Resources for begginer reloader
- Thread starter BORGY76
- Start date
I'll have to see if I can find em. Picked up a couple books from Hornady this weekend.
Last edited:
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-10th-Philip-Massaro/dp/1951115279
Get a mentor if at all possible.
A live mentor will cut your learning curve, reduce waste, and is a lot safer.
Get a mentor if at all possible.
A live mentor will cut your learning curve, reduce waste, and is a lot safer.
Before you load anything watch the Hornaday video they made for beginners, It answered a lot of my questions and helped me not make mistakes on the first batch. if you have never reloaded see if you can find someone local to sit and load with or even watch load. i read a bunch and listened to others but actually watching someone was way better for me.
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
6.5 forever
Silver $$ Contributor
Vast amounts of instruction on Utube.
Modern Reloading by Richard Lee is a good one to read as well.
You can absolutely never have enough reloading manuals... Speer , Hornady , Sierra and Lyman are all good and having all of them is a great thing.... Read the beginning of each.... Don't forget to go to used book stores and try to find old manuals..... The more the better.... They are all just a reference and none will normally have the same load data... Each can vary by a lot... If I am going to load a Hornady bullet I like to have the Hornady manual to start with then compare it to my other manuals....
Start low and work up , you need a chronograph in my opinion.... Keep in mind I after years start in the middle and only one time the middle of the load chart was what I was looking for... Normally you end up on the hotter side at least.... But you start in the middle because almost always the bottom end is way slow...
Remember you are in charge of safety and QC , So if something doesn't feel right in your gut or something isn't working right simply STOP is the best advice I can give you... Reloading is very safe if some simple rules are followed... Like , never have a powder on your reloading table your not using for that load... If your using loading blocks and preparing 50 cases at a time ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS take a small flashlight and inspect EVERY case for powder level before seating bullets.... Actually take your time and inspect every single one not just scan over them....
Take your time , reloading is not fast , your trying to build great quality ammo and you can't rush that.... Also what helped me is once you get a general idea of what should be happening at each step watch some you tube videos most of them are showing what needs to be happening but watch a few different ones on the same subject to make sure.... It's not hard but you never master reloading , you just keep getting better at it... And you don't need the latest and greatest to get started , a simple RCBS KIT will get you going...
While many start on a progressive press I highly suggest starting on a single stage like a RCBS because you learn how to setup the dies and learn exactly what's happening during each step of the process... Buy the best equipment you can when buying because it should last a lifetime if taken care of.... I personally use RCBS , DILLON AND MEC reloaders...
Ask questions here these guys are sharp... Learning how to setup your dies correctly is a great things so your not resizing your brass to much... The directions that come with them will always be way over sizing your brass... It sounds overwhelming but it's not....
Start low and work up , you need a chronograph in my opinion.... Keep in mind I after years start in the middle and only one time the middle of the load chart was what I was looking for... Normally you end up on the hotter side at least.... But you start in the middle because almost always the bottom end is way slow...
Remember you are in charge of safety and QC , So if something doesn't feel right in your gut or something isn't working right simply STOP is the best advice I can give you... Reloading is very safe if some simple rules are followed... Like , never have a powder on your reloading table your not using for that load... If your using loading blocks and preparing 50 cases at a time ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS take a small flashlight and inspect EVERY case for powder level before seating bullets.... Actually take your time and inspect every single one not just scan over them....
Take your time , reloading is not fast , your trying to build great quality ammo and you can't rush that.... Also what helped me is once you get a general idea of what should be happening at each step watch some you tube videos most of them are showing what needs to be happening but watch a few different ones on the same subject to make sure.... It's not hard but you never master reloading , you just keep getting better at it... And you don't need the latest and greatest to get started , a simple RCBS KIT will get you going...
While many start on a progressive press I highly suggest starting on a single stage like a RCBS because you learn how to setup the dies and learn exactly what's happening during each step of the process... Buy the best equipment you can when buying because it should last a lifetime if taken care of.... I personally use RCBS , DILLON AND MEC reloaders...
Ask questions here these guys are sharp... Learning how to setup your dies correctly is a great things so your not resizing your brass to much... The directions that come with them will always be way over sizing your brass... It sounds overwhelming but it's not....
My advice is to get the Lyman Reloading Handbook and read it thoroughly. Understand why something is being done.
Videos by reputable sources like RCBS, Hornady, etc. can be very helpful but be wary of the internet. There is a lot of bad information out there. Also don't get overwhelmed with advanced reloading techniques and information on the net. Start out with the basics. Safety is the top priority. I highly recommend a single stage press so each operation can be performed one step at a time. I've been using one for 50+ years and have loaded thousands of pistol and rifle cartridges with it. Keep it simple to start.
Still do the above but also find an experienced reloader and have them walk you through the process. As others have said, this will save you time, money and aggravation.
Use this forum to ask questions. There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.
Videos by reputable sources like RCBS, Hornady, etc. can be very helpful but be wary of the internet. There is a lot of bad information out there. Also don't get overwhelmed with advanced reloading techniques and information on the net. Start out with the basics. Safety is the top priority. I highly recommend a single stage press so each operation can be performed one step at a time. I've been using one for 50+ years and have loaded thousands of pistol and rifle cartridges with it. Keep it simple to start.
Still do the above but also find an experienced reloader and have them walk you through the process. As others have said, this will save you time, money and aggravation.
Use this forum to ask questions. There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.
Agree with Damon on you tube some of the stuff that's out there is not right and can get you in trouble. I have several and I think the lyman is the most comprehensive. Mine is 46th edition but I always look at it 1st. Gary
I'd highly disagree. Waste of time and money, and much of the load data is outdated meaning they likely don't include many of the best modern powders introduced in the last ten years.
Read one manual? (It's only a few chapters in reality, not the whole manual.) Sure, that's a good start for a basic understanding.
Other than that, all the current load data you could ever want is literally free on the internet from the manufacturers. Load theory? That's free also and at your fingertips on the internet. Start reading up now before you buy equipment and components so you have a base knowledge of what you need to know or at least you're familiar with the terminology and techniques.
Besides the manuals there is plenty of free loading data on the powder and bullet manufacturers websites. I am pretty good at mechanical things and taught myself how to reload around 1970. Probably the one single thing to learn is how to set up the dies properly. Most experts say the instructions with the dies are somewhat of a general setup and not necessarily the best. The suggested setting of the dies may push the shoulder back to much even thou it may not cause any problems. The rest is just paying attention and being careful. Set the primers to the bottom of the pocket. I don’t buy into all the garbage about seating to some thou of an inch or trying to pre crush the primer charge a little. I would buy a bump gauge. I use a cheap harbor freight digital caliper. It good enough for my accurate varmint rifles. Learn how to determine when the bullet touches the rifling. For probably 30 years I just loaded close to the manual overall length. It gave good enough accuracy to kill Varmints. My methods are what I use for varmint hunting rifles. My 6BR and 6BRX both easily shoot groups under 0.400”. For years Iused a light viscosity synthetic oil for lubing cases. Now I use a light vis petroleum hydraulic fluid from AutoZone ($8 a qt.). I worked in research for a large petroleum company. Petroleum oil has been the world’s best lube for 150 years you don’t need all the crazy mixtures they talk about on internet. Oil has very good film strength. The cases wipe clean in a couple seconds with a paper towel.
Oil film strength is a measurement (in psi) of a lubricant's strength, or its ability to not break under pressure. Oil's primary job is to prevent the various components of engines from rubbing against each other.
Last edited:
I have old manuals with data for older calibers or powders you can't find anymore. I just looked at an online powder manufacturer who's load data for the caliber I was looking at wasn't even starting data and would have been way to slow but because I have many other manuals I was able to find a start point without wasting components.... But to each their own... Just the difference in 10 mm loads in the last two sierra manuals alone make it worth the price of admission....
So...... As you can see from the comments that you have received, there are more thoughts on this than could ever be digested by a new loader.
If at all possible, try to find an active range in your area with some experienced shooters. Approach a few with some humility and a desire to learn and you will more than likely find someone who will help you on the path forward without wasting a lot of your time and money, and will also make you aware of the important safety points along the way.
Not that you can not learn a lot from the various books and manuals, you certainly can, and you should read them. You will learn the theory that is important. A seasoned mentor will be able to bring the theory into perspective so that you can better digest all the other information that is available to you.
OP asked about resources for a beginner reloader using production guns. A pile of load books has pretty limited load info for modern components compared to manufacturer's web sites. He's not loading obscure calibers with grandpa's old components.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.