Tell me about the first time you reloaded...

[BoydAllen]

Around 40 year ago, I bought my first CF rifle ( a used 788 Remington, in .308) and started reloading with a Lee Loader and a plastic headed mallet. A few months back, I did a test using one of the powder dippers, being as careful as I could be, weighing each charge for consistency. Looking back, I am amazed that I shot as well as I did.

 

[Chuckhunter]

I’ve got just about everything I need to start loading. I can’t help but be a little nervous about screwing up. Tell me about your first time reloading. What cartridge? What were your thoughts? Fears? How long before it became second nature? Put my mind at ease, I’ve got too much invested to turn around now!

I was fortunate to have my uncle as a mentor back in the late 60's Started loading on my own in 1972. By then I had a pretty good foundation to do the proper job and those first 30-06 loads worked very well. Got into short range bench rest in the early 80's and currently shoot 1000yds. at Williamsport. I'm about an hour from Quakertown and would be willing to guide you through you're first attempts, I live in Stroudsburg, Pa. If that is not feasible, you are more than welcome to call me at 570-504-6168 if you are uncertain about anything and I'll try to walk you through it. Don't be afraid, do be cautious and methodical.

 

[mrmurl]

I’ve got just about everything I need to start loading. I can’t help but be a little nervous about screwing up. Tell me about your first time reloading. What cartridge? What were your thoughts? Fears? How long before it became second nature? Put my mind at ease, I’ve got too much invested to turn around now!

It has been long enough that I can't remember the first times that I reloaded.
I started about 1968 to 70 time frame. It has still not become second nature to me. I still double check everything and still worry that I may have made a mistake.

 

[PhilC]

A mentor guided me through pistol (38/357 & 9mm) in late 86 or early 87 and I then progressed to rifle (7RM) about 6mos later. Still going.

 

[JMayo]

I started with pistols about 12 yrs ago.
Loaded my first rifle about 4 yrs ago.
I got Brian at Plainfield precision to give me a crash course. Wasn't hard at all. Shoulder bumping & neck sizing was new to me.
Lots of measuring/comparing.
Watched allot of you tube.

I want to think I've accomplished something but it's really simple & anyone can learn to do it.
Some want to make this out like it's a super big deal.

It's one procedure after another.
Not a test in speed, a test in patience.
Mind your powder. Be vigilant. Make good habits. Make notes.
One jug out at a time. Post it note on bench helps me keep my attention.

Youtube has allot of stuff to see how it's done. Also allot of stupid stuff. You have to weed it out.

Some over complicate .....I minimise.
I hold my Own in bench rest ....

 

[nakneker]

The first time, certainly wasn’t a quality product. Bought everything new, read the manuals had some conversations with other reloaders, sat down and loaded some 243. Some of the case mouths were not round from shipping but I loaded then anyways instead of running the expander ball through them. I didn’t chamfer the case mouth either. I did double check all my load info and check three different manuals, I did work up my load up and started well below max, I did turn off the music and concentrate and what I was doing. I still remember pulling the trigger the first time on one of my reloads, I probably shut both eyes and had a serious flinch. But it all worked out and I corrected those mistakes on the next session. It can be a life long hobby and I’m still learning today. learning today is easier with the internet and there are lots of ways to get tips and help if you get stuck or have a question. It pays to double check your load info, double check your scale, safety is paramount. Dont be intimidated though, it’s A lot of fun.

 

[Old Tanker]

I started by reading the Lyman, Lee and Hornady manuals then reading them again. I refer to them often, especially Hornady’s discussion on pressure. I had two mentors, one with a single stage and one with a progressive. This convinced me to start with single stage. I first started with 45-70 then added .223, .308, and 6.5CM. I use a check list every time I load. It should never become “old hat”. That’s when mistakes happen. I work low to higher and never over the max. I weigh every charge. When a case is charged, a bullet gets seated. I never have multiple, charged cases in the tray at one time. Too easy to over or double charge.

 

[Bill Rodolph]

My soon to be father in law, had a reloading set up. He was pretty country/redneck/cajun and never bothered to read the book! We primed some '06 cases and I was looking in them and said something like, they sure are dirty inside, will it be alright? Father in law promptly took a can of WD40 and sprayed the inside of the cases and said something like that oughta work, and we loaded 'em. Know what a hang fire is? Looking back, I'm surprised that they went off at all! That was nearly 50 years ago. After that, I read the Lyman manual and learned a ton and started making safe handloads. Like many have said, still learning and I load and shoot a LOT! Only one container of powder on the bench at a time and NO distractions!! Have fun!

 

[A_Gamehog]

Bought my 03-A3 30-06 used gates resale, bought powder from Chico gun shop in a paper bag back then (late 60’s)1 lb of surplus H4831. Used 180 grain Remington bronze points. Killed many deer with that rifle, rebarrel from Spiegles gun shop. Loaned it to a friend he fired one shot killed a Utah Mulie, they stopped at a bar on the way home and all rifles were stolen. Still not over it.....

 

[searcher]

In 1971, I was 14 and finally saved the dough for a reloading setup to feed my Hawes .44 Magnum revolver. As there was no internet and had no friends or adult contacts to help, I did what everybody (?) did - and read my manual - which may have been a Speer manual if I recall correctly. I did manage to double-charge a load and I'm happy to be in one piece and alive. I've managed to go another 50 years without doing that again. That was a strong pistol.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Started out reloading for my M1A. Nobody said anything about "case length". Finally figured it out after cutting my hand beating the bolt open on a regular basis. Learned my lesson by pulling bullets, dumping powder and trimming brass to the proper length. It IS a learning process.

 

[Homerange]

When a case is charged, a bullet gets seated. I never have multiple, charged cases in the tray at one time. Too easy to over or double charge.

This ^ cannot be overstated as the best reloading habit to take on !
Wise advice.