12 replies to this topic

[Ruff]

Hello all,

Just joined up. Seems like a nice site.

[Flash]

We like it. It's a lot more low key than a lot of the other sites.

Welcome.

[Ruff]

Hi Flash,

Low key is good. Been on alot of different forums the past few days looking for info.

[Flash]

What kind of info are you looking for? We have a lot of different expertise here and might be able to help you.

[428CJ]

Welcome

[Bounce]

central florida!? that's my old neck of the woods.... lakeland? winterhaven?

[Ruff]

Howdy Flash,

Looking for info to get ready to start reloading. Actually found this site when I was searching for a software program that tracks reloading data.

Howdy Bounce,

Orlando actually. You named things all alround me.

[Flash]

I've been reloading metallic rifle and pistol since I was 9 and shotgun since I was 23. Perhaps I can help.

What do you need to know?

Oh, and can I stay with you the next time I visit the Mouse?

[Buckshot Bill]

Howdy Ruff, and welcome. Yeah, we're kind of an easy goin', laid back bunch here. We're a lot more polite and respectful to each other than a lot of places and that's one of the reasons why I like it.
This is a great place to share thoughts and ideas about firearms, and I hope you like it here.
Bill

[Ruff]

Hello Flash,

I am right by the airport here in Orlando, kind of far from the Mouse and other attractions, but you are welcome to the couch.

As too reloading I have never done it. I have watched it done myself. I have a RCBS that my ex-wife got me and a Dillon RL550B with all the bells and whistles that were available when my current wife bought it for me 12 years ago. I want to get the case feeder and RF 100 Large Primer Filler and Small Primer conversion for it.

So I am definitely a newbie. I have been given some good advice on another forum that I belong to when I asked a question about powders and that is to get some reloading manuals: “you get a Lyman #49 loading manual and their latest shotgun loading manual and read” also to check the manufactures’ websites.

I guess the one thing I am trying to understand/wrap my head around right now is the concept and process of working up a load. I have been a shooter since I was a kid, was in the military and security. Ammo was always issued to me or I bought commercially.
I am assuming that the reason to reload, besides saving money, is to get the most accuracy from the gun or a heavier hitting round than is available or easier shooting (recoil). My reason, to get into reloading is that I am looking at guns that commercial ammo is not being produced or are very expensive.

So now to the questions that I have now.

• Besides the brass, primers, powder and lead (BULLETS) do I need anything else?
• How many rounds should I load to test various powder/bullet combos?
• Do I need a Chronograph?
• How do I test the rounds over the Chronograph? Shooting at a target? What range/distance should I use?
• How do I tell if a combo is successful?

Well I guess that is it for now. I am sure that I will have others. Please feel free to move this if I am asking something in the wrong place.

Howdy Buckshot Bill,

So far I am impressed with this forum. I lurk a lot of place and post in so few.

Thank you for the welcome.

[Flash]

Hello Flash,

I am right by the airport here in Orlando, kind of far from the Mouse and other attractions, but you are welcome to the couch.

I knew there was a downside.

As too reloading I have never done it. I have watched it done myself. I have a RCBS that my ex-wife got me and a Dillon RL550B with all the bells and whistles that were available when my current wife bought it for me 12 years ago. I want to get the case feeder and RF 100 Large Primer Filler and Small Primer conversion for it.

Case feeders are nice but not anywhere near necessary. The large/small primer conversions are a must if you load very much.

So I am definitely a newbie. I have been given some good advice on another forum that I belong to when I asked a question about powders and that is to get some reloading manuals: “you get a Lyman #49 loading manual and their latest shotgun loading manual and read” also to check the manufactures’ websites.

Getting the manuals and reading is definitely recommended. I have the #49 and their shotgun manual as well and find them invaluable even though I've been reloading since Moses parted the Red Sea.

I guess the one thing I am trying to understand/wrap my head around right now is the concept and process of working up a load. I have been a shooter since I was a kid, was in the military and security. Ammo was always issued to me or I bought commercially.

The first time I ever fired commercial ammo (other than .22s) was in Basic Training in the Army. Seemed like quite a novelty to me.

I am assuming that the reason to reload, besides saving money, is to get the most accuracy from the gun or a heavier hitting round than is available or easier shooting (recoil). My reason, to get into reloading is that I am looking at guns that commercial ammo is not being produced or are very expensive.

Another reason is to make ammo that nobody else is making as you have noted. The savings are also there for the reloader as the round that I save the least on is the 9MM, and I'm making those for around $6.00/50, so you can save a fortune. It's useful for other things too, like when Mrs. Flash complained that her Glock G26 ejected into her forehead, I just upped the charge a bit and it started ejecting over her right shoulder. Kinda cool stuff.

So now to the questions that I have now.

• Besides the brass, primers, powder and lead (BULLETS) do I need anything else?
• You definitely need a caliper to measuer OAL of your rounds, plus a scale to weigh charges and a kinetic bullet puller to take apart the rounds that you're almost bound to need to take apart eventually. That's about the absolute minimum.
• How many rounds should I load to test various powder/bullet combos? It depends, but I wouldn't load more than 10 just in case you find they're terrible and you need to take them apart with the bullet puller. I usually use 5 rounds as that'll give me enough to tell if it's accurate.
• Do I need a Chronograph? I've been reloading forever and never found a need for a chronograph. If I was shooting one of the competition disciplines where I had to have a minimum power factor, then I'd buy a chronograph. I haven't even found a need for one when making precision rounds for varmint hunting.
• How do I test the rounds over the Chronograph? Shooting at a target? What range/distance should I use? I've got friends that have them and they occasionally shoot at targets when using the chronograph, but not all the time. You need to get your muzzle quite a ways from the screens so the muzzle blast doesn't register as velocity, though, and that pretty much eliminates their use at various indoor ranges, but not all.
• How do I tell if a combo is successful? It depends on the gun and caliber. For my .25-06, I need 5 rounds in a 3/4" group at 100 yards or better. The same is true of my wife's .220 Swift. For my .30-06, I need 5 rounds in 1-1/2". For my .45-70 Marlin with open sights, I want 5 shots in 3-1/2". For my 9MM or .380 or .45 ACP or whatever handguns, I want one large hole at around 7 yards for 10 rounds.

Well I guess that is it for now. I am sure that I will have others. Please feel free to move this if I am asking something in the wrong place.



Probably the best place for this is the reloading forum for the future, but feel free to ask any and everything you want. I don't have all the answers, but I'll do my best for you.

[Bounce]

haa! cool... I remember the airport road well... Boggy Creek Road...saw a female get ejected from her vehicle there the last time we flew out of MCO..

keep your powder dry..... and never lose attention to your current cartridge getting the powder charge....ever.....

[Ruff]

Hello Flash,

I am going to start a new thread in the reloading section. So please look for the post there.

Hey Bounce,

You would not recognize Boggy Creek Road, especially around 417. They are doing some major construction down there. The wife and I have been here a little over 5 years and it has changed.