Message To New or Potential Reloaders

[Kelly Green]

Doc,

The only thing I see missing in your photo is the logbook. I keep a record of every new load I work up in a notebook: powder and load, primer, brass, bullet type and weight, seating depth and OAL. I also record how the round performs form different guns of the same caliber. Also included is information from the chronograph. This makes it easy to recreate that perfect round in the future.

Kel

 

[doc540]

Doc,

The only thing I see missing in your photo is the logbook. I keep a record of every new load I work up in a notebook: powder and load, primer, brass, bullet type and weight, seating depth and OAL. I also record how the round performs form different guns of the same caliber. Also included is information from the chronograph. This makes it easy to recreate that perfect round in the future.

Kel

Agreed

I've downloaded and printed pages for my logbook which I keep inside the house.

Currently I have only two calibers, two loads, and two bullets:

.44 Mag 7.5gr Unique 240 LSWC
.357 Mag 6.0 Win231 158 LSWC

Starting safe and keeping it simple.

How about that custom bench/vise mount, huh? I'm sure all the cabinet makers among us flinched when they focused on that Rube Goldberg rig! :0

 

[blujax01]

I don't think "Old Neil" was singing about the same thing but this sure hits the spot!

Homegrown's all right with me.
Homegrown is the way it should be.
Homegrown is a good thing.
Plant that bell and let it ring.

 

[Engineer1911]

Rube Goldberg didn't recognize the press mounting. If the results are good, thats what counts.

We all got started small. I started on a gutted and reinforced console tv cabinet in college in 1976.

 

[novalty]

If you keep your eyes open and scour your local for sale ads, you can get into reloading at a pretty reasonable rate. I am guessing there will be a wave of barely used reloading kits on the market in a couple months, when people starting looking to sell items to pay for income taxes...

 

[snowman]

When I got back into firearms ten years or so ago, I knew from the outset that I wouldn't be able to afford to practice shooting unless I assembled my own ammunition, so I got some tools and started right away. It's not something I enjoy, as so many here do, but it keeps me practicing without breaking the bank.

Glad it's working well for you, doc.
Andy

 

[doc540]

Rube Goldberg didn't recognize the press mounting. If the results are good, thats what counts.

We all got started small. I started on a gutted and reinforced console tv cabinet in college in 1976.

Oh, if we could see a pic of that!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Gee whiz, look at all that new fancy equipment !!

I don't want to give out how long I have been reloading but the powder thrower and RCBS might give you a wee bit of a clue......................

 

[Old TexMex]

Which book should I read for starters?

 

[Bib]

Rube Goldberg didn't recognize the press mounting. If the results are good, thats what counts.

We all got started small. I started on a gutted and reinforced console tv cabinet in college in 1976.

I started on a MEC single-stage shotshell loader mounted on a piece of Formica clamped to the folding leaf of the ex-wife's sewing machine. I have a better loader now.......and a better wife as well!

 

[doc540]

I started on a MEC single-stage shotshell loader mounted on a piece of Formica clamped to the folding leaf of the ex-wife's sewing machine. I have a better loader now.......and a better wife as well!

hahaha!!!

And, Nevada Ed, ya just gotta LOVE things that work, right?

 

[kd5exp]

I am just getting into pistol reloading. I use to reload rifle several years ago and a lot of the equipment is coming in handy. Just poured my first batch of cast boolits and I think they came out pretty good. There is a lot more to it then pouring melted: lead in a mould I am finding out unlike fishing sinkers I did years ago. Not many of my rifle powders do me much good with 38 and 357 loads. I have and old can of powder from Gibson's and the price tag says $5.95. You know that been a long time ago.

 

[carpriver]

I started reloading about 7-8 years ago after buying my first hand gun; a Springfield Armory XD 9. I wanted to shot more and I also wanted something to help me relax after work. I am a confirmed Lee loader. I started with the Lee turret press and moved to the Classic turret. I load for my 38s and 357, 9mm, 40cal, 45 ACP,44 mag. and 44SPL. M1 carbine, 5.56cal.. I am all way counting the brass to make sure I have found every round. I am old and find it hard to bend and stoup to pick up the brass. I now have a gripper to it pickup. I enjoy the process. the shooting the cleaning the gun, cleaning the brass, reloading. IT's Zen like.

 

[k53]

I want to join the club of re-loaders just not possible right now. I have wanted to start since I got my first gun 2 years ago. Seems like every time I plan to something comes up that stops me.

Im in the same boat. I have a lot of things on my plate, and money goes to a lot of places just to keep a roof over our head.. I got a lot of the hard stuff from my dad when he passed, but still more I need to get to fill out the tool/supply list. What I have been doing is when I have a few extra bucks, I go get something that I need. Its been slow going.. and im not ready yet, but every buck I spend now, is one less I will need to spend later. So go out and start. You dont need it all at once. Study up on what loads you want to load, and start getting some powder, and primers. Start saving spent cases, and worst case if it doesnt happan, you have all the makings to have someone reload for you.

 

[dickttx]

"I am all way counting the brass to make sure I have found every round. I am old and find it hard to bend and stoup to pick up the brass."

My wife is always telling me I need to exercise. I tell her that every time I go shoot I bend over at least 100 times to pick up brass. I try to make this my only exercise!!

 

[Nevada Ed]

as I get older I learn a few things that make reloading easier. I hate primers hitting the floor or anything that I have to use.................mostly with the dark multi carpet in the room. If you look at my picture you will notice a well used towel next to the RCBS ram.
This is spread out on the loading table before I start loading
and gets washed when it starts to look bad wiping up after the job is done or cleaning my weapons.
No more bending over or getting on my knees unless I REALLY MESS UP !
One trick is putting a nylon sock over the end of a vacume, before you try to find any thing small like primers,the wifes ear rings ,pins etc.....

 

[iouri]

That's awesome trick, Ed, with sock, one of those, why couldn't I think of that

 

[Maximumbob54]

Which book should I read for starters?

ABC's of Reloading

 

[blujax01]

ABC's of Reloading

+1.

And Amazon has the best on-line prices as well as being a reputable outfit.
Amazon.com: abc of reloading

 

[Bushido]

Reloading....great, useful hobby. Really enjoy it.