New to reloading sticky poll

[blacksmithden]

Should we have a sticky along the lines of:

"New to/want to get into reloading ? Start here."

We could post the basics - get a manual and read it.....the usual responses. Nothing but answering the usual "I want to get into reloading. Where do I start" question that gets asked here, usually a few times a week.

 

[curtmg]

If someone were to take the time, and write up a nice informative post on that matter. I'll bet we could get them to sticky it. It'd have to be someone with at least a few years in on reloading, who owns multiple presses. Unfortunately that puts me out on both counts, but there's more than a few guys here that fit that bill. With prices lately, there's been unprecedented interest in reloading, so yet more "what should I buy?" threads.

 

[joe-nwt]

Here's a nice, informative post on the matter.

Buy at least one reloading manual and read it from cover to cover.

You're welcome.

 

[Mac_63]

I am new to reloading,,I think it would be great. I agree with the post about getting a book and reading from cover to cover ,,,BUT..... I am a Journeyman Automotive Mechanic and I remember my days in school reading all the books from cover to cover, I learned alot of things ,,,,,,having said that there is one thing missing from books,,,,,and that's Experience which only comes with time doing the job, you learn from practice and making mistakes. I can tell from the post I read that many members of CNG have a wealth knowledge and experience.

For example .........The question I am looking for now is die quality, being a mechanic, I know that Snap On tools are the very best,,,,,but a no name hammer works just as well at a fraction of the price. This is an item that one gets from experience, most people think if an item is expensive then it must be good. In most cases that is true but not in all
ie,,,a name brand hammer verses a no name

I used the search on forums to find many of the things I wanted to know, I also asked people at the range.

The one stop shopping might be a good idea.

 

[blacksmithden]

I am new to reloading,,I think it would be great. I agree with the post about getting a book and reading from cover to cover ,,,BUT..... I am a Journeyman Automotive Mechanic and I remember my days in school reading all the books from cover to cover, I learned alot of things ,,,,,,having said that there is one thing missing from books,,,,,and that's Experience which only comes with time doing the job, you learn from practice and making mistakes. I can tell from the post I read that many members of CNG have a wealth knowledge and experience.
For example .........The question I am looking for now is die quality, being a mechanic, I know that Snap On tools are the very best,,,,,but a no name hammer works just as well at a fraction of the price. This is an item that one gets from experience, most people think if an item is expensive then it must be good. In most cases that is true but not in all
ie,,,a name brand hammer verses a no name


I used the search on forums to find many of the things I wanted to know, I also asked people at the range.

The one stop shopping might be a good idea.

I absolutely agree. What I'd like to see in a sticky are things like what everyones favourite manual is, why it's your favourite, where to buy it, etc.

Think about it. You're a complete newbie to reloading and you don't have a local gunshop. Where do you start ???? Your local Chapters isn't exactly the place to go looking for info and your local library isn't going to be of much use either. What do you do ?? You come on here and ask "where do I start?"....which is fine !!! Don't get me wrong....I'm not putting down newbies by any means. I think it's great that so many people are getting interested. It's just that it gets a little old for some of us here after answering the same thing....ohhhhh 4 or 5 hundred times

After reading through a basic "where to start" thread", ask away. The more experienced guys here like to share their knowlege.

I don't really want to get into your die question in this thread. If you post it in a new thread, I'll give you a comparison. I'm a former 310A but jumped ship to go into heavy equipment

 

[joe-nwt]

I absolutely agree. What I'd like to see in a sticky are things like what everyones favourite manual is, why it's your favourite, where to buy it, etc.

Think about it. You're a complete newbie to reloading and you don't have a local gunshop. Where do you start ???? Your local Chapters isn't exactly the place to go looking for info and your local library isn't going to be of much use either. What do you do ?? You come on here and ask "where do I start?"....which is fine !!! Don't get me wrong....I'm not putting down newbies by any means. I think it's great that so many people are getting interested. It's just that it gets a little old for some of us here after answering the same thing....ohhhhh 4 or 5 hundred times

After reading through a basic "where to start" thread", ask away. The more experienced guys here like to share their knowlege.

I don't really want to get into your die question in this thread. If you post it in a new thread, I'll give you a comparison. I'm a former 310A but jumped ship to go into heavy equipment

Something for your consideration.

Some of the "more experienced guys" here started reloading long before CGN. Some even further back, before the internet. YES! Really! How did we manage you might ask? We read. Reloading manuals. Magazine articles. But more than that, we used the old noodle. Sure, there were a few other guys you could discuss things with, most likely from your own club. But guess what? If that other guy said he had great luck with a case full of bullseye behind a 300gr bullet, there was no one jumping in on the next post to say that that was dangerous. You were left to digest new info on your own. And sure, people made mistakes. And they learned from them.

Now a "newbie reloader thread" would be a great place to exchange info and get people started for sure. But more and more on this site we see evidence of guys looking for the answer without really wanting to learn the math that gives them that answer. Don't believe me? How many threads have we seen than sound like this: " I have X gun. What's a good load for it? " And the proof that the whole pool is getting dumbed down IMHO are the replies! " Well, my gun is nothing like your X gun but here's the load that works in my gun...." And they give the details of the load right down to the 1/10th of a grain!

Just recently there was a thread here where the poster declared " I used Varget and this bullet and I can't get my gun to group! It shoots factory ammo fine, why won't this work?" Anybody who read about and understood the basics of reloading would not be asking such a question.

So while a sticky for newbie's might seem like a great idea, I for one do not think we should be handing out the answers to the test to those that are too lazy to study, so to speak.

I turn you back, now, ladies and gentlemen, to Blacksmithden who will be more than happy to answer further questions.

Thankyou.

 

[blacksmithden]

Oh jeeze...Thanks a lot Joe LOL!!!

I agree with you....especially your first post about reading a manual. Personally, I only started reloading a couple of years ago. Jumped in with both feet and started experimenting outside the box almost right away...but still, only a couple of years ago. I was lucky though. I have a fair bit more knowlege of explosives and explosions than the average guy walking down the street. Thanks go out to my dad, grandfather and great grandfather for working at CIL explosives The principals of speed, pressure, containment and relief apply in the same ways. Using a high speed powder in huge doses in a long barrel firearm behind a very heavy bullet is just not a good idea no matter who tells you it's ok. By the same token, using a slow powder in a short barrel firearm under a light bullet is safe, but is as useful as **** on a bull. Ok....I'm getting off track here....sorry.

I'd be happy with a sticky that said little more than what you said. Get a book and read it front to back.....or, until you understand what they're trying to tell you....which ever comes last.

I like the Lee reloading manual because it's pretty in depth and covers all of the basics quite well. I don't like it because there's way too much marketing of the Lee brand of reloading equipment stuffed in(not snuck in...stuffed in) with the material to be learned. Over all though, I still think it's the best one for a brand new reloader if the reader can take what Richard Lee is saying with a grain of salt and a touch of suspision about the glowing, almost supernatural reviews he gives his products.

Now...if you want to talk about mistakes......Tonight, I pulled my Mastercraft reloading bench into the livingroom to mount my new turret press. So far, I've only made up a few hundred rounds of 44 mag. It's now almost 1:00am, I'm beat...I'm just getting over a really bad cold. I'm wasting even more time posting this message and surfing CGN. Most of the ambition I'm going to muster for today is gone. I haven't cleaned up the kitchen from dinner yet. Now I'm going to be up until 2 or 3 getting this mess cleaned up before "the one to be feared and obeyed" gets home from her 2nd 12 hour night shift at the hospital and has kittens on my head for turning the livingroom into a reloading shop. Can you see the mistake(s) here???? Can you sense the danger ??? ROFL !!!

 

[corney]

"the one to be feared and obeyed"

I have tried to stop laughing but can't.

She lives at my house also and doesn't get why I can spend countless hours playing with shing things but can't put the dishes in the dish washer.

Back to the subject. I was one of those guys about 3 years ago before I spent a couple thousand bucks on books, presses etc. I have learnt so much from the people on this forum. Everytime one of these dreaded newbs ask the same question someone always adds a bit of advise that I can use.

I think a sticky would be great and then Joe you wouldn't have to read it and get all riled up unless of course you enjoy that.

 

[HKMark23]

"the one to be feared and obeyed"

I have tried to stop laughing but can't.

I think a sticky would be great and then Joe you wouldn't have to read it and get all riled up unless of course you enjoy that.

It may, however, be less than entertaining should experienced folks like Joe stop reading and therefore answering these posts. Then the only alternative for selective illiterates would be to have the instructions written in braille and shoved up their arse.

 

[joe-nwt]

Who me, get all riled up? Now where ever would you get that idea? I'm insulted......

Like I said, there are many newbie's that post here that ask questions that are explained quite well in the reloading manuals, which they obviously have not read. Some even admit they have not read anything except some data they got off the net somewhere. I used to post "get a manual and read it", now I just move on to the next thread; if they can't be bothered to at least learn the basics on their own, I can't be bothered either. Someone who appears to be just having trouble understanding something is a different story. Or someone who has the knowledge but is having difficulties applying it correctly.

But it took lots of time and lots of money to figure out "what's the best load" for every gun, and I ain't sharin'! Anyone with the basics will know I'm kidding.

 

[corney]

It may, however, be less than entertaining should experienced folks like Joe stop reading and therefore answering these posts. Then the only alternative for selective illiterates would be to have the instructions written in braille and shoved up their arse.

Your right it is guys like Joe that I have picked up hints from. Funny thing about reloading is when you think you got it figured out something happens that stumps ya. I'm sure this has happened to someone else and this is a great resourse.

Joe you probably have spent a great deal of time answering the same questions. The search feature does suck on here and I haven't had much luck with it and I'm sure new people can't figure it out.

This was the first forum that I ever went on and had a learning curve figureing it out.

 

[blacksmithden]

If you think you've heard it all when it comes to reloading, go over to castboolits.com and start reading. Want to learn a new skill that you didn't even know existed?? Want to learn how to paper patch ??? WTF is paper patching you ask????

It's a fantastic site.....and I hate it. Once I start reading, that's it....the night is shot. Then the next day rolls around and there's something new that I just HAVE to try. When is comes to making your own ammo.....well......the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem......and I never admit to ANYTHING LOL!!

Oh....and I'm noticing a bit of a trend in the poll. Lets just leave it for another day to make sure. Hope our moderators will go along with it. I haven't asked anyone yet. Skullboy...Jamie.....any thoughts ???