The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: fullautovalmet76 on December 02, 2009, 09:39:34 PM
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I want to know the recommendations on magazines and web sites that are good for the beginning/novice handloader, such as myself. I saw Handloader magazine but am not sure that magazine is suitable for someone like me.
Any recommendations and your thoughts on why the mags/sites are useful is very much appreciated.
Thanks!
FullAuto
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http://www.sinclairintl.com/
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Have you gotten the ABC's Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide For Novice To Expert by Bill Chevalier? It is a must read.
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the blue press ( dillon catalog/ mag) hell get it even if you don't reload... when you see the cover you will understand why...
What are you looking for in reloaded? cheaper shooting, more accuracy, "fun" or "they don't make it anymore"
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the blue press ( dillon catalog/ mag) hell get it even if you don't reload... when you see the cover you will understand why...
What are you looking for in reloaded? cheaper shooting, more accuracy, "fun" or "they don't make it anymore"
I do get that mag and I certainly like it!! ;)
I'm loading for competition, as in IDPA and USPSA.
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Have you gotten the ABC's Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide For Novice To Expert by Bill Chevalier? It is a must read.
Haven't read it, but I will definitely take a look at it....Thanks!
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So I take it you would like to get a progressive press then. I know every says start with a single stage... I call BS.
for some one that is looking to make pistol ammo, I would highly recomend a progressive press or at the very least a turret.
with both of those you don't have to change dyes, which is a good thing for a beginner, since dye set up is where most people f things up.
For the money the dillion square deal press is hard to beat, the only down sideis you have to use dillon dyes and it won't do rifle rounds...
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All you'll ever need in one book! It's GREAT!
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259819397.3852=/html/catalog/bookpg.html
(http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/bookcvr.JPG)
Comes free with most of their loading equipment kits.
If you really, really, really gotta know every tiny little detail and the complete history of every single aspect. Look for "Modern Handloading". By Maj. George C. Nonte, Jr. (It's OLD!)
If you read the Lee Precision "Modern Reloading" manual you'll know everything practical that's needed. If you read "Modern Handloading" you know everything else. :)
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The nice thing about the turret presses is that you can set the die height and your good to go for the most part (their a time saver). A single stage press has no movement in it like a turret press will (the turret actually moves a little with each press of the handle).
No people in the whole world are as brand loyal as those who hand load. EVERYBODY "know's more than the next guy", and "what's best for you to do." So everything you hear word of mouth will be biased and total BS. Do the research, use your brain, and choose what equipment suits you best!
Whatever brand you choose, and if you can get their web site to work. Midway is a great source for equipment. I bought most all of mine there, and am happy with their prices and service. Other than the poopy site quirks, and problems.
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All you'll ever need in one book! It's GREAT!
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259819397.3852=/html/catalog/bookpg.html
(http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/bookcvr.JPG)
good book that one it came as part of the kit when I got my Press
also would recommend getting a book from the Powder Manufacture for the load data to go with
that is what I do with the ADI powder I use ( Hodgdon Powder that is made here in Australia )
http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/
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All the "big" reloading manuals have sections on how-to.
Lyman manual is probably the oldest. Their loading data though tends to lean towards lead bullets since they're known for the bullet molds.
Speer manual is also very good.
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Also check local shops - they may sponsor or even run reloading classes, or can refer you to someone who is experienced and knowledgeable, and willing to help. Or maybe just to look over your should as you do your first loads, point out any ways to be more efficient or safer.
I know you asked about magazines and web sites, but you are dealing with things that go BOOM, so caution is a good thing.
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I started reloading about 6 months ago. I don't know a whole lot, but I've had great success so far with my pistol ammo- .38, .45 acp, and 9mm. I got a Lee turret press with a turret for each caliber. I got the Lee 4 pc carbide die set for each caliber too. Once it's set, it's just a question of the powder charge, the bullet, etc., but I can switch from caliber to caliber easily.
I could make a lot more bullets with a progressive press, but I like looking at each casing, looking down in the casing at the powder charge, and looking at each finished bullet. I can then have confidence in my ammo and I have had very few problems.
I used the information with the press and the dies to get set up. I looked at several powders and saw several blogs. I was able to find Hogdgon powders locally to try them, so I went to their website, and they have loads for every combination of materials you can come up with.
I haven't sat down with a good loading book yet, but I did research everything available as I mentioned above and I'm off to a great start with reloading. Now when I pick up some books I'll know a lot more about what I'm reading, and in the meantime, I've got plenty of ammo at a decent price.
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So I take it you would like to get a progressive press then. I know every says start with a single stage... I call BS.
for some one that is looking to make pistol ammo, I would highly recomend a progressive press or at the very least a turret.
with both of those you don't have to change dyes, which is a good thing for a beginner, since dye set up is where most people f things up.
For the money the dillion square deal press is hard to beat, the only down sideis you have to use dillon dyes and it won't do rifle rounds...
Mark this on your calendar ! I agree with TAB.
single stage press is OK if you want to work up loads, or just make a few special or oddball rounds. But unless you are "into" mixing and matching components, or you are reloading for the sake of reloading its self it is slow and boring as hell.
If you want to make ammo to shoot in quantity go with the progressive set up, it gets the job done so you can get to the range and SHOOT.
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Just got this email.
Let us know what you get. :)
http://www.midwayusa.com/static.exe/getstaticpage?page=120120097_page.htm&eblastid=120320094&custnum=100529387&utm_source=BIGimage&utm_medium=eblast120320094
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Choose what's best for you. I started with a single stage press, never had a problem with it, but got tired of having to remove / replace, & re-adjust the dies every time you go from one stage of the load same load to the next (sizing, pressing bullet, crimping). After a year or so I picked up a "Lee CLASSIC 4 stage turret press" (I recommend the "classic" over their regular 4 stage for it's construction and ridgidity). I like a turret press better myself because I can leave all the dies in the turret and just pop in a new turret anytime I change caliber. The dies all stay adusted properly saves HUGE time, agrivation, and wasted supplies. I chose LEE because after I did some calculations on ALL the supplies it takes (your buying a LOT more than just a press and dies here!) they had the widest variety in equipment, were the most widely recommended, economical, and practical for me. Never regretted my choice once.
Any recommendations you get, ask for all kinds of details on why. NEVER accept generalizations. Those are BS covering for stupid pride / enbarassment in someone having dumped their money into something they probably regret buying. Most people who've purchased RCBS will die on the cross for them because they dumped thousands of dollars in that equipment, so surely it's somehow the best. A good friend of mine has dumped said money into such stuff, he and I can't find a single advantage in all his stuff over the cheapest single stage press made other than time savings (it's a 6 or 7 stage turret monster with digital displays built in). He freely admits it's all just a toy for him.
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Let us know what you get. :)
Thanks for the link, Badger.
I have had some of the components for awhile now, but I have finally completed the setup tonight.
Press: Lee Classic Turret Press - it's a solid rig and I like the idea of being able change the dies out by changing turret plate.
Scale: RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 - I bought this tonight from Natchez for $279. Heck, this scale costs almost as much as my press and the accessories that came with it. I heard good things about it and was told by others on the forum (M25 comes to mind) to not cheap out on a scale. And the thought of having to use the beam scale and measure for each load was just too much for me.
Couple of Lee 4-Die sets: 9mm and 45 ACP
A gadget from Lee to de-burr the primer pocket.
A brass cleaner from Franklin. Right now I use the corn cob media, but I have heard walnut is better....
A tumbler
Calibers and case gauges.
A nice work bench from Sears.
A reload manual from Lee.
I think that's about it for now....
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From a novice (me), a die question:
If I get a .357 magnum die set from Lee, can I use it for .38 Special too?
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At least with the Lee stuff, your good for .357 & .38 with a single set of dies. PN90964
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259985805.2366=/html/catalog/dies-pistol.html
Sounds like a real nice setup to me! Don't forget to pick up a bullet puller, flash hole tool (for inside the case). I got those and a deburring tool from Lyman. Their bullet puller has got to be the toughest plastic in all our galaxy!!! I've pulled many military rounds apart with it and BEAT THE POOP OUT OF IT to get them apart. Thing has proven super easy / quick to use, and indestructable.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case-prep/case-prep-tools.php
(http://www.lymanproducts.com/includes/img/lyman/case-prep/bp.jpg)
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From a novice (me), a die question:
If I get a .357 magnum die set from Lee, can I use it for .38 Special too?
Yes, but you will need to adjust for the shorter case.
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I don't reload.....yet, but am planning on getting into it. I have been doing research on it for awhile now. I have also been gathering materials, tools, parts, cases, manuals, etc for some time. Mytwo biggest hold ups are the time to do it and and a adequet place to set it up a reloading bench.
I have several manuals, Lee, Lyman, and Speer for sure come to mind. I like the Speer a lot with the background info they give on the cartridges.
I do have a cheap Lee single stage press that I got very cheap at a gun show. I have also been looking at the Redding turret press, but it is expensive.
As mentioned earlier, be careful about what you read on the internet in regards to loads. I have a friend that is a moderator on another forum and he forbids posting loads unless it is from a published loading manual that is cites with the load. There are a lot of guys out there that think they have to push loads to maximum and beyond, when less than maximum would give them far better results.
I need to really get into reloading soon as some of my favorite cartridges are kind of expensive when buying loaded ammo off the shelf such as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 45 Colt, 32-20, and 32 mag to name a few.
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At least with the Lee stuff, your good for .357 & .38 with a single set of dies. PN90964
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259985805.2366=/html/catalog/dies-pistol.html
Sounds like a real nice setup to me! Don't forget to pick up a bullet puller, flash hole tool (for inside the case). I got those and a deburring tool from Lyman. Their bullet puller has got to be the toughest plastic in all our galaxy!!! I've pulled many military rounds apart with it and BEAT THE POOP OUT OF IT to get them apart. Thing has proven super easy / quick to use, and indestructable.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case-prep/case-prep-tools.php
(http://www.lymanproducts.com/includes/img/lyman/case-prep/bp.jpg)
I forgot to mention I have that very bullet puller. And you're right- it is great! I have some old Black Talon rounds and wanted to take a look-see and the puller worked flawlessly. Thanks for the tips on the other stuff too.....
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I don't reload.....yet, but am planning on getting into it. I have been doing research on it for awhile now. I have also been gathering materials, tools, parts, cases, manuals, etc for some time. Mytwo biggest hold ups are the time to do it and and a adequet place to set it up a reloading bench.
I have several manuals, Lee, Lyman, and Speer for sure come to mind. I like the Speer a lot with the background info they give on the cartridges.
I do have a cheap Lee single stage press that I got very cheap at a gun show. I have also been looking at the Redding turret press, but it is expensive.
As mentioned earlier, be careful about what you read on the internet in regards to loads. I have a friend that is a moderator on another forum and he forbids posting loads unless it is from a published loading manual that is cites with the load. There are a lot of guys out there that think they have to push loads to maximum and beyond, when less than maximum would give them far better results.
I need to really get into reloading soon as some of my favorite cartridges are kind of expensive when buying loaded ammo off the shelf such as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 45 Colt, 32-20, and 32 mag to name a few.
Blackwolfe,
I certainly do not want to slight anyone about their knowledge about reloading on this board, but there are a few people who come to mind as a great resource:
Badgersmilk, Tom, and M25.
I don't want to jinx him but M25 has given me rock solid advice everytime. As my family from MS. would say, "It look like he's been at this thing for a little while....."
Good luck!
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I don't reload.....yet, but am planning on getting into it. I have been doing research on it for awhile now. I have also been gathering materials, tools, parts, cases, manuals, etc for some time. Mytwo biggest hold ups are the time to do it and and a adequet place to set it up a reloading bench.
I have several manuals, Lee, Lyman, and Speer for sure come to mind. I like the Speer a lot with the background info they give on the cartridges.
I do have a cheap Lee single stage press that I got very cheap at a gun show. I have also been looking at the Redding turret press, but it is expensive.
As mentioned earlier, be careful about what you read on the internet in regards to loads. I have a friend that is a moderator on another forum and he forbids posting loads unless it is from a published loading manual that is cites with the load. There are a lot of guys out there that think they have to push loads to maximum and beyond, when less than maximum would give them far better results.
I need to really get into reloading soon as some of my favorite cartridges are kind of expensive when buying loaded ammo off the shelf such as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 45 Colt, 32-20, and 32 mag to name a few.
Sounds like we're in the same boat. I have a Lee single stage and a Dillon RL550 progressive and both are still in their boxes. I have dies for .45 acp and .44 Mag/spl in handgun and 30-06 and .243 in rifle. All I need are .308 Win and .223 Rem and I can load for all my handguns and rifles. I have everything to load ammo, but need room to set up a permanent loading center.
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You guys looking for Space to work might try what I did.
I bought a Black and Decker "Work Mate" folding table, I took off the 2 wooden slats that formed the top and C clamped on a thick (1/2 Inch ) plate of Aluminum, (any metal will work ) and drilled holes to bolt on the press and powder measure.
Make sure you secure the REAR of the plate as the greatest stress on the mounting seemed to be on the downstroke of the ram.
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You guys looking for Space to work might try what I did.
I bought a Black and Decker "Work Mate" folding table, I took off the 2 wooden slats that formed the top and C clamped on a thick (1/2 Inch ) plate of Aluminum, (any metal will work ) and drilled holes to bolt on the press and powder measure.
Make sure you secure the REAR of the plate as the greatest stress on the mounting seemed to be on the downstroke of the ram.
Thanks for that idea. I have a workmate bench and had thought of making a 'removable' top because I need it for other things. But after I read your post, I remembered my dad has an old workmate table that needs to have the top replaced. I might see if I can talk him out of it and put a new top on it that suits my needs.
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Several things to start here, reloading is a good thing, recycle, reuse, beautiful.
1) Most loading manuals, if you will take the time to actually read them, describe in detail, what you are doing and why. Things to watch out for, = warnings about certain conditions of brass, powder etc...
2) Dillon has an excellent dvd based how to disc, taylored to their product, but maybe even free if you call and ask.
Toms suggestion of the workmate base is a good one, I am going to add some pictures here, don't laugh, no go ahead and laugh, but look at how my presses are mounted, they have wooden bases they are mounted to, and are able to be C clamped to whatever surface. If you look to the right side of the picture, you will see my 2nd 550b stored via C clamp to an adjoining shelf, this also works for my MEC shot gun press. If you can get aluminum bases cut to fit out of 3/8 plate, even cooler. You can even take this kind of setup to the range, if your range allows it. My Dillon presses came with 1/4" holes and I just tapped them 1/4 x 20 and used bevel head screws countersunk from the bottom of the wooden bases.
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1763.jpg
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1764.jpg
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1766.jpg
If you look to the upper shelf and right side shelf, I use tupper ware containers, to keep clean and dirty brass, both labeled as such. 45acp clean or 45acp dirty, just helps when you load as much ammo as I used to.
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Forgot to mention in my earlier post that frequently corn cob and crushed walnut shells are available at pet stores or in the pet department of some department stores. It is used for pet bedding and may be cheaper, more readily available and work for tumbling cases.
Also, if there is a range or sportsman club that you belong to, some of the members may be more than happy to help you get started in reloading. At my club I think I recall a reloading seminar a few years ago. I know some of the members have offered to help beginers and seem eager to share their knowledge.
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When I worked at T/C they used corn cob to tumble brass parts like Hawken butt plates and trigger guards.
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adding a little dab of "Nufinish" car polish to the tumbler does wonders for shining up cases. One of the many useful tips I found on the net from diffrent web sites.