Beginner reloading

Thinking of reloading my own ammo, mainly 45 colt and 308. I have about 4hrs of experience with reloading and don't know where to start.
As with all things I suspect there is different brand loyalties. If I have to buy equipment I want to purchase long lasting and accurate. Can you suggestion a good book, from what I can tell there has to be some type of bible or manufacturers guidelines.
So, where do I begin?


Thanks
Josh Jones

I have the Hornaday reloading manuals, and think quite highly of the way they present the information. As far as equipment, RCBS, Hornaday, and Lee have "kits" that can get you going. A good scale and press are a good start, then get the dies that you need. Develop a routine to use while reloading and don't allow distractions of any kind.

I have an old RCB Rock Chuck single stage press, works awsome for low volumn reloading and was cheap and simple. Don't get caught up in the "Have to Have a Big Progressive Loader" crap unless your planning on doing a very large volumn of shooting.

Their are a whole bunch of reloading books on the market. Get a few different one and try the different loads and powder untill you find what works for you.

Watch .308 brass military stuff will require different loads than commercial brass, the cases are thicker and create more pressure.

Also get you a good case trimmer, tumbler, good calipers and scales. Then have at it its fun !!!

I can't add much to what was already said, but I have a brand new in the original box RCBS 505 balance beam scale if you're interested. They're $90.00 new, I'll sell it to you for $45.00 shipped.








Doug...

Who are some good names in the book world. I have been looking around and none of the names really ring a bell. There seems to be a million books, DVD's out there on how to do the samething.

Normally I look for someone that has been in the buisness and stays current with new developments. I might be getting back into competitive shooting if I can't get the funds to finish the project. I had a good friend that has since passed on that use to supply me with rounds and guns for shooting. I just left it up to him to reload everything, I just pulled the tigger.

The Hornady manuals are very informative.
http://www.hornady.com/

Thanks, I will have to do some more reading.

Jones I have a single stage RCBS and as noted works well for small volume reloading. At 1 point I was reloading .44 mag ammo for myself and 3 buddies and .243 ammo for myself and 2 buddies.
With that said, if you have buddies like mine buy a dillon progressive press

I did make a deal with them though. Buddies bought all the supplies and I got my ammo for the labor.
I made out ok with that arrangement but should have bought the progressive setup.

mike

This is why I want to start reloading. I am going broke and not having near the fun shooting with a limited supply of ammo. Back when I had someone else suppling me with hundreds of rounds I shot until my shoulder or wrist just couldn't take any more. Now days I go out and shoot 50-100 rounds and feel like I just got started.

One day I had to test some .308, semi autos for a sherifs department and put 1,000 rds in one day. I thought that was a lot back in my youthful days. Thats been 18 years ago! LoL doesn't seem like that long ago, wow I have really been out of the sport for a while!

Any body remember the "black talons", wish I still had a case of those.

I'm also gonna start reloading myself here in the next couple of months. I only shoot 100- 150 rounds an outing. Someone told me when I asked if it was worth reloading....." sure is but you don't save any money, you just shoot more" Makes sense I guess I'm going with an RCBS starter setup and I'll buy a digital scale.



Boo Boo

jones wrote:Any body remember the "black talons", wish I still had a case of those.

I got a case of 9mm one's if you think you need them.....

dfree383 wrote:

jones wrote:Any body remember the "black talons", wish I still had a case of those.

I got a case of 9mm one's if you think you need them.....

Na, maybe just for collection sake. I just remember when they came out all the hoopla they caused and how people was making them out for what they wasn't.

Just know your weapon and its limits or you could get this












bought some reloads from a bud that were a tad to HOT luckily i was a little skirt n had on a blue mule glove, held pistol above head and squeezed her off and HFSBatman oh yea it is .44mag formerly the most powerful handgun in the world

Dang Erv, that looks nasty. I'd say more than just a TAD too hot.

Couldn't take the Heat

Impressive! I have never seen a failure like that from a hot load. Most of the time just a bunch of extra flash from the barrel.

jones wrote:Impressive! I have never seen a failure like that from a hot load. Most of the time just a bunch of extra flash from the barrel.

should have been there, sounded like my 500 mag , and felt like it broke my wrist but no damage, im just thankful my son was not standing just to my right like so many times before, if i had been lookin down the sights i would have had the 1/2 inch adj. rear sight burried in me head made me gun shy fer a while and i only shoot factory loads in the 1 i bought to replace it. if you own a interarms Virginian Dragoon do not shoot Hot rounds in it!!!!!!!!!!! the guy i got the ammo from said i shoot em in my Super Blackhawk all the time, and paid for half of my new one i think the first round set off the second and real glad i only had two in it

hillbillyerv wrote: if you own a interarms Virginian Dragoon do not shoot Hot rounds in it!!!!!!!!!!! the guy i got the ammo from said i shoot em in my Super Blackhawk all the time,

There's a HUGE difference between a Ruger Super Blackhawk, and an Interarms Virginian Dragoon. The strength of the Ruger firearms, (rifles & pistols) is "almost" unequalled. My dad has been shooting rifle loads in his Ruger Blackhawk since he bought it back in the mid-late 70's. Like Erv said, just do your research on the firearms you're gonna load for. And ALWAYS use good disgression.

When I load for our rifles, I look for the best of both worlds. Meaning, I look for the loads that produce the best accuracy at maximum velocities. This is because we hunt with the same loads, and velocity is paramount to retained downrange energy. 'Cause, at 700 + yds, accuracy is very important, but you also need enough velocity to deliver that knockout punch when it gets there. That and a bullet that has the highest Ballistic Coefficient available for the particular round you're shooting. For instance, if you're gonna use your 308 for hunting "and" punching paper, I would look at the Hornady 178gr. A-Max bullets. They're made for match shooting, but they also work just fine for hunting. If you're not comfortable shooting a target bullet for hunting, then try the 180gr Hornady SST. Still has an excellent B.C. and are scary accurate. If you would like more info, just pm me, or call me. I'd be happy to help you out.

for what it is worth ruger firearms are cast by using the lost wax method. no forgings, no billet, etc. bobn

The first book I bought was the ABC's of reloading some very good info in there. Then a Hornaday reloading manual, and lee turret press kit. Since I have made some of the best rounds I've ever shot. Best group so far is .258" from a factory Howa .243. I don't load much probally 200rds a year but I like the lee so far.

zbob wrote:for what it is worth ruger firearms are cast by using the lost wax method. no forgings, no billet, etc. bobn

Yes, it's called investment casting. Their bolt action rifles are considered one of the strongest in the industry. And their pistols, well they kinda speak for themselves.

I have always been a S&W, Marlin person but I am really enjoying this Lewis Machine & Tool .308 . It's on the heavy side but it's a blast to shoot. (Which I seem to own nothing but heavy guns, light guns just don't feel comfortable.) Allthough I do have a hammerless, Ti frame .38 the wife keeps.

Looking at a FNH .45 to add to my collection next.
Collection is also missing a DE 50 (I know they aren't very pratical but what collection isn't complete without a movie gun! )

jones wrote:I have always been a S&W, Marlin person but I am really enjoying this Lewis Machine & Tool .308 . It's on the heavy side but it's a blast to shoot. (Which I seem to own nothing but heavy guns, light guns just don't feel comfortable.) Allthough I do have a hammerless, Ti frame .38 the wife keeps.

Looking at a FNH .45 to add to my collection next.
Collection is also missing a DE 50 (I know they aren't very pratical but what collection isn't complete without a movie gun! )

Jonesy I would not give two hoots and a Freakin holler for S&W....... I was with a good friend years ago with a Brand New S&W 44 Mag and S&W ammo and shot it a few times we stopped to reload it and the second shot all HELL broke loose when the dust cleared and we looked The freakin Gun Blew out 3 live loads and the cylinder was in many pieces....Needless to say the gun shop got it back and we got the money back and will not have another S&W.......... Have one blow up on you like that and I promise you will be leary of their stuff

I have a mixed bag of brands.
S&W,Ruger,Remington,Winchester,Marlin,Stevens,Rossi,etc.
I'm sure there have been catsrophic failures with all the above and many more brands. Until someone can prove these failures manufacturer defects and not ammo or operator error, I'll keep shooting and owning mine.

I'm not gun shy about my opinion

I like the Ruger Black Hawk series, I just haven't bought one. The only revolver I had had problems with was an old 22. If you stood to the right of the gun a small sliver of lead would sheer off the bullet and hit you. It was just wore out and time to be retired.