Soon to start reloader with some questions

[divingin]

I shoot a lot of bullseye pistol, and shoot reloads for everything except .22's.

While having accurate ammo is important, I feel that for most of us shooting NRA/Int'l bullseye, that importance is somewhat overrated. Your hold and release is going to introduce way more error than you'll see from ammo inconsistency. I hear that bad ammo may make a 10 into an 8, but my take is that it may also make an 8 into a 10. I see little sense in spending tons of time loading ammo that will hold an inch offhand at 50 yds if the shooter can only (usually) hold 6".

I'd suggest loading ammo to function, and spend the saved time practicing.

As to the safety of loading (with respect to the gun), your loads will be as safe as you make them. Handloading isn't rocket science (well, for pistol, anyway; some of the rifle stuff indicates otherwise), but you do need to pay attention to what you're doing.

Good luck, Congrats on the new 1911, stay safe, and have fun.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I didn't see the word "chronograph" mentioned. I consider a chronograph to be an essential component of the precision reloading process. A Magnetospeed costs about $175 and is perfectly adequate.

 

[Rsadams]

Here's my best advice to you... Take your time and check everything twice heck maybe three times... Reloading isn't hard but your the safety officer... I learned on my own many moons ago the first thing I did was to pickup some junk brass at the range , clean it and then practice re-sizing and setting up the die... Once I figured that out I started messing with the powder thrower , learning it's deal.... After that with great safety and checking and re checking everything I loaded a box , time wasn't a factor... Do it in steps figuring out what things do and why they do it.. I say this alot but it's true... You never master re loading you just get better and better at it...

As advised earlier in this thread do your crimping stage with a separate crimp die... I use the Lee factory crimp die... It adds an extra step and die but totally worth the time and $20 the die cost... I started off exactly the way you're doing it and after many years I went with the Dillon system and love it... I do not regret buying and starting with my single stage press , it helped me learn what each step does and why... I still use it for large rifle etc...