Just Loaded my First Reloads

[hobbz]

I recently decided to start reloading and bought the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit and a set of carbide 38special dies.

Well, I got that stuff in on Friday, and didn't have a chance to mess with it till today. I built me a 2x3 reloading bench.

I bought some unique powder, primers and hornady 125gr fp/xtp bullets the other day.

I did some reading and reloaded my 1st 15 loads today. 4.8 grains on unique. Does that sound about right? 5.3 was max so 10% less was 4.77.

Total length was 1.44 which landed the slight crimp in the crimp band on the bullet.

I am addicted already.

 

[hobbz]

I recently decided to start reloading and bought the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit and a set of carbide 38special dies.

Well, I got that stuff in on Friday, and didn't have a chance to mess with it till today. I built me a 2x3 reloading bench.

I bought some unique powder, primers and hornady 125gr fp/xtp bullets the other day.

I did some reading and reloaded my 1st 15 loads today. 4.8 grains on unique. Does that sound about right? 5.3 was max so 10% less was 4.77.

Total length was 1.44 which landed the slight crimp in the crimp band on the bullet.

I am addicted already.

 

[jbouwens]

Now you done it. A 2 x 3 area will soon turn into a 3x8 area with shelves, stacks of stuff, and odds and ends for 10 calibers. Like the commercial for Lay's chips "you just can't have one". I'm sorry, you now have a desease that is not easily cured. I starter with one caliber also, but with three press upgrades and 12 calibers on my pile

over the years; I no longer can park my car on my side of the garage. Oh well, just have to add on to my reloading empire and through my wife's car outside soon too.

 

[Cary]

Welcome to an interesting and rewarding hobby. Does your Lee Press have the new Breech lock die set up? Looks like a nice set up. I started with a Lee Turret Press eight years ago and am still using it for all my final reloading steps. It sounds like you are well on your way.
Cary

 

[James57]

Welcome aboard hobbz. Glad to have another reloader in the group. I had almost forgot how exciting it really was to having reloaded your first ammo. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I can almost hear the excitement in your words. Unique is a very useful powder but it is not the best for the .38 Special. I think you will find your load satisfactory though. It may burn a little dirtier than 231, or Bullseye. One suggestion, load the load that you pick exactly as the load data in your book lists. Pick the bullet you want to load, then use the exact load listed in the reloading book for that bullet; primer, powder, length of loaded round(oal), etc. At least until you can build some experience. If you are going to continue loading, one of the first pieces of equipment you might want to consider buying would be a set of calipers to measure cartridges "oal" and the cases themselves. Read the loading manuals from front to back as they contain a wealth of information on the subject of reloading with helpful hints. I have been reloading for over 45 years now and I still love it. If it is a desease as some have called it, I don't want to be cured. Feel free to ask for information or advice. This and other forums are full of very knowledgeble people on the subject. Take care and have fun. James

 

[hobbz]

I already have a digital caliper, so I have been measuring the sizes already.

I do have one question already. What is a good book for lead reloads? Right now I have ordered 2000 from stonewall 1k 38 and 1k 9mm, but have a hard time finding load data for them

 

[durco]

"Just Loaded my First Reloads"? or, "Just Reloaded my First Loads"? or, "Just Reloaded my First Reloads"? HAW-HAW!
Which ever way, congratulations; it is a great hobby and saves $ too.
Mike

 

[FrankD45]

The Lyman manual has several cast lead loads and is a good source. Also Handloads.com is a good online source. As with all internet sources start at the bottom and work your way up. Also, the powder manufacturers all have load data for their powders.

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.accuratepowder.com/

I hope they help,

Frank

 

[Spotteddog]

Stick a fork in him, he's done!
No looking back now? The neighbors soon will only recognize you with a crazed look in your eye at 02:00, in your bath robe wandering about the house drinking coffee and muttering to yourself. In short, your gonna' look like the rest of us!
I'd have thought you'd have set your sights higher in life?

 

[Skip Sackett]

I like reloading/handloading almost more than shooting anymore.

I like going over the older data and making up some of that stuff.

Glad to hear you are following basic instructions. If you go on the Lee website there are videos you can watch on how to set up and run their equipment, pretty cool really.

His manual has a bunch of good stuff in the front too. Really, all of them do. Lyman, Speer, Lee, all have decent articles and technical goodies in the front of them. Well worth the money for any one of them.

Enjoy!

 

[jjones33]

Congrats! I only shoot every so often now so I can reload. You'll find your self waking up at 2 in the morning worrying that you only have X number of primers in the house and Z amount of powder. I truly believe reloaders have a psychological condition called multiphilia, the love of a lot of things the same.

The most fun of all will be when you light those first 15 up. Maybe save one and put it on your reloading bench so 20 years from now you can point to your first load!