some total noob questions

K

krprice84

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
97   0   0
Location
Calgary, Alberta
First off, sorry that I'm sure this has been asked, I'm new and search isn't working for me on my phone.

I'm completely new to reloading, never tried it before. Waiting on my RPAL and trying to get set up so that I know what I need to do when it all comes together. Trying to get prepped and learn as much as I can before I buy or try anything.

I'm looking at getting a 9mm or 40 ti go with the .223, a 30-06, and down the road a 30ish calibre Magnum rifle. Probably all bolt action. Others will follow, of course, but these are my first two or three on the list, plus a pistol of some sort (probably 9mm or .40s&w.

Can you guys point me to some good places to read up on how exactly reloading works (trustworthy place, anyone can find something on Google but whether or not it is good technique etc is another matter which is why I'm asking), along with what all I should look at buying to get started. What is the difference between all of the different die types? Should I crimp/taper crimp/something else (what do these mean?)? I guess inn looking for a couple of reliable places to read up and get familiar with reloading and all the different aspects of beginner reloading.

Also what kind of press do I want as a beginner? Progressive or single stage (or something else if there is something else)? Should I be getting a pocket reamer? Case trimmer? What else?

Thanks very much for any and all help and, again, please forgive the noobie questions

Krprice84
 
Last edited:
Get a good reloading manual lee, hornaday ,or rcbs to name a few it will provide you with a host of information I use lee and hornaday for myself as I use mostly hornaday pills I like the lee equipment as it is well backed by lee and fair priced thats where I would suggest you start
 
Something you'll need at any rate is a reloading guide (for load development purposes), and I find the Lyman 49th Edition (common as hell, easy to find) has a well developed section in the front about the whole process and detailing many, MANY of the points regarding what's going on and why at each step.

So buy this book and read it. And then browse the hell out of this site; dollars to donuts many MANY of the answers you seek are here.

(Just reread your post, and yep, the answers to these questions and many more are in Lyman's book. And get a single stage to keep it easy to understand, in the beginning. Progressives need you have the basics solidly in mind first. IMHO.)

ETA: wow as I'm typing this two/three others chime in with effectively the same thing! Hahahaa love this website
 
youtube has lots of good videos.
pocket reamer not necessary
case trimmer yes you should have one
crimping the bullet is only necessary one semi-autos ( or when you get into some heavy kickers)
as for dies. go with a full length 2 die set. then if you want get a neck seizer later on down the road
 
Taper crimp is essential(to at least remove flare) on SA handgun, roll crimp on revolver, rifle crimp mostly on semi-auto and tube magazine. Nearly all seating dies can be adjusted to crimp or not, 2 steps or one. x2 on Lyman 49 book for how-to and data. No progressives for beginners!
 
If you are only loading for bolt action, save your money and buy a turret press. Progressive are only really required if you are shooting a ton of semi auto a week/month. Turret presses can bu used as a single stage. Drop in the indexing rod and you are picking up speed. Not as fast as a progressive but faster than a single stage.

Lyman 49th is a great book. So is the Lee manual if you can stand Lee giving himself a handjob throughout the book.
 
If you are only loading for bolt action, save your money and buy a turret press. Progressive are only really required if you are shooting a ton of semi auto a week/month. Turret presses can bu used as a single stage. Drop in the indexing rod and you are picking up speed. Not as fast as a progressive but faster than a single stage. I also load for .40 and .223 and the turret press is plenty fast for what I shoot.

Lyman 49th is a great book. So is the Lee manual if you can stand Lee giving himself a handjob throughout the book.
 
Start by picking up a good loading manual, read read read, i like my single stage lee press with the lock and load feature, only ran me $119 plus my die sets at like 30-40$ each. Single stage you can make and spend detailed time on each to get them just right. Full length set of dies for rifle you need, and if you want extended case life then neck size 2-3 times in a bolt action they were shot out of only, same rifle also, then every 4th time full length to bump the shoulder back. Also a good case trimmer is needed
 
OP,
for what you are planning to do, I must echo the Lee turret press. It can serve as a single stage, and I can load 200-250 .45ACP or .223 an hour on it. Don't listen to the nay-sayers here that will tell you that Lee presses suck. That equipment will turn out ammo that goes bang everytime and better and cheaper than factory while still being fun to use. I started with a Lee Loader, then a used Challenger for years. Then a used turret press (these were the value presses and gave more than satisfactory ammo). They performed perfectly and the only incidents were operator error caused. 2 Christmases ago, my wife gave me a new Classic Cast and a new classic Cast Turret press. Man, are THEY nice. Save the cash until you are shooting 1000yd matches, until then, spend it on components and rifles.
 
Wow I'm floored by this site. Not one "go search you #### head noobie!" You guys rock lol

I will look on YouTube more, I have a bit already but it's hard to know what is good technique or advice or what isn't. I'll keep watching.

As for taper, is there a simple explanation explaining taper/crimping? What are the different types, what do they do, and why are they needed on the different types of gun? What exactly does it accomplish?

Also why no pocket reamer?

Another note - I want to develop as good a technique as possible - going to try to get into precision shooting is my goal, as well as hunting

Finally, can anyone explain the actually difference between the way each type of press works (auto index/turret/progressive /single stage)? How do each of them work and what are the big differences? Does a turret unit rotate allowing faster movement between cartridges?

What about a primer placer....worth it or can you just put it there by hand and press in?
 
As already suggested get a good reloading manual read it once. When you have done that, read it again. Now you will have a good idea of how reloading works and can ask good questions and you will understand the answers. I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to make it easier for you to understand the answers.
 
Remember reloading is not a spectator sport. Keep the little ones, if you have any, away. Same with other folks. It is easy to get distracted by others and leave out primers or powder or double charge cases. Also a press can crush a finger real easy or run a decaper pin through a finger bone. Pay attention to what your are doing and where your fingers are. Only one person is involved with the loading steps. A loading press is not a crew served weapon.
I'm preaching safety because I've just loaded a whole pile of cases and pinched/crushed the same fingers a few times doing it.
 
Fair enough on the reading a manual. A member was kind enough to send me one just now so I've got some reading to do. Thanks for all the answers so far. I think I'm off to a good enough start with the manual.

Kevin
 
krprice84 said:
Wow I'm floored by this site. Not one "go search you #### head noobie!" You guys rock lol

There are some solid people on this site, no doubt :)

I will look on YouTube more, I have a bit already but it's hard to know what is good technique or advice or what isn't. I'll keep watching.

youtube videos are excellent. Fun to watch and you learn some good tips and tricks from experienced reloaders.

As for taper, is there a simple explanation explaining taper/crimping? What are the different types, what do they do, and why are they needed on the different types of gun? What exactly does it accomplish?

Taper crimp is a form of crimping, the other type is roll crimping. Taper crimp you basically have a collar the "squeezes" the top of the case inwards, roll crimp kinda rolls it in. Google search taper vs roll and there will be some diagrams showing the difference. I only taper crimp. The main disadvantage to a roll crimp is the cases MUST ALL be the same length. Not the case with a taper crimp. A taper crimp is a dedicated die as well while the roll crimp is done on the seating die.

Finally, can anyone explain the actually difference between the way each type of press works (auto index/turret/progressive /single stage)? How do each of them work and what are the big differences? Does a turret unit rotate allowing faster movement between cartridges?

Single stage is just that, one die at a time. So you resize you cases, change dies, charge the cases, change die, seat bullets, and if you wish, change die again and crimp. With a turret die with the indexing rod installed, each pull of the handle automatically rotates the turret. All dies are mounted in the top so you don't have to change dies. 4 pulls of the handle will produce 1 completed cartridge as you are only running one case through at a time. Progressive presses the plate the shell sits on rotates instead and the dies are stationary. As you have multiple cases going through the machine at once, each handle pull produces 1 completed cartridge.

What about a primer placer....worth it or can you just put it there by hand and press in?
Click to expand...

If you get a turret press, there is a primer seated included in the operation. If you buy a single stage press you will need to buy a hand primer I believe.

I bought my Lee Turret Press from Budget Shooter Supply for $250 I think and includes everything you need to get started with the exception of your dies. BSS is a site sponsor, just click on the banner at the top of this page. Henry is solid to deal with. I order all my reloading supplies/tools from him. That reminds me, I need to order some more bullets from him.

I do feel you would benefit most from the Turret Press. It was (and still is) my first and it's been great. When I move into a larger home I will likely pick up a progressive as I think that would be awesome but the Turret Press does the job just fine for now. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

The only part of the kit I didn't like was the beam scale. Works well enough but the way the pan is oriented is silly. I replaced it with a Gen 6 Lyman auto powder dispenser. This thing rocks, I'd consider buying one. Another piece of equipment I just got is the Lyman case prep center. Saves time for sure and saves your hands when it comes to .223.
 
Last edited:
Great Crouton said:
If you get a turret press, there is a primer seated included in the operation. If you buy a single stage press you will need to buy a hand primer I believe.

I bought my Lee Turret Press from Budget Shooter Supply for $250 I think and includes everything you need to get started with the exception of your dies. BSS is a site sponsor, just click on the banner at the top of this page. Henry is solid to deal with. I order all my reloading supplies/tools from him. That reminds me, I need to order some more bullets from him.

I do feel you would benefit most from the Turret Press. It was (and still is) my first and it's been great. When I move into a larger home I will likely pick up a progressive as I think that would be awesome but the Turret Press does the job just fine for now. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one.

The only part of the kit I didn't like was the beam scale. Works well enough but the way the pan is oriented is silly. I replaced it with a Gen 6 Lyman auto powder dispenser. This thing rocks, I'd consider buying one. Another piece of equipment I just got is the Lyman case prep center. Saves time for sure and saves your hands when it comes to .223.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much! Very much appreciate all the info!

I think a turret press sounds most reasonable for me. Progressive sounds like a lot to focus on for a beginner and single stage sounds a little tedious. I guess the way to do it with a single stage is to do each stage to all cartridges before moving on to the next stage....? Waiting on the manual to arrive it was bigger than the guy thought. Well get one somehow though. Thanks again everyone!
 
Take it from a long time reloader [since 1965], a single stage press is not as tedious as it sounds.
It will also produce the best ammo if you plan to go long range precision in time.

Not dissing the turret designs here, I use them too, but when I am loading for precision, I still use my two single stage units.

The advice to read, read, read is good!! Searching the net can get you some good info, but misinformation abounds as well.

If you are not sure...just ask. we can and will help you out. Regards, Dave.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom