Starting reloading

crasheralex

Regular
Rating - 100%
39   0   0
Location
Cambridge, On
So I'm trying to get into reloading on a budget. I picked up a lee load master second hand with the powder drop, 9mm dies and case feeder. Right now I'm only looking at reloading for my 9mm 1911. Just wondering what else I should get so I can start reloading and also where do you get you components in the GTA area? Prefer around oakville but I'm not afraid of driving.
 
Lawry's and Hummason are around your area. Best to call ahead to see if they got what you want in stock. Lanz out in Silverdale carries some reloading components but it's scarce sometimes.
 
Hummasons, Lawry's, FM Sports. Or just use a handy CGN sponsor from above. Personally I have been happy with SFRC and Budget shooter supply, but I am sure the others are great too. Powder is still tight for handguns- it is out there but you gotta find it. Personally I would concentrate on getting some powder first as the rest is pretty available.
 
Reloading data is handy but there is a lot of it available for free on the 'net. Something to clean the cases, a scale to check settings, a caliper to measure cases and overall lengths, a few case prep tools like a primer pocket cleaner and a chamfering tool. Trimming tools aren't necessary for 9mm because the cases don't grow. Tools to adjust and set up the press. Save some of the boxes and plastic round holders that come with factory ammo or get some trays and storage boxes, a roll of 1" low tack painters tape to make labels. A book or spreadsheet to keep records so you know what works and what isn't worth pursuing. A piece of cardboard or card stock to gather the last bits of powder from the measure or whatever to put it back in the jar. A good strong light for looking for things that fall on the floor. Housekeeping supplies like a small broom or vacuum, clean rags etc.

None of this has to be expensive and a $35 billet aluminium reloading block doesn't hold things any better than the plastic rack that comes free with factory ammo.
Try things, find what suits you and enjoy.
 
William's Arms in Port Perry is usually well stocked. Very knowledgeable staff.Located just north of Oshawa so not to far from the east end of GTA.
 
You could drive to Frank M's house in Guelph. He makes and sells the DRG cast lead bullets and he often had Tightgroup in stock. I buy his 135 lead round nose in 9mm for about $31/500. Cheap and very accurate. I load them over 3.5 gr of TG.

Finding powder is a challenge. I suggest Tightgroup or Win231 as your best bets.

Give him a call. 519 824-5040
 
You could drive to Frank M's house in Guelph. He makes and sells the DRG cast lead bullets and he often had Tightgroup in stock. I buy his 135 lead round nose in 9mm for about $31/500. Cheap and very accurate. I load them over 3.5 gr of TG.

Finding powder is a challenge. I suggest Tightgroup or Win231 as your best bets.

Give him a call. 519 824-5040

Thanks I'll keep him in mind when I get to buying components
 
Being in GTA, Le Baron is pretty good with Powder. Titegroup pops up from time to time and you can reserve(no deposit required) over the phone and pick them up upon arrival. even you don't want them later, they will be gone in no time. I am very close to the store, so I just walked in every a few weeks and pick up some when I saw them. my powder stock has been full so far. they also have other popular ones, like HS-6, CFE pistol and Longshot.

and from Oakville, it's not far from Lawry and Bullseys London which both have powder in stock almost all the time. the prices vary from time to time.
 
You could drive to Frank M's house in Guelph. He makes and sells the DRG cast lead bullets and he often had Tightgroup in stock. I buy his 135 lead round nose in 9mm for about $31/500. Cheap and very accurate. I load them over 3.5 gr of TG.

Finding powder is a challenge. I suggest Tightgroup or Win231 as your best bets.

Give him a call. 519 824-5040

That's a really good price, I wish I could shoot them out of my glocks. I'm getting plated tmj 124gr for $100 cash for 1000 in the GTA. I'd be very interested in .38 special/.357 bullets though. Does he make and sell them too?
 
I have had excellent service with Bullseye London for reloading supplies. They ship really fast, their prices are great and everything is always in stock. Usually only takes two days shipped to me and I live in the GTA.
 
That's a really good price, I wish I could shoot them out of my glocks. I'm getting plated tmj 124gr for $100 cash for 1000 in the GTA. I'd be very interested in .38 special/.357 bullets though. Does he make and sell them too?

I shoot the DRG lead bullets out of Glocks all the time. About 50 to 100 rounds per range session. I brush the barrel a few strokes with a bronze brush and the lead comes out. Not much lead in there. Maybe twice a year I put some solvent in over night. Not much comes out.

I load 3.5 gr of Titegroup in 9mm - a medium power load. maybe a hotter load would lead the barrel, but this does not.

I think the lead problem in a Glock is the accumulation of lead if the barrel is not cleaned after each session.

If you decide to try lead, make sure the barrel is perfectly clean when you start. Metal fouling in the barrel may pick up extra lead.


Yes, Frank makes 38/357. I buy his 148 wadcutters and his 158SWC.
 
I shoot the DRG lead bullets out of Glocks all the time. About 50 to 100 rounds per range session. I brush the barrel a few strokes with a bronze brush and the lead comes out. Not much lead in there. Maybe twice a year I put some solvent in over night. Not much comes out.

I load 3.5 gr of Titegroup in 9mm - a medium power load. maybe a hotter load would lead the barrel, but this does not.

I think the lead problem in a Glock is the accumulation of lead if the barrel is not cleaned after each session.

If you decide to try lead, make sure the barrel is perfectly clean when you start. Metal fouling in the barrel may pick up extra lead.


Yes, Frank makes 38/357. I buy his 148 wadcutters and his 158SWC.

I might give the lead a try through my glocks. I loaded 3.5gr of tite group in my G17 (124gr tmj) and it just barley worked the action I had a few hang ups. 3.6 is the minimum that cycles my stock G17 Gen 4. I'll give frank a call about the 38/357. Thanks for your knowledge and experience.
 
Last edited:
for light loads, try lighter recoil spring.

I might give the lead a try through my glocks. I loaded 3.5gr of tite group in my G17 (124gr tmj) and it just barley worked the action I had a few hang ups. 3.6 is the minimum that cycles my stock G17 Gen 4. I'll give frank a call about the 38/357. Thanks for your knowledge and experience.
 
Back
Top Bottom