Reloading tips, tricks, techniques from the old hands ?

[Wolf]

For neck resizing i have made a custom tool made of two way air jack connected to a regulator and a air compressor to move the handle of the press, this is to control the amount of pressure on the handle to be consistent within +/- 1 lbs. i measure the pressure on handle by a fish scale between the air jack and the handle.

 

[p-17]

Here's a little tip: Always keep one of those Sharpie felt pens on your reloading table, especially when working up loads.

When you are trying groups with different charges, it is easy to write on the brass: 44.5 Varget or 66.2 IMR4350, etc. This gives you an extra confirmation of the load, as you are pouring powder. It also allows you to organize the rounds in the box. Finally, when you are shooting your group, it allows a final double check to make sure that you are using the right load in the right sequence.

After shooting, the ink just wipes off with the resizing lube the next time you reload it.

Another tip, get yourself a notebook and log every round that you load. I write the following at the top of each page in the book:

Case Bullet Powder Primer OAL

I'll then have an entry like:

20x Fed .308 (2nd load) Hor. 155 AMAX 46.5 gr. Varg Fed 210M 2.810

I might have 10 or more such entries on a page. A single book should last years.

Trust me, there will be times when this information is worth its weight in gold. Log every single round, if you possibly can.

 

[Greenfields]

Reload clear the bench for the next session. Only bring out the components you will need for what you will be reloading...this limits accidents.

Cheers

 

[tootall]

When using a powder measure (Not a weight scale, but the volume measure), I record the numbers on the side of the adjusting thing, so that when I come back to load the same caliber with the same powder later on, I can look up the numbers, and be fairly close to set. I still have to fine tune it with the weight scale, to be exact, but it saves a huge amount of pissing around.

 

[RePete]

When using a powder measure (Not a weight scale, but the volume measure), I record the numbers on the side of the adjusting thing, so that when I come back to load the same caliber with the same powder later on, I can look up the numbers, and be fairly close to set. I still have to fine tune it with the weight scale, to be exact, but it saves a huge amount of pissing around.

I do that too, but also add a post it note on the measure (attached with scotch tape) withh what the measure is set for, this is for the next session.

Also, on my powder measures for my Dillon (any progressive or semi-progressive) I have the powder charge, bullet weight and type, and OAL on a post it note taped to them.

 

[J Stuart]

When using a powder measure (Not a weight scale, but the volume measure), I record the numbers on the side of the adjusting thing, so that when I come back to load the same caliber with the same powder later on, I can look up the numbers, and be fairly close to set. I still have to fine tune it with the weight scale, to be exact, but it saves a huge amount of pissing around.

Tootall, try Harrell's premium culver, the adjustments are repeatable....every time.

 

[RePete]

Tootall, try Harrell's premium culver, the adjustments are repeatable....every time.

I have an older Culver modified Lyman 55, and yes it is repeatable IF the temperature and humidity are the same.

 

[J Stuart]

I have an older Culver modified Lyman 55, and yes it is repeatable IF the temperature and humidity are the same.

Ah yes....but Harrells is repeatable every time.

At least it is here where we do not get your extremes in temperature.

 

[762nato]

1. From when you start keep records, those who do not remember history tend to repeat it.
2. Read, manuals magazines, articles everything you can get your hands on.
3. Be a handloader not a reloader, it is very easy to make something that goes bang and a bullet comes out(reloader). Take pride in what you do, use everything at your disposal to make you loads uniform and it will be very rewardiing(handloader).
4. See #1
5.Buy a good scale and a set of check weights it will pay for itself 10 times over.
6. Be scientific about your evaluations, wind humidity, etc will have an effect on what you make, if you do not keep records here you will not know if you are improving or it was just luck.
7.Until you have a lot of exeperience stay within puiblished data.
8.Always wear safety glasses while reloading, one exploded primer could blind you.
9.See #1
10.Talk to people at the range, and every where else I have learned quite a bit from other people some of it from people who looked like they did not know much.
11.Buy good tools, while the best press may no be in your price range, most of the time higher end equipment is easier to work with.
12.Do not load with a TV in the room or any other distraction, it will cost you in the long run, you are in a position to blow up a gun with a mistake.
13.Enjoy, I enjoy making ammo almost as much as I enjoy emptying it.
14.See#1
my 2 cents worth, might be an overcharge.

Andy

 

[Paatz]

Bumping up an old thread.
Found some great advice for us reloading newbs.

 

[KDX]

It's like bringing the dead back to life. I saw a thread with the OP's name and thought he somehow snuck back on here.