First Foray into Reloading

My reloading mentor advises all he teaches on reloading to acquire the Speer Reloading manual #13, as it has one of the best how to sections for reloading and setting up your equipment, and the reloading process of any reloading manual out there.
 
TwinMustang said:
Seeing as I already have a turret press, would you recommend I part with the turret press and find a single stage instead? Isn't a turret just an easily swappable single-stage press? I have a Loader for .303 but I don't want to get one for 9mm since I will likely be reloading range brass rather than just my own, and I've read that Lee Loaders don't resize the case, just the neck. Is that correct or have I misunderstood?
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Correct, just the neck. I’ve no experience with turret presses.
 
TwinMustang said:
Seeing as I already have a turret press, would you recommend I part with the turret press and find a single stage instead? Isn't a turret just an easily swappable single-stage press? I have a Loader for .303 but I don't want to get one for 9mm since I will likely be reloading range brass rather than just my own, and I've read that Lee Loaders don't resize the case, just the neck. Is that correct or have I misunderstood?
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The turret press can be used similar to a single stage, the Lyman is manually indexed so it would be fine for beginners, not a bad choice. And yes Lee loaders neck size the brass only and is very slow, for handgun it would be a poor choice. If you have once fired (in your rifle only) bottle neck cartridges the the basic Lee loader works fine. Handloading is an enjoyable hobby in itself and ads another dimension to shooting, learn as you go and have fun.
 
BlackRam said:
My reloading mentor advises all he teaches on reloading to acquire the Speer Reloading manual #13, as it has one of the best how to sections for reloading and setting up your equipment, and the reloading process of any reloading manual out there.
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The key to successful, safe reloading is this:

Have good reading comprehension.
Too many people don't, and for those, reloading is a dangerous activity that they will be unsuccessful at.

Read through several reloading manuals, and read the instructions that come with a set of dies.
 
TwinMustang said:
I just looked up the chargemaster. Holy cow. $540 for just the powder system?? That seems unreasonably expensive for what it is.

I think I'll stick with the Lyman scale for now
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There is two different chargemasters
The reg one is more expensive then the lite
I’ve seen used ones in the EE for 250 ish for the more expensive normal charge master so not a bad deal
The lite one that I have does everything that I need it to do
 
TwinMustang said:
Seeing as I already have a turret press, would you recommend I part with the turret press and find a single stage instead? Isn't a turret just an easily swappable single-stage press? I have a Loader for .303 but I don't want to get one for 9mm since I will likely be reloading range brass rather than just my own, and I've read that Lee Loaders don't resize the case, just the neck. Is that correct or have I misunderstood?
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Your Lyman turret press will be fine. You can use each position the same as a single stage, and it gives you more versatility later on. - dan
 
Lots of great advice here!

I’d like to add a few points about safety…
  • In your life or job, what is the highest pressure you have ever dealt with? Consider that a centerfire rifle cartridge is a controlled detonation which generates between 30,000 to 65,000 psi of pressure. That detonation is going off inches from your face! For most people, firing a gun is the highest pressure they will come into contact with in their lives.
  • When you reload, be present, sober and alert.
  • If you are unsure or have concerns with anything you are doing…stop and think!
  • Don’t get distracted (even if that means that you have to turn your phone off!).
  • Check and double check every step of reloading, especially when doing something for the first time.
  • Good tools for measuring weight (scales), dimensions (calipers) and speed (chronographs) are a reloaders friend.
  • Good reloaders are detail driven individuals. Complacency can result in a catastrophic failure. If you are not a “details matter person” consider another hobby.
  • Be organized. Only have what you need on your bench. Avoid bench clutter. Never have more than one type of powder on your bench at a time.
  • Label everything you make. Keep good notes and record all the details.
  • Never use ammo or ammo components from unknown or unlabelled sources. Use good components from good sources. Store components in their original labelled containers.
  • Although range brass may be free, it is risky to use (even if you know how to inspect it). Keep in mind, someone already threw it out, at least once!
  • Reloads that are safe in someone else’s gun may not be safe in yours. Same goes for your reloads.
  • Take your time and reload correctly. Make a serious mistake and you might not get a second chance.
  • If you think I’m going too far with all this “safety” crap, please refer to the first bullet point!
 
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TJCote said:
Lots of great advice here!

I’d like to add a few points about safety…
  • In your life or job, what is the highest pressure you have ever dealt with? Consider that a centerfire rifle cartridge is a controlled detonation which generates between 30,000 to 65,000 psi of pressure. That detonation is going off inches from your face! For most people, firing a gun is the highest pressure they will come into contact with in their lives.
  • When you reload, be present, sober and alert.
  • If you are unsure or have concerns with anything you are doing…stop and think!
  • Don’t get distracted (even if that means that you have to turn your phone off!).
  • Check and double check every step of reloading, especially when doing something for the first time.
  • Good tools for measuring weight (scales), dimensions (calipers) and speed (chronographs) are a reloaders friend.
  • Good reloaders are detail driven individuals. Complacency can result in a catastrophic failure. If you are not a “details matter person” consider another hobby.
  • Be organized. Only have what you need on your bench. Avoid bench clutter. Never have more than one type of powder on your bench at a time.
  • Label everything you make. Keep good notes and record all the details.
  • Never use ammo or ammo components from unknown or unlabelled sources. Use good components from good sources. Store components in their original labelled containers.
  • Although range brass may be free, it is risky to use (even if you know how to inspect it). Keep in mind, someone already threw it out, at least once!
  • Reloads that are safe in someone else’s gun may not be safe in yours. Same goes for your reloads.
  • Take your time and reload correctly. Make a serious mistake and you might not get a second chance.
  • If you think I’m going too far with all this “safety” crap, please refer to the first bullet point!
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If you mean pressure as in stress, I work in Search and Rescue and Emergency Management. As of yet, nothing has met the level of pressure I’ve experienced in major, televised incidents.

As for the rest, that’s all well received. I’m a licensed pilot, and if nothing else stuck, the phrase “Complacency Kills” will be forever etched in my brain.

My grandfather had his Lee Enfield blow up in my Uncle’s face when hunting. He had mistakenly loaded the wrong powder. I have zero intention to repeat that error. The reloading bench isn’t set up yet, and the only item you mentioned that I don’t have is a chrono. When it is set up, it will be a dedicated station.
 
TwinMustang said:
My grandfather had his Lee Enfield blow up in my Uncle’s face when hunting. He had mistakenly loaded the wrong powder. I have zero intention to repeat that error. The reloading bench isn’t set up yet, and the only item you mentioned that I don’t have is a chrono.
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I once tried to blow up a LE and wasn't able to do it. I filled the case with Red Dot powder and seated the bullet. The gun didn't come apart - I was impressed by that. However the load was hot enough that the rifle would never fire another shot.

You don't strictly need a chronograph. Many people have made millions of rounds of ammo without a chronograph. Having said that, a chronograph is super useful.
 
You lost me at " I work for the government and don't need more negativity in my life". Reloading manuals have everything you need to know and they don't talk back like some dumb schmuck taxpayer who didn't grovel sufficiently.

Block me, oh great one. Lol
 
I load 9MM on a single stage Lee press, if you are going to use range pickup brass get the Lee four die set. The fourth die is a full length resizing die. Then your mixed brass will all be sized back to the same diameter and will run in your gun. I have four different 9MM guns and all are happy with my mixed brass reloads. Starline brass makes a 7.62x25 case why not just buy that? In stock at Lawry Targets in Ontario.
 
flashburn said:
I load 9MM on a single stage Lee press, if you are going to use range pickup brass get the Lee four die set. The fourth die is a full length resizing die. Then your mixed brass will all be sized back to the same diameter and will run in your gun. I have four different 9MM guns and all are happy with my mixed brass reloads. Starline brass makes a 7.62x25 case why not just buy that? In stock at Lawry Targets in Ontario.
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I managed to snag a 9mm 4 die Lee deluxe set, so good to know I got the right dies!

I’m not opposed to buying brass, just looking at ways to save some money where I can. My budget is pretty slim, so I can do more fun stuff if I stretch it out.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Shortening brass is a lot different from trimming. You will find that chopping down brass is a giant PIA.
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I do a few cartridge conversions, chopping is no issue . you need to know if you have to size down , cut, then properly size it, due to neck size and caliber. heres on of many I do for my most obscure caliber


 
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TwinMustang said:
Well the title says it all.

I have never reloaded before. I understand the basic principle, but I've never used a press or measured powder before. I have recently acquired a new-to-me Lyman T-Mag II Turret press and I'm in the process of acquiring dies. I'm also looking to replace a couple missing parts (non-essential) such as the primer quick release pin and the primer punches and sleeves, if I were to use the built-in primer tool.

I'd like to keep a log of my reloading here so y'all can critique and offer suggestions (or rude remarks so I can block you, because I don't need any more negativity in my life.... I work for the government), but also to keep a record of what I did, and how it worked.

First up, I'm looking for a set of dies for 9mm para. I'll get powder and pills if/when that happens. I'm also looking for .303br dies, but that's less urgent since I have a Lee Classic Loader kit and I plan to hunt, not mag dump. I might also be interested in .30-30 dies, but that's down the line. It's my backup deer gun.

I would also like to take on the dubious project of reloading 7.62x25TT. I suppose I could find Berdan primers and kit and do it that way with the old milsurp shells, but I would rather do it with newish brass. As such, I plan to take .223 Rem brass and trim/neck it down for the job. I have never modified brass before, so that's another journey I'll be on. I know it can be done, as some of you fine folks probably have done some of that yourselves. For now, I really want to be able to have fun with my TT33 without having to pay out the nose for the ammo.

Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Rude remarks? Please give me an excuse to block someone rude. I get great pleasure out of removing negativity.

TM
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A bit like skipping high school and starting in graduate school ... a couple of reloading manuals are a must ... adhere exactly to safe reloading practices and data ... don't use data from an online source unless it is from a bonafide 100% legit firearm powder/ammo manufacturers website and use the exact components specified in the manual/manufacturers website
 
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