Going to give loading a go......any advice

Very good info here.

Like above ^^^ I load in stages and keep my mind focused on the task at hand.

I also keep my brass separate for every rifle and I bag them in well marked zip lock bags after a range day. I also agree that you can never have enough loading manuals as sometimes you may need more or different data.

As for lee products, guys always poo poo the lee scale! I have one and find it to be VERY accurate. It's not the fastest scale but I'm never in a hurry when building ammo so to me if it takes an extra 5 seconds to weigh my charge so be it. I load 9 different rifle calibers in both black powder and smokeless and they are all loaded for accuracy. I weigh all of the charges on my lee scale or in my lee auto disk pro measure.

At the end of the day I'd say it's the person making the ammo that is first and the equipment is second. I know old timers who load with the most old fashion set ups and make ammo that is ridiculously accurate. I load 100's of rounds a month with a pretty basic set up and that works for me. I was going to buy an RCBS charge master at first but now I'm glad I didn't cause I don't think it's something I need at this point.

My oppininon is start basic and learn the craft of ammo making and then upgrade as you see fit. A good quality press, several loading manuals and an accurate scale are the key components, everything else is secondary.

Lastly, keep a note book handy at all times. I have a notebook with pages for every rifle I've loaded for with charge and bullets weights, primers etc. Then as I test the ammo I write down what I've witness with each group and the size of the group. In the back of the book I have general notes about some of the calibers and powders I've worked with along with auto disk settings for my powder measure. I also write down tips and tricks from members here that I may find useful on the next loading session.

My note book is by far one of my most valuable tools as sometimes it's 6 months before I load for a specific rifle again or continue working on an accuracy project. It's great that I can just find the page on the rifle and see where I left off, saves time and components.

Steve
 
Lastly, keep a note book handy at all times. I have a notebook with pages for every rifle I've loaded for with charge and bullets weights, primers etc. Then as I test the ammo I write down what I've witness with each group and the size of the group. In the back of the book I have general notes about some of the calibers and powders I've worked with along with auto disk settings for my powder measure. I also write down tips and tricks from members here that I may find useful on the next loading session.


This ^^^^^^^^^Is very important. Dont do like I did for the first year.
 
K.I.S.S.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking you need all the gadgets. No gadget will correct sloppy reloading technique.
Don't be seduced by brand snobbery. All the companies make really good equipment, look for the features you want at the price you are willing to pay.

Keep detailed, organised notes. School scribblers, three ring binders, record everything. As you get more confident, you will recognise what information is really important, and what doesn't need detailed notes. As you learn lessons, write down your discoveries. Every once in a while, skim through these notes as a reminder.

Know exactly what you are doing, and why, before each step. If you aren't sure, ask. The reloading section is about the only part of CGN that doesn't immediately devolve to poop flinging if someone asks a "dumb" question.
Each reloading manual describes the process slightly differently. If something doesn't make sense to you, another manual may word it slightly differently, the guys here will certainly word it differently, eventually it will become clear.

Get a bullet puller with your first batch of equipment, "for the same reason they put erasers on the end of pencils". Better to have it and not need it...

Have fun with it! Firing your first reload is quite a feeling, getting your first game with a cartridge you hand-crafted is even better.
 
Rory McCanuck said:
K.I.S.S.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking you need all the gadgets. No gadget will correct sloppy reloading technique.
Don't be seduced by brand snobbery. All the companies make really good equipment, look for the features you want at the price you are willing to pay.

Keep detailed, organised notes. School scribblers, three ring binders, record everything. As you get more confident, you will recognise what information is really important, and what doesn't need detailed notes. As you learn lessons, write down your discoveries. Every once in a while, skim through these notes as a reminder.

Know exactly what you are doing, and why, before each step. If you aren't sure, ask. The reloading section is about the only part of CGN that doesn't immediately devolve to poop flinging if someone asks a "dumb" question.
Each reloading manual describes the process slightly differently. If something doesn't make sense to you, another manual may word it slightly differently, the guys here will certainly word it differently, eventually it will become clear.

Get a bullet puller with your first batch of equipment, "for the same reason they put erasers on the end of pencils". Better to have it and not need it...

Have fun with it! Firing your first reload is quite a feeling, getting your first game with a cartridge you hand-crafted is even better.
Click to expand...

:cheers:
 
Lots of good comments. +1 on a good manual.

For me, the two things I found reduced the PIA factor and sped up the process was 1) a automatic powder dispenser (I have the Hornady one) and 2) a case prep center (RCBS in this case).
Oh, and a white board on the wall by my bench for load notes etc...
 
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