Reloading

Anything and everything related to ammunition can be posted here.

Moderator: Ridgerunner665


.270 WIN
Posts: 449
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:09 pm
PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:22 pm
Has any one took a reloading corse fro the NRA?
"Im just a Peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many guns"
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.410
Posts: 59
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:54 am
PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:49 pm
Not me...not knocking the course, but reloading isn't that complicated...on forums, its often made out to be far more complicated (and dangerous) than it actually is.

All a person needs is common sense, pretty basic math skills and to be somewhat "mechanically minded"...reading scales, reading calipers, setting up dies, etc.

The book called "The ABC's of Reloading" covers plenty enough to get just about anybody started...and there are LOTS of really good YouTube videos too, but you'll have to sort through a lot of not so good ones too.

Heck, most reloading manuals cover the majority of it in the front parts of the book...just start simple and work your way up to the finer points. By starting simple I mean...single stage press, learn to load 1 round (whatever you shoot the most) at a time....that way you only have one powder, one bullet, one primer, etc. (no worries about mixing things up in the excitement)....after you're comfortable (not complacent) with that round....move on to another one.

Thats how I did it....a fine old gentleman I used to bear hunt with got me started. The first round I ever loaded was a 30-30. When he passed away....he left me his old RockChucker press and several sets of dies...the rest is history.

Copper BB
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:35 pm
Location: Connecticut
PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:15 pm
I'm totally self taught on the reloading front. I started with shotgun shells. My shooting partner at the time swore I'd blow myself up if I ever tried reloading. I don't know where he got that idea. I went slow and easy, single stage press to start and lo and behold, my first few shells came out looking just like they should. I was hooked. Then started with the handgun ammo, on a rockchucker with 3 die carbide sets for 357 and 44 mag. Read the load books, and I'm pretty sure I had the current version of ABC's of reloading by Dean Grennel and everything worked just like the books said it would and the rest is history. Just start simple and with a single stage press and pay attention. It really is not rocket science.

.22LR
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:50 pm
PostPosted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:44 am
I think you will find reloading to be relaxing and there is nothing better than seeing your own ammunition perform. The added benefit is you can tailor your loads to fit your needs.
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.410
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:09 am
PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:36 am
I reload for 30-30, 30-06, 357/38, 25 auto, 45 long colt, and 45 auto. It is the surest way to get accurate ammo for each firearm I own.

.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm
Location: North Central Montana
PostPosted: Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:47 am
Have been working all winter to try and get my inventory built back up for fair weather shooting but this winter has been an open winter so I've been shooting up everything as soon as it's loaded. I've got 2000 38 Specials, 500 357s, 1000 45 auto and auto rim to load. I'm behind on 41 mag, 44 Special, and 45 Colt. Finally got my 43 Spanish, 38-55 and 45-70 done. Need more 32 S&W and Long, 32 Mag, 327 Fed. Mag. and 32-20. Got about 5000 boolits of various calibers to size and loob and I need to cast some more 32 handgun boolits. I need more 454 round balls for use in 45 auto rim, fun at close range. Got a can full of 270, 30-30 and 8MM cases to size and load. I noticed my 338-06 inventory is not as healthy as I'd like.
Seems that being retired just isn't enough, I used to get paid holidays and sick leave to do this kind of stuff. Don't get those paid off days to get caught up on my casting, loading, etc. any longer, that must be why I'm so far behind.

Copper BB
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 12:42 pm
PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:07 am
New to reloading. Starting with a Lee single stage press. At this time i will be reloading 45 lc. Have a Winchester Mod. 94 trapper in 45 lc. Black powder hunt with a 50 cal. with 45 bullets. A die question. Lee offers a 3 die set,and a 4 die set for 45. What is the pro and con for 3 and 4 die sets? There is a lot of powders out there. Any advice on powder with a 16 inch barrel. 1 in 16 twist on my Trapper i think.

Thanks.

.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm
Location: North Central Montana
PostPosted: Thu May 17, 2012 8:42 am
The 4 die set includes the Carbide Crimp die in straight wall hand gun cartridges such as your 45 Colt. The CCD is not a real necessity most of the time, it can be useful depending on your bullets and your guns chamber. If you are going to shoot jacketed bullets you will never need it, it comes into play with oversized cast bullets, but even then, very infrequently.
A note: The Carbide Crimp die is not the same as the Factory Crimp die listed for rifle cartridges. It pays to be aware of the differences and know what is meant when others speak of them seemingly interchangeably; they are not the same and not interchangeable in name or function.
Reloading is fun and rewarding well out of proportion to the cost savings. The Lee set up is good and will serve you well and Lee customer service is tops. Lots of videos on Youtube and the Lee site to help you get thru the beginning phases. Good shooting!!!!

.270 WIN
Posts: 134
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:26 pm
Location: North Central Montana
PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:18 pm
Been busy this summer, doing some shooting but also coaching a father and son duo the basics of hand loading their '06 and 243 ammunition. Good students, especially the 12 year old.

Copper BB
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:45 pm
Location: Cocoa,Fl.
PostPosted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 1:11 pm
I also cast and reload for several pistol and a few of my rifles. I don`t really do it for saving cost just enjoy it and also getting a custom load.
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Posts: 278
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:00 am
I've been reloading Rifle cartridges for many years, mostly for .308 Winchester, .307 Winchester, .303 British, .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, .222 Remington, .300 Savage.
I got started because I found it was the only way to get ammunition for my model 1876 .45-75. It took me a few years to find the brass and dies for it, but it finally all came together. The end result was well worth the wait, it is very cool being able to fire the hunting rifle originally owned by my great great grandfather made in 1883. Nobody else in my family ever thought it would be revived after laying silently in the back of a closet without ammo for 60 or more years.
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Copper BB
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:45 pm
Location: Cocoa,Fl.
PostPosted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 6:23 pm
skinner-t wrote:I've been reloading Rifle cartridges for many years, mostly for .308 Winchester, .307 Winchester, .303 British, .30-30 Winchester, .32 Winchester Special, .222 Remington, .300 Savage.
I got started because I found it was the only way to get ammunition for my model 1876 .45-75. It took me a few years to find the brass and dies for it, but it finally all came together. The end result was well worth the wait, it is very cool being able to fire the hunting rifle originally owned by my great great grandfather made in 1883. Nobody else in my family ever thought it would be revived after laying silently in the back of a closet without ammo for 60 or more years.

Awesome reply Skinner. I share your passion

.270 WIN
Posts: 449
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:09 pm
PostPosted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:41 am
Awesome story thanks for sharing
"Im just a Peckerwood who lives in the hills with too many guns"

.410
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:15 am
PostPosted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 5:04 pm
I've been casting and handloading for almost 40 years now, the two go hand in hand. Shotshell reloading, I'm fairly new at, I've only been at that for about 5 years. I cast for everything I own .30 and over, rifle as well as handgun.

Copper BB
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:20 am
Location: Long Island, New York
PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:20 pm
I've been reloading since 2009. 30-30, 45-70, and 30-06. Very relaxing and keeps me in ammo.

.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:40 am
PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:31 am
Krag96,
Chicken - egg question
Lube 1st, gas check/size 2nd, final lube 3rd


Sincerely, newbie

.410
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:15 am
PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:37 pm
Moiecol1721 wrote:Krag96,
Chicken - egg question
Lube 1st, gas check/size 2nd, final lube 3rd


Sincerely, newbie

Well, it depends on your method. Using a lubrisizer such as a Lyman 450 the gas check goes on, then rammed down into the die, lube applied in the die under pressure, and punched back up. The LEE dies that only require a reloading press, the lube has to be applied before the gas check, run straight through the die and captured in a container provided with the die.

Currently the only cast bullets I gas check are what I cast for .30 rifle with muzzle velocities over 1,600fps. Gas checks are expensive really not needed IF the bullet is properly cast and lubricated. Lyman's "Orange Magic" is one of the best lubes I've ever used, but does require a heater under the lubrisizer to flow into the grooves.

There are several methods for applying lube, pan lubing, tumble lubing, and die lubing. For all you need to know about casting and related topics check out castboolits.com Lots of friendly helpful folks to guide you along, and no question is a dumb question there.

.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:40 am
PostPosted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:06 pm
I'm using lee lube and size kit with gas check, I finished the 1st batch with lee alox, I'll using IMR-3031 with 22gr. - 1595 (low) to 29.5 - 2181 (high) I'll find out this weekend which will be the sweet spot

.410
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:15 am
PostPosted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:08 am
Moiecol1721 wrote:I'm using lee lube and size kit with gas check, I finished the 1st batch with lee alox, I'll using IMR-3031 with 22gr. - 1595 (low) to 29.5 - 2181 (high) I'll find out this weekend which will be the sweet spot


I have a few of those myself and think they work very well for the price. I don't use the liquid alox that comes with them though, I prefer to pan lube with SPG as the bullets I run through them are plain base low speed.

What cartridge are you loading for? If a .30-06 I've had very good luck with IMR 4227 under a Lyman 311332, 180gr cast bullet with gas check. IMR 4227 is my favorite cast powder for rifles, it just works so very well with them. Good luck on your venture this week-end.

.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:40 am
PostPosted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 8:24 pm
Ok, problem is when I set depth it's good, but on occasion the neck gets disfigured from the edge of the gas check. What is up ? help !!
Image

.410
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:15 am
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 6:32 am
Are you flaring the cases before loading powder and bullet? If not, LEE makes a universal expander die, or you could buy a long Lyman M die, or RCBS makes a very nice one with different size inserts. I have the Lyman M and the RCBS, but have not tried the LEE yet. The LEE can be had for under $15.00 and most likely works fine.

How was your accuracy? Did the cartridges feed and chamber okay?

Another solution could be a larger expander ball in your sizing/de-capping die, (changing a .30 to .303 may work) before flaring.

.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:40 am
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 7:01 am
When I bought lee die set it had decapper/seat/cripper only. I figured it was like my 270 set, I found/order an expander die that will be here this Wednesday. I'll be going to the range this week and see which groups best/fps. Thank for the information

.410
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:15 am
PostPosted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:07 pm
Loading cast bullet rifle loads requires a different set of rules and sometimes tools.
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Moderator
Posts: 278
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:18 am
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
PostPosted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:42 am
You might try backing the seating die out a bit farther, and also make sure your cases are all trimmed the same. It looks like you have way too much crimp in the picture, that car cause issues with shoulders and necks.

.22LR
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:05 am
PostPosted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 11:28 pm
Have been loading and casting for nearly 40 years. Extends my time spent with my hobby, but does NOT save me money. Costs just as much to shoot, only putting more rounds down range for the $. This, however, is not a bad thing. Cast and load for 38/357. 44 mag, 45ACP, 243 and 30/06. Load for 9mm, 32 WS, 223, 300 Win Mag and 223 WSSM.
Pic above looks like you need a Lyman M die or the RCBS version. The Lee only flares the mouth, does not expand the neck, and depending on the size of the expander button in your sizer die you may be sizing your bullets down when seating them. There have been discussions of this on other forums and the rule seems to be .002-.004 smaller inside neck diameter than bullet diameter.
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