Reloading *Clueless Request*

[Møønlight]

Ok; where to start? I have never reloaded before. As a matter of fact I have no idea where to start. I'm having a .338 Norma Magnum being built. With that said, I do know that if I start reloading it will pay itself off after a short while, and save me a lot of $ down the road.

With that being said; i'm interested in knowing what it is I need to purchase to get this all going. I need a list of everything I will need to reload. Everything from preferred poweder, brass, measuring tool's/scale's; everything.

I'm not even sure i'm asking the right question's here. But some insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Hider's,
MS

 

[Suasponte]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Really good post to look at! Reloading 101!

Terry

 

[Møønlight]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

WOW; that's a mess of information that's only going to leave me lost in the wind. I just want some experienced opinion. If I try and read that and understand it before my barrel is done I will be about 2 year's late.

Thanks for the read though. I am saving it to my fav's.

MS

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Find a local friend that will have you over to their house to show you the ins and outs of reloading. But, you are still talking about severa days worth of hours long instruction before you really have any clue what you are doing if you want to go outside of just basic loading procedures. Having someone show you is MUCH better than reading about it.

John

 

[Møønlight]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Hi Mc,

What about a online video? Maybe a download or something? I don't have anyone where i'm at that knows anything about that. I'm good at finding free information as long as someone gives me a good compass.

MS

 

[lightman]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

MS,I would suggest starting with a good loading book.Lyman is my favorite,but most others are good.Lyman has lots of info about how and why.They will also have a list of tools.You will have to have a press,die set and shellholder for your caliber,powder scale,deburring tool,some type of case lube and maybe a lube pad.A loading block, powder funnel and primer pocket brush/cleaner,powder trickler, would be nice to have.Pretty soon you will need a set of calipers,and a case trimming tool.Most of us use some type of hand priming tool.but you can prime on most presses.There are dozens of other tools,some make the job easier or faster,some are for accuracy.Hope this helps,I probably left something out, Pete

 

[Møønlight]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Theodore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">MS,I would suggest starting with a good loading book.Lyman is my favorite,but most others are good.Lyman has lots of info about how and why.They will also have a list of tools.You will have to have a press,die set and shellholder for your caliber,powder scale,deburring tool,some type of case lube and maybe a lube pad.A loading block, powder funnel and primer pocket brush/cleaner,powder trickler, would be nice to have.Pretty soon you will need a set of calipers,and a case trimming tool.Most of us use some type of hand priming tool.but you can prime on most presses.There are dozens of other tools,some make the job easier or faster,some are for accuracy.Hope this helps,I probably left something out, Pete </div></div>

Good God Almighty! I didn't think it was so complex! I thought it would be like weight the powder, put it in the brass, press it, put the round on, crimp it and ready to shoot lol. See; I am a caveman, and I have a lot of catching up to do.

Thanks for the help my man. You have been very useful.
MS

 

[BoredEngineer]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Pete's advice is spot on the Lyman manual offers good instructions on reloading. I would also recommend the Speer manual for this as well. Buying both of these wouldn't hurt as having more than one reloading manual is a good way to cross reference loads or cover more calibers.

Other than that after you have gained some foundation and understanding from these books another good resource is youtube.
Just type in "how to reload" and you will find a lot of information.

 

[Grumulkin]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Moonshadow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good God Almighty! I didn't think it was so complex! I thought it would be like weight the powder, put it in the brass, press it, put the round on, crimp it and ready to shoot lol. See; I am a caveman, and I have a lot of catching up to do.</div></div>

It isn't that complicated if you can read. I started reloading as an unsupervised teenager on the kitchen table around age 16 with a Lee Loader.

I would advise you to buy one of the starter kits that includes a single stage press, reloading manual, scale, etc. I'm partial to the RCBS kits. You'll also need dies and some way to trim your cases. If you're not doing high volume reloading, a trim die and file works well for case trimming.

As you reload and become more proficient, there will be all sorts of thingys you find you "must have." You will shoot more. You will test powders and bullets. You will spend more money on shooting than you did before you started reloading.

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Reloading is quite simple and only requires a few tools. Doing it correctly and safely is a bit more complex and demanding.

Reloading is as simple - and complex - as driving a car. Stick a key in the proper place, turn it until the engine cranks, put the transmission in "D" and press the gas petal. Turn that big wheel in the direction you wish to go and you're driving! Simple enough, right? But, on the other hand a new vehicle operator just may benifit from a bit more knowledge and several other task skills. Ditto loading.

 

[D_TROS]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoredEngineer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pete's advice is spot on the Lyman manual offers good instructions on reloading. I would also recommend the Speer manual for this as well. Buying both of these wouldn't hurt as having more than one reloading manual is a good way to cross reference loads or cover more calibers.

Other than that after you have gained some foundation and understanding from these books another good resource is youtube.
Just type in "how to reload" and you will find a lot of information. </div></div>

+1
I agree. I have been reloading since I was a teen. My dad set me down, gave me three different reloading books, and said when I done with those, you can reload. We shoot everything so reloading is the way to go. Also, since it looks like you may get bit by the gun bug, just buy a couple reloading books from Sportsmans or Cabelas or Bass Pro. They not only will give you useful information about all other calibers you may reload for in the future, but they all give a crash course in how to reload. Some even have ballistic tables...

Dont just say that that is too complex an article or too long or too hard to understand cause ONE mistake can be leathal, or even maim you. Not worth it. It pays to be meticulous for many reasons but two impoortant ones are Safety and More accurate reloded ammo..

Good luck it is fun.

 

[Møønlight]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Great replies and great information. From what I am gathering you can do the basic's or you can really get in to it and customize. The reading and youtube will do great justice. I am one of those like to touch, smell, see and read type learner's.

Great replie's Hider's! Thanks much,
MS

 

[Jerry m]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

Moonshadow,

Do your self a favor and check and double check any powder weight you use. There is a allot of overpressure loads floating around the internet.

Safety lecture over - Good luck.

Jerry

 

[Nefariousd]

Re: Reloading *Clueless Request*

I totally agree with getting a good manual, but it can be a little confusing (then again, I'm not that bright) there is a lot of "stuff" and I could see where knowing if you are getting the correct "stuff", can be a little bewildering.

The biggest help for me was watching my friend and asking a BUNCH of questions, as someone else mentioned. It put the things that the manual described in my hands and allowed me insight from someone that actually used those things correctly to explain them.

If you don't know anyone, most gun stores have groupies and usually it doesn't take much observation to know which groupies are knowledgeable and which ones need to go find a hobby or a girlfriend. A lot of these guys are glad to see new people get into the hobby and are more than willing to let observe the process. I don't know that I'd take the advice of someone selling me something as gospel, so unless you're really comfortable with the person selling you the stuff, I'd be a little skeptical.

If you get the opportunity to observe, ask ALL the questions.
The driving analogy is a good one, people with experience may treat it casually and some people will try to downplay the seriousness associated with an error. There is a big difference between thinking you understand and knowing you do, so approaching all of this on the conservative side should be recommended.