Son getting started reloading!

[Skip Sackett]

Well, our oldest son is going to get started with reloading very soon. He was at our place and I sent one of my SDB's home with him, some bullets, primers and powder. He has a ton of questions but being he is an "injunier" he should be able to handle this simple process!

The components he will be starting out with are some H&G #290 home cast bullets, 160gr LSWC sized to .358" and lubed with Lyman Black, Accurate Arms #2 powder, 38spl brass and Federal Small Pistol primers.

I told him how great a group of folks you all are. The camaraderie is priceless.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I can't think of a better teacher than you, add to this the bond between father and son, you've got a winner!

Casting next...

 

[preserving-freedom]

Thanks Dad. I was talking about the stuff you gave me to a couple of guys at work, and they were pretty jealous. Guess that means it's pretty good stuff. All right folks, I have what he says I have. (cause I have no idea what I really have.) First things first. Where should I set this stuff up? I guess I should have a temperature and humidity-controlled room, and be able to bolt the door. The room should have plenty of light and a solid bench. (My wife is saying it sounds like some kind of a torture room, probably will be by the time I get my first round made.)

 

[Skip Sackett]

Snap,
Thanks for the kudos, friend! Lots of knowledgeable folks here. Some, like yourself are at the top of that list!


I forgot to say too that we are doing this long distance. He is in PA and I am in IN!


Son,

A sturdy bench and a lockable area for components. You do have 5 kids! The bench can be a Black & Decker Workmate like the video on youtube only you will want to sturdy it up a bit. A simple 2x4 workbench with plywood top will work well too. Do a search in this forum on "benches" or "show us your reloading area" and you will get some good ideas.

I'll get on the sideline for now. Let others pipe in here! Remember though, be safe!

 

[Skip Sackett]

Simple bench. Similar to mine. I had 2x6 on hand. Building A Basic Work Bench

 

[preserving-freedom]

Ok, looks like a great idea for a work bench. I have something similar for the tools in the garage. I plan to make a small room in the basement to put my stuff in, and to keep the kids out.

 

[preserving-freedom]

I have been reading the Lyman's reloading handbook. I think it will help me to develop a process from Range to Range, and to get me thinking about reloading. I am not one to just jump into something (especially if it can go BOOM!) I want to take some time, and understand what I need to do, and how I need to do it, so that it might be done right.

I've been reading some of these high tech threads, and now have brain matter seeping from my ears. Case lube, sizing the new brass, trimming, wall thickness, cleaning the primer port, crimping, tumbling recipes, why Dillon is evil, why Dillon is heavenly, Argh, the list goes on!!!! I just want to make some cheap bullets to plink with! Is it even possible?!?!?!? WARNING OVERLOAD 5...4...3...2...1....

 

[Skip Sackett]

Well, it certainly can be overwhelming at the beginning, that's for sure. With your attention to detail and smarts, you won't have any problems. Look at me, dumb as a box of rocks, haven't blown up a gun more than once!

You will do fine. Folks here will help. What about at the club you belong to? Are there any reloaders there? Any that want to share?

There is an NRA book about reloading. See if you can get one online.

You have everything you need to make a few rounds. Primers, cases, powder and bullets along with a decent press.

Here is what you need to do now to get some of that plinking ammo you are talking about.

#1: Get the case sized and the old primer out.
#2: Put a new primer in and fill it with powder.
#3: Put a new bullet in the case at the right depth.
#4: Apply the right amount of crimp.

Guess what? That is exactly what will happen if you run one of those cases through the press I gave you. In that order to! Set it up as a single stage, so to speak, running just one case through at a time. The primers will only go in a case if the primer pocket is empty. Weigh the powder every 10th charge and then run that one case back through the press. Remember though, don't run it through the first station or you will have to put a new primer in it!

Simple steps. One at a time. When you feel comfortable with that, go every other one then every one. Don't be overwhelmed with a lot of details. Like case lube and yada, yada, yada. We'll get to that in due time. You don't NEED any of that stuff now. Nuances and some are not needed for simple pistol range fodder.

FWIW

G'night son.

 

[Paul5388]

G'night son.

Skip, Are you sure it isn't "goodnight John boy" and this is the Waltons?

2: Put a new primer in and fill it with powder.

It would probably be better to say "put the proper amount of powder in the case" than "fill it with powder", but you also know I'm also just kidding with these comments, even though the second one is true.

BTW, here's my #1 son reloading in my old loading room.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Yes, well, I stand corrected, or rather sit corrected as the case may be!

You are quite right Paul, the correct amount of powder for the recipe. Good point.

 

[preserving-freedom]

So, I've been doing some reading, now I have questions.

I'm going to be reloading 38s.

Do you need to check case length of each case after leaving the range?

Do you have to brush out each case before putting them in the tumbler?

 

[acl864]

Welcome to the forum and to reloading. Reloading is a great hobby and this is one of the most helpful and supportive forums you'll find.

As to your questions... like alot of reloading questions there is no universal "right" answer. We all have slightly different techniques and preferences in the case preparation stage. I'm particular about case length so I measure and trim all of my 38 Sp. brass to the same length within +/- .003" each time I begin case prep. I'm sure most folks don't do that because it's time consuming and isn't required. It does help to get a consistent seat and bullet crimp, but in reality it probably doesn't help accuracy enough to justify the time spent, especially on straight walled pistol cases. I do it out of habit and because I tend to be a little obsessive about some things. When you are getting started it's not a bad idea to go "by the book" and measure and trim each case- most especially the first time through. After you've trimmed them all once you probably won't need to trim again. As you gain experience you can make an informed decision as to whether the extra time spent is worth the accuracy gained and adjust your techniques accordingly.

I typically don't do anything to the brass before I put it in the tumbler. I just dump it in and let it run. Some folks size and de-prime before tumbling but I size and de-prime afterwards. There are pros and cons each way.

With your bloodlines you'll be up and running in no time. Heck, you might be teaching us some things a couple years down the road.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I don't think I have trimmed more than 100 38spl cases ever. What I did do after that was sort them by length. Grouped by .005". That aided in the loading process after I got a progressive press. Then, when I switched lengths a simple adjustment was all I needed and I knew when it was going to be needed.

As for brushing out each case, no, just drop them in the tumbler and let it do its work. If good media is used, it will get in there and clean it out. The longer you run it, the cleaner it will get. Of course the opposite is true about your media!

As Andy said, some deprime so that the primer pocket is exposed and can be cleaned. What I have seen more often than not is that the pockets fill up with media and don't get clean anyway, so now I skip the extra step. Besides, I don't want dirty cases in my press any more often then necessary.

Here is one of the Black and Decker benches:

One a little different:

Here is a thread on this forum about that topic:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/142525-your-reloading-area-3.html

Here is one that would save space. With your wood working skills, you could make something like this:

Just by way of information!

 

[preserving-freedom]

Hey I like that last one, I could put it right in the living room! The wife might not go for that, but she'll get over it....Right.

Are the Black and Decker tables strong enough, or do they wiggle a bit? I would think the 2x4 bench would be the sturdiest. I like the small set up that the BnD provides, but it has to be sturdy for me.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I needs to be screwed to the wall too. When you set up your area, try to remember that.

 

[PDL]

P-F,
Since nobody else did, at least in this thread, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've had some good advice and mentoring. But did he do some hands on work with you. That should have made you feel more confident. Resizing does require a stable platform. The first cap you bust that you built will put a smile on your face and keep you going for more.

 

[Paul5388]

I think I prefer the KISS principle (Keep it Simple Sergeant). That means the case prep will not affect the process very much and probably doesn't add anything to accuracy, if you keep your cases out of the dirt. I have 40 year old rifle brass that has never been tumbled and it still shoots <1" at 100 yards.

Your carbide dies (I know Skip wouldn't give you anything else for that Dillon), will handle untumbled brass without a hitch and a taper crimp doesn't care too much about case length, while providing good accuracy.

Concentrate on the process and don't sweat the small stuff right now. Did I mention a shiny case will blow up with an overload just as easily as an overloaded dirty case?

 

[AzShooter]

Next investment is a good scale. You can get one from Cabellas for $29.95 that works as good as my Dillon that cost me $249. I like digital but a decent balance beam will do as well.

Harbour Freight has a great bench on sale for $159, regular price $400. I just ordered one since I'm moving in a month and need to start my reloading room all over.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Az, He has a great scale. It is a "Texan" with oil dampening. One of the better ones made. It's beam is much like the Hornady scale. Very, very accurate.

Here is what he has for equipment:
MSC foreign made calipers (to arrive soon)$10
The Texan scale
Reconditioned Square Deal B set up in 38spl/357Mag with primer pickup tubes.
TEC plastic primer flip tray
Lyman #48 manual
Cleaned 38spl brass
Federal Small Pistol primers (1000)
Accurate Arms #2 (1lb)
Skip cast bullets H&G #290BB 160gr LSWC lubed with Lyman Black lube sized to .358"

Here is the picture of the scale:

 

[preserving-freedom]

Thanks guys for all of the tips.

I looked at the bench at Harbor Freight. Oak and looks very nice.

At this point, I'm about to bolt that Dillon to the kitchen table just to make some loads!!! Hope I can celebrate the 4th of July with some of my own ammo!

 

[Paul5388]

Here's an easy to use press stand from Harbor Freight.

Bench Grinder Stand

If you're careful, the cast iron top won't break, but if it does, just weld a plate on top. For $29.95, it's a pretty good stand.

The Rock Chucker is mounted on one of these stands in this picture.

 

[preserving-freedom]

Thanks again! I'm clearing out some junk at the house Friday night, and hope to have something set-up and going Saturday morning, so I can hit the range Saturday afternoon. If not, Dad made up some 45's that the cases need emptied!

 

[Paul5388]

Dad made up some 45's that the cases need emptied!

That's what my #1 son thinks too.

I saw in the latest Midway catalog that they have a Stack On loading bench for $114.99.

Stack-On Reloading Bench 20" x 42" Top - MidwayUSA

It might just be me, but I don't think the drawer and extra shelf is worth $100.

I'd almost bet the top is 1" particle board, but some sheet metal will help prolong its life.

 

[preserving-freedom]

I think what I'm going to do is bolt it to a 2x4 then c-clamp the press to a table.

 

[Skip Sackett]

That is a good thought!

 

[preserving-freedom]

Ok so I changed my mind. I screwed it to a work bench in the garage for now. I'll do something else with my reloading set-up later.

 

[preserving-freedom]

I got the press set-up (with Dad's phone assistance) and running. I used Federal small pistol primers, AA#2 3.8 gr, and 160 gr lswc and 38 special brass. I made up 96 rounds. Federal must have only packaged 96 primers, or I lost some on the garage floor when I first opened them up. (Won't do that again.) I just have one big problem, I need a place to unload these rounds!

Addicted! Yes!

 

[Skip Sackett]

Well, I don't want to see your weapons, I wanna see the rounds dude! Didn't I tell you that pictures are required?

 

[acl864]

Addicted! Yes!

Welcome to the club....

 

[preserving-freedom]

Here are some pics of the rounds I'm gonna unload today.