Reloading Newbie

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Pseudo

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Yukon
d:h: d:h: d:h:

So, I have been told by a number of CGN Members that I should take up Reloading as I shoot a 375 h&h and ammo is expensive. I'm a little nervous about picking up this hobby especially after reading a few accounts of reloading accidents.
I would like to know how some of you got started with reloading, any good books I should pick up? Another peace of information I would like is what kind of equipment should I buy. Keeping in mind that I like buying things once, I don't want to have to replace anything later down the road if I can help it. Any online dealers that you recommend as there is only one gun shop in town, which I support most of the time, but they don't always have what I'm looking for.

Oh! and another thing before I forget, What is the Average shelf life of powder and primer if properly stored?

What are proper storing practices?

How much room should I dedicate to this hobby? Am I going to need a dedicated room for this or can I get a way with Reloading on the kitchen table?

Can you reused casings that have been fired?

What is a Wildcat Cartridge?

I know Jack about this. :p sorry about all the questions, I'm sure I will have a Dozen more later.

I have edited this post about 4 times now. FEED ME KNOWLEDGE! :HR:

Cheers!
 
Kitchen table can be made to work but a dedicated room will work so much better, My reloading room also serves as my gun cleaning & repair room. I also have a press mounted in the garage wich I use only for resizing keeps the mess out of the house.

It is my understanding that powder and primers will last almost indefinitly if properly stored. You will want to keep them in a cool, dark and dry place in their original containers.

You dont ask but I really like my Redding Big Boss press for rifle rounds also might want to consider getting a neck sizing die as well as a full length sizing die as you might be able to get away with not full length resizing after every firing.

I personaly like the hornady reloading manual, but any dedicated handloader cannot have too many reloading manuals.
 
Draezin said:
Pseudo! Just ask me! I have everything needed to reload basic rounds. Give me a call, and come on over.
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I Feel like I've been using and abusing you. You have already been a lot of help with all the advice you have given me. I'm gonna owe you a case of beer! what do you drink?
 
beer for info, i am in! ; powder life, i use powder from 1978 8lb keg still , dry and dark, in wood box if to the law, as big as your wife will allow, basements are good,just keep dry; yes save all your cases for reloading;wildcat is a custom cartidge that is made to your wants not your needs, eg .375 h&h into a fire formed .375 jrs for 8% more case volume, max .375 h&h load is the starting load for 375 jrs or just buy a 375 rum
 
Ah, Jack - every newbie knows him on a close and personal basis!

Welcome. You know, I guarantee, no less than anybody else knew when they first started experimenting and asking questions.

The best place to start is a large paperback, The ABCs of Reloading. It's a good general introduction to reloading, the different designs (as opposed to brands) of equipment, etc. Get a copy and read it; 90% of your questions will be resolved.

Reloading is like driving or boating or mountain climbing - perfectly safe if you pay attention. If you get sloppy, you can regret it big time, but otherwise it's fine.

Reloading is essentially all about reusing your fired cases, refilling them with the other components. (The brass is one of the two very expensive bits of a round of ammo.) It's generally cheaper (often much cheaper) and allows you to tailor your ammo to suit your own needs.

You will see all kinds of designs for reloading benches. Some of them are two metres long, apparently made out of concrete and located in air conditioned bunkers with soft music and firearms-theme wallpaper. From personal experience however, you can make perfectly fine ammo on a bench 24" x 18". People have used WorkMate folding benches with good success. Kitchen tables are a bit more difficult (you can't generally screw things to them without getting distaff flak, for one), but they're by no means impossible if that's what you have.

Primers and propellant will keep a very long time if stored in cool, dry conditions. Heat is Bad as it causes a gradual breakdown of some of the critical chemical bonds in them. Hence 375 RUM's comment about basements being good if kept dry.

Again, welcome. Read ABCs or find a mentor (better yet, both) and come back with those questions!
 
reloading is good. many years ago i used the kitchen table. bolt your press, trimmer etc to a piece of plywood and clamp to the table. kitchen loading is a pain as you can't leave set up. my reloading room is only only 2x2.5 meters in size but its loaded. i also have a large closet for overflow powder, bullets, brass and general gun stuff that doesn't fit. not much room but i have a desk chair on wheels . buy the best you can afford like rsbc presses and scales. you will be using it for a life time. powder and primers stored in a dark place lasts forever. when you start to master reloading you can try wildcats. catridges formed from others needing resizing, necking or other fun jobs. its a very enjoyable hobby.
 
Pseudo said:
I Feel like I've been using and abusing you. You have already been a lot of help with all the advice you have given me. I'm gonna owe you a case of beer! what do you drink?
Click to expand...

You don't owe me anything. I am happy to get another person into this incredible sport! When the summer comes, lets hit up the range, that will be payment enough! :)
 
Thank you to everyone who took the time to post their advice and a special thank you to Draezin, I will give you a call on your day off, beers on me. I order The ABC's of Reloading should arrive with in the next couple weeks fingers crossed.

I would still like a little more advice on equipment. What are some good brands?, Who has a good warranty?, Who makes a good accurate Mechanical scale? (I'm not found of digital scales). I believe a fellow CGNer once stated buying cheap is for the rich and I strongly agree with this statement. I would prefer to spend a little more the first time and only have to buy the peace of equipment once. Something that will last Generations! ;) I know wishful thinking.

Cheers, Best Wishes and happy New Years to all CGNer!

:cheers:
 
RCBS. Lyman are good presses. I have a Lee Cast metal press and have had zero problems. I have used Lee, RCBS and Hornady dies and have had no issues with any of them. Both RCBS and Lee have great tech support and have assisted me a few times.
Once you have read ABC and had a chance to digest what you have learned, don't be shy and ask away. Sounds like you have a good friend in Draezin, they are hard to find.
 
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