Neophyte Handloader

gosmokeless · June 3, 2006, 08:57 AM

I would like to load up some .270 rounds as a hobby. I have no experience with loading rifle ammunition. How do I begin?

dodgestdshift · June 3, 2006, 09:44 AM

Get a good reloading manual (Speer #13 is good) and read it. When you have read the reloading sections (not the loads sections) you can begin to acquire reloading equipment. If you decide not to do it I (I don't know why you would) you are only out the price of the manual.

Donaldo · June 3, 2006, 10:01 AM

+1 to dodgestdshift.

Go to the library or Barnes and Noble or wherever and get some books about the reloading process. Learn a little about the history, read a lot about the process. Then after you've read a bunch try to talk to some handloaders in person, maybe see if they'll let you load a few rounds and show you the ropes next time they load a batch.

Also, before you begin, and you have a good idea of whats going to happen when you start, develop some safety and quality control practices. I personaly move rounds from a loading block on my left to a loading block on my right after I charge them. I also weigh every charge, and check OAL after seating every bullet. Ask around, find what others do.

amamnn · June 3, 2006, 10:49 AM

there is a very good book that every beginner should read--"Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee---You should be able to order a copy from Midsouth Shooter's supply, Graf and sons, or Midway USA. I own the current version along with the current versions of the Speer, Nosler, Hornady, and Sierra Manuals. All of them are fine books, but mainly are written to give you load info for their bullets. The Lee book covers more of the reloading theory and process.

Leftoverdj · June 3, 2006, 11:52 AM

Yeah, you are going to need to read a loading manual first.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=480380

Lee throws in a press with the loading manual for a big fat total of $25. It ain't the best of presses, but it's good enough so it would be a shame to miss the chance to pick one up nearly free. I've had one around as long as Lee has been selling them to do piddly jobs on.

Smokey Joe · June 3, 2006, 12:35 PM

Gosmokeless--The reccommendations above are all good. However there is one book that has not been mentioned, which IMHO is THE primer on handloading. This is The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing Co. www.krause.com It is an excellent introduction to all phases of reloading; goes into more depth than a loading manual. Get it @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun sho, the I'net, or order from the publisher. Belongs on every reloader's bookshelf, well thumbed.

You'll still need a reloading manual; more than one is preferable for comparisons' sake. One of my go-to's is Lyman's 48th edition.

Simplest way to reload is with a Lee Loader, a simple reloading kit which uses minimal equipment and costs very little. Primitive, but it works. A lot of us started out on the Lee Loader. All you need besides the kit itself, is a mallet, some fired brass, bullets, a can of powder, and a box of primers.

But pop for the ABC's even so.

scgunsmith · June 4, 2006, 05:09 PM

this is a partial list of what I have

Ransom Pistol rest with S&W and 1911 Inserts like new
350.00 plus shipping

Lyman 500 scale 25.00

lee scale 15.00

lee o-ring press 24.00

lee powder dispensor 12.00

lee 3 hole turret press with 2 auto disk chargers, 3 primer attachments 3 extra shell plates for the turret 95.00.

lyman turbo tumbler with two size media baskets 30.00

lyman 6 hole turret topped single stage press with primer attachment
125.00.

lee 223 dies 12.00
lee 30-06 die 12.00
lee 45acp dies 12.00
lee 44 mag dies 12.00
rcbs carbide 357/38 35.00
lyman 3 die set 30 carbine 15.00
rcbs 270 dies 14.00
rcbs steel 357/38 14.00

200- 303 150 grain hornady tips 30.00
148 grain semi wad cutter 357/38 hard cast 7.00 per 100
180 rnl hard cast 35 caliber 10.00 per 100

(4 sets) lyman mold handles 20.00 each
36 caliber round ball lyman mold with handles 35.00(single cavaty)

308 brass
270 brass
30-06 brass
357 brass
38 spl brass
380 brass
45acp brass
30-30 brass
380 brass
9mm brass
32acp brass

all brass 5.00 per hundred all once fired
more brass will be listed when seperated

prices do not include shipping but will combine on multiple orders/items

June 3, 2006, 09:44 AM	#2
dodgestdshift Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2002 Location: Marilla, N.Y. (outside Buffalo N.Y.) Posts: 113	Get a good reloading manual (Speer #13 is good) and read it. When you have read the reloading sections (not the loads sections) you can begin to acquire reloading equipment. If you decide not to do it I (I don't know why you would) you are only out the price of the manual. __________________ The shortest distance between two politicians is through your wallet. Don N.

June 3, 2006, 10:01 AM	#3
Donaldo Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2005 Location: Southern Commiefornia Posts: 220	+1 to dodgestdshift. Go to the library or Barnes and Noble or wherever and get some books about the reloading process. Learn a little about the history, read a lot about the process. Then after you've read a bunch try to talk to some handloaders in person, maybe see if they'll let you load a few rounds and show you the ropes next time they load a batch. Also, before you begin, and you have a good idea of whats going to happen when you start, develop some safety and quality control practices. I personaly move rounds from a loading block on my left to a loading block on my right after I charge them. I also weigh every charge, and check OAL after seating every bullet. Ask around, find what others do. __________________ Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. - Isaiah 1:17

June 3, 2006, 10:49 AM	#4
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	reloading 101 there is a very good book that every beginner should read--"Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee---You should be able to order a copy from Midsouth Shooter's supply, Graf and sons, or Midway USA. I own the current version along with the current versions of the Speer, Nosler, Hornady, and Sierra Manuals. All of them are fine books, but mainly are written to give you load info for their bullets. The Lee book covers more of the reloading theory and process. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

June 3, 2006, 12:35 PM	#6
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	Starting reloading Gosmokeless--The reccommendations above are all good. However there is one book that has not been mentioned, which IMHO is THE primer on handloading. This is The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing Co. www.krause.com It is an excellent introduction to all phases of reloading; goes into more depth than a loading manual. Get it @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun sho, the I'net, or order from the publisher. Belongs on every reloader's bookshelf, well thumbed. You'll still need a reloading manual; more than one is preferable for comparisons' sake. One of my go-to's is Lyman's 48th edition. Simplest way to reload is with a Lee Loader, a simple reloading kit which uses minimal equipment and costs very little. Primitive, but it works. A lot of us started out on the Lee Loader. All you need besides the kit itself, is a mallet, some fired brass, bullets, a can of powder, and a box of primers. But pop for the ABC's even so. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe

June 4, 2006, 05:09 PM	#7
scgunsmith Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Ridgeland SC (aka State of Confusion) Posts: 58	this is a partial list of what I have Ransom Pistol rest with S&W and 1911 Inserts like new 350.00 plus shipping Lyman 500 scale 25.00 lee scale 15.00 lee o-ring press 24.00 lee powder dispensor 12.00 lee 3 hole turret press with 2 auto disk chargers, 3 primer attachments 3 extra shell plates for the turret 95.00. lyman turbo tumbler with two size media baskets 30.00 lyman 6 hole turret topped single stage press with primer attachment 125.00. lee 223 dies 12.00 lee 30-06 die 12.00 lee 45acp dies 12.00 lee 44 mag dies 12.00 rcbs carbide 357/38 35.00 lyman 3 die set 30 carbine 15.00 rcbs 270 dies 14.00 rcbs steel 357/38 14.00 200- 303 150 grain hornady tips 30.00 148 grain semi wad cutter 357/38 hard cast 7.00 per 100 180 rnl hard cast 35 caliber 10.00 per 100 (4 sets) lyman mold handles 20.00 each 36 caliber round ball lyman mold with handles 35.00(single cavaty) 308 brass 270 brass 30-06 brass 357 brass 38 spl brass 380 brass 45acp brass 30-30 brass 380 brass 9mm brass 32acp brass all brass 5.00 per hundred all once fired more brass will be listed when seperated prices do not include shipping but will combine on multiple orders/items __________________ Will work for guns or parts Full Time Gunsmith, Part time dog house tenant Http://www.lowcountry-gunsmith.com

June 3, 2006, 08:57 AM	#1
gosmokeless Junior Member Join Date: June 3, 2006 Location: KY Posts: 1	Neophyte Handloader I would like to load up some .270 rounds as a hobby. I have no experience with loading rifle ammunition. How do I begin?

June 3, 2006, 11:52 AM	#5
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	Yeah, you are going to need to read a loading manual first. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=480380 Lee throws in a press with the loading manual for a big fat total of $25. It ain't the best of presses, but it's good enough so it would be a shame to miss the chance to pick one up nearly free. I've had one around as long as Lee has been selling them to do piddly jobs on.