Getting started again after many years

[Marshal Tom]

Just retired from my retirement job and one of the things that I told myself I would do is get back into reloading for my handguns. I have a Dillon 450 converted to a 550 many years ago. I have dies for .44 sp/mag, .357/38sp. 45acp. I need to obtain primers and some new powder but most of all, I need current information,manuals etc. I have to re-teach myself pretty much from scratch. Any help would be greatly appreciated in terms of where to go for best information on the subject. Thanks much, Tom

 

[BigBill]

I come out of reloading retirement mainly to reload 5,000 to 6.000 rounds of 308win and 45acp.

Buy plenty of brass.

 

[SMSgt]

First, ditch any old load data you may have as much of it has changed due to new powders, revised powders, etc. That old Speer #9 reloading data isn't accurate anymore.

Other than that, not much has changed. Take the time to reacquire safe procedures and the rest will be like riding a bicycle.

 

[Old Corp]

Join that club!
I'm about 1.5 years into getting back in.....when house went on the market in 2008, could barely GIVE a house away, and it took about five (5) years to sell. ALL gunroom and loading stuff had to go into storage 3+ hours away. (climate controlled).

Had temporary living in an apartment (hate apartments!) and next an interim arrangement at a small duplex, no room there.
Finally home in probably the last house
So, stuff was in storage for around 8+ years.
It was fun setting up the new room for my loading stuff.
Funny - looking at components, I had some kinda affinity for light bullets going fast and faster in almost every caliber.
Older and hopefully wiser, I've sure gone the other direction now.

Also loading on an old Dillon 450B that I should have had converted when they were doing that. Oh well, it works good.
I've bought no new books either. There's ALOT of data available online that did not exist 8+ years ago.
But, like you, do realize I need to get a couple of 21st century manuals.

Good luck!

 

[MyDads38]

Welcome Back!!! Be safe and enjoy yourself.

 

[Thomas15]

tom, my advice is first define what exactly you want to accomplish with your handloads. Pick one caliber to get back into it, probably the caliber you shoot the most and have brass for. Pick up an up to date load manual. My suggestion is the Hornady or Lyman.


Primers if your starting with 45 acp then Large Pistol, 38 small pistol. Select a bullet and a powder based on the bullet and the expected application. There are probably more than 50 pistol/shotgun powders easy to obtain but a nice utility powder is Hodgdon HP-38 or Alliant BE-86.

The load manual has instruction on setting up the dies as a refresher. Hopefully you have a nice place to mount your press and store your stuff. As a reminder start at the low end of the data in your book, work up slowly and carefully.

 

[Univibe]

I'd get a good loading manual or two as a refresher on how to do it; but powder manufacturers put their data on the Net and you can now download it for free. I use Accurate Arms powders and they just released an updated loading guide. The powder manufacturers' loading guides are not comprehensive how-to-do-it manuals but do contain current load data.

And I'm not telling you anything here that you probably don't already know: best bet is to pick ONE bullet and ONE powder for each caliber and as much as you can, get that dialed in and stick with it.

 

[stansdds]

The basic principles of reloading have not changed, but the powders and bullets have. Re-read the safety and how-to sections in your old manuals, but use newer data for working up reloads. Much of that data can be found online these days.

 

[chief38]

All the information and loading data charts are now on-line, available free of charge from the Powder Company's. It's nice to be able to have a reloading manual or two next to you as well, but not necessary because of the fact that we now live in a digital age.

 

[socal s&w]

I would add to all of the above good advice;
Keep you old reloading manuals, there are times when you either have old powder (you could well have some now from your previous life) or are able to buy at a good price. Having the correct year manual for that old powder is a good idea.
You can get almost everything new online or in current manuals.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have some 231 and Unique still sitting around that I have had for about 25+years. Used to load .45auto, .44sp and .357. Should I throw it out or use it?

 

[ajgunner]

I have some 231 and Unique still sitting around that I have had for about 25+years. Used to load .45auto, .44sp and .357. Should I throw it out or use it?

Load it up and get to shooting. All these guys saying to throw out books and components must have never been on a tight budget. I am using an old Speer manual from the 80's---mostly because most of my powders and primers were bought in the 80's. Of course I have newer manuals and also check things out on line, but no need to throw old books away when the info still works fine. Same with old powders. If they have been stored properly and have no off smells or looks, why the heck would you want to throw it out.



Bought these during the most recent shortage. I got a screaming deal, all were still sealed, no issues, and all sent the lead down the barrels without a problem. Would I buy it again---heck yes!!!

 

[ontargetagain]

Welcome back. I am fairly new to reloading, about 3yrs now and started from scratch. I am receptive to trying new powders and can respect the ones that have been around for a long time.
For me, HP38, Bullseye, WST cover a lot of what I reload. However newer powders I have really enjoyed have been Alliant Sport Pistol and BE86 and IMR Target.

Other powders I use and like, Titegroup, Unique.
Enjoy the new beginning!
Karl

 

[SMSgt]

I don't think anyone is saying to toss old manuals. The info is still good but the load data may not be. The make-up of some powders has changed, and the amount of powder X in caliber Y may yield higher pressures than older mixes of the same powder brand.

I keep my Speer #9 around for its info. The load data I no longer follow. Some of the powders listed in it are no longer available.

 

[Troystat]

As far as old manuals go, if your not loading full power loads and using powders like bulleye, 231, unique etc I would think you are not likely to get into trouble. If your loading full house 357 loads the data has changed and the max loads are lower even with the same powder. As always be careful and don't over load your cartridges etc.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Most online data is very safe but can also be minimal and not
list the old powders, like the Alliant new listings.

I like the Lyman load data books, that are up to date and list a lot of standard powders.

Data for the "New Powders" is out there, if you need to buy them.

Good luck .