Reloading and general gun talk thread

Hello everyone!! I'd like to start this thread to share information about reloading for the guns we have. I'm more than happy to talk guns as well.
A little background of my firearm experience. My Dad started teaching me how to shoot when I was 3. I had my first rifle at 7. I grew up around guns and had several by the time I joined the Marines. There I went into the infantry. After I got out I became an instructor for some time and still occasionally will give a class to an individual or individuals that want to learn.
I've been reloading almost as long as shooting. Started out with shotgun shells and a Lee Loader for 16 gauge.
Currently I reload for .308, .45ACP, 10mm, 9mm, .223, .45 Colt and 12 gauge. I run a Dillon XL750 and a Lyman turret press. I use an RCBS Charge master powder dispenser.
I'm no expert so I may not have your answer but please feel free to ask any questions.
Looking forward to talking with you all.

 

I’ve been reloading for a while. So far I only have reloaded straight walled pistol cartridges with my Hornady L-N-L. I occasionally still shoot USPSA matches and load primarily .45ACP, 9mm, and .38/.357. Probably have made about 6500-7500 rounds???
Since I just retired I’m looking forward to learn the process for tapered walled rifle cartridges, specifically .308 for my Rem 700.

 

Wow, that's cool you shoot competitively. I used to shoot IDPA but haven't in a very long time. And yep, I'll be happy to help you along the bottleneck cartridge process.
I'm currently working up a sub-sonic load for my Savage 111. The rifle is up to the task, I THINK I'm doing my part. The proper load that prints 1/2 MOA or close is what I'm after. Had some good groups yesterday but very inconsistent. So, gonna do more research today. I'm retired as well.

 

I would love to learn how to reload. I've watched a few videos

@Corndog123 would you be able to create a complete list of items a beginner like myself would need in order to get started? Maybe a suggested items list and a budget friendly list. I know some of the tools can be real pricey.

 

Absolutely and welcome to the madness!! Ha ha ha the initial investment will be a little bit but I'll keep it as budget friendly as possible. The components will probably be the most expensive part of the process.
I'm at the gym right now but I'll make you up a list as to what I would get if I was just starting out. Looking forward to getting you set up!

 

Awesome! No rush at all. I probably won't be rushing to get it all set up right away but it would just be nice to have a good list for reference to piece it all out over time and keep an eye out for sales n such.

 

Yep, that's the best way to do it!

 

Started in USPSA with a 9mm Sig P226. Got tired of shooting an auto, as everyone else was, so I decided to shoot Revolver Division for a few seasons. Also shot Single Stack 1911’s a little bit. For the last 3 seasons I’m back shooting a Sig. I’ve got a .45ACP P320 with a Vortex Red Dot. My last purchase, a few weeks back, was a Sig P365, I’ll shoot that in a back-up gun match should one come along. Thanks for offering the help on the necked brass, I know enough to know that I don’t know what I’m doing!

 

Wow, you have a lot more experience in competitive shooting than I do!! Those are some very nice guns! I like Vortex. A couple of my guns are running their optics.
Happy to help. Most of my brass in .308 has been fire formed to a specific chamber so I keep those separate of my AR10 brass. Just neck size the fire formed brass.

 

Ok, so all of this is available on Amazon. In order of importance and budget concerns:

Lee loading manual (Will tell you how to set up the press and dies, how to prep the brass, how to set up the powder measure and all load data for just about every round there is.)

Lee single stage press ( Good to learn the basics on and won't break the bank. Mount it to a sturdy table or build a stout reloading bench. You'll be putting out some pressure reloading.)

Lee dies ( will come in a red box for whatever caliber you're gonna go after. Will have everything needed to reload that specific caliber. Will come with a yellow scoop for powder. Again, specific to that caliber. They'll get you in the ballpark of how many grains of powder you'll need. Will come with instructions and load data on how to set up your dies.

Lee powder measure ( Has a pretty cool micrometer style charge tube. Once it's set to a specific charge, you won't usually have touch it again. Unless you want no margin of error, for example: You're loading 9 mm. The loading manual suggests 6 grains of powder X. You set the meter to 6 grains and it throws 5.8 or 6.2 or some such. That margin won't hurt anything but just may not be what you want it to throw. You'll have to fine-tune the meter until you consistently get exactly the charge weight you want.)

Digital scale (I'll tell you why in a minute)

Bullet puller (This tool is invaluable IMO. It allows you to un-seat the bullet in case you have doubts of if you charged the case, or maybe put a double charge in the case. I've used them for decades and they've saved my butt more than once. It won't damage the bullet or case and you can recover the powder.)

Case primer pocket cleaner. (This will allow you to clean the primer pockets. Just chuck it in a drill and do as many primer pockets as you want.)

Hand Priming tool ( this is a nice thing to have but not necessary. I THINK the press will come with a priming device but I'm not positive. The hand priming device is something you can use to prime cases quicker than you can with the press priming device. But like I said, not vital to the operation. Just a nice to have sort of thing.)


I suggest Lee for beginning as their stuff is inexpensive and works. I still use their dies. I have their powder measure as well. Made of plastic but works.
Ok, the reason I say a digital scale (that can measure down to grains) is because I don't trust beam scales. Lee makes one but the beam is cheap plastic and I personally don't care for them. The advantage a beam scale has though is it uses no batteries. I'm sure there are those that swear by them and if it was a good one then sure. But then you're talking $$.
So a digital scale can be (and should be) zeroed before every reloading session. I trust the zeroing process much more than the beam scale. Which needs to be zeroed too. Get one that comes with weights. There will be instructions on how to set the scale up for grains as well as the zeroing process.

Last thing I suggest would be a case tumbler to clean the brass. Not super necessary but really helps in cleaning up brass. Say you go to the range and pick up a bunch if brass that's been sitting in the elements. Well, all you'd really need to do is throw it in the case tumbler with some walnut media (there is corn also but walnut I think scrubs better. Then there are the hydrosonic cleaners but that's more $$ than I care to spend.), hit the switch and in an hour or 2, you'll have clean brass. I usually let mine run for a good 6 hours.
There is a reloading kit offered by just about everyone besides Lee (Lyman,RCBS and a few others I'm forgetting). The Lee kit is available on Amazon for about 165 bucks. It has everything you need to start reloading. But uses a beam scale. To each his own, you may get the kit and love the beam scale. They're just not for me.
So now it's just components. Brass (can be picked up at the range but always inspect the cases. You never know what someone threw away. I've used range brass so it's a source for free brass. Just be careful.)
Bullets (Midway usually has blemishes bullets for sale. They are fine and will do everything the unblemished bullets will do, there may be one or 2 that aren't as pretty as the rest.
Primers (broken down into basically 5 groups. Large Rifle, Small Rifle, Large pistol, Small pistol and shotgun. Now there are "magnum" level primers for each group. Do not start with those unless you're starting to load rounds that have magnum in the name. .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum etc. Just use regular primers to begin with.
Powder (there are M-A-N-Y different types of powder manufacturers and each manufacturer has a myriad of powders. Your reloading manual will list all the bullet weights and types of powder for your cartridge. There are basically 3 types of powder. Rifle, pistol and shotgun. A lot of pistol powders and shotgun powders are interchangeable. Different charges for each but you can use powder X for both. A pound of powder is gonna run anywhere from about 50 bucks to 80 bucks. But a pound if powder will load a lot of rounds.
Well, that's about it. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

 

Corndog posted a very comprehensive list that really needs no additions. I will say however that a progressive press is the way to go. Maybe look for a used one on FB Marketplace, or Craigs List. The progressive press will do every step you need done, and produce a finished product lots quicker that a single stage. As he said, the single stage presses are very cheap, but you’ll be paying via your time. Just do yourself a favor and look into it. The only other thing I would mention is pick up a few used loading manuals. I prefer for work out of 2-3 just to make certain I’ve got a comprehensive “cook book” of rounds, which is all the loading manuals are. Even if they are not the latest version, they don’t change very much.

 

Yep, a few years old reloading manual should be just fine and there's nothing wrong with cross referencing a specific caliber. The library might even have one. I doubt it nowadays but worth a ......dare I say it? ...shot
Progressive presses are awesome but can be overwhelming. Imo it's best to get the basics down before moving onto a progressive. Certainly your call
but they'll be more expensive too and you'll still need everything I listed but the single stage press of course.

 

Yeah...I have everything I need to reload but I've been procrastinating.
Now that I'm retired I should probably start,it would save a little money.
Hell,I have bags of new brass just collecting dust.
And the 10mm Magnum rounds aren't cheap!!

 

I equate it to being able to refine your own gasoline.
And yeah, I have gallon zip lock bags full of .308 brass. If I loaded every .308 case I have, well, let's just say my Tundra would probably be past It's hauling weight.....lol. jk

 

Still testing.
The pic came up but it loaded everything from SmuMug rather than just the pic.
It gave me access to all my photos but dont know if it would give y'all the same access.
Not that I have any incriminating photos

 

Let me know if the pic came through.
This is my 10mm I had reamed to accept 10mm Magnum.
Havent even had a chance to shoot it yet.
The only reason I bought it was to have it reamed.
If I remember correctly it's the equivalent to either the 40 Mag or the 44 mag.

 

It DID!! THAT'S GORGEOUS!!! That's really cool! Tbh I never heard of the 10mm Magnum until you came along and told me about it.
I'll habe to look up some data on that round.
I have one 10mm. But it's out getting fitted for a suppressor barrel. It's a RIA long slide double stack 2011. It's awesome and I miss it.....

 

Yeah...cant wait to try it out this summer!!
We just got on a fishing lease that sits on 10k acres.
It's very difficult to get on the place and you have to be in good standing with the guy. Or you're on the list and someone has to die since no one ever gives up their lease and the lease usually gets passed down to a family member.
I told him look...I'm up here all the time as a guest(my Buddy is on the lease) so you might as well get paid for it.
The place has dozens of lakes where they dug up all the sand to build I-10 East years back.
It also has an Oxbow lake that was formed when the Trinity River shifted and left the lake.
Place is loaded with Bass,Crappie and Catfish!!
You can even get on the Deer lease for a bit more money.
We roam the place on my Polaris General and trucks and motorcycles aren't allowed.
And of course we have our own personal Gun Range....
I'll post some pics of the place.

 

It's called a Boutique round.
You either have to load your own or buy it from a specialty shop.

 

My bench in its current state of organized chaos. Projectiles and brass below, powders, dies, and primers, etc. up top:

I’m currently loading .45 for a steel match next month.

 

Drool drool drool......
That's great buddy! 10K acres? Good Lord!! And someone owns that? I don't think the Ponderosa was that big!
When I was a kid, we lived on 5 acres but we were surrounded by forest for as far as you could see in all directions. There was a stream about a quarter mile from the house. It was a country kids dream. All the squirrels, rabbits, grouse and deer you could hunt. Trout in the stream, I even caught either a pike or a Musky once. Anyway, very fond memories of that place. It hasn't changed a bit as far as I know. I'll have to Google earth it. If that's still around.

 

NICE!! I'll have to tidy up my reloading room and post a pic. It doubles as my "arts and craft" room and triples as my music room. Yes.....all 3.

 

Good thread. I've scaled back my shooting in the last 5 years. Took my wifes experience Jewelry out of the safety deposit box and put my primers in. I did stock up late winter 2020 as the shit was getting all lined up in front of the big fan.

 

My favorite Semi Auto...

The place is owned by a lumber company.
What we pay goes to paying the taxes on the place.
There's 20k acres that we also roam around on nextdoor to our lease.
While technically we're not supposed to go on the 20K acre place we do.
And the guys knows it.
It's kinda a wink,wink deal.
As long as you dont tear shit up he looks the other way.
I've been going up there for a couple decades and I still havent seen all of it.

 

Thank you, I'm hoping it will attract everyone that reloads, wants to learn how to reload and be a good source for that. And talk guns of course.
Yes, stuff hitting the fan can happen at any time. I love being able to make my own ammunition. Right now I'm working on a load for my suppressed .308. Getting closer to a good grouping load but haven't gotten there yet. It will happen though.

 

Nice!!
Yeah....the Wife gives me shit because I set up in one of the extra bedrooms.
The humidity is so high here you dont want to store powder or primers in the garage.
Not to mention the 95 to 100 plus degree temps!!!
You'd be sweating all over your rounds and reloader!!

 

Wow man, 30k acres......so cool. I'm happy for you buddy, that's something some people can only dream about doing. Maybe next time you head up there you could take some pics and post them here.

 

What hurts me is having both a 50 yard and 100 yard bench set up right outside my backdoor. That really burns through the ammo. If that's not enough a 10 meter handgun area too. You really burn through the ammo when it's nearly effortless to go shooting.

 

I have some pics.
I'll post em shortly.

 

Yep, humidity isn't good for powder. Now if it's in a sealed container that hasn't been opened yet, it will be fine but yeah, after it's opened then the degradation starts.