A few questions by a reloading newbie...

762mm

762mm

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Hey there everyone,

I posted before in regards to reloading presses and I have a Lee 50th anniversary single-stage press kit inbound from Cabela's.. I actually have to pick it up tomorrow. I am also purchasing a .38/.357 die set and 1000 units of .38 spl brass (off EE) for my Ruger Security Six wheelgun (I have a few 9mm semis too, but will start off with reloading for the .38 first).

Anyway, enough with the life story... I know I should get myself a reloading manual, but I will be probably buying it along with the primers/bullets at the nearby LeBaron I guess, unless I find a better deal somewhere else. I have a few questions before I get going with the shopping list:


1) What kind of smokeless powder is best for basic general purpose reloading? To start, I'd like to look into something that's not too expensive, that's easy to handle and that can reload (preferably) all my calibers.

2) What kind of primers should I buy for .38/.357 and 9mm? Again, I am looking for something as universal & basic as possible.

3) Where would you get FMJ or semi-wadcutter bullets at a good cost/decent quality? I've seen a few online stores selling them and they run at about $90/1000 units... Is that a good price?

4) Also, I want my bullets to be loaded to slightly lesser pressures for range use, because it should be less rough on my guns in general (I don't really need full loads). How low can you go on a .38spl or 9mm before you start having undesirable side-effects of underpowered ammo?


Well, that's about it for now. I know I probably have a lot more reading to do before even attempting my first loads, but I intend to get there. Thanks in advance for reading and any info you may add!

:)
 
First thing (and the most important) is to get a reloading manual and read it. I reccomend Modern Reloading 2nd edition by Richard Lee. It has all the info you need and load charts for most calibers. Those charts will help you pick the powder for your application.

Good Luck!
 
1) What kind of smokeless powder is best for basic general purpose reloading? To start, I'd like to look into something that's not too expensive, that's easy to handle and that can reload (preferably) all my calibers.

Sometimes a better criteria is to see what powder you can FIND in stores, let alone what is affordable. Check the hodgdon reload website for powder choices and then see what you have to pick from locally to answer that question. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

2) What kind of primers should I buy for .38/.357 and 9mm? Again, I am looking for something as universal & basic as possible.

Both calibers will use small pistol primers, and I like CCI and Winchester ones. I don't really feel the choice of primer will make a huge difference in pistol loads, but others may disagree.

3) Where would you get FMJ or semi-wadcutter bullets at a good cost/decent quality? I've seen a few online stores selling them and they run at about $90/1000 units... Is that a good price?

That price isn't too bad from what I've seen, but check around in your local stores just to compare, because you have to remember that shipping is usually additional cost, and bullets are heavy.

4) Also, I want my bullets to be loaded to slightly lesser pressures for range use, because it should be less rough on my guns in general (I don't really need full loads). How low can you go on a .38spl or 9mm before you start having undesirable side-effects of underpowered ammo?

Check out the hodgdon reloading data website http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp for starting loads and max loads. Start at the lowest amount of pressure and you should be safe. I run starting loads in my 45 as well and it works just fine.
 
Last edited:
proonur said:
1) What kind of smokeless powder is best for basic general purpose reloading? To start, I'd like to look into something that's not too expensive, that's easy to handle and that can reload (preferably) all my calibers.

If you stick to the pistol calibers you can use Unique in both 9mm and 38/357. I use it in my 45 and it is easy to work with. Additionally you can reload shotgun shells with it later on.

2) What kind of primers should I buy for .38/.357 and 9mm? Again, I am looking for something as universal & basic as possible.

Both calibers will use small pistol primers, and I like CCI and Winchester ones. I don't really feel the choice of primer will make a huge difference in pistol loads, but others may disagree.

3) Where would you get FMJ or semi-wadcutter bullets at a good cost/decent quality? I've seen a few online stores selling them and they run at about $90/1000 units... Is that a good price?

That price isn't too bad from what I've seen, but check around in your local stores just to compare, because you have to remember that shipping is usually additional cost, and bullets are heavy.

4) Also, I want my bullets to be loaded to slightly lesser pressures for range use, because it should be less rough on my guns in general (I don't really need full loads). How low can you go on a .38spl or 9mm before you start having undesirable side-effects of underpowered ammo?

Check out the hodgdon reloading data website http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp for starting loads and max loads. Start at the lowest amount of pressure and you should be safe. I run starting loads in my 45 as well and it works just fine.
Click to expand...

Don't forget W231 :)
 
Unique is a great powder for a 38! It has been used extensively in that calibre. Actually, you may have trouble finding a calibre it has not been used in.
 
H4831 said:
Unique is a great powder for a 38! It has been used extensively in that calibre. Actually, you may have trouble finding a calibre it has not been used in.
Click to expand...

I thought so too, but it wasn't listed on the Hodgdon website and I didn't want to send this new reloader in a confusing direction.
 
Thanks guys, your help is just great (as usual!). I will definitely get myself a manual and read up on the stuff that concerns me.

I can't wait to "produce" my first ammo... it's sort of like having ### for the first time, only a bit more useful in the end.

:D
 
762mm said:
I can't wait to "produce" my first ammo... it's sort of like having ### for the first time, only a bit more useful in the end.

:D
Click to expand...


If your ### usually involves tumbling around in media, trimming, measuring, de-capping, resizing, charging and pressing... I guess after a second thought it IS somewhat the same, eh? LOL!
 
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