Reloading School????

ONT0001

ONT0001

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Seems that the learning curve for reloaders is moving up fast thanks to sites like this and other venues where new-to-it's and dun-sum-of-it can get questions answered and pick up advice.
However a topic came up for discussion regarding
classes for Beginner and Advanced Reloading Techniques.
I know that I had wished that there was some sort of teacher available when
I got into reloading some time ago besides books and "basics on tape".It would have saved me learnin curve time and $ errors.
My question is for those experienced enough to teach and as well as those who would want to take lessons.
Would a program in a classroom setting with a dedicated curriculum for
Begginers (Class 101) and Advanced (Class 201)Reloading, instructed by qualified teachers be supported by enrollment?
And would this be possible to host at different Clubs around the country by local "Teachers" folowing a structured course outline??
If classroom type facilities were available with access to a range (ie advanced load development, barrel load tunning,Chronographing ect.) what would
1.prospective students pay?
2.prospective teachers charge?
3.What would it be worth?
I think of the times when I didn't have a bud who was into reloading to help me along and all the dollars I wasted on 'hard lessons", I wondered if, in an effort to advance our shooting sports,should something like this be made available?
Would appreciate your feedback.
Thanks
Ont0001
Gord
 
The same question came to my ears in England about 14 years ago many times as I visited different ranges and clubs running courses in the UK equivilent of C.O.R.E. (The BC Hunter Education Programme). As an avid and experienced reloader I decided, together with a friend, to put together a weekend course, based at a range facility to be run 3 times a year. Maximum number of students was to be 12 (six each instructor). They would work in pairs at equipment stations that we set up. Pairing was, where possible, by calibre. We asked all students in advance what calibre they would be loading for so that we could be prepared with the appropriate powder, bullets and dies. They were asked to bring at least 10 fired cases. All of these guys were primarly hunters. Course fee, if I remember correctly, was around $150 plus consumables which I supplied through my dealership. The first morning was taken up with theory lectures and slide presentations based on the manual that each received. (see link below). That afternoon was hands on producing test loads for their own rifles under our supervision. These were then fired for group and chronographed. Virtually all of them finished the weekend with an accurate working load for their rifle (some slow ones just ran out of time) and all of them developed a love of hand loading as a hobby, many becoming life long friends.

For the 5 years that I ran the courses every one was over subscribed at least three fold. If I had not moved to this beautiful country I feel sure that they would still be running.

The manual that I produced for that course is a little dated now but still has a lot to offer the beginner reloader. It is available free at http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/programs/core/downloads/reloading.pdf

I'm not sure that this answers your question but, hopefully, it will provide some food for thought. If there is a CGNer who wants to look at starting a course I would be happy to contribute in any way I can.
Ivan:shotgun: :shotgun: :shotgun:
 
It's not that complicated, really. I think you would have to make many, many mistakes to equal the cost of the course. Unless you do something really stupid and blow up a gun, reloading mistakes for the most part cost a few bucks worth of components, and some time to take them apart.

Personally, I think sites like this can also add to the number of mistakes made. Instead of reading manuals and reading some more and digging up even more information to feel comfortable with any aspect of reloading, I see guys posting "I just bought some reloading equipment in the EE. What's the best insert component here to use for reloading insert cartridge here ?" Or other newbie questions that indicate they have'nt even opened the first few chapters in the manual.

Don't get me wrong, posting something you don't understand for clarification is great, but a basic understanding of reloading from a written source is invaluable. So why not a course you ask? When the course is over and a question arises, you have to go back to the manual anyway.

Just my
twocents.gif
and it probably came out wrong anyway.
 
Dama=====EXACTLY

This is the type of thing that I believe should be made available to
anyone interested in reloading and is willing to take the time and participate in a class.You've done already which I was suggesting take place throughout
Canada in every club that's willing to participate.
I know the two greatest tasks are
1.produce a course outline/program
2.find "Instructors" and clubs willing to host and take the time
Heck you've got most of the 1st part done!
and as for advanced reloading there are a good number of extreme reloaders
(ie Benchrest/F Class shooters to name a few) who could develop a course program inAdvanced applications.
DAMADAM Thanks for sharing your course outline!
I've considered hosting something like this at my clubs here in SW Ontario.
What are the thoughts of potential students Basic or Advanced?
ONT0001
 
Joe,
I hear you and appreciate your 2 cents .Reloading is NOT rocket science and can be learned on one's own.
Just as an individual can learn to shoot well reading and practicing .
Personally I found it beneficial to pay for and take classes with live instructors, in developing shooting skills even though I could read and watch more training tapes.(I still read more and watch more tapes) Reading and referencing valid source material is continuously
important as everything (not the basics) is constantly changing .
It is encouraging to see questions come up on reloading sites(I post questions as well) and yes frustrating sometimes to see a new reloader ask a question which answer's printed on page 1 of every reloading manual..
Maybe if more shooters found out how easy it is and had some basic introduction besides a book,more shooters would get into it and benefit from it.
Just my thoughts
 
if you're really cheap, there's also , excuse the pun, loads of information on the net-every possible combination you can think of- just type in reloading or reloading metallic cartridges or anything to do with it in your search engine and you'll get tons of stuff- you just have to be a little discrimnitory in your acceptace of the data- i've never looked for the actual step by step reloading sequence as i've been reloading for over 35 years but every time a new to me cartridge is mentioned, i will look it up and see if it holds any advantages over what i've got -
 
Think this way______________ If you gentlemen whine enough and get a course going The Government will make it MANDATORY so shut the hell up.

Rich
 
I would be in for either the Beginner or Advanced. I live in Ontario and would be willing to travel to get the advanced learning I need. I have numerous books on the subject and have a solid understanding of the basics it the practical application on the advanced course that I would be interested in.
Neck turning
Concentricity of rounds
ogive sorting
Seating depth soft seating and hard seating in the lands.
Better understanding of load density and how it affects accuracy

Writing this I realize that with any audience there would be liabilities that would require a waiver of some sort to protect the instructors.

If you’re open to private session I would be interested in that as well.
 
Rich
I am not very good at reading intentions into written emails or posts and sometimes misinterpret ,but if I read your post correctly,I cannot imagine how damn ignorant your are.
Whinning????when individuals are prepared to invest their time and knowledge to pass onto others who want to learn ,you pop up with some stupid remark about government mandating .
I understand legitimate paranoia with issue's dealing with our tyrannical government,but for intelligence sake,don't hide from a chance for people to enjoy our sport even more through gaining some knowledge.
If we have to fear taking ANY courses for self improvement for concern of government making them mandatory ,time to quit the sport cause you've lost already.
However I may have read your post wrong and missed the humor in it?
Ont0001
Gord
 
Gord
The whining remark was out of line but after the new rules they tried to bring in I am paranoid about giving them a reason to control reloading .And I am as danmed ignorant as I need to be to get that point across.
Rich
 
RR said:
The whining remark was out of line
Click to expand...

Sure was, and most people automatically discount the remainder of anything you say based on the initial insult.

RR said:
but after the new rules they tried to bring in I am paranoid about giving them a reason to control reloading.
Click to expand...

If you never have an accident (and 99.999% of competent reloaders don't) the government won't have the excuse. In Ontario there are MANDATORY courses for using ladders, chainsaws, and Lord knows what else because a few people hurt themselves with those items. Seems like you should be fully supporting the idea of folks offering to do training workshops instead of feeding your paranoia.

RR said:
And I am as danmed ignorant as I need to be to get that point across.
Click to expand...

The ONLY point you got across to us here was that you were being ignorant. How does that help the shooting/reloading community?

N_R
 
In Ontario there are MANDATORY courses for using ladders, chainsaws, and Lord knows what else because a few people hurt themselves with those items
Click to expand...

The mandatory courses are not to protect people from themselves. The courses are there to protect employers from lawsuit should someone do something stupid without getting "trained". After a "how to use a ladder" course, if you get hurt, it's all your fault, because you have been trained.

Thank you Bill C-45
 
Nissan
They didn't have an excuse the last time and if the new regulations had of gone through better than half of present reloaders would have had to quit!
 
RR said:
Nissan
They didn't have an excuse the last time and if the new regulations had of gone through better than half of present reloaders would have had to quit!
Click to expand...

The new regulations DIDN'T go through, however, did they?? Quoted below from Resources Canada...

( http://w ww.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/explosif/archives/archives_e.htm )

Explosives Regulatory Division
Archives
2006

Posted August 11, 2006
Ammunition Update - Handloading Regulations
Currently, the government will not be proceeding with any new handloading regulations.

Handloading, when properly practised, has been shown to be a safe activity and it has a good safety record. Any potential amendments that are made to the regulations will only be done after a need has been established and extensive consultations have been conducted.
Click to expand...

Any more comments....? I hope not because I'm tired of doing legwork to support my responses. I hope the fact that I was courteous in the process of demolishing your arguments is noted.

N_R

P.S. Gord.... I apologize for hijacking this thread.... This is the end of the digression from my end.
 
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Thanks for the nice manual, Ivan! I reload, but I'm going to read it anyways. There is always something to learn. Paranoia never helps. Action is better than reaction!
 
The more knowledgeable we are about reloading, the less likely we are to make mistakes and have accidents, and therefore the less need there is to make legislation to protect us from ourselves.
 
the more you know the more you forget and the more you forget the less you know and the less you know the less you forget!
 
I thought I'd chime in with my two cents.....I started reloading about a year ago, and went about it as follows:

1) I did a lot of reading on this board and internet, getting to know a bit more about reloading.
2) I listened to the guys talking at the club, and asked a few questions.
3) I posted here for someone to show me how they reload, and spent a couple of hours watching this individual, learning about it.
4) I got myself a kit (Lee Anniversary), some powder, bullets, primers, a couple of manuals, and put some rounds together.
5) When they worked, I was very happy :)
6) since then, talk to people, try different things from the manual or internet, I bought a chronograph, experimented with seating depth, and even put together some indoor plinking rounds in .223 - which again worked :)

All this to say, I'd love to take a course (missed a session at BRRC as I was out of town put on by ORA, but got the course notes after) and I'd do the beginner and advanced. I think it would be a learning and sharing experience.

I'd pay for the instructor.

I'd pay for components.

I think it's a great idea Gord, even as an informal get together and sharing with one person leading.
 
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