Thinking of reloading

When I started reloading I chose the worst press imaginable to start to learn with
The Lee Loadmaster
Despite its quirks and reputation to be a terrible press got it figured out and was churning out 8mm Mauser in no time
I still use that press plus a classic turret press and now load about 40 different cartridges
I had zero clue when I started and was able to learn so you can too
I enjoy reloading too, plus shotgun shells also
It adds more depth to our shooting expirences I think
You can be proud that the ammo you made was able to get you your deer on hunting season or able to hit that target at long range
Plus you can make ammo whenever the hell you want
 
I think I put a LIKE to every reply as they were informative or motivating .
I have the following that I could reload for
The Reloading Equipment is RCBS
30.06 6.5 Creed 9mm. .357 mag. 44 mag
 
Leavenworth said:
I think I put a LIKE to every reply as they were informative or motivating .
I have the following that I could reload for
The Reloading Equipment is RCBS
30.06 6.5 Creed 9mm. .357 mag. 44 mag
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I think it has already been stated so I may be repeating it, but learning to hand loading is a very rewarding practice, it is stress relieving , and you WILL start shooting more because of it.
Cat
 
I started shooting 7 years ago and started reloading right away, never bought factory centrefire ammo.

Mentor is a great way to go, but I didn't know anyone who reloaded back then and just bought the Lyman Manual and followed the instructions, if I didn't understand something I looked up a video to guide me.

Really enjoy reloading, find it relaxing and would still do it even if it didn't save me money. While it can get super complex, the basics are pretty simple once you get into it.
 
I was talking about reloading once... the guy listening to me responded with "thats cool, but reloading is something i'll just never have the interest in doing" he was mid 60's or so.

It is time consuming, and something you can totally get wrapped around the axle on. There are several reasons why I choose to reload. High quality and lower cost mostly(theoretically takes awhile to pay for the equipment)... it's also enjoyable for me to shoot what I have loaded.

Id say unless you sense motivation within yourself to hand load for X reason... carry on with store bought ammunitions.
 
Leavenworth said:
Now I just started pistol shooting and I suck ! I own three pistols and have access to to more and also revolvers . So I want to be better at it , a LOT better .
So does reloading make sense ?
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Since you have the equipment, yes it makes sense. I think you will enjoy it.
If there is anything you are lacking or get low on, attend some gun shows for deals. Even more fun!
 
Leavenworth said:
Let’s say you may acquire all the basic reloading equipment to get started as in passed down to oneself .Good Equipment .
How long does it take before your up and turning out cartridges ?
I’m 70 doesn’t even make sense to get into reloading ?
Thank You
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It's not so hard to get started but it can look that way. You could load good ammo in a couple of hours.
 
Leavenworth - back in the day I had a Ruger .22 semi-auto "pistol" with bull barrel - I found it to be amazing how far I could "miss" with that thing. At that time, a beer bottle cap at 25 paces was in a lot of trouble if I had my iron sighted .22 rifle - but I could not even properly "scare" it with the pistol - I could easily "miss" by two feet at 25 paces. My youngest brother was in RCMP - as per his training, I was doing about everything wrong when using that pistol - so go back to an earlier post in this thread that mentions the advantages of "dry fire" - make sure your pistol is rated for that (not all are - rimfire, especially) - then get "good" with dry fire, before using ammo.
 
To clarify my comment about "dry fire" - many require the use of "snap caps" or facsimile - something to cushion the fall of the firing pin - to reduce probability of "crystallizing" the firing pin tip and having it fall off. Many rimfire rifles had a firing pin able to strike the rear end of the barrel at the chamber - I have had to "re-shape" many chambers that had been deformed by the firing pin "peen" that occurred from dry firing. I have also replaced some firing pins that had the forward end missing or broken. It was probably "old school" on my part, but I was taught (by my Dad) to "never" let a rimfire "dry fire" - although that happened often, when I thought there was one more round in the mag, but there was not.
 
Potashminer said:
Leavenworth - back in the day I had a Ruger .22 semi-auto "pistol" with bull barrel - I found it to be amazing how far I could "miss" with that thing. At that time, a beer bottle cap at 25 paces was in a lot of trouble if I had my iron sighted .22 rifle - but I could not even properly "scare" it with the pistol - I could easily "miss" by two feet at 25 paces. My youngest brother was in RCMP - as per his training, I was doing about everything wrong when using that pistol - so go back to an earlier post in this thread that mentions the advantages of "dry fire" - make sure your pistol is rated for that (not all are - rimfire, especially) - then get "good" with dry fire, before using ammo.
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Potash ! Thats one of my pistols ! Ruger Mark lV .22 with Bull Barrel .Bought it just before the ban .
It has not been fired as of yet . I’m getting lots of positive feedback on dry firing exercises !
I have Snap Caps for the pistols I have except .22 I will get some
 
Leavenworth said:
Potash ! Thats one of my pistols ! Ruger Mark lV .22 with Bull Barrel .Bought it just before the ban .
It has not been fired as of yet . I’m getting lots of positive feedback on dry firing exercises !
I have Snap Caps for the pistols I have except .22 I will get some
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I believe the version that I had was Mark I - sort of mid 1980's as I recall.

For .22 Snap Caps - not sure any can be bought - but maybe? Some will use old time plastic screw anchors - often used to put a screw into drywall - I tend to use fired .22 casings - have to make sure old strike does not line up with where new strike going to occur, I think.
 
Potashminer said:
I believe the version that I had was Mark I - sort of mid 1980's as I recall.

For .22 Snap Caps - not sure any can be bought - but maybe? Some will use old time plastic screw anchors - often used to put a screw into drywall - I tend to use fired .22 casings - have to make sure old strike does not line up with where new strike going to occur, I think.
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I see the A Zoom snap caps don’t have a rubber primer just a hole which some say is not good . Wonder about the plastic snap caps ?
 
Would you fellas suggest reloading manuals for literature to get me started to find out the basics or is there a better source for beginnners
“ Maybe a Handloading for Dummies “ LOL!
 
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Leavenworth said:
Would you fellas suggest reloading manuals for literature to get me started to find out the basics or is there a better source for beginnners
“ Maybe a Handloading for Dummies “ LOL!
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Check your local library. Mine carries a couple different ones, when I get a new round to load for I go and check it out of the library for a couple weeks and get my load data. They also carry several books on reloading basics and what not
 
Leavenworth said:
Would you fellas suggest reloading manuals for literature to get me started to find out the basics or is there a better source for beginnners
“ Maybe a Handloading for Dummies “ LOL!
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Find a copy of the ABCs' of Reloading to start. You'll find a LOT of info in there. Then I would suggest the Lee manual, they cover almost everything. After that, online, manuals by the bullet manufacturers of your choice, then the powder manufacturers. There is a very great deal of info out there. Some good videos on YouTube as well. - dan
 
OP - you will find the first 1/3 or so of most "manuals" describe the loading process - often the manual is associated with a particular brand of reloading equipment - although many brands can do a similar task. Sort of depends what you are looking for. There are easily 10 or more "brands" of Reloading Manuals on my desk now - and in boxes in here I have sets of "old manuals" - Hornady #1 to #9: Nosler #1 to #5; Speer #1 to #13. So, that "old" information is what we used in the 1980's - and the multiple sources give some assessment of various loads given or promoted by "friends" - I have found typo's on-line and in published books - no doubt a function of "copy and paste" and the Writer and Editor having no clue what looks "correct" - for example, it is NOT typical to use a heavier bullet with the same Max load of the same powder, so it should not be total surprise to freeze up your rifle when using the one source (which was erroneous) as "gospel".
 
When I started reloading, I just followed the directions that came with the Lee dies! Not much has changed as I got more experienced, other than load development variables rather than just going by suggested values.
 
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