Reloading Noob Questions

[Centuriator]

As I now enter the world of precision rifle, I'm convinced I have to reload my ammo to achieve the best results, or at least, that what the general consensus seems to be.

I am going to shooting .308 Winchester.

What practical advice do you have for me as I explore doing something I've never done before and frankly don't really even know where to begin. I've looked around at reloading equipment and find it all quite baffling.

Ideally, I'd not like to buy things that six months later I'll regret.

"Buy once, cry once" is my motto when it comes to these kinds of things.

Thank you for any advice you might share.

 

[Facemelter]

Read the reloading thread,its jam packed full of info.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...eloading-101-reloading-basics-new-reload.html

This will also help,just do some reading and take the info that best helps you as a beginner.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...02-post-anything-has-helped-you-reloader.html

If I had to start over agian,I would have bought the more expensive press (rock chucker) and also spent more money on my tools for brass prep. Instead,I now have doubles of some things that I bought once to be cheap then end up buying the tool that works faster and better.

 

[thrusty]

Buy yourself a good reloading manual - one of the manufacture of the particular projectile you plan to use.
Follow their load recipes - stay within min/max and you will be fine until you hone your skills.
Some powder manufactures offer load recipes....stay within their load min/max and you will also be fine.

Go with a reloading kit initially....it will give you everything you need to get started and give you an opportunity to experience the basics.
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Press Kit

As far as dies go...quality matters in most cases when you're trying to achieve accurate and consistent ammo. Price doesn't necessarily reflect greatness...do your homework on what dies people are using to achieve their results.

 

[briscoetab]

Read the stickies at the top if you haven't already. Those are a good place to start and create your own method from those.

At a minimum in my opinion this is what you need. Single stage press, good scale (most say beam scale for precision reloading but some use digital), case trimmer, case prep tools (deburing tool, primer pocket uniformer, primer hole deburing tool), powder drop, powder trickler, bullet trays, calipers, dies, reloading books, some kind of brass cleaner (ultra sonic or tumbler), measuring tools. I think that is pretty much it.

I cannot really give you advice what is best between different brands, I started with RCBS and that is pretty much all I have used. RCBS has met my needs. I don't think you can probably go wrong with the big brands but read peoples opinions on here and then decide for your self, just make sure you get good press.

I do have a set of Lyman case prep tools I like, they come in a case and have most of the tools in this one set. All the tools have comfortable handles but I reload in pretty small batches so hand tools work for me, if you plan on doing more than a hundred to a couple hundreds rounds you may want to buy an electric powered case prep tool (never used one so can't give any advice there).

I think some of the most important tools are what you measure your case with, get an accurate set of calipers. You do not need these tools but I think for precision reloading you need them or some equivalent if them: bullet comparator, headspace gauge, some way to measure you chamber length (I use a small insert tool that you put in a fired case don't know what brand), some way to get measurement to lands in rifle to get you initial starting bullet length (hornady makes a tool for this but I have my own way).

I think that sums up most of it. I suggest buying one of the kits like a rock chucker kit by RCBS then adding to it. The kits come with the major components, then you just need to add a few things. Also make sure you mount you press in solid table, there's nothing more annoying than table moving while your trying to reload. My table is screwed into wall if shed and it is pretty heavy.

Keep reading on here there is tons if advice. Start here with people's advice and methods then come up with your own opinions and methods to share with us.

 

[briscoetab]

I was typing when the other two guys responded so didn't see what they typed and lots of pretty similar stuff in all the post. Get good press in all three post, read other post on here, get kit to start with. Just pointing out what all three said the same.

 

[former naval person]

Csheck around at several stores that sell the items and find someone who can mentor your first efforts before you buy.

 

[colscar]

i was in your shoes before and the info here really helped. i just needed to ask myself what i wanted to reload and much quantity....i think you just need to do it, i found out that the single stage was ideal for me i dished out like 1000 rounds of 223 and i wasnt worried about time since i use it as a stress relief but the best advice i can give you is get a press and a manual and go for it ....

 

[Dacam]

In my handloading experience, I have found that there is no such thing as "Buy once, cry once". You will always find a new piece of equipment that will improve your reloading
speed and quality. You will just need to start somewhere and buy a starter kit like the RCBS rockchucker kit and try it and replace and add to it as you see fit.
Everyone's different in their needs and wants. I will say this, the RCBS Rockchucker single stage press will never, never be out dated no matter what so start there.

 

[Centuriator]

Thanks guys for the great feedback, really appreciate it!!

 

[nnn66]

All good advice here so far. You definitely want to read through some good manuals and also stickies and posts on this forum.

I think my greatest asset when I got started was that I had a couple of very experienced mentors. I was able to learn on their equipment before I started purchasing my own. If you can find a local person who is experienced and willing to help you, then you will have a very smooth start to your endeavors.

If i were wanting to buy once, cry once, I probably would have started out with better quality dies. I bought inexpensive to begin with, but then upgraded once I had a bit of knowledge under my belt. I really like my Forster Ultra micrometer seating dies! Also, had I known in the beginning what I know now, I also would have purchased bullet comparators and AOL gauge right from the start. You certainly don't need these to get started, but if you're wishing to buy once...cry once, then why not get them now? When I first started, I used the priming arm on my Rock Chucker to prime all my cases. It was a pain in the butt and didn't always work so well. In fact, priming was the part of reloading I dreaded the most simply because that priming arm sucked. Now I have a 21st Century hand priming tool and priming cases is actually enjoyable with it.

Another thing I found to be useful was aluminum and brass funnels. Some of the powders I use were having static cling to the cheap plastic funnel, but the aluminum/brass funnels have eliminated that problem entirely.

Most importantly, read enough on reloading safety issues to know for sure that you are not doing anything dangerous. I teach welding to high school students, so I'm a big proponent of learning and practicing everything there is to know about safety. The guys who were my mentors started out by having me watch them go through the processes of reloading and then they handed me a stack of books and sent me home with reading assignments. The agreement was that I would read the designated parts of the books and THEN I could come back and try my hand at reloading on their equipment. Lastly, have fun with it! This hobby keeps me well entertained. Reloading is fun and shooting your loads is even more fun!

 

[samnev]

I would also recommend a Wilson 308 Case Length Gauge in addition to a good vernier caliper and agree with getting the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit. Look around they are often on sale at Midway or Natchez.

 

[bruddah]

My advice is to read read read, and then ask questions.

Always something to be learned in this field!

 

[damoncali]

Since this question comes up a lot, I wrote up a guide:

Beginner's Guide to Reloading Equipment | Bison Ballistics

Enjoy.

 

[longrangefool]

Read about the reloading process. Then ask someone who has been loading forever if they will show you how to load. See what they're doing and what they're doing it on. Ask lots of questions.

 

[fx77]

Great introductory Reloading Teaching Videos by David Tubb..also look at loading videos on U Tube..

 

[BuzzBoss915]

As far as I'm concerned, all the information and knowledge is "on demand". When you are ready for a little more than basic stuff, that's soon enough. You can't expect to absorb the details right off the bat. There are helpful techniques and apparatus that you can go years before you would appreciate the advantages. Maybe never?

A good instructional loading manual is invaluable. Some manuals contain strictly data; look for one that explains tips, objectives, and reasons. BB

 

[Centuriator]

Since this question comes up a lot, I wrote up a guide:

Beginner's Guide to Reloading Equipment | Bison Ballistics

Enjoy.

Bookmarked, sir, many thanks. Just perfect for a noob like me.

 

[bigedp51]

I used the Wilson case gauges for years BUT if you buy the Hornady Cartridge Case Headspace Gauge it has many advantages over the Wilson type gauges.

1. You only need one gauge if you buy the Hornady case gauge.
2. With a dial or digital set of vernier calipers and the Hornady unit you will get more accurate readings.

I now use my Wilson gauges for paper weights and pen holders.

 

[Pinecone]

I use the Wilson case gauges for reloading for my gas guns. I shoot several in both .308 and .223. Wilson case gauges gets me a rounds that will chamber well in all of them.

 

[bruddah]

So far I've only loaded .223 for my ARs as far as rifle rounds are concerned. I use the AR 15 dies which I believe are small base dies. Never had a problem with chambering.