A crash course on loading?

BuildingConceptsllc

Don't Start None, won't be none.
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Supporter
  • Nov 13, 2020
    7,434
    7,723
    Alabama
    Would anyone be so kind as to give us noobs to loading, a step by step of the process, as well as the gear it takes to do that process correctly?

    It would nice if a ballpark figure of what kind of money it would take to get started too.

    It would be nice if there was some automated set up that was Reliable but from all I've read, you guys don't seem to like that.

    Thanks for anyone who will give the time to explain it all.
     
    I want to learn how to play the guitar, anyone has the time to teach me?....Thanks in advance.
    idi-amin-laughing.gif
     
    Anybody got half an hour to spare? I'd like to learn how to fly an airplane.

    Turn on the dodads, start the engine, pull on the thingy that makes plane go forward, move plane from taxi toward runway and radio some shit to someone as you go...and end transmission with “ahloa snackbar!!” mind your wind direction, thrust to speed, reach speed, pull thingy for lift....or some shit.
     
    I wanted to read and respond to post that I have nothing to say about, but then bitch about....
    Come on dude lighten the fuck up, it’s a 100+ page book, asking someone to dedicate a week of their life to write that for you because you’re not in the right section is a tall order.

    You should search “handloading for long range” I’m pretty sure that thread has pictures too. As for cost, it’s cheaper to shoot factory, keep that In mind.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Darkside-Six
    Come on dude lighten the fuck up, it’s a 100+ page book, asking someone to dedicate a week of their life to write that for you because you’re not in the right section is a tall order.

    You should search “handloading for long range” I’m pretty sure that thread has pictures too. As for cost, it’s cheaper to shoot factory, keep that In mind.

    I'm fine, but I didn't ask for a book, a few guys pointed me in the right direction and a few gave some other helpful info. On a forum where that topic is talked about among others at length, it's not a crazy thing to ask, but when I see threads that I don't want to comment on, I just don't comment, ya know? It's all good, it takes much more to rustle me than that.
     
    I'm fine, but I didn't ask for a book, a few guys pointed me in the right direction and a few gave some other helpful info. On a forum where that topic is talked about among others at length, it's not a crazy thing to ask, but when I see threads that I don't want to comment on, I just don't comment, ya know? It's all good, it takes much more to rustle me than that.
    Reloading, once Mastered, is relatively straightforward and simple. The problem is that it takes a long time to gain the knowledge and experience that it takes to Master it. The devil is in the details and lack of knowledge of the details can have significant repercussions on your’s (and possibly others) safety.

    You’re catching flak because you don’t realize that, and it is very important. Very few here, if anybody, wants to “help” someone, only to possibly have them misunderstand something, hurt themselves and come back and say “but you told me to do XYZ”.

    As poorly as the message has been delivered, heed the advice for your own sake. Take your time, read, research, ask incremental questions. This (reloading) is a big apple. You’ll just hurt yourself if you try to bite it and swallow it in one bite. ;)
     
    Last edited:
    Reloading, once Mastered, is relatively straightforward and simple. The problem is that it takes a long time to gain the knowledge and experience that it takes to Master it. The devil is in the details and lack of knowledge of the details can have significant repercussions on your’s (and possibly others) safety.

    You’re catching flak because you don’t realize that, and it is very important. Very few here, if anybody, wants to “help” someone, only to possibly have them misunderstand something, hurt themselves and come back and say “but you told me to do Xyz”.

    As poorly as the message is being delivered, heed the advice for your own sake. Take your time, read, research, ask incremental questions. This (reloading) is a big apple. You’ll just hurt yourself if you try and swallow it in one bite. ;)


    Well that's actually what lead me to ask about it. There's lots of info, but just getting the general steps (that are needed, not the steps that this guy or that guy do because they think it's better), and the actual cost (this part if all over the map in terms of info so I didn't trust any one particular source ). I don't want a how to book, I found some of those, just wanted the general steps involved and the cost and equipment needed. Then if that makes sense, I will get into the specifics on "how to" for my particular interest in loads, rounds. Fortunately, a few guys pm-ed me and explained some things and gave some examples that helped clear up some questions.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Threadcutter308
    Get a manual, and read it front to back...5 times. All of the answers are in there.

    Load some carts on different gun sites with equipment. That will give you a price.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Gee Kay
    1) Aquire: single stage press, scale, dies, shell holder, trickler, dial calipers, Lee trimmer w/cutter and lock stud, Lyman reloading manual, deburring tool, powder funnel.
    2) Put shell holder in ram.
    3) Screw sizing die down till it touches shell holder. Turn 1/16-1/8 turn more and tighten lock ring.
    4) Lube case just enough to feel slippery.
    5) Run case up into die.
    6) Use Lee trimmer and cutter to trim case.
    7) Deburr mouth.
    8) Use priming tool on press to insert appropriate primer. (read manual)
    9) Use scale to measure appropriate amount of powder (reference manual and start at bottom charge)
    10) Pour powder in case using funnel
    11) Screw in seating die till you feel the die touch top of case and back off 1/4 turn.
    12) Lock down die.
    13) With seating stem at top most position put bullet on case mouth and raise bullet up into die.
    14) Screw seating stem down and seat bullet until desired overall length is achieved (read manual, use calipers)

    Done.

    Do this a few hundred times at least before you start fucking around with fine tuning anything. Learn the process first.
     
    Last edited by a moderator:
    steps are in the reloading manual
    reloading manuals are written by companies who have a lot at stake to fuck anything up in their manuals
    cost, sky is the limit with cost i.e. deep pockets = expensive equipment

    simplified version,

    decap
    clean
    size
    trim (i do trimming and deburring in one step cause i'm magic)
    prime
    drop powder
    load projectile
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BuildingConceptsllc
    Your getting shit because it’s a lot of info to explain in a thread and hope that you understand and do it right. A couple post above hit the basics

    If you have anyone around you the reloads their own ammo and does it safely and successfully then that is the best place to start

    Otherwise,

    Reloading manuals
    SH forums
    Some YouTube videos

    Are decent places to learn from

    My process is,

    - Anneal
    - Tumble (if needed)
    - Clean neck
    - Size (body and/or neck)
    - Trim (if needed) (confirm OAL with caliper)
    - Chamfer and deburring
    - Clean primer pocket
    - Prime
    - Powder
    - Seat bullet (confirm OAL with caliper to ogive)
     
    Last edited:
    • Like
    Reactions: 308pirate
    Read some reloading books. Watch YouTube videos. Learn from those who are willing to teach. Dont start buying equipment until you have a general understanding of the basic processes you're performing.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BuildingConceptsllc
    You’d think people would at least have the common sense to post this in the reloading section 🤷‍♂️
    Shit, if you’re to lazy to ready there’s also thousands of videos on YouTube. 🤦‍♂️😂

    I thought about that, but I kind of wanted to have the comments from the guys who aren't all about reading all the time.... It's not about being lazy, anyone who continually replies to posts is obviously not bothered by putting some time into it. It's about there being so many opinions and what the basics actually consist of.... There's many folks here who have given me excellent information, which is what I wanted. I just don't really understand folks going to the trouble of typing a reply and reading a thread, then bitching about the question being asked as if they don't have time for it....
     
    @BuildingConceptsllc I posted this elsewhere so I'll copy it into here.. some of it is specific to the questions the other guy asked.. but you should get the gist.

    I have owned several variants of RCBS single stage and have a Lee single stage. I worked my way up to a Forster Coax and I see that is what you have settled on. I think you're on the right track there. A second single stage might be relevant later on if you decide to pull bullets, etc elsewhere. This is strictly for rifle calibers above 223. 223 and 9mm get done on a progressive, which is about to be upgraded very soon. :whistle:

    Case prep you will hear a multitude of ways to get it done. Again... each person's mileage varies. Personally, I have gone the dry tumbler corn cob and the walnut method in the past. I was not a fan... I found myself consistently breaking decapping pins on media stuck in the flash hole. I switched to wet tumbling with SS. If you choose to go dry, that's up to you and it works for many others.

    Process:
    Small bench: Decap on single stage RCBS Rock chucker.
    All brass cleaned in Thumlers with media, half full of water, and 1 tbsp of lemishine for 45-60 minutes.
    Into the dryer at 150 for an hour.
    Spray with Hornady one shot as it sits in a wire basked over a trash can.
    Size on the Forster.
    Trim with the WFT.
    Back into the thumlers with media, half full of water, and 1 tbsp lemishine for 15 minutes.
    Into the dryer at 150 for an hour.
    Small bench: Batch is setup on my small bench behind me.
    Main bench: Activate powder measurer FX120i with V3 autotrickler to set charge weight.
    Chamfer case mouth with hand tool as I inspect the brass
    Small bench: Seat primers with a Bald Eagle single press. I use one of the RCBS primer trays from the rock chucker kit to feed one primer on manually at a time.
    Main bench: Pour powder from glass cup into funnel set over the now primed case sitting in a reloading block, set cup back down and the V3 will start its magic as I finish up the round.
    Main bench: Case goes to the Forster coax with Micrometer seating die. Activate lever to seat bullet, check with micrometer and Hornady comparator for size, and then the round goes into a plastic box.

    Post brass prep/cleaning I load in a round robin style as opposed to batch or phase loading. Everything seems to flow. By time I have finished the one round and seated the next primer the FX120i is waiting on me.

    There are other nuances you will find with this that I may have skipped. Power management is one... it is a while different animal for discussion. Storage of components. Streamlining the process, etc. But enjoy it!

    Here is my wet setup and other items:

    View attachment 7514190

    Thumlers Tumbler:
    I purchased one second hand off Ebay at a considerable discount a few years ago. It is actually from the 70s with the rock tumbler RPM motor and still running strong.

    Media:
    Stainless media I purchased 3lb via Amazon. 4 years and still using the same media.

    RCBS Brass /Media Separator
    Straight forward... works with both stainless or dry in the event you decide to go either route.

    Dehydrator
    There are multiple racks, temperature and time adjustable, and it just plain works.

    Lemishine Media additive
    This stuff honestly is lasting me forever.

    RCBS Universal decapping/depriming dies
    22-25 caliber
    27-45 caliber


    Worlds Finest Trimmer

    Bald Eagle Primer
    I cannot seem to find this online... I bought it from Grizzly. Perhaps it was discontinued?

    Scale and Powder measurer

    Hornady comparator
     
    I thought about that, but I kind of wanted to have the comments from the guys who aren't all about reading all the time.... It's not about being lazy, anyone who continually replies to posts is obviously not bothered by putting some time into it. It's about there being so many opinions and what the basics actually consist of.... There's many folks here who have given me excellent information, which is what I wanted. I just don't really understand folks going to the trouble of typing a reply and reading a thread, then bitching about the question being asked as if they don't have time for it....

    Wants to learn to reload, won't buy a reloading manual.
    1609595586413.png
     
    Last edited:
    I thought about that, but I kind of wanted to have the comments from the guys who aren't all about reading all the time.... It's not about being lazy, anyone who continually replies to posts is obviously not bothered by putting some time into it. It's about there being so many opinions and what the basics actually consist of.... There's many folks here who have given me excellent information, which is what I wanted. I just don't really understand folks going to the trouble of typing a reply and reading a thread, then bitching about the question being asked as if they don't have time for it....

    It’s the internet and people suck. It’s what we do.
     
    I will add it's a hell of time to be getting into it, primers and powder are going for 4x-5x + their normal prices. Presses seem to be fading also.

    Determine what you want to load for and get the above first, without those you are done.
     
    I thought about that, but I kind of wanted to have the comments from the guys who aren't all about reading all the time.... It's not about being lazy, anyone who continually replies to posts is obviously not bothered by putting some time into it. It's about there being so many opinions and what the basics actually consist of.... There's many folks here who have given me excellent information, which is what I wanted. I just don't really understand folks going to the trouble of typing a reply and reading a thread, then bitching about the question being asked as if they don't have time for it....


    heres my advise....right now is not the best time to get into reloading due to component shortages...that said if you want to get into relaoding you can find stuff your just going to have to look hard for it.

    id suggest you buy the least expensive reloading gear like the lee stuff to start...i know this is the opposite of what most ppl say but believe me when i say you are going to end up replacing 95-100% of the stuff you buy right now and no matter what it is your going to take a loss on it and you never know you may just be happy with the lee stuff.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BuildingConceptsllc
    The reason you got the response is simple.
    You are new, you posted about 100 messages already so you should have a basic idea of what's in each section of the site, you ignored or didn't post that you had read all the stickys in the RELOADING section, you asked a very wide sweeping question.

    I'm not trying to be mean but we see this all the time. We WILL help you but you have to help yourself first. Go to the reloading section. Read the stickys... hell I just posted the other day about this very topic.
     
    @BuildingConceptsllc I posted this elsewhere so I'll copy it into here.. some of it is specific to the questions the other guy asked.. but you should get the gist.

    I have owned several variants of RCBS single stage and have a Lee single stage. I worked my way up to a Forster Coax and I see that is what you have settled on. I think you're on the right track there. A second single stage might be relevant later on if you decide to pull bullets, etc elsewhere. This is strictly for rifle calibers above 223. 223 and 9mm get done on a progressive, which is about to be upgraded very soon. :whistle:

    Case prep you will hear a multitude of ways to get it done. Again... each person's mileage varies. Personally, I have gone the dry tumbler corn cob and the walnut method in the past. I was not a fan... I found myself consistently breaking decapping pins on media stuck in the flash hole. I switched to wet tumbling with SS. If you choose to go dry, that's up to you and it works for many others.

    Process:
    Small bench: Decap on single stage RCBS Rock chucker.
    All brass cleaned in Thumlers with media, half full of water, and 1 tbsp of lemishine for 45-60 minutes.
    Into the dryer at 150 for an hour.
    Spray with Hornady one shot as it sits in a wire basked over a trash can.
    Size on the Forster.
    Trim with the WFT.
    Back into the thumlers with media, half full of water, and 1 tbsp lemishine for 15 minutes.
    Into the dryer at 150 for an hour.
    Small bench: Batch is setup on my small bench behind me.
    Main bench: Activate powder measurer FX120i with V3 autotrickler to set charge weight.
    Chamfer case mouth with hand tool as I inspect the brass
    Small bench: Seat primers with a Bald Eagle single press. I use one of the RCBS primer trays from the rock chucker kit to feed one primer on manually at a time.
    Main bench: Pour powder from glass cup into funnel set over the now primed case sitting in a reloading block, set cup back down and the V3 will start its magic as I finish up the round.
    Main bench: Case goes to the Forster coax with Micrometer seating die. Activate lever to seat bullet, check with micrometer and Hornady comparator for size, and then the round goes into a plastic box.

    Post brass prep/cleaning I load in a round robin style as opposed to batch or phase loading. Everything seems to flow. By time I have finished the one round and seated the next primer the FX120i is waiting on me.

    There are other nuances you will find with this that I may have skipped. Power management is one... it is a while different animal for discussion. Storage of components. Streamlining the process, etc. But enjoy it!

    Here is my wet setup and other items:

    View attachment 7514190

    Thumlers Tumbler:
    I purchased one second hand off Ebay at a considerable discount a few years ago. It is actually from the 70s with the rock tumbler RPM motor and still running strong.

    Media:
    Stainless media I purchased 3lb via Amazon. 4 years and still using the same media.

    RCBS Brass /Media Separator
    Straight forward... works with both stainless or dry in the event you decide to go either route.

    Dehydrator
    There are multiple racks, temperature and time adjustable, and it just plain works.

    Lemishine Media additive
    This stuff honestly is lasting me forever.

    RCBS Universal decapping/depriming dies
    22-25 caliber
    27-45 caliber


    Worlds Finest Trimmer

    Bald Eagle Primer
    I cannot seem to find this online... I bought it from Grizzly. Perhaps it was discontinued?

    Scale and Powder measurer

    Hornady comparator

    That's awesome. Thank you!
     
     
    The reason you got the response is simple.
    You are new, you posted about 100 messages already so you should have a basic idea of what's in each section of the site, you ignored or didn't post that you had read all the stickys in the RELOADING section, you asked a very wide sweeping question.

    I'm not trying to be mean but we see this all the time. We WILL help you but you have to help yourself first. Go to the reloading section. Read the stickys... hell I just posted the other day about this very topic.


    Yeah I expected some of that... I've been a member on a sports forum for many years and it's the same way, which is fine. After the whole "blm" stuff and all, I found myself not interested in football and basketball anymore, which is a pretty big deal for me. (That's a whole different discussion and a touchy one at that). So, I decided to spend more time shooting, and I had found answers to questions on here many times before, so I joined and have enjoyed it a lot. I've shot my whole life and can't wait to shoot with my boys. I just made a new stock yesterday so my 4 year old can shoot my old red Ryder, and I intend on shooting to be something we can all do together.

    Given the current circumstances we find ourselves in as a nation, reloading has become a much bigger concern for me. I'm also in the process (though a multi year one) of buying land and building our final home on that land, and likely will want to include a re-loading room in that new house. This leads me to my question originally posted...

    I know it ws kind of open ended, but after reading some threads on it, I really didn't have a good idea of what was actually required for reloading, nor the real costs, so I thought I'd ask. I figured I'd get some responses like I did, but I also got some good info and some threads that I didn't see when I had looked before so, it worked out pretty well.

    Carry on...
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BoltBandit
    I thought about that, but I kind of wanted to have the comments from the guys who aren't all about reading all the time.... It's not about being lazy, anyone who continually replies to posts is obviously not bothered by putting some time into it. It's about there being so many opinions and what the basics actually consist of.... There's many folks here who have given me excellent information, which is what I wanted. I just don't really understand folks going to the trouble of typing a reply and reading a thread, then bitching about the question being asked as if they don't have time for it....
    For the amount of time it’s taken you to reply to everybody’s sarcastic comments you could be 5 YouTube videos deep and on you’re way to knowing what you need to know. 🤷‍♂️😂
     
    Similar to asking "I want a quick course in explosives" as that is basically what it is. Read the manuals, watch the videos and if you still aren't sure, find someone to walk you through it or take a class. Just make sure the person you are learning from knows what they are doing. While those that are into reloading will argue their expertise in the craft, we still see stuff like this every year.

    coltanaconda.jpg
    Blown up Rifle.jpg


    Take the time to learn it right or don't do it at all and stick with factory ammo. Price is subjective given the financial position of the individual or the amount of years they have been reloading. Some folks get by with a 500 dollar setup while others might have 50k invested into their reloading room and supplies.