Measuring growth as a hand loader

[Bc'z]

I sucked more then than I do now, even though I was good then I'm way better now.
But in who's eyes? As I'm the only one to truly see progress.

 

[Tommie]

The day I master this game is the day I find a new hobby. Thankfully, that day will never arrive.

 

[riflewoman]

You’ve mastered handloading when you can find an accurate load, suitable for the purpose) for your rifle in less than 100 rounds fired, when you can determine suitable powders by comparing case capacity and shape and bore diameter, when you can form cases in 3 steps or less excepting fireforming and neck turning.

 

[jackson1]

Started handloading In the 70's. It is a journey for me and I try to enjoy it. Back in the day may relatives were wildcatters and gun smiths and I learned a great deal from them. At some point you have to stand on your own two feet. I like to tell myself, that I have done that. I enjoy trying new techniques and products. For me the hobby is ever evolving. Today constant improvement is my goal. That includes myself as a shooter, my rifle, and my ammo. When I reach a point of perfection, there will be nothing left to strive for. Where's the fun in that. Have many old friends that are shooters and handloaders, that reach a point where they feel they have accomplished all they want. I'm the fool that keeps pushing on. Lately, have found my way into a group of shooters that are striving to get better. I like to call them the sharp end on the spear and some of them are members of this forum. Currently practicing and refining my handloading techniques, to be able to run with those people. Kind of like I left the pond for the ocean. The journey is not linear, or straight up, but very satisfying for me.

 

[gambleone]

The day I master this game is the day I find a new hobby. Thankfully, that day will never arrive.

This about sums it up. lol

 

[dcali]

If you can explain why you do each thing you do with something other than “because consistency”, then you’ve most likely got handloading licked. There are still a few mysteries out there, so I’m not sure any of us have truly mastered it.

 

[1611]

Low ES is an indicator not the final exam. I had a load with a 7RUM that was single digits ES that you could not hit a barn with distance.

Key word tight groups with low es. As long as my groups are holding good vertical at distance and I can get low es I’m good lol

 

[K22]

Originally I thought people were going to select one of the choices and expound. I have only hand loaded about 1k rounds of 9nm and 45. Still working on my first pound 4 grains of tight group at a time means it will last forever. Dont believe in any standard at this point, I was just looking for a good way to track progress. What would be the best is to find a local mentor, but it is a real struggle.

Barring finding a mentor get the Lyman Reloading Handbook - read and study it. From your post it appears you are loading for pistol cartridges. Loading pistol cartridges is much simpler than bottle neck rifle cartridges so the learning curve isn't as steep. If there is anything you don't understand after reading the Lyman Handbook post your questions on here - you'll get help. Here are some issues to consider:

- Quality not quantity should be your focus.

- Stay within the limits of published data - safety is the priority.

- Verify that primers are seated properly, i.e. not protruding above the rim of the case which can cause slam fires in auto pistols

- Depending of the powder / cartridge you are loading, pistol cartridges has one inherent hazard not normally encountered in rifle cartridges - the error of a double charge. To minimize this error I turn all primed cases upside down in the load block and turn over as I charge each case with powder. When all cases arel charged with powder I visually inspect each case to make sure each has been charged and doesn't contain a double charge before seating the bullet.

- Keep only the powder you are using on the loading table. When done return to the original container - do not leave in the powder measure.

- Not sure what you mean about tracking progress.

 

[Pwc]

Single stage, or turret, once the powder goes in and is visually looked at, the case doesn't leave my hand until the bullet is seated. Never had a squib nor double charge.

 

[AJC]

Barring finding a mentor get the Lyman Reloading Handbook - read and study it. From your post it appears you are loading for pistol cartridges. Loading pistol cartridges is much simpler than bottle neck rifle cartridges so the learning curve isn't as steep. If there is anything you don't understand after reading the Lyman Handbook post your questions on here - you'll get help. Here are some issues to consider:

- Quality not quantity should be your focus.

- Stay within the limits of published data - safety is the priority.

- Verify that primers are seated properly, i.e. not protruding above the rim of the case which can cause slam fires in auto pistols

- Depending of the powder / cartridge you are loading, pistol cartridges has one inherent hazard not normally encountered in rifle cartridges - the error of a double charge. To minimize this error I turn all primed cases upside down in the load block and turn over as I charge each case with powder. When all cases arel charged with powder I visually inspect each case to make sure each has been charged and doesn't contain a double charge before seating the bullet.

- Keep only the powder you are using on the loading table. When done return to the original container - do not leave in the powder measure.

- Not sure what you mean about tracking progress.

I'm kinda lame I power a bullet measured on a charge master, and put a bullet in it as I wait for the next charge. Not fast but I still have all my fingers. To be honest I have not had any issues yet except finding the correct seating stem for the round nose rmr bullets I'm using. They have a few Mark's but otherwise load, fire and cycle perfect. I also hit what I aim at mostly so I'm off to the races.

 

[Intheshop]

"Mastering" loading......

For me it isn't as much what you know as it is,how you approach what.... you don't know. Sort of goes along with amateur vs professional.

 

[M14AMU]

If you attain the point whereby you're thinking that you can 'hold' tighter than your rifle is shooting....that will promote growth!!

 

[Daddymac]

I have grown a ton since that first one I loaded, some of the best growth to me lately has been in record keeping. For years I scratched things down in a small notebook with minimal info and notes, I searched for data sheets to use but none suited my particular needs so I made my own. I took parts of several data sheets, cut and pasted parts and added some data of my own, everything from rifle data, load data, chronograph data, and target data, all on one sheet front and back that I can easily keep in a notebook.

 

[Milo 2.0]

Shrinking group size has to be the most logical, whether it is in a Rem 700 factory rifle or a 7K custom, and maintaining those results.

We all have success stories, and stories we want swept under a rug. If you are normal, or not some superstar, you have hit a brick wall a time or 2, being able to figure out on your own what happened, is a big measure of success. Yes, you can ask online, but while you are sorting through 30 answers for the right one, you will read 20 irrelevant drivel posts.


Almost all answers have been right in front of us from the beginning, but we ran with the flow. From keeping your barrel clean, to measuring the first fired brass coming out of the chamber to see if it is in spec with the reamer used, then sizing a couple pcs to see if the die you bought is going to work instead of waiting till all brass is fired to find out it is not.
I think in the last 5 yrs, we've not only seen more new LR shooters come on board, but the increase in new reloaders is right up there with it. I do not see it on this site, but there is so much bad advice being passed out these days it is just wrong, everyone takes the path of least resistance.

 

[rhovee]

It’s easy to gain knowledge and expensive to acquire experience. I know a lot for the amount of them I have been reloading from asking questions and reading. My experience is always growing with trying new things. This week I learned that different powders can like different seating depths. I measure my growth by how often I can solve problems or come up with a solution to try rather than ask for help or call Alex.

 

[JMayo]

I can reload fine ... I mastered that. It ain't that hard ....
Can't shoot worth a chit though ....