Reloading (Vanity)

Andonius_99

[Andonius_99]

Howdy all,

I know that a lot of FReepers out there are avid shooters and I'm pretty sure that there has to be at least one shooter out there who reloads. Anyway, I was wondering if any of the reloaders out there could possibly point me in the direction of getting started in reloading my own ammo.

What sort of things do I look for? What kind of equipment do I need? I know there's basic kits out in internetland for it, but are there any specific tools out there that I should look for that make the job easier? What kind of hints can you offer to an amateur reloader? Is reloading difficult? I know money-wise it's worth it, but does the hassle outweigh the money saving benefits?

I have a ton of questions about reloading and if anyone out there can answer them and doesn't mind answering them, please let me know.

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Andonius

[hole_n_one]

A reloading shooter........

[Andonius_99]

ROFLMAO! Damn, I guess I didn’t think about it in those terms, lol...

[50cal Smokepole]

Um, I reload in the field, but I get your question. Try this for a start (if you can't find it there, chances are it's not available)....

MidwayUSA

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I don’t reload......

But, I’ve just come into a Remington Genesis BP rifle. I was going to post a thread to gather info from BP shooters......

I’ll just piggy-FR-back on your thread.....

;-)

[MediaMole]

Reloading isn’t particularly difficult, but you need to be a very careful, detail oriented person.

If possible, work with an experienced reloader when you start.

Pick up a couple reloading manuals and read them several times before you start. It’s wise to find several recipes for the caliber you plan on reloading to make sure you aren’t making any mistakes. (AS a blatant example: If manual one says you need 55 grains of Unique, while another says 5.5 grains of Unique, you really want to get another opinion before you do anything.)

You might want to check out the reloading forum at http://thefiringline.com/

[50cal Smokepole]

I don’t reload......

You will be if you want to use that smokepole for more than a wall decoration! ;^) (Check my About page ... I have a some time in the field with MLs and a full freezer to back up my claims =)

[Westlander]

Make friends with an old timer and spend a month or 4 with him/her.

[kingu]

Details, details, details. Follow up with a healthy dose of consistency. If you use your garage to do the reloading, make sure it is in a prepared area that’s kept clean - reloading on the old wood bench works, just makes for bad rounds.

Spend the money for a good scale - top advice. A drifting scale means drifting rounds, either on the range, or worse when you’re hunting. Buy a good brass cleaner - if you can’t afford one, go in with others to buy one and share it.

Your local gun club likely has at least ninety experts on reloading - that’s a little bit of a spurt under pressure. Take any and all advice with a grain of salt, and be willing to experiment - a LITTLE. Don’t go crazy, it’s not going to help you, and it just might kill you.

[Tainan]

Start here and you'll find the answer to about every question. During my short, but rewarding, reloading phase, this company proved a blessing.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/

There are a couple of other very good reloading companies also. Dillon just happens to be the one I used.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

I have been using Dillon Precision products for nearly 20 years and they are reliable and it is difficult to get better service anywhere. Suggest that you go to dillonprecision.com and request a catalog. If you have any questions about reloading, even before you request the catalog, give them a call. They are truly wonderful. (no, I am not an employee or relative) ;-)

[VR-21]

I agree with MediaMole in post 6. It would be best to become acquainted with an experienced handloader, and also to read the material in modern reloading manuals. They will give you the basic knowledge of what is done. There are several websites that would provide usefull information.

I've handloaded rifle, pistol and shotgun ammo for almost thirty years, and it's a rewarding and enjoyable activity. Good luck.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I’m not sure that “reloading” applies to BP applications.

I was of the mind that BP was a single shot and then some cleaning and repriming and.........

I could be wrong......

[50cal Smokepole]

Sorry. You have to 'reload' in the field. A 'load' consists of a charge (powder or, I recommend Trip-7 pellets), bullet/sabot, and primer. All the essential components of a smokeless cartridge you must assemble in the field. When you find the right combo, you'll have a devastatingly accurate and lethal gun. My son-in-law has a Genesis and it shoots just fine. Good luck and good hunting.

[beltfed308]

One of my sources is http://www.grafs.com/. Any good brand press like RCBS, Hornady or Dillon will do the job. For dies spend the extra buck and go with carbide.

Good luck!

[Gilbo_3]

mark

[P8riot]

I just got my bro-in-law started loading 38/357. There are a lot of good starter press kits out there, but one that he chose is inexpensive and simple, yet will allow you to load quite a bit of quality ammo in a short period of time.

He chose a Lee Classic Turret Press kit from Kempf gunshop in Indiana. It is only $140 plus shipping and has everything that you need to get started, EXCEPT a good handloading manual - an absolute MUST. For that I use Hornady's; but Lee, Speer, and Nosler all make good manuals, as do some others. Those are the only ones I've had my hands on.

[Current Occupant]

I reload a lot and I find it enjoyable and satisfying as well as cost effective.

My advice is, don’t do it on the cheap. I started out with a beam scale, total waste of money. Then I went to an electronic scale along with a manual powder measure. I didn’t like the way the measure cut the longer powder grains like 4064. Soo, I’ve got a lot of stuff I never use.

Wound up with an RCBS electronic dispenser, RCBS case prep station that does fast case prep and RCBS electric case length trimmer. Just my 2c.

[Joe Brower]

Reloading ammmo: one of those skills that stands the test of time...

[5Madman2]

Some have already spoke of the Dillon Presses.

Can’t go wrong with them.

Get with another loader-get the Lyman or Lee books on reloading, read and follow label instructions carefully.

It is safe and inexpensive as long as you stick to the basics.