The Official Reloading Thread

[branshew]

I don't even know if I have the privilege to name any thread "Official," but I thought that this would be beneficial for those of us that would like to learn more about or discuss reloading on this site. I know that there are other sites for this, but then again they aren't always coming at the topics from a GIMmer's perspective.

I am thinking that a reloading setup would be a good idea if I want to keep shooting more often. I also think that gun control may be livied inthe near future by VAT and/or a hefty tax on ammo. I relize that there is a large initial investment, but that it will pay for itself over time with cheap ammo.

What I would like some feedback on is equipment. Can anyone comment on the automatic presses that are out there (Lee, Hornady, RCBS...). I'm interested in a good, entry level automated press for handgun reloading. I don't mind some manual processes (setting bullets for instance), but I would like most of the process to be automated including.

[diogenes]

Its a progressive press not automatic....they all involve manual intervention to varying degree's//
Dillon is considered to be the best...start buying components and manuals...see if some one will show you the process.
It may be better to start on the cheap and see if you like it.

[Rusty Shackelford]

Have always been a fane of Hornady products. They currently have a rebate (if that is what you want to call it) for the purchase of new products like presses and dies in the form of bullets. Here is a link:

http://www.hornady.com/promotions/get-loaded

I have recently came across a nice replenishing supply of reloadable brass. Only problem is it is for a 40 SW which I don't own. Reason to get one?? Me thinks so. Anyhow, there is a firing range where I work. Police come out and train on it every couple months. Lazy asses won't bother picking up their spent Federal Brass. I go out the next day and pick up 200-300 spent cases perfectly suitable for reloading. I am sure they would not like it if they knew I was doing it, but to bad pick ur stuff up.

[.41Dave]

I strongly recommend starting with a single stage press or a turret press that can be used as a single stage press. Reloading is a rewarding hobby, but has inherent dangers that can be avoided by developing good safety habits. These habits are best learned on a single stage press. It is much easier to make a mistake on a progressive press, even for experienced reloaders. Doubly so if one is just starting out.

[Lt Dan]

Reloading is not "CHEAP". the components used to be easy to find and relatively inexpensive, no more. Even the dies for some calibers are sometimes hard to find.

I like to pre-clean my brass and then clean it again after I deprime and resize it. I use a Lyman tumbler. You'll want clean brass, so buy a tumbler.

I like a good solid single stage press as I don't mind changing dies for doing each step. I find that if I resize all my brass for each caliber and inspect each case individually, I have less opportunity for Murphy to work and things do go wrong. So, pay good money for a good press and learn to do it right. Move to the progressive Dillon once you gain experience. I reload a lot but still haven't seen the need to take that step. If you shoot a lot you'll want to.

I like Redding reloading equipment, but RCBS is probably more popular and probably just as good. I started out with Lee dies but have been replacing them with Redding and RCBS dies. I have a Redding single stage press that replaced a Lee semi-progressive three stage. I gave that one to my son.

Once the brass is prepped to this point it is time to install primers. I use a hand RCBS primer tool for this as it give good control of the process, again give you hands on check for defective cases.

Next you'll need a scale and a good powder measure, then move to seating the bullet once you've put you powder in the case. For pistol loads you might also consider a crimping die once you've seated the bullets.

I've left out a few steps and simplified the process a bit, but you need to fully understand each step to keep safe and reduce the Murphy factor. Then buy your Dillon press and go to town. But, remember, it's not "CHEAP", but it will be more satisfying in the end.

[Quixote2]

My reloading equipment is Herter's and is 50 years old. Single stage and have reloaded thousands of rounds and never felt the need to upgrade to a progressive. Did buy a new set of 30-06 dies as the neck sizing die on the original was worn and started having problems with bullets moving in the final loads.

[SilverCity]

I prefer to use 3 single-stage presses, pre-set with proper dies. Makes reloading fairly fast and a lot less confusing than a progressive.

And get yourself one of these:

[dumbnbroke]

I reload 10mm and .223 using a Lee hand press. I can load ~50 rounds of either in a small period of time and get good results. Whatever you use, be careful & good luck.

[farscott]

There is a large upfront investment to reload, but you can save money or shoot more for the same money. You need a reloading manual with the proper loading information, a tumbler to clean brass, a scale to weigh things, a press to perform the work, dies to form brass, seat bullets, and crimp, calipers to measure case and cartridge length, some assorted tools, and a place to work. It is a fun hobby. I got into it primarily to be able to shoot rounds one cannot purchase, like .218 Mashburn Bee, .22 K-Hornet, and .300-221 Rem. I had to load handgun ammo once I started shooting competition.

I reload my high volume handgun rounds, .45 ACP, on a Dillon XL650. Good press for high-volume rounds that do not require great accuracy. Everything else, including rifle rounds and Bullseye handgun rounds, get loaded on one of my Lee hand presses. I prefer Redding dies, but I also use RCBS dies.

I highly recommend starting with the book "ABC's of Reloading" before buying any equipment.

[BUZ]

I don't even know if I have the privilege to name any thread "Official," but I thought that this would be beneficial for those of us that would like to learn more about or discuss reloading on this site. I know that there are other sites for this, but then again they aren't always coming at the topics from a GIMmer's perspective.

I am thinking that a reloading setup would be a good idea if I want to keep shooting more often. I also think that gun control may be livied inthe near future by VAT and/or a hefty tax on ammo. I relize that there is a large initial investment, but that it will pay for itself over time with cheap ammo.

What I would like some feedback on is equipment. Can anyone comment on the automatic presses that are out there (Lee, Hornady, RCBS...). I'm interested in a good, entry level automated press for handgun reloading. I don't mind some manual processes (setting bullets for instance), but I would like most of the process to be automated including.

First it's very import to get a manual or two like a speer or hornady reloading manual and read very carefully. Reloading is not rocket science just need to pay attention and understand what you're doing. I have been reloading and shooting for over 30 years and have seen people seriously hurt from bad reloads (most recent was a guy that loaded a 30-06 with a fast burning pistol powder).


A really good entry level progressive press is the dillon square deal B even has auto indexing. I have others progressive presses however IMO dillon is the way to go. I currently use a RL1050.


http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...___039_B__039_

Reloading 9mm on a Dillon Square Deal 'B'







Some good vids if you have questions along the way.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith#g/u

[wallew]

SHHH, DON'T TELL AVALON.

Her family already thinks she's crazy.

If you shoot a lot -1000 rounds a month or more, then you CAN save money. BUT if you are an average shooter - visit the range once a month and shoot 100 rounds - then a cost savings is not in the cards.

But the ability to roll your own, controlling every step of the process has it's own rewards. Plus you can reuse the case. Stock up on lead and antimony and pour your own bullets. And lay in bullets, powder, primers, etc NOW. Cause it's not going to get any cheaper or available at this particular point in time. Further on in the future, maybe so. Maybe not.

I concur with the single stage press as a good place to start. Mine is made by RCBS and I bought the Rock Chucker and other than adding dies and a really good powder measure FROM RCBS, I have not spent any more money on the reloader. Here is one for $350. http://www.gamaliel.com/cart/product.php?productid=1314

You will want a tumbler to 'shine up' your brass so your inspection is easier and they look purty too.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/co...-box.jsp.form1

All the advice everyone here is giving is spot on.

BE CAREFUL. When in doubt, throw it out and start over. Nothing worse than too much powder OR TOO LITTLE.

And having a couple of reloading manuals is a good idea.

I've got reloading manuals from Hogdon, Speer and Lee. I also have several 'one book, one caliber' type of reloading manuals as well. http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&inde...&tag=smtfx1-20

[minimus]

[ONG]

What kind of media do you guys like in your tumblers? I was using a cap of Dillon polish in corn cob but lately have been adding some walnut shells. The shells seems to speed things up.

[Rusty Shackelford]

I have always used walnut shells as the tumbler media.

[mayhem]

Don't understand why folks want to speed up what is just plain good therapy.

Reloading on a single stage press is about the only time that I get to be alone any more. Quality not quantity.

[branshew]

Don't understand why folks want to speed up what is just plain good therapy.

Reloading on a single stage press is about the only time that I get to be alone any more. Quality not quantity.

I agree with quality over quantity, but I think that you can have a good mix of both with the right equipment and the proper knowledge and experience. I am willing to dedicate some time to reloading, but would like to maximize my output in that time. I have other hobbies that I would rather persue over reloading given the choice. Even if I don't reload any time soon, I think that is a capability that will be good to have in the future.

When I want to slow down and become one with something, I break out the hand tools and head for the woodshop. A micron thin shaving from a hand plane is my personal Zen.

[Lt Dan]

I have recently came across a nice replenishing supply of reloadable brass. Only problem is it is for a 40 SW which I don't own. Reason to get one?? Me thinks so. Anyhow, there is a firing range where I work. Police come out and train on it every couple months. Lazy asses won't bother picking up their spent Federal Brass. I go out the next day and pick up 200-300 spent cases perfectly suitable for reloading. I am sure they would not like it if they knew I was doing it, but to bad pick ur stuff up.

Double check this brass to see if it has been shot in a Glock. .40 S&W brass shot in a Glock takes a special step with a special sizing die when reloading. It is a G-RX base sizing die made by Redding, it removes the bulge from the bottom of the case. Otherwise the brass is unusable. Might be one reason why they don't pick it up. At my club there are cans for them to throw their used brass in. Some do, others not necessarily LEOs, just leave it lay.

This step I'm talking about is why most don't bother with .40 S&W reloading. Glock .40's has been known to K-BOOM from reloaded ammo that has not been properly resized. I can look at a .40 fired case and tell if it has been fired in a Glock. I know LEOs that shoot Glocks all the time and are not aware of this issue. Your tax dollars at work pay for their ammo, so they don't care if you pick up their brass, you paid for it.

[branshew]

There's some good stuff in this thread. Those that do reload - are you loading more handgun or rifle ammo? Are you spending your time reloading the cheap stuff (9mm, .223) or are you loading something more expensive/rare.

Important question - Do you carry what you relolad for defense or do you carry factory for defense?

[Lt Dan]

Important question - Do you carry what you relolad for defense or do you carry factory for defense?

Never use reloads in your carry gun unless you are prepared to answer to judge and jury why you are not using commercially available ammo. You will be asked.

[SilverCity]

I reload Glock-fired 40 brass and sometimes carry reloads in my CCW piece(s).

EDIT: I use an RCBS carbide sizer to get rid of the 40 smilies...reloading is NOT a problem. (1) Keep track of the number of firings, (2) don't try to overload (40SW is NOT a +P rated cartridge), and (3) avoid lead or plated lead bullets.

[Rusty Shackelford]

Double check this brass to see if it has been shot in a Glock. .40 S&W brass shot in a Glock takes a special step with a special sizing die when reloading. It is a G-RX base sizing die made by Redding, it removes the bulge from the bottom of the case. Otherwise the brass is unusable. .

Dam you just rained on my parade. They all shoot Glocks.

[Lt Dan]

Rusty, It is only the Glock fired .40 S&W that you need to be concerned with. Take a close look at it and you can see the bulge at the base. If the barrel has been replaced with a match barrel, you won't get this problem. The Glock fired 9mm does not have this issue, so you're good to go with that.

BTW, if you reload a lot, that Redding die I mentioned above is not all that expensive, especially not when you consider the chance you are taking shooting reloads in your Glock. A K-BOOM could ruin your whole day.

[Sampson]

Great thread. I reload rifle calibers from .223 to .458 in everything from varmint loads to 500 grain bear defence loads. My press is a single stage lyman and i enjoy my time reloading. I have thought of switching up to a turret but have decided agains it again and again mostly due to not wanting to mess up on any step and i find that doing things in batches, one step at a time, is my preferred way. A good bullet puller is also a great tool to be able to pull apart and re-use the parts of any load you are unsure of or end up not wanting.

When loading .223 or .308 (general purpose shooting) i generally do batches of 100 to 300 at a time and can roll my own for about half the cost of buying pre made ammo. When loading .270 or 30-06 for hunting or 45-70 for my bush gun i usually do smaller batches of 20 to 50 each time. Developing new loads is different of course and i can go through hundreds of loads before i settle on a final combination. Some of my hunting or bush loads are 2 to 5 bucks each but they serve their purpose for me and i don't mind the extra cost for great loads.

When starting to reload try to develop a routine that you repeat over and over that includes multiple checks for each step. I always work from left to right as one step, use visual checks like a penlight to see the powder charge and always putting emtpy primed cases primer up in my loading block (obviously primed but uncharged) and try to do manageable smaller groups in a large batch so i don't get rushed or cut off half way through a loading block.


Sampson