He be OK. At least he is asking, and what the hey, there are lots of very experienced handloaders on this forum doing things that are way more risky than a newb maybe adding a tad too much go juice.
To the OP, while I hate to suggest Youtube, in fact, RCBS and some of the other manufacturers have decent videos that help explain the process, if that is how you like to learn. In my mind, nothing replaces a good book, and most decent loading manuals have a sufficient explanation of the process, as do most of the instructions that come with dies. As for how much flare, well, enough. Precise, eh?
Like they say, too much flare reduces case life, because as you work the brass, stretching it out for the flare, and squeezing it back for the crimp, it gets brittle (workhardened, like a paperclip you twist back and forth). Eventually the mouth will split, and then you can't get a decent crimp to hold the bullet securely. Less crimp, longer case life. Too little crimp, zero case life as the bullet tips going in, trashing the case, or catches on the side, and shaves bullet and crumples case. Just enough, like I said.
Don't worry. It'll come, and no one gets it perfect first time out. As for how much powder, yeah, get a good manual. Hornady makes a fine one. Sierra does too. Pricey, but worth the money. And, if you stay in the game, you wil need to buy the occasional new edition. Components change, SAMMI standards change, new powders and new calibers come - and go - and materials and component designs change. For middle of the road, not trying for ultra velocity, minor changes in bullet style or materials makes little difference. But most guys here seem to want to push the envelope, and for them you gotta have up to date data.
To the OP, while I hate to suggest Youtube, in fact, RCBS and some of the other manufacturers have decent videos that help explain the process, if that is how you like to learn. In my mind, nothing replaces a good book, and most decent loading manuals have a sufficient explanation of the process, as do most of the instructions that come with dies. As for how much flare, well, enough. Precise, eh?
Like they say, too much flare reduces case life, because as you work the brass, stretching it out for the flare, and squeezing it back for the crimp, it gets brittle (workhardened, like a paperclip you twist back and forth). Eventually the mouth will split, and then you can't get a decent crimp to hold the bullet securely. Less crimp, longer case life. Too little crimp, zero case life as the bullet tips going in, trashing the case, or catches on the side, and shaves bullet and crumples case. Just enough, like I said.
Don't worry. It'll come, and no one gets it perfect first time out. As for how much powder, yeah, get a good manual. Hornady makes a fine one. Sierra does too. Pricey, but worth the money. And, if you stay in the game, you wil need to buy the occasional new edition. Components change, SAMMI standards change, new powders and new calibers come - and go - and materials and component designs change. For middle of the road, not trying for ultra velocity, minor changes in bullet style or materials makes little difference. But most guys here seem to want to push the envelope, and for them you gotta have up to date data.
