Extreme newbie reloading question

proflui

CGN Regular
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Location
Toronto
Hi everyone,

I am planning to reload my own ammo for my 9mm pistol. I have already bought a cheap set of reloading kit. What I need now is primer, bullet and powder. The problem is I do not know where to get those stuff. I am in Toronto. Please refer me some shops or websites that I can get this stuff at a good price. Thanks for the help.
 
If you haven't already done it, buy yourself one or possibly two good reloading manuals. Read them well, don't just skim through them. You'll find that although you think they are covering the same material over and over, you'll find little bits of info that'll help you in the long run.

The manuals will also have load data that'll help you decide what loads to try and therefore what components to buy. Don't just buy a bunch of different powders and a bunch of different bullets just because that's what's on the retailer's shelves. Try perhaps one or two powders and two or maybe three different bullets to start at most. Build up your loads carefully; load 10 or 15 rounds with one bullet weight and the starting powder weight, and then another 10/15 with a few grains more powder, then a few grains more. When working up a load I mark each individual round with the powder weight using a sharpie marker. Then on the range I can check each load's effect on the brass before I fire the next higher load.

If you take your time, stay within the loads in the books, start light and work your way up, and be meticulous at sticking with the recipes (weights, types, lengths, dimensions, etc.) you'll quickly and safely end up with a load you and your gun like, and then you can go out and buy a 1000 bullets and get into major production.

If you choose to use lead bullets, you'll save a few pennies a round but you'll have to clean your bullet seating die occasionally. Check your powder weights every couple of dozen rounds until you're happy it is consistent too. Have fun and you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Best of luck.
 
Strongly suggest, in addition to a good manual or two, a copy of a large paperback called The ABCs of Reloading. Well worth the price. It's about the best introduction available, easy to read and will spin you up to speed very quickly.
 
One thing I would also recommend: Get yourself a good scale. Start with a beam as they don't really screw up (I have a lyman beam). If you get yourself an electronic scale, please spend the money and buy quality (PACT, RCBS, Dillon, etc) as the cheap ones just aren't worth it.
 
I agree with all the above posts as well... I bought the cheapest beam scale from RCBS and a no name digital. Both are complete garbage. I wasted so much time weighing the powder with both scales just to make sure I got it right.
 
John: You had a bad time with an RCBS beam? Thats weird; they are supposed to make pretty solid gear! I've heard nothing but good things about their electric scales anyway.. same people make their electric scales as make pact...
 
depending where you are in TO Lebaron has 2 location Dundas & Dixie (Miss.) Woodbine north of 407 Al Flaherty's Dufferin st. Gagnon's Oshawa Bass Pro or check out the sponsors
 
Labaron- call first for powder. They have stock on small pistol primers.
Williams arms port parry. Call to make sure they have stock.
Gagons sports in oshawa. Call before to check stock.
 
Take a ride North to EPP's.their 1 hour 10 min north of Hwy#7 at 100kmh.
If they don't have it they'll have a great substitute.
 
i strongly reccomend williams arms in port perry, the staff is extremly friendly and helpful, and are more then happy to answer your questions and talk to you, also their prices are reasonable
 
John: You had a bad time with an RCBS beam? Thats weird; they are supposed to make pretty solid gear! I've heard nothing but good things about their electric scales anyway.. same people make their electric scales as make pact...

I have the cheapest one from their line up. I think it's the RC-130.

I bought it new from Lebaron. It can go off at least 1 grain. No matter how careful I am removing the tray and putting it back on, the beam does not like what I do and gives me wrong readings. I take off the tray and put it back on as slowly and as non-invasive as possible and even that can still make the scale go out spec by 1 grain. Even if I look at it wrong, it probably wants to give me false readings. lol

I hate that thing especially trying to find new loads for 9mm.

Once I buy a good digital scale, this thing is going to meet my shotgun.
 
i strongly reccomend williams arms in port perry, the staff is extremly friendly and helpful, and are more then happy to answer your questions and talk to you, also their prices are reasonable

+1 for williams arms. I was there today. The folks are super nice and will answer any questions that you have. Super bunch. Last time I was there they were doing a coffee run and grabbed one for me lol.
 
I am using the lyman manual. It highlight the row in which the manual thinks is the best combo given a bullet weight. And I am trying to follow it. But one problem is that sometimes when I pick a combo I cannot find that highlighted brand of bullet or powder. That's why I am asking here. I am learning on my own and I do not want to take any kind of risk. I am going to buy a decent scale very soon. The one that comes with my Lee kit sucks.
 
I have the cheapest one from their line up. I think it's the RC-130.

I bought it new from Lebaron. It can go off at least 1 grain. No matter how careful I am removing the tray and putting it back on, the beam does not like what I do and gives me wrong readings. I take off the tray and put it back on as slowly and as non-invasive as possible and even that can still make the scale go out spec by 1 grain. Even if I look at it wrong, it probably wants to give me false readings. lol

I hate that thing especially trying to find new loads for 9mm.

Once I buy a good digital scale, this thing is going to meet my shotgun.

Have you called RCBS to ask about this? I'm positive they'd make it right. Between what been posted on CGN nutz about their electric scales and the free replacement of missing parts on used presses, me x 2 presses, I'm sure they'd send replacement parts or a new scale
Clint
 
I have the cheapest one from their line up. I think it's the RC-130.

I bought it new from Lebaron. It can go off at least 1 grain. No matter how careful I am removing the tray and putting it back on, the beam does not like what I do and gives me wrong readings. I take off the tray and put it back on as slowly and as non-invasive as possible and even that can still make the scale go out spec by 1 grain. Even if I look at it wrong, it probably wants to give me false readings. lol

I hate that thing especially trying to find new loads for 9mm.

Once I buy a good digital scale, this thing is going to meet my shotgun.

I've been using a LEE scale I bought 25 year's ago, and over time it does settle down a lot quicker.
I tried a digital rcbs but after 2-3 year's it went screwy on me so I parked it and went back to LEE.
 
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