Ok I did it

[Warbirds]

I picked up my first reloading press. I went with a Hornady Lock n Load classic press kit. It is susposed to have everything I need to get my foot in the door. I don't have any experience or anyone to show me the ropes so I am going to take this slow. I am going to start loading 223 since that is the most expensive gun I shoot. Eventually I want to work up to also loading 40sw and 9mm. My next goal is to find a reloading table and to get the gear set up. In the meantime I have both the Lyman 49th edition reloading book and the Hornady book that came with the kit to start reading. Supposedly the local Sportsmans Warehouse has a reloading class and the gun shop that I bought the kit from will be bringing in some Hornady reps to also do a class so I will try to attend those.

Anywhoo... I am pretty excited to start manufacturing ammo instead of buying it.

 

[kumbaugh]

I stopped reloading about 15 yrs ago, and getting back into reloading. I have a Dillion press and just ordered today from eBay a stack-on deluxe work/reloading bench. I had one before and gave it away when I stopped reloading. Total cost around $258

 

[walt629]

Okay Bird, now that you have the press, before you start, go get your blood tested to establish a base line for lead contamination. NO! I am not kidding.

If you go over to Thehighroad.org and look for the topic, there is one heck of a long thread about reloaders coming up with higher than normal lead content in their blood. Reloading environmental issues is something you NEED to pay attention to now that you've taken the step.

Good luck brother.

 

[Keykutter]

Nice. Start off by reading the whole front of the reloading table books. I started with the RCBS and the Hornady books. There is a lot of info in them to grasp.

I stopped loading a few years ago and decided a few weeks ago to start up again.

I used to use a RCBS Rock Chucker but just went out and bought a Lee Load master. I wanted a progressive this time, now that I know what I'm doing. I was gonna get a Blue Progressive but I don't plan on trying to wear it out so I stayed in the 'reasonable' range.

Good luck and don't be watching the tube while your reloading. Keep your mind in what your doing and check your efforts often.

KK

 

[Warbirds]

Ok, followup question. I am planning on putting my reloading bench in the basement. It isn't the largest room. Here is the dilema, from where my reloading bench will be is located a stand up freezer (5 feet) a furnace (11 feet) and a hot water heater (13 feet). Powder storage will be in the opposite corner of the basement 13 feet from the furnace and 15 from the water heater. My only other option would be to try to load in a small shed where the temperature would vary between below freezing and over 100. Have I set myself up for failure, or an explosion?

If you can't tell, I'm up to the section of the book on powder.

 

[Keykutter]

You'll be OK. It's not like you'll be moving so fast the powder will cause a dust in the air capable of exploding

Depending on the humidity, you may want to keep your powder in something like an ammo can. Thats what I do but in most cases, the seal on the powder can itself should be sufficient.

We have very high humidity in coastal SC so I keep mine in the powder can and keep the can in a large ammo can to boot. Maybe overkill but it makes me comfortable. I keep my primers in the sealed ammo can also. I never leave any powder in the press's cannister when I'm not reloading, but again, if you have dry conditions, it may not matter.

Glad your reading the whole book. It's amazing what you can learn and the things it makes you think about that you never even thought about.

KK

 

[JimPage]

No matter how dry the conditions, don't leave powder in the powder measure. It's easy to forget what's in the measure and end up loading the wrong powder. Put the powder back into it's original container everytime you're through for the day.

 

[Caribou]

You have a lot of fun ahead of you. I recommend that you take the class. You are likely to pick up information from training that you might miss in the book. I had a friend walk me through it and was very happy for the guidance. If you don't have a friend that reloads possibly you know someone that knows someone. You might also find someone at the range that is willing to help. A visit to a local Friends of the NRA meeting should get you some help. I can't tell you how much this assistance helped my confidence on the reloading bench.

 

[mspt_99]

so how much do you folks guestimate/know that you save by re-loading once you are proficient at it? I'm sure it depends on lots of factors so just give it a ballpark for me, if you can?
MSPT

 

[Glock Fan]

so how much do you folks guestimate/know that you save by re-loading once you are proficient at it? I'm sure it depends on lots of factors so just give it a ballpark for me, if you can?
MSPT

FMJ range ammo is approximately 50% less expensive. My hunting rifle ammo usually ends up costing more than factory loads. I have a wide range of loads for different types of game as well as environmental factors.

What I find more important with handgun ammo is that I can lighten the loads for novice shooters. This minimizes the "intimidation factor" if they are shooting a larger caliber for the first time.

 

[mspt_99]

TY

so how much do you folks guestimate/know that you save by re-loading once you are proficient at it? I'm sure it depends on lots of factors so just give it a ballpark for me, if you can?
MSPT

FMJ range ammo is approximately 50% less expensive. My hunting rifle ammo usually ends up costing more than factory loads. I have a wide range of loads for different types of game as well as environmental factors.

What I find more important with handgun ammo is that I can lighten the loads for novice shooters. This minimizes the "intimidation factor" if they are shooting a larger caliber for the first time.

Thanks glock fan.
mspt

 

[hurley40]

reloading

I think its a Great idea, and it allows me more time at the Range.

 

[Warbirds]

I picked up a stand for the powder measure so it is on the desk instead of hanging over the edge. I an also going to look for a metal plate to sit under the press and on the bottom of the table so the bolts have a little more support where they hold to the bench. I still need either a tumbler our a sonic cleaner but those can come in a bit. Little by little I an getting closer to loading my first round.


Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

 

[jimster]

You can tell when your lead level goes up...if you have grey hair it will start to turn dark. No kidding.

 

[wizard]

Maybe that is why I am not going grey yet!