How many grains of humility?

[WVRJ]

I like to sit back and read a lot of the threads on here for more than one reason.But probably the main reason is because of a saying that my dear friend and mentor used to say.He said "A smart man learns from his mistakes.A wise man learns from somebody else's mistakes".
In these times of many new reloaders,there are plenty of new mistakes to read about,as well as some guys who are repeating a lot of the old mistakes.I remember what it was like back when I started reloading.I remember that first .243 round like it was yesterday,mainly because it went in the die but wouldn't come out.Ohhh,so that's what that tube of stuff is for,you put it on that pad and roll the brass around in it.Now,how do I get the case out of the die?
That was how it was for me in 1979.I was 18 years old and knew everything worth knowing.I didn't need a reloading manual except for giving me some idea how much powder it took to blow up my deer rifle.There was no looking online,hell,there was no online.There was my uncle Gene,my favorite uncle,who made it very clear that you don't just sit down at a bench and start making ammunition.He said very clearly with some profanity that the book that came with the reloading kit I bought was the most important tool in the box,and that before I messed up any more,I should read it and do what it says to do.He had been loading his own ammo for years,and he was kind enough to help me get started in more ways than one.He very quickly let me know that I didn't know much.
I'm grateful for him telling me that I wasn't capable of loading safe ammunition as long as I had my ego helping me.I had to learn that I had a lot to learn.To everybody who is just starting out,I offer the same advise.When in doubt,read,ask,do something other than stumble along because you know what you're doing.Reloading equipment is expensive,as are the components,and fingers,eyes and ears are priceless.Treat yourselves to a good manual that starts you off with the basics,and get them right before you move on to bigger and better things.Start out humble,and keep it simple for a while.Don't be the guy who is battling runout and shoulder bump on a brand new progressive machine that's so far out of tune that no 2 rounds off of it are alike.Don't be like me and have your ego keep you from growing into this adventure at a moderate pace.There's tons of knowledge out there,but there's also some B.S.You have to learn the difference.I've seen loads and techniques on here and other sites that are just plain wrong,and when you get things wrong while making ammunition,it's just plain dangerous.Don't switch components,even in these hard times.When you are reloading(or doing other things),there are 3 things you should do before you try something new-think,think,think.I would say I'm fairly advanced as far as reloading(I prefer to call it handloading),but I'm also old enough to know that there's still a lot for me to learn.
Those of us who have been around a while should try to help the beginners,and share our experience.I make it a policy to not comment too much on something unless I have experience with it.That is the best teacher,experience,but the only way to get it is to do it.I'll shut up now.

 

[Twicepop]

I used to tell my kids when they were younger, "try to learn from other people's mistakes, you're not going to live long enough to make them all yourself".

 

[KMart]

A reloading manual is a very valuable tool. It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Just adding to that a little, a couple of hours with a knowledgeable mentor is worth 10 times that.

 

[DngBat7]

I used to tell my kids when they were younger, "try to learn from other people's mistakes, you're not going to live long enough to make them all yourself".

I’m gonna remember that saying. That’s a good one.

 

[wkdickinson]

WVRJ - you bring up some great points! When we (us hexagenerians) started handloading, the only resources available were a few handbooks and mentors, if you were lucky enough to have one. Beginners today are faced with a very different problem - with so much "information" available, it's like trying to drink out of a firehose. But as you said, not all that you read is correct. Another downside of all this available knowledge is that beginners often worry about advanced techniques and concepts, before they have the basics down.

 

[caihlen]

27.6 gr n133. Shoots bugs at 100. Have yet to test at 300.

 

[K22]

When I first started reloading I lived in a very rural area - there was no internet or videos. There were also no gun clubs close by.

So I started with a 1970 version of a Lyman Reloading Manual. Fortunately, I began loading for revolvers first strictly to save money. It was fairly straight forward and allowed me to ease into the reloading process.

For centerfire rifle I used factory ammo but soon started reloading for rifle basically for the same reason, i.e. to save money. But soon learned that there could be a significant opportunity to improve accuracy with reloads by tailoring the reload to a specific rifle. This interested me especially since I was an avid varmint hunter.

In those days shooting magazines were my primary source of information - like today's social media - some of it was good - some of was not so good. There are a lot "opinions" promoted then and now as fact - readers beware.

I sure made my fair share of mistakes the most significant was producing rounds that wouldn't chamber after a few reloads. In those days it was strongly promoted that "neck sizing" produced the most accurate reloads and the longest case life. Being primarily a hunter with regards to rifle reloading, I found that neck sizing wouldn't work for me because of functionality issues in the field so I went back to full length sizing following the mfg. instruction for die adjustment which wasn't ideal since it over worked the brass.

It wasn't until I met a bench rest shooter when I finally joined a gun club that I began to improve my reloading process. In those days I can't remember if there were "bump" gauges; even if there was, I wasn't aware of them. My friend taught me to adjust the FL die by using the trial and error method using the rifle chamber as the gauge to assess the die adjustment for optimum sizing. Granted not ideal when compared to today's measuring methods and tools but it worked great for me.

When I read the various posts and issue raise today I feel sad for the new reloader - reloading has become far more complicated that necessary in my humble opinion - there is so much emphasis on measurements, equipment, methods, etc. and so much less on marksmanship and hunting skills.

Bottom Line: I'm certainly no expert and never claimed to be one but I do have a lot of experience. The best advice I can give a new reloader is first understand the reason behind each step being used in a reloading process. Is the premise for the step based of something that makes sense and has been proven? The next piece of advice is to hook up with a experienced reloader and shooter - you'll know who they are - they're the ones at the range with proper equipment - tiny groups - safe shooting practices - and they frequent the range often. Most are willing to share their knowledge.

 

[divingin]

Not sure much has changed in terms of "good" information - books and mentors. While there is a lot of good info on, say, YouTube, in regards to reloading, there's no way for a new reloader to tell the difference between the wheat and the chaff. At least with a live person, you can ask for explanations as to why a change from the "norms" is adviseable, and make up your own mind as to how to proceed. Books are generally edited so as to limit liability, so info is generally at least safe (can't say that about YouTube vids...)