present, promote and preview products and gear.
 
I learnt how to reload 30+ yrs ago on Lee hand tools. Using a hammer and a dipper for a scale. Since then I've wore out 4 or 5 m14's. The best, or should I say the fastest way to learn to reload is to find someone to learn you the ropes. Have fun.
 
There are no fast ways of learning.... Fast = mistakes.... you learn as you do.... so get the tools and start doing.

Remember... make ONE shell perfect, Checked and rechecked. This is your "control" and can be used as a measure for all the other rounds you make. Weigh each round after you complete it. It should weigh as much as your control. Make sure you use an accurate scale. This will prevent making the mistake of a double charge. Never reload when you are tired or inebriated.


Also buy a bullet puller!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXNJXG_rd48
Been thinking of buying this... lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4rDITutliY&feature=related
 
Some gun stores offer clinics/courses on reloading; also clubs. Check out your local sources. If you live in the Edmonton area, P&D offers courses.

RCBS also has a great resource on this (a couple of pages)

Good luck in your efforts
 
Devineus said:
There are no fast ways of learning
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If there are no fast ways of leaning, then that must mean there are no slow ways of learning....

You're not really dumb enough to believe that, are you?

The M14-type of firearm is not generally thought of as a good platform on which to "learn reloading".
For instance, the restrictions on bullet weights and powder speeds artificially reduce your choices. The roughness of the extraction cycle mean that case life is most often based on a relatively arbitrary number, rather than case-by-case quantifiable data.
In general (again) one tends to learn best in a simplified environment, learning a manageable number of steps well and then building on that knowledge to lean more steps or more complicated steps.
 
Buy a reloading manual first, I recommend Hornady but any current manual will do. They will help walk you through the process and guide you in the right direction. You will need at least one manual for reloading data, as while the internet can be an excellent resource for reloading info you can't just take Joe Blow on whatever forum's word that 50 grains of IMR 4895 will work in safely in your rifle.

Best of luck, it's a great way to shoot more and get more involved in the sport!
 
This is a really good start as to how to load for an m14:
http://www.m14.ca/reloading/14_loading.pdf

Many of the others will chime in with how to learn to reload. I don't have a good resource there.

Devineus said:
Also buy a bullet puller!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXNJXG_rd48
Click to expand...

Noooo! Buy collet pullers. So much faster/easier. The hammer is ok for one, but once it creeps into your reloading kit, it is infectious, and sooner or later you will try to pull a bunch with it. The collet works all the time and fast.
 
Go to youtube.com and search for Sinclair Reloading Series. It gives a nice basic overview of the process. There is lots of other info all over the web.

It is a great way to save money so you can shoot more, but it is not for everyone. It requires you to be methodical and exact if you want to be safe and get good results.
I find it very relaxing to reload. My roommate is bored to tears by it.

You can start economically with a few basic tools. It doesn't require all of the biggest, brightest and newest tools in the beginning.

A lot of it will depend on how much shooting you 'actually' do, not on how much you think you will have time to do. If you are shooting a couple times a week, you definitely want to start reloading. If you find that you are only getting out once every few weeks or every couple months, it may be more practical to buy ammo.
It is also a pastime that requires a good space. A corner of your basement or your garage that can be dedicated to it will make it much more enjoyable.
 
Splatter said:
...
The M14-type of firearm is not generally thought of as a good platform on which to "learn reloading".
For instance, the restrictions on bullet weights and powder speeds artificially reduce your choices. The roughness of the extraction cycle mean that case life is most often based on a relatively arbitrary number, rather than case-by-case quantifiable data.
Click to expand...

I guess I did/am doing it all wrong then!
:onCrack:
Seriously, I can't afford to do it any other way. 33 cents a round, w00t!

Also, old guys. They know how. My grampa taught me.
 
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I just got back into reloading after not being involved with guns for about 15 years and choose to restart reloading for my M14s first. I can't see anything wrong with it. It's a gun, if you shoot it a lot, reload for it.

Get a good reloading manual and read the whole thing.

Try to find someone to teach you the ropes, preferably BEFORE you buy your starting equipment. Then you'll see what you need and what not.

Buy your reloading equipment from your local guy and then they should be happy to help you out as questions arise. For instance, I was concerned about my primer seating so I took 20 primed cases out to see my local guy and he told me I was doing fine. It was nice to get an experienced opinion.
 
SoBored said:
Try to find someone to teach you the ropes, preferably BEFORE you buy your starting equipment. Then you'll see what you need and what not.
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That is huge. There is so much crap out there. Most of the people I know that want to get into reloading buy stuff without getting any sound advice. They buy the wrong gear, then it just sits there collecting dust. :/

The ones that asked advice going in all run the same gear, and load for whatever they want.
 
my first step, and i beleive this should be every reloader's first step is to go through the:

ABC of reloading
it is available on amazon at a very affordable price
 
Good starter package?

carbonrod said:
The ones that asked advice going in all run the same gear, and load for whatever they want.
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So can anyone offer some thoughts on a good starter package ... the basic components and preferred brands ... for reloading .308 WIN and 7.62x51?
 
degreeszero said:
So can anyone offer some thoughts on a good starter package ... the basic components and preferred brands ... for reloading .308 WIN and 7.62x51?
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Basic package..

Press
Scales (personally I prefer balance scales over electronic)
Powder Funnel
Chamfer/Deburring Tool
Primer pocket cleaner/reamer
Neck Brushes
Lube/Wax for Full Length sizing
Sizing lube Pad (unless you use wax)
Hand priming tool
Dies

You can get most of the above in the Lyman Kit (which I bought).

As for brands - you get what you pay for.

I will never buy anything made by Lee again, but that is my decision. I buy Redding dies for calibers I would like good accuracy out of, and Hornady for others.
 
Good starter package = buy the BEST stuff you can afford!!!!!

RCBS rock chucker - one of the top presses. Look around for a used one in the EE. Thats where I found one of mine. They're big, strong and don't wear out

RCBS 3 die full length set -again some of the top stuff. Not benchrest quality but for shooting a semi auto great stuff

RCBS beam scale - I've got the 502 scale and its worked out pretty good for me so far

RCBS vibratory case cleaner - had a lyman and switched over to this one, no comparason!

Thats basically all you need to start reloading. However there are other knick knacks that will make life easier - powder trickler, powder scoops, loading trays, trimmers, bullet puller, blah blah

Get the basics and collect the trinkets as you go along
 
Best is to Read, Read, Read!

SoBored said:
I just got back into reloading after not being involved with guns for about 15 years and choose to restart reloading for my M14s first. I can't see anything wrong with it. It's a gun, if you shoot it a lot, reload for it.

Get a good reloading manual and read the whole thing.

Try to find someone to teach you the ropes, preferably BEFORE you buy your starting equipment. Then you'll see what you need and what not.

Buy your reloading equipment from your local guy and then they should be happy to help you out as questions arise. For instance, I was concerned about my primer seating so I took 20 primed cases out to see my local guy and he told me I was doing fine. It was nice to get an experienced opinion.
Click to expand...

I know this sounds pretty redundant, but the best way to learn how to reload is to read, read, read! I wish when I started, that the internet was invented at that time. Would have saved me some needless close calls and fumbling about.

To start the reading, Sierra, Hornady or Nosler have excellent literature as to the procedures for reloading. reloading manuals. Hornady is the best as it gives some really good data on the M14 (and M1 Garand) service rifles.

The best recipes I use is a Sierra 150 gr. spitzer bullet (or Hornady 150 BTSP @ 45 gr of 748 powder), CCI 250 mag primer, 45.3 gr Win 748 powder.

As for equipment, RCBS has a great starter kit. I would get a case trimmer too. Nobody told me about those little devices until I had shot about three or four times out of the same casings and lo and behold, the bolt was hard to close (bolt action), so I forced it! I now know that was very dumb-assed of me, but like I said, who knew...right?

With the M14, my case measurements go all to hell after about three or four uses because the extractor loves to chew on that brass so I am always buying new brass. The other thing is that with the M14, I measured a fired versus unfired, and have found for MY rifle, I leave about .007" in resized case length ( so the case does not fatigue too fast due to the resizing process). I do trim after about two firings for the neck only. Gotta measure, measure, measure.

Just a bit of my experience. Good luck to you, and if you decide to get into reloading, enjoy the fruits of your labour.
:D
 
degreeszero said:
So can anyone offer some thoughts on a good starter package ... the basic components and preferred brands ... for reloading .308 WIN and 7.62x51?
Click to expand...

To start,

Dillon 550B. I have a rockchucker as well, and it is good, but doesn't compare to a 550 IMO, even if you just use the 550B as a single stage.
Beam scale
RCBS trimmer with 3 way cutter, and drill attachment.
FL dies. I don't think the brand matters a bunch for a m14. At least starting out.
Case vibrator. Lyman makes one that works well, but they are simple. Buy what you like. I know of several RCBS ones that are under heavy use as well.

There are lots of other nicknacks that help a bunch once you are into higher volume, or doing something specific, but the heart of it all is a 550B IMO. If you have to skimp somewhere, the trimmer, and the vibrator are it. You can do both of those operations given time. Once your volume goes up, or you are sufficiently ticked off about going at it by hand swap them out.

Add to that, some h4895, some CCI primers, and the cheapest 150 grain tips you can find and you are in good shape to start. Once you get your bench technique down, you can swap the components around.

Oldsmobiler said:
Good starter package = buy the BEST stuff you can afford!!!!!
Click to expand...
Very much so. Reloading gear is definitely a place where you can buy once and be done with it, or buy stuff that doesn't work well many times. This is especially true for those that load high volume, which I assume our M14 loader is going to be.

One more thing, I am not sure where you are, but if you are close to one, go and tire kick your local service rifle club. They will mostly be fairly high volume reloaders that are still seeking as much precision out of their loads as they can.
 
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