Reloading? Is it that difficult?

[serbu50]

Ive been kicking the idea around for a while now about doing it for 9,40, and .223. I think I have narrowed it down to a Dillon 650 or Hornady system. I've been reading online guys suggesting that you must read book after book after book to understand reloading. Is it not just as simple as buy a well known progressive reloader and do the following?

 

Clean the cases well

Make sure the primer is seated correctly  

Measure and inspect cases for cracks and trim as needed

Be very careful with powder loads

Be very careful about overall length and bullet depth?

 

Or amis my mechanically inclined brain getting getting too cocky for my own good?

[jcoosi]

So easy a caveman could do it.

[jcoosi]

I skimmed through a speer reloading manual but its not rocket surgery. Its nice to invest in a chrony so you can get the most accurate load for you gun. Most published data in books is max so you always want to start lower and work your load up

[Dolomite_supafly]

I would suggest a single stage or torret press before getting a progressive. Then when you get the nuances of it down sell thd press and buy a progressive. I personally like my single stage over my progressive.

Other than that it is pretty straightforward. If you can bake a pan of brownies you can reload. Both are recipes and if you follow the directions and amounts you will be fine.

[Guest kj4gxu]

I've just recently gotten started with a lot of Internet research and a decent helping of support from this forum.  It's a great place for info and support.  

[chances R]

Now is a tough time to jump into the reloading due to lack of supply of components.  I have the Hornady LNL, and you can run it as a single stage until comfortable with your results..then you are set to progressive reloading.  I think each machine, caliber, and bullet type has its nuances.  If you are going to shoot a lot, and looking for a hobby, jump in.

[serbu50]

We shoot a lot, and we like tinkering. I am not trying to come out ahead really, if I could break even I would be happy. I just don't want to have to go out and hunt for the " good deal". I am getting more into long range shooting. We already have a chronograph and this is the next step. I am looking at the LNL by Hornady. Is there a reputable dealer that "we" support as a community in Nashville? I try to keep it local if I can. But if it's like Franklin Gun is, I mail order... screw that.

[MiddTennTaco]

It's time consuming and there are many important steps that you can't forget. There many videos on YouTube showing the entire process from start to finish. Watch a few and you can decide for yourself whether or not it is difficult. The first time is difficult if you're teaching yourself - you want to be very careful of course. Once you've developed a load and have everything set up, its very easy and much quicker.

[MiddTennTaco]

We shoot a lot, and we like tinkering. I am not trying to come out ahead really, if I could break even I would be happy. I just don't want to have to go out and hunt for the " good deal". I am getting more into long range shooting. We already have a chronograph and this is the next step. I am looking at the LNL by Hornady. Is there a reputable dealer that "we" support as a community in Nashville? I try to keep it local if I can. But if it's like Franklin Gun is, I mail order... screw that.

 

Get your reloading equipment where you can. You only have to buy them once. For the cheapest reloading components contact David here on the forums "dlm37015" (615-497-4205). He's up in Nashville area.

[Greg_Mid_TN]

I enjoy reloading with my single stage. I don't get in a hurry and really try to make loads as precise as I possibly can. Taking out as many variables as possible is my goal.

 

Then it comes down to the shooting :pleased:

Edited March 26, 2013 by Greg_Mid_TN

[PackinMama]

I am a reloading newbie and I LOVE it!!!  I am not very mechanically inclined, but with a bit of internet research and talking to members on here, a little reading, and quite a bit of watching YouTube how-to videos, I am reloading rounds with no problems whatsoever. I think the trickiest part for me was learning how to properly adjust my dies so that I wasn't over stressing my cases. I picked up an L.E. Wilson case guage for each caliber that I reload and watched a few YouTube videos on how to use them, and they have helped a TON. I definitely recommend getting the L.E. Wilson case guages, especially if you're a perfectionist like me. ;)

[Poor_Dog]

Anytime DLM is at the Nashville show, I'll go to see him for bulk supplies, otherwise it's A&H as they are very close to where I work.

[serbu50]

Yeah, see I am watching the videos and it does not seem hard at all... It seems like one of those things where you just need to take your time and be diligent with your QC checks.

[bikertrash2001]

I went single stage for my first press and I'm very glad I did. I can QC each step and I feel a lot more comfortable with it. I bought a Chrony too to make sure that my loads aren't pressing the limit. 

My main concern was double drops on powders and with a single stage and look at a tray of 50 at a time and make sure all is well.

I will get a L&L someday. 

[serbu50]

Supposedly you can can still visually inspect on the progressive loaders. From what I know, it takes way longer to reload using a single stage. I figured, buy once cry once. 

[gregintenn]

I will bet that even people who use a progressive press also have uses for a single stage press. It is good for load development, one offs, and etc. It would also be a great place to start learning the basics. I only use a single stage, as I reload in bad weather and at night, and I can more than keep up with our shooting demands.

 

Reloading is quite easy, but the learning curve is steep in the beginning. Once you get a load figured out and everything set up properly, it's little more than pulling a handle. I would suggest you find someone in your area willing to have you over and walk you through loading a few. It will likely save you some headaches, and buying a bunch of stuff you later find you don't want or need.

 

Right now, finding components is as difficult if not more so than finding ammunition. That will all change with time.

[serbu50]

I've got a fair amount of pistol and rifle primers I bought a while back anticipating doing this last year. I really need powder and bullets.

[vujade]

Like many things, it's easy to get into reloading. How far and deep you want to get is all up to your skill, passion and wallet.

 

Some will pick a safe/known good recipe and be perfectly happy that it cycles their firearm. Others won't rest until their groups are just a single hole, at further and further distances.

 

That's what I love about the hobby.  It's simple enough for a caveman but it'll 'keep intrigued/entertained' the most mathematical and analytical of us.

[Patton]

I went single stage for my first press and I'm very glad I did. I can QC each step and I feel a lot more comfortable with it.

Only being able to produce 50rds a hour is not draw back enough to sacrifice knowing each round is perfect. I have no interest in a progressive set up.

[serbu50]

Well, with 3 of us shooting, and we shoot a fair bit... I can ONLY see a progressive in my shop...

[Guest 6.8 AR]

The good thing about a progressive press is that you can use it as a single stage and work up each stage to

yours and the press's capability. Mostly, it is a matter of personal preference on which type and which brand.

The one I own is best for me, until I decide to try out something else, and the same for just about everyone

else, depending on who will actually climb out of their tree and admit it.

 

Check them all out, study and pick what your idea is of good. I hope you can find one, though. They seem to be

as difficult to find as CCI 41's.

 

For the record, I use a Hornady LnL progressive, and a Lyman T Mag single stage. Greg is most definitely right

about the use of both. I thought about selling my single stage, but have banished those thoughts from my mind.

[serbu50]

Can you use a Dillon as a Single Stage? I do understand that extreme quality precise rifle loads are done hand by hand and one at a time. The single stage has it's value for sure!

[Guest HCRoadie]

I purchased a good bit of my reloading gear 2nd hand from pawn shops and fleaBay. Stuff like my press,(a LEE Loadmaster), dies, bullet puller, even an extra manual. Saved a bunch

[runco]

I have actually been reloading now say 2 months, and I have been a shooter close to 40 years.  I just finished shooting my first 500 rounds of both 9mm and 45auto that I re-loaded.  I had two non-fires, but when I rotated the round in the chamber and pulled the trigger they fired (maybe someone can share what happened).  Anyway, I have enjoyed reloading and I am using a single stage.  I am quite excited, I am going to have my first batch of 223 this week.  The labor and love I have poured over my Lake City brass has been tremendous, I am not so sure I can shoot them now, and I am for dang sure when I do, I am going to pick up my LC brass. 

 

I wished I had made the switch to reloading years ago.  My problem, I was looking through the cost prism and drinking the cost factor koolaide, and not the availabilty of ammo prism and its nasty koolaide.  Once I switched my ammo model, around past Christmas, I have jumped deep into reloading, and I now reload 9mm, 45auto, 40S&W, and 223.  Later this year I will try 270 and 30-30, and then I am going to move to 12 ga shotgun shells.  I love to shoot sporting clays, I probably have spent hundreds of dollars on 12 ga over the past 5 years.  I have made a promise to myself, I want to re-load and shoot somewhere around 10K rounds before I move on to the progressive stuff for brass reloads.  And for sure it will be the big D when I make the move!  Dillon that is!

Edited March 26, 2013 by Runco

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Can you use a Dillon as a Single Stage? I do understand that extreme quality precise rifle loads are done hand by hand and one at a time. The single stage has it's value for sure!

I won't swear one way or another, but using a progressive press as a single stage is just setting up the press for what you

want it to do at that time. I don't see why not. But I only suggested doing it as a way to help in the learning curve.