TOTAL NEWB TO RELOADING

[M&PEE]

iam totally new to the craft and havent even bought ant equip, yet. i have an old (1998) HODGDON POWDER No.27 data manual. i am aiming at reloading 9mm solely to start with do to the fact my son and i shoot this caliber the most. i want to load 115gr fmj. for target etc. i picked this because my defensive load is also 115gr. my question is when i look up this load they are using specific brass and bullet,some of the bullets are jhp. is it ok to use different brass/bullet(fmj) with the listed powder chg. i am very new and havent found the info. on this question. i do nont want to make a terrible mistake w/o asking for help. are these just guide lines that will work with any bulletbrass combo as long as bullet weight is the same? thanks in advance

[thndrchiken]

Under most circumstances there will not be an issue with using different brass/bullet/primer. Most are close enough in tolerances that there shouldn't be an issue. Now with that said, if you have not had any experience hand loading, I recommend buying a more recent manual and read the section on how to hand load, read it again and then again. Understand what it is your doing and why your doing it. You don't have to go out and buy the uber expensive kit to get started, check out gunbroker/ebay, the classified section here, you can often find a used kit that someone else started out with for cheap. Once you get the basics down then you can start looking at other odds and ends to make you loading easier. I will say this, there are some things you don't want to scimp on... things like a scale, calipers will go a long way to ensuring that your loads are consistent and prevent mishaps.

[PDL]

Whenever you change any of the components, you should back off the load and work your way back up. Don't start at the max loads. You can generally use data for the same bullet weight and composition. In other words a FMJ xxgr listing can be used for a JHP xxgr. But you don't use lead data for jacketed or vice versa even for the same weight. Plated bullets usually recommend that lead data be used, but the manufacturere may specify otherwise. You can also use data from a slightly heavier bullet, but not the other way around.

The reason they specify each component is that any change can affect the pressure when the round goes off. Case capacities are different, bullet seating depth can be different, and primers can act differently. All of which can lead to excess pressure and an unsafe load.

To answer your question, no the are not exactly general guidelines.
They are loads that have been tested and fired safely with the components listed. But they can be used to develope safe loads with your chosen components.

So definitely get some modern manuals and read. And follow good reloading practices by starting low and working up your loads.

Best thing you can do is find someone at your local gun club or range that reloads. It's a lot easier learing how to do it. In any case, keep asking questions when you need to.

[bnewc75]

ask questions, take your time, no distractions at the bench

[m657]

Read several of the major reloading manuals as they tend to explain things a little differently from each other.

A certified case gauge will be a huge help in the beginning, to prove your loads fit into a standard chamber, increasing your safety and isolating an out-of-spec round. It's surprising how many can jump in without being aware of such, in the beginning.

Start with one combination of components and one powder in one given charge weight, until you have that right.

Load in small quantities, until you become master of THAT recipe.

One example of 'something not right' that I never suspected:

I had loaded for several years in a variety of calibers. Moving to a 45 acp round, I had failure of the round to chamber properly in several hand guns.

After lots of frustration and confusion, I discovered the FACTORY loading die was OUT OF SPEC itself!!!! The company involved had me send it back, they confirmed their error, and replaced the die. I then went on to load without incident....but it took an odd mistake like that to realize how important learning the entire step-by-step process is.

Good luck in your new hobby.