Reloading is relaxing (Newbie's point of view)

Jarlath

Jarlath

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So just last week I started reloading my own for the first time and I must say that the entire regime of reloading was very much akin to meditation for me. Of course I have only started and only use single stage presses. I have discovered that I require a crap load more shell holders as I use multiple presses set up for dufferent functions.

I may only get 60-75 rounds an hour but I can say that I have become smitten with the reloading bug now...

Setup:
RCBS 5-10 balance beam scale.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure
Lee Hand Press (w/ universal decapper)
RCBS Rockchucker
Lee Challenger Press
RCBS Hand primer
Lyman Turbo Tumbler 1200

All I can say is that since I only do batches of 50-100 rounds at any one time and am just starting out. Damned... Good thing I saved all that brass from years of shooting factory ammo. (480 .300 WM = $$$ that I will never spend again.) :dancingbanana: Now only problem will be getting my own Chrony, opposed to using the ODPL's...

Damned you reloading bug for getting sooo many teeth into me in the first chomp!
 
just wait;) for your you think you need stuff...cha ching....cha ching...cha ching..the spending neaver ends..
but you will find a reason to say it,s worth it....have fun nd enjoy your new hobby...dont be shy to ask for help here for any probs you run into..
 
I'm with you brother.

The zen of reloading.
Empty the mind of extranious thought and concentrate on repeating the same series of actions as smoothly and consistantly as possible.
 
Rifle (except 5.56/.223) reloading = Zen.
Pistol & .223 reloading = tedious bull####. The press won't run fast enough.
 
agilent_one said:
Rifle (except 5.56/.223) reloading = Zen.
Pistol & .223 reloading = tedious bulls**t. The press won't run fast enough.
Click to expand...
My first 150 loads are for .40S&W. My figures where off though. more like 50/hour But then again. I was measuring powder throw every 10 rounds, and changing grains by .2 every 20. That took up alot of time. With the crimp/bullet seating is where I pooched myself the first time. After finding out the hard way with unprimed/unpowdered ammo that you don't align the crimp/seating die the same as the decap/sizer die (Wow... I didn't know a bullet could be pushed that far into a casing), and screwing around with doing crimping and seating at the same time (After 10 rounds... Separate operations) it all goes good now.
My first loads for a CZ-75 in 40.
3.6-4.8gr Universal (Batches of 20 rounds, .2gr increments)
180gr TC plated West Coast
Speer Brass (once fired)
Win Small Pistol Primers (Which I've now found to be soft for my CZ)

I dunno about the tedious part. I do however need to get more shellholders so I can have all three presses setup at once for the same calibre. Once that gets done-Zoom. Off to the races. As for Rifle... I'm gonna need more powder....
223/30-30/308/30-06/300WM/303
 
Jarlath,
I can send you 1800 pieces of Lapua .308 brass that needs to be resized, trimmed and cleaned if you really want to relax. No hurry, if I get them back by April that would be fine.:D
Enjoy the maddness.
 
Jarlath said:
I do however need to get more shellholders so I can have all three presses setup at once for the same calibre. Once that gets done-Zoom. Off to the races.
Click to expand...

3 presses for the same caliber? Are you an Octopus?
get a progressive dude.
you can do 50 rounds in the time it takes to go through a McDonalds drive through.

check out "dillon reloading"

good for you though... you've got the BUG!
 
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hoochie said:
3 presses for the same caliber? Are you an Octopus?
get a progressive dude.
you can do 50 rounds in the time it takes to go through a McDonalds drive through.

check out "dillon reloading"

good for you though... you've got the BUG!
Click to expand...
I have them setup to do the different dies. So I have the RCBS setup for the decapping/sizing, the Lee Handheld is setup for neck flaring. The Lee Challenger is setup for seating/crimping. It is systematic and orderly and most of all, simple. I still believe in the KISS principle. It's not that I don't want a dillon. Its just that my current setup cost me at total of $50. (Thank you to my uncle who knew I was into firearms.).

So I have before picts of my "reloading bench" from back in November.
Reloading-001m.JPG


Reloading-002m.JPG


And as of today my finished reloading area.

Reloading-003m.JPG


Reloading-004m.JPG


Total Reloading Equipment cost - $50
Total cost for all that brass from an auction - $80
Total lumber and bench construction costs - $300
Value to me for my lifetime hobby - Priceless.
 
Reloading is fun. I started at the age of 10, Yes 10. I had help from my father and he let me know what you had to do and showed me to follow the charts and be accurate about it. Letting me know of the dangers. I loaded my own ammunition for many years. It is fun and addictive. You can save a lot with the larger Calibers. My self these days I only have a 9mm and a .40 so at $8.00 a box there is no way I can save money reloading. I would like to stock up on the supplies just in case someday I may need them.
 
Jarlath, are you measuring, trimming and prepping your cases? I didn't see a case trimmer in your list of equipment.

I remember the early days when loading centrefire was fun. It can become a chore over the years particularly since the factories starting loading more premium bullets. I only load now to get something I can't buy over the counter.

However loading shotgun is still fun. Nice mindless way to spend an afternoon.
 
tcobljh said:
My self these days I only have a 9mm and a .40 so at $8.00 a box there is no way I can save money reloading. I would like to stock up on the supplies just in case someday I may need them.
Click to expand...

$8 a box is an awesome price, but of course that is in the US. Which equates to Roughly $10 CDN. Of course up here that box of .40 is $15-16 which means reloading is definately an option here (reloading for $10-11 a box with FMJ or JHP).
 
Claybuster said:
Jarlath, are you measuring, trimming and prepping your cases? I didn't see a case trimmer in your list of equipment.

I remember the early days when loading centrefire was fun. It can become a chore over the years particularly since the factories starting loading more premium bullets. I only load now to get something I can't buy over the counter.
Click to expand...
Yeah I have a nice little trimmer, Forester I believe. Have primer pocket reamers, brushes, case neck chamfer tools, hand primer, lube tray w/ a tube of lube several examples of what not to do (Uncle once again giving me samples of bad cases and signs of poor case quality). I have double charged on purpose to determine what too much powder looks like in cases etc...
 
tcobljh said:
My self these days I only have a 9mm and a .40 so at $8.00 a box there is no way I can save money reloading.
Click to expand...

even at $8 for you.. I reload for $4.50 a box.. NO kidding.
I could make a box of 50 faster than you could drive to the store for one.. and its half of your "good price".
Multiply that $3.50 savings times the amount I shoot.. I save $30 or so each day I go shooting.
You must be rich! (jk)
 
Basically a h/gun person when it comes to reloading. Doing reloading is a bit like getting into a discussion with someone else on the 'net. Time goes fast.

Also I like the challenge of different calibers, different powders & such to also go to the range & test out my loads in a normal standing position.

Home again to clean the brass, clean the guns used & reloading when I am ready.

At 76+ yrs of age THIS is one of the things that keeps my mind churning & while I have always had a terrible memory I can call off the loads I have used of said powders.

I have had some strange powders given to me by shotshell or rifle people. Will smell them, look up how they compare to others & often load up a mixed batch of something like 50 rnds & test them at the range.

When we are finished at the indoor range it is upstairs to the lounge to tongue lash the Govt or else talk about reloading.
 
I also find the methodical repetition of reloading quite relaxing. Now if I could load 'em as fast as I shoot 'em I'd have it pretty much licked...
 
I do about 200 rounds a day. As I have 2 pregressive presses, they are always setup for what i shoot the most. Most of my rifle brass is already sized so I can start trimming and reloading when I feel like shooting rifle. But I tend to do a bit at a time not to loose my consentration over what I'm doing ( I get bored of repetitive work easely)
 
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