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- Thread starter EODJames
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Welcome to the forum, and thank you for your service to this country!1
Buy several good reloading manuals and then read them front to back. Also all of your ideas above are good ones. There are videos that can be bought from places like Midway, and others, that show you step by step how to go about it.
Reading the manuals is a must though. Don't play any music, or let anyone distract you when you are loading, especially when you are just starting out.
Buy several good reloading manuals and then read them front to back. Also all of your ideas above are good ones. There are videos that can be bought from places like Midway, and others, that show you step by step how to go about it.
Reading the manuals is a must though. Don't play any music, or let anyone distract you when you are loading, especially when you are just starting out.
socal s&w
Member
I agree, you have hit upon the most common learning areas. A mentor is probably the best, but even then you must do the reading to get as educated as possible.
Some of the loading manufacturers have really good vids as well, I know Dillon does.
Ask a lot of questions, but be very wary of web recipes if they are not in printed form. In other words, don't take recipe advise ver batum, ALWAYS check if first to see if it is a listed load before proceeding.
Err on the side of caution until you understand the perimeters.
Some of the loading manufacturers have really good vids as well, I know Dillon does.
Ask a lot of questions, but be very wary of web recipes if they are not in printed form. In other words, don't take recipe advise ver batum, ALWAYS check if first to see if it is a listed load before proceeding.
Err on the side of caution until you understand the perimeters.
ajpelz
Member
Welcome.
Hornady and RCBS has some good reloading vids on their sites. I know RCBS has a guide that takes you through each process in detail to come out with a loaded round.
Youtube also has some very useful step-by-step demonstrations.
Nothing beats a live person though to tell you what to do, AND more importantly, what not to do.
Pay attention to every aspect of a recipe. Caliber, bullet, bullet weight, charge weight, powder type, primer, OAL, Case length.....
Start conservative (but not below minimum), and work your way up.
Your life as you know it will never be the same...
Hornady and RCBS has some good reloading vids on their sites. I know RCBS has a guide that takes you through each process in detail to come out with a loaded round.
Youtube also has some very useful step-by-step demonstrations.
Nothing beats a live person though to tell you what to do, AND more importantly, what not to do.
Pay attention to every aspect of a recipe. Caliber, bullet, bullet weight, charge weight, powder type, primer, OAL, Case length.....
Start conservative (but not below minimum), and work your way up.
Your life as you know it will never be the same...
ALWAYS start at 10% below the lowest load given. +1 to the advice of no distractions. That is a recipie for disaster. Start by loading small batches, label them as to primer, powder, bullet weight, shape, manufacturer, case. Keep each batch seperate from another. Work your way up slowly. Each gun is different. Two consecutively serial numbered guns may prefer different loads for best accuracy. This is not unheard of. Now, some people reload for accuracy, and some people reload just to save money. But even if you're just reloading to save money, there has to be a certain aspect of accuracy involved as well. A load which gives you a 6" group at 7 yards is a waste of time and money. And NEVER exceed the maximum recomended load. Take advantage of the books and videos out there, and ask at your local gun shop for a few names of reloaders and tell them you're interested in getting into reloading. Many will be glad to help. Let them talk. and LISTEN!!! -Ed.
ajpelz
Member
Squib loads are a very good reason to not start below minimum. Any reloading manual published in the last two decades will have safe loads for any MODERN firearm at their starting point. Especially with JACKETED bullets. Going lower can cause a bullet to not exit the barrel (squib) and the subsequent shot can destroy the firearm. As for never exceeding maximum loads, it depends. #1, it depends on the gun being used. A relatively modern, all carbon steel, heavy duty firearm can very often handle loads exceeding the "Max" load from MODERN manuals. But, what is the point? They WILL wear you gun out faster without a doubt. On the other hand #2, I would not go near maximums of older manuals like Speer #8. A lot of their "starting" loads are above the modern day "maximums."
Bottom line, start at the bottom, slowly work your way up, KNOW YOUR FIREARM, and use a chronograph. Pressure signs from cases often come too late.
Ask this guy, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-think-ya-used-bit-too-much-powder-butch.html
And on the low end, see this thread, http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/103407-squib-load.html
Bottom line, start at the bottom, slowly work your way up, KNOW YOUR FIREARM, and use a chronograph. Pressure signs from cases often come too late.
Ask this guy, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...-think-ya-used-bit-too-much-powder-butch.html
And on the low end, see this thread, http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/103407-squib-load.html
Last edited:
oldRoger
US Veteran
As a suggestion, when you have done some reading, looked at the videos, lurked around here asking questions, and before buying equipment, post a plea for personal help on the forum.
Something like; "I am looking for someone to guide me through the early steps of reloading; I live in the -------- area of Alabama."
I would be surprised if someone did not come forward.
Roger.
Something like; "I am looking for someone to guide me through the early steps of reloading; I live in the -------- area of Alabama."
I would be surprised if someone did not come forward.
Roger.
Tell Sackett
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Stop posting on the forum and start reloading! 
It's the simplest way!
I have been reloading for years and years and quite simply the best thing to do is start. Take a logical approach, the same way you would start any thing that was new to you, acquire the best information possible, purchase equipment that has great support and get loading.
I'm a "hands on" type of fellow and need to have my hands on stuff even if I am reading about it. Sometimes I have had manuals open while processing. Reading and "touching", that's how I learn the best.
Asking questions of folks that can see what you are doing is a good thing too and that can be simulated through the web with pictures and forums and such.
Before you get anything, get a bullet pulling hammer. There is no reason to try to shoot your mistakes then!
The videos are free on the Lee website too and they are very informational on their equipment.
It's the simplest way!I have been reloading for years and years and quite simply the best thing to do is start. Take a logical approach, the same way you would start any thing that was new to you, acquire the best information possible, purchase equipment that has great support and get loading.
I'm a "hands on" type of fellow and need to have my hands on stuff even if I am reading about it. Sometimes I have had manuals open while processing. Reading and "touching", that's how I learn the best.
Asking questions of folks that can see what you are doing is a good thing too and that can be simulated through the web with pictures and forums and such.
Before you get anything, get a bullet pulling hammer. There is no reason to try to shoot your mistakes then!
The videos are free on the Lee website too and they are very informational on their equipment.
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+1 on NOT reloading below the minimum the recipe calls for
I'm also more of a hands on type of guy. I will take it slow and also seek out help from experienced people. My background in Explosive Ordnance Disposal gives me an attraction to delicate things that could go boom! Again, thanks to everyone!
There is a huge difference between loading for high-V rifles and medium pistol cartridges, and many of the things needed for rifle loading are nearly irrelevant iwth ordinary straight-walled pistol loads.
NRA has reloading courses available, and will sell you a good book on basics.
Program Materials Center - Product Details
NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training
A knowledgeable teacher or mentor will save you a lot of time and grief. For safety's sake, it is most important to learn what NOT to do. There is a lot of misinformation and outright dangerous loading data floating around on the internet that may or may not be safe in YOUR gun.
For example, if 5 or 6 shooters at the IDPA club tell you they are loading 4.4gr of HP-38 under a FMJ 124gr in 9mm Luger, it would be ridiculous to go through the whole routine "working up" this load. A quick check of a couple good manuals shows this load to within recommended range, and you have to "make power" to shoot IDPA.
However, if someone tells you he uses HP-38 to make MAJOR POWER in 9mm, just walk away and ignore anything he says. Why? WAY OVER any recommended load, and possible KABOOM!
The mechanics of loading are simple, but unforgiving. People accustomed to following directions and paying attention do well, but some people just shouldn't reload--like some you wouldn't want in EOD.
NRA has reloading courses available, and will sell you a good book on basics.
Program Materials Center - Product Details
NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training
A knowledgeable teacher or mentor will save you a lot of time and grief. For safety's sake, it is most important to learn what NOT to do. There is a lot of misinformation and outright dangerous loading data floating around on the internet that may or may not be safe in YOUR gun.
For example, if 5 or 6 shooters at the IDPA club tell you they are loading 4.4gr of HP-38 under a FMJ 124gr in 9mm Luger, it would be ridiculous to go through the whole routine "working up" this load. A quick check of a couple good manuals shows this load to within recommended range, and you have to "make power" to shoot IDPA.
However, if someone tells you he uses HP-38 to make MAJOR POWER in 9mm, just walk away and ignore anything he says. Why? WAY OVER any recommended load, and possible KABOOM!
The mechanics of loading are simple, but unforgiving. People accustomed to following directions and paying attention do well, but some people just shouldn't reload--like some you wouldn't want in EOD.
