Reloading "Newbie"

[Rpbump]

Lyman & Lee reloading manuals are excellant. Use information from this site for additional information. ASK QUESTIONS

Rpbump

 

[Spike A]

hate to be a broken record also but i too agree with starting out with reloading manual to which brand of bullets you think you will prefer to use. and i would also stress do not feel as a question is not suitable to be asked... if you wonder a very good chance someone else does also. many of the gentlemen on here have been reloading eons i have only been doing it for 10 and still come up with a ton of questions i feel like sometimes. at the moment i am trying to learn more about annealing cases, to which i feel like some of my questions are stupid... but as many on here have told me its not stupid if you dont know, its stupid if you go on assuming you know the right answer instead of seeking out the RIGHT answer, always error on the side of caution and ask the question. there is more knowledge on this site than in probably any of the manuals out there.. all is needed is to ask.
good luck
spike

 

[dkhunt14]

Reloading manuals are loaded with good information. I still think it is better to have an experienced reloader show you. You learn more from watching, plus he learned things not in the book. Most manuals don't show how to properly measure shoulder bump and set up dies. Because of liabilities they have lowered loads in manuals. Look at an old Hornady book verses a new one.

A good manual is a start and will teach you a lot but a guy that has loaded for years usually knows a lot of tricks. Matt

 

[ebb]

I had a friend explain it all to me, he hit all the important parts except he forgot to mention to lube the cases. Back then there was no internet, so when I started loading I had a really stuck case on the first stroke of the press. Do like others have said get a mentor, or just get some one to let you watch them load a few. Hornaday used to have a video on VCR it was almost like loading with someone, maybe they have something newer that will play on modern devices. Most of the Utube vids Ive seen have someone that really likes to hear themselves talk nothing is worth this kind of abuse.

 

[swamp]

Not a reloading book but one you should consider is Tony Boyers book,"Rifle Accuracy". There is some very good information on setting up dies and case prep as well as shooting. I picked up slot on die adjusting from this book.

 

[hogan]

Got a mind for precision you say, OP?

Learning is critical to your personal safety, those you shoot with, and your ability to achieve your goals.
The Sierra and Lee Manuals are two excellent resources.

Gonna start with .308win. First ctg I ever loaded for too. Buy the Sierra book, buy the matchking bullet weight you
expect suits you best, and read. The manual lists the best load for Accuracy their techs achieved for each bullet, also the best data for hunting purposes. Pretty hard to beat the 168gr matchking unless you have a Palma rifle or some custom chamber optimized for the heavy .30cal bullets. Pretty unlikely, but whatcha actually shooting anyways????

A $30 Lee Loader and a decent grain scale will enable you to make precision handloads. Probably want a powder dribbler to get your best results w/the scale. Lee even has a decent scale for minimal outlay, or there's lots of gear you can spend hundreds on to acquire. Not so sure your results will be better than with the Lee Loader, faster though for sure.

Done much shooting with precision results? Know about scope mechanics, scope mount optimization and sighting-in to make tiny groups happen? Got a decent trigger?

Lots to learn. Sierra is the source and Lee has data no other sources provide. Both worth a read. Might even want to visit your library see if they have any loading and precision shooting resources for you.

Have fun, but optimize your time and efforts...
Good luck!

 

[Brians356]

If you've never reloaded before I think it might be easier to cut your teeth in trying to reload for a pistol first to get the basics down. Then graduate to a bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Rifles are a little more complex.

Hmmm, I respectfully disagree. Rifle cartridges are more forgiving than pistol, in several respects, IMHO. Especially if one just seats bullets to listed COAL.