intimidated by the thought of reloading.

I'm leading an Intro to Reloading at the Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association on Vancouver Island within the next few weeks... and I'm willing to travel to the Lower Mainland, if a group is interested in footing some of the bill... just sayin
 
ultimate_monkey said:
why be a spelling nazi on a public forum? Or do you need it to make you self feel superior to others?
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Perhaps my correction was premature. If you could give me the definition of the word you used, then I could look it up, add it to my dictionary, and this would not occur again.

Or you could simply not use words you don't know or can't spell in a public forum? Or do you need it to make yourself feel superior to others? Even your spellchecker would have pinged that, and yet, you posted it anyway...

If you can't be careful enough to use the right word, even AFTER your computer tells you it doesn't know the word you are spelling, how can I trust your advice to be careful enough to be safe? You used a word needing 8 characters, but only provided 6 and one of those was incorrect.

Do you even know what the word means? Or is it just a phrase you heard?

Had I wanted to feel superior, I would clearly not only have posted the correct word, but its definition, and why it needed an apostrophe. All for your future reference.

I suppose I could go back to a regimental motto, "Never pass a fault!", but if I did that I'd spend all my time correcting spelling and grammar, leaving no time to post actual criticisms to make me feel superior.

The written language is man's greatest achievement and it is hard enough translating PROPERLY spelled words from one language to another. How the he!! do you expect some of our French members to translate that abomination you printed? I don't correct minor spelling, but I WILL continue to correct non-existent words, once I figure out what they are supposed to be.


Like one CGN member (that I admire) has in his sig line "If you want to use the word ridiculous, learn to spell it so you don't look it".
 
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Check out the 3-part youtube video by iraqveteran8888 on the very reloading kit you bought. He uses the 50th anniversary kit to reload some 9mm pistol rounds, goes in depth without being drawn out.

I have 3 manuals and the ABCs, but that video really puts it into lemon's terms for you. If you watch it twice and don't understand exactly how to use your kit, you probably shouldn't reload.


Its there for you on a silver platter RW, please continue with your white knighting
 
The single best thing I did starting out in reloading was to buy and read/reread The ABC's of Reloading by Bill Chevalier. I never touched a component until I had read it cover to cover and gone back to reread pertinent sections relating to my reloading area. I highly recommend either buying or borrowing this book before you embark on your new, and very enjoyable, aspect of this hobby.
 
Despite the slags regarding literacy, this thread has some merit. I am a little surprised that only the last post mentions the books that you should read. You will need a loading manual or three. I have one from Hornady and Sierra. In the front section of each book there is a section on how to reload. Read thoroughly. Follow the instructions and use the published load data. If you have questions don't hesitate to PM me.
 
Nobody will like this answer, but reloading is so easy a monkey could do it.

Read a book or manual on it, do things one step at a time.
I know some people like to believe in the mystique behind it, but it's ridiculously simple. Don't be intimidated.
 
Ace604 said:
I still have not absorbed enough to be confident to buy the parts to start. Would like to find a mentor and have them walk me through the basic process, then i can purchase what i need and be a lot more confident. Cant wait to start to be honest.
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this is probably the best way to get started, as long as the person who is tutoring you isn't covered with scar tissue, and missing an eyeball.
 
Try to find somebody who has been reloading for a while. [A MENTOR].
Get him to show you the proper procedures.
BUY A GOOD SCALE IS THE 1ST IMPORTANT THING.
MOST RELOADERS ARE HAPPY TO HELP A NEWBY.
Buy as many loading manuals and study them all.
Follow each step and you won't go wrong.
I have been reloading since 1963, I learned on my own.
Loading is not rocket science, but you can't be overly zealous.
Start your loads low and go up slowly and you won't go wrong.
Take care Old Timer Lou
 
It is a lot like ###. The first time can be a little intimidating but you soon get over that. Each time you do it you like it a little more and before long you will be doing it regular and really enjoying it.
 
I saw this thread as I was taking a break from neck sizing my very first cases for my bolt gun. I can completely relate. I had a reloading press set up for months before I worked up the guts to start. After cleaning, sizing and trimming, I can't wait to seat some bullets and run a ladder test!!

My advice is read a few manuals, watch lots of YouTube and give a few cases a shot. Once I broke the ice, it seemed like no big deal. Just take your time, triple check things and make sure you have a set of calipers to ensure that you are on the right track.
 
So just do one thing at a time. Start slow. You don't have to produce loaded ammo the first time you reload.

Get some used brass and tumble it. De-prime and resize it the next day. Take your time. Now you can prime your brass. Nothing dangerous so far, is there? And you're getting more accustomed to using your press and getting comfortable with it. Next, practice throwing charges - don't actually put anything in the cartridge, just get used to measuring powder and handling it. Then you can practice charging your cases, but dump them afterwards. Once you are comfortable with that you can move on to the next step. And so on.

The trick to doing things that make you uncomfortable is to go slow and only bite off a little bit at a time. In a few weeks you'll be reloading and wondering what you were worried about.
 
Just to add to what has been said to me one of the most important things is make sure you are not distracted while reloading. Find that quiet spot where you can be alone and 100% focused on what you are doing. No cell phones etc.
If and when I have screwed up over the years and we all do is usually after when I was taken away by someone or some thing from what I was reloading and returned to finish
All the best
 
I was pretty excited to get into it actually. Did my reading, bought my equipment, studied it and gave it a rip. VERY nervous pulling the trigger on my first round but it went "bang!" and left a hole in the target. Single loaded the first 10 I think, lol.

Now I've reloaded for .40, .223 and .30-30. Not exacty a huge resume but I've loaded well over 2000 rnds now and no issues at all. I freakin LOVE reloading. Could do it all day if I was allowed to.
 
Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading and learn a bit about it. It'll make your fears go away. Best to learn shotgun or rifle and not both at once though. They're not the same thing.
You'll need a sturdy work bench as well.
Then think 165 grain hunting bullets and IMR4064 for the .30-06 and .308. Those are identical ballistically with like bullets. Only difference is a half inch of case length and about 100 fps. The .308 uses a short action rifle too.
 
Thanks for all the responses!! I am more interested in reloading for rifle rather than shot shell. And I have a very sturdy bench as I am an active woodworker, and run a small business building one of a kind tube amps for guitar players. I have ample space to work, store equipment and material. And more than enough time to devote to it as a hobby.

This may seem like a stupid question. Or maybe not. But I'm of the belief that the only stupid question is the one that was never asked. Anyways.... Because I intend to load, for 3 primary cartridges (30-30, 308, 300 win mag) can I cut a corner or two in the beginning by using same powder and bullet weight for all three cartridges rather than having multiple powders, projectiles (less to mix up in the beginning is my thinking)
If this is possible, or even advisable can you recommend a powder and bullet weight to start with that will work well for all three cartridges?
 
Is your .308 a bolt action?
Did your Lee .308 dies come with both a full length sizer and a neck sizer?
If it came with both and you have a bolt action rifle do you have any brass that was fired out of that rifle?
If you answered yes to all of the above setup the neck sizing die as per the Lee instructions.
Neck size a piece of brass then seat a bullet into it till it is at proper length. ( no primer no powder)
Chamber the round and close the bolt to see if the bolt closes easily.
WARNING whenever you are working with dummy rounds safety check the firearm first and secure all live ammo in a different room.

Once you have successfully accomplished this task repeating it with a primer and powder isn't difficult.
Also go to forum actions at the top of the page and fill out your location you may have someone PM you to mentor you.
 
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