How to get started reloading ammunition

[/pine]

Remember what can happen with poorly reloaded ammo...not sure of the circumstances of exactly what the problem was...dredged this up from an old thread...

 

[Soundguy]

deffinately look slike way mor ethan proof loads!

mor elike POOF! loads.

 

[dodge man]

I'm not trying to minimize the importance of things when reloading. Case length is important, but as long as its not too long, you won't have kaboom problems. Case weight? I still say its not important unless you are a very serious shooter. I guess my point would be I would hate to bog down a new reloader with a lot of overwhelming data. Case weight, case capacities, cases all trimmed to the same length, weighing each bullet, all the cases the same make and batch and so on to where it looks like to much for a person to learn.

In my experience, to two most important things when reloading to prevent problems is make sure each case has a charge, and make sure each case only has one charge.

 

[charlz]

I'm not trying to minimize the importance of things when reloading. Case length is important, but as long as its not too long, you won't have kaboom problems. Case weight? I still say its not important unless you are a very serious shooter. I guess my point would be I would hate to bog down a new reloader with a lot of overwhelming data. Case weight, case capacities, cases all trimmed to the same length, weighing each bullet, all the cases the same make and batch and so on to where it looks like to much for a person to learn.

In my experience, to two most important things when reloading to prevent problems is make sure each case has a charge, and make sure each case only has one charge.

That is why I recommended starting with reloading for pistol calibers.... pretty straightforward. I like to use Unique for pistol since it is 'fluffy' and impossible to overload as it will overflow the case with a double charge (at least with 9mm)

 

[dodge man]

That's what I like about 9mm, almost impossible to double charge, 45 acp can be depending on how fast of a powder you use. I'd also say its tough to double charge a 223 in rifle.

 

[Soundguy]

this is as much a science as an art.

if a new reloader is overwhelmed by having to follow 2-3 variables. they need to buy commercial ammo.. OR take it slower til they get a handle on it.

I'm not trying to minimize the importance of things when reloading. Case length is important, but as long as its not too long, you won't have kaboom problems. Case weight? I still say its not important unless you are a very serious shooter. I guess my point would be I would hate to bog down a new reloader with a lot of overwhelming data. Case weight, case capacities, cases all trimmed to the same length, weighing each bullet, all the cases the same make and batch and so on to where it looks like to much for a person to learn.

In my experience, to two most important things when reloading to prevent problems is make sure each case has a charge, and make sure each case only has one charge.

 

[dodge man]

Soundguy, I guess we will have to disagree on this subject. I'd say the OP seems like a smart enough guy he will be able to read on the subject and form his own opinions.

 

[Soundguy]

sure...you can disagree with me all you want. Every book on relaoding i've ever read states trimming is an important part of bottleck case care. ( so you are actually disagreeing with me.. and the rest of the reloading industry.. ) no problem.

just because not every case grows does not mean that one 100% ignores it forever.

that's all I'm saying.

To say otherwise means that when you give someone non book advice.. you are defacto on the hook for their wellbeing forever!

That's why i give book advice out to a newby.

Now.. if i'm at the range with another realoder I know.. and we are trading pet recipies or techniques for brass care we, ans seasoned individuals practice.. sure that's entirely different htan the guy walking up and telling you he wants to learn relaoding.. start with all the shortcuts.

for instance. at the range.. another old relaoder and I bring hand presses. one time we found ourselves without case lube. what did we use in a pinch? tranny fluid! it worked.

would i reccomend all new relaoders going out and buying a quart of atf to lube cases with vs industry standard case lubes? Not on your life!

 

[Soundguy]

ps.. same reason whi i think it's a bad idea to tell somebody how to disable their mower safety's and starter interlock safety switches..

bad idea.

it's a sue happy and liability based society...

Can't wait till the first guy pipe sback in that now has no hand and part of a face because he used a hammer to close the bolt on his hunting rifle because it would not chamber the bottleneck rifle round he reloaded.. and had done so 47 times and never checked it for growth because he was told it was a waste of time. then he hammerd the bolt down into battery and created a pressure situation possible.. and now is looking for $$ / lawsuit. sure.. he was mostly at fault for hammering the bolt down. but say he is sueing for 300 million... I don't even want to be 1% liable for that. I don't 3mil laying around to pay out...

 

[Gunny]

Been my experience with bottle neck brass, especially the higher calibers, 270, 308, 30-06, that the brass will lengthen, and not all will lengthen the same, even from the same batch. I never got into hot loads, much prefer accuracy, but for no more trouble than it is, I measure brass, even straight wall pistol brass. A trim die doesn't cost that much and you can check length on several hundred rounds before it gets boring.
To me, the bottom line is that if you're going to do something, do it right, especially in a matter that might result in a loss of life, limb or eyesight, as we used to say.

On a side note, I'm not a big fan of Lee products, but I did get a good deal on one of their new Quick Trims, along with a .223 die. I tried it on a few fired brass I had here, but most had already been trimmed or checked. It seemed to do a good job, I hope it works out.