First time Reloader

Recoiljunkie44 · August 25, 2009, 10:55 PM

I just bought a reloading press at a garage sale a RCBS single stage press to be exact with some 300 win mag dies and brass primers and other various equipment! I have not the slightest clue in how to start any good links or helpful post would be greatly appreciated! (please no brand dislikes or like post) The reason I got it was it fit In my budget a mere 30 dollars!

Sevens · August 25, 2009, 10:59 PM

You saved a heaping pile of cash by purchasing that at $30.
So don't be a chump and balk at the next suggestion!

Go to a book store or a decent gun store and starting looking over reloading manuals. You'll spend anywhere from $20-$40 on one. It'll be a reference that you can use for the rest of your LIFE.

Reloading can be one of the greatest and most rewarding hobbies you'll ever get involved with... but if you don't give it the respect it demands, you could blow off a finger or two, or destroy a much loved gun.

There's also a sticky topic at the TOP of this discussion area regarding new folks and tools to get started.

Folks around here LOVE to help, but will have to put forth a little more effort to get the kind of help you'll need. Can't simply show up, tell us you bought a press at a garage sale and you need to know what's next.

You'll have to do some of the work!

Recoiljunkie44 · August 25, 2009, 11:11 PM

Thanks sevens I was wondering some of the brass i got is primed do i need to start from scratch it also can with some 30 cal bullets and a medicene bottle full of powder with no label which I think is not a good idea to use Also it came with a redding balance scale base but nothing else should I try to find parts or start with a new scale! The rest i should be able to find out how in a good reloaders bible! Many thanks

LuckyStrike · August 25, 2009, 11:24 PM

I would not recommend using the no-name powder, pick up some new powder so you can start developing a load that works consistently for your gun. As for learning how to reload, use the web along with a manual. I suggest picking up a manual from whomever you buy bullets from (Sierra, Hornady...) and using sites like this and youtube to learn the basics.

Good Luck!

Sevens · August 26, 2009, 07:51 AM

Use the scale to try and measure each of those .30 cal bullets and see if the scale can be zeroed and that it works. If it works, no reason to buy another.

If it doesn't work, or you can't seem to figure out HOW it works, try contacting Redding. Many of the reloading companies are very good about standing behind products with their name on it. Some of them will go to great length to make sure that even if you bought it at a garage sale, it works or they'll fix/replace it.

Uncle Billy · August 26, 2009, 08:05 AM

If you ask at a gun club (if you belong to one) there probably is someone there who would work with you to show you how to reload properly and safely. That's how I learned. You probably shouldn't start reloading until you get checked out by someone who knows how to do it. They can also tell you what other equipment you would need.

Joining a gun club is a good idea for a lot of reasons, if you don't already belong to one.

Nightowl · August 26, 2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Go to a book store or a decent gun store and starting looking over reloading manuals. You'll spend anywhere from $20-$40 on one. It'll be a reference that you can use for the rest of your LIFE.

This is one of the best suggestions that you will get. Enjoy!

LHB1 · August 26, 2009, 12:09 PM

Quote: "medicene bottle full of powder with no label "

THROW IT AWAY! Pour it on the grass for fertilizer. Rule #1 for storing gun powder is ALWAYS to keep it in the original/labeled container when not being used. As stated above, the best way to get an overview of reloading plus tons of useful information is to buy at least one good reloading manual. Look thru some samples at your local dealer and pick one with a good introduction or explanation section on reloading fundamentals. Then ask us specific questions for things you don't fully understand. Reloading is as SAFE as driving a car. Reloading is as DANGEROUS as driving a car. It all depends on your knowledge and safe techniques. Good luck.

Shoney · August 26, 2009, 04:31 PM

Congratulations on starting down the sordid road to reloadaholicism. Sevens wasn't entirely honest when he said you have saved a "heaping pile of cash ".

In the coming years, you will send tons of cash thru your barrel down range. You will load a box of rifle cartridges at a fraction of retail and grin from ear to ear. You will become a brass monkey, scrounging thru garbage barrels at your range for brass and cartridge boxes. And lots more.

The worst part of all, it will be WOOOOOOOOONNNNNDDDDDEEEEEERRRRRRFUL!!!!!!

Rich Keagy · August 26, 2009, 06:30 PM

Save yourself a headache and get a bullet gage ASAP. If the reloads drop in 'plunk', fine. If not, you make adjustments.
If one of your reloads is too fat and it get crammed into the gun chamber, you might be without that gun to shoot for awhile.
Don't ask me how I know.

Shoney · August 26, 2009, 06:49 PM

The best cartridge gauge is the chamber of your weapons barrel. Remove the barrel and use it as your gauge.

Using a commercial gauge will result in the rejection of many cartridges that would fit and function in your weapon.

Kyo · August 26, 2009, 06:54 PM

you don't need a bullet gauge. you need calipers. Calipers give you exacts. a gauge means you eyeball it. You don't eyeball in reloading. you be exact.

sako2 · August 26, 2009, 07:59 PM

go to rcbs.com and watch the videos. get a good manual and read it.

August 25, 2009, 10:59 PM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	You saved a heaping pile of cash by purchasing that at $30. So don't be a chump and balk at the next suggestion! Go to a book store or a decent gun store and starting looking over reloading manuals. You'll spend anywhere from $20-$40 on one. It'll be a reference that you can use for the rest of your LIFE. Reloading can be one of the greatest and most rewarding hobbies you'll ever get involved with... but if you don't give it the respect it demands, you could blow off a finger or two, or destroy a much loved gun. There's also a sticky topic at the TOP of this discussion area regarding new folks and tools to get started. Folks around here LOVE to help, but will have to put forth a little more effort to get the kind of help you'll need. Can't simply show up, tell us you bought a press at a garage sale and you need to know what's next. You'll have to do some of the work! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 26, 2009, 07:51 AM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Use the scale to try and measure each of those .30 cal bullets and see if the scale can be zeroed and that it works. If it works, no reason to buy another. If it doesn't work, or you can't seem to figure out HOW it works, try contacting Redding. Many of the reloading companies are very good about standing behind products with their name on it. Some of them will go to great length to make sure that even if you bought it at a garage sale, it works or they'll fix/replace it. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

August 25, 2009, 10:55 PM	#1
Recoiljunkie44 Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Hudson ks Posts: 96	First time Reloader I just bought a reloading press at a garage sale a RCBS single stage press to be exact with some 300 win mag dies and brass primers and other various equipment! I have not the slightest clue in how to start any good links or helpful post would be greatly appreciated! (please no brand dislikes or like post) The reason I got it was it fit In my budget a mere 30 dollars!

August 25, 2009, 11:11 PM	#3
Recoiljunkie44 Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Hudson ks Posts: 96	Thanks sevens I was wondering some of the brass i got is primed do i need to start from scratch it also can with some 30 cal bullets and a medicene bottle full of powder with no label which I think is not a good idea to use Also it came with a redding balance scale base but nothing else should I try to find parts or start with a new scale! The rest i should be able to find out how in a good reloaders bible! Many thanks

August 25, 2009, 11:24 PM	#4
LuckyStrike Member Join Date: May 5, 2009 Posts: 69	I would not recommend using the no-name powder, pick up some new powder so you can start developing a load that works consistently for your gun. As for learning how to reload, use the web along with a manual. I suggest picking up a manual from whomever you buy bullets from (Sierra, Hornady...) and using sites like this and youtube to learn the basics. Good Luck!

August 26, 2009, 08:05 AM	#6
Uncle Billy Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2009 Location: Small city in New York Posts: 482	If you ask at a gun club (if you belong to one) there probably is someone there who would work with you to show you how to reload properly and safely. That's how I learned. You probably shouldn't start reloading until you get checked out by someone who knows how to do it. They can also tell you what other equipment you would need. Joining a gun club is a good idea for a lot of reasons, if you don't already belong to one.

August 26, 2009, 12:09 PM	#8
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Quote: "medicene bottle full of powder with no label " THROW IT AWAY! Pour it on the grass for fertilizer. Rule #1 for storing gun powder is ALWAYS to keep it in the original/labeled container when not being used. As stated above, the best way to get an overview of reloading plus tons of useful information is to buy at least one good reloading manual. Look thru some samples at your local dealer and pick one with a good introduction or explanation section on reloading fundamentals. Then ask us specific questions for things you don't fully understand. Reloading is as SAFE as driving a car. Reloading is as DANGEROUS as driving a car. It all depends on your knowledge and safe techniques. Good luck.

August 26, 2009, 04:31 PM	#9
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	Congratulations on starting down the sordid road to reloadaholicism. Sevens wasn't entirely honest when he said you have saved a "heaping pile of cash ". In the coming years, you will send tons of cash thru your barrel down range. You will load a box of rifle cartridges at a fraction of retail and grin from ear to ear. You will become a brass monkey, scrounging thru garbage barrels at your range for brass and cartridge boxes. And lots more. The worst part of all, it will be WOOOOOOOOONNNNNDDDDDEEEEEERRRRRRFUL!!!!!!

August 26, 2009, 06:30 PM	#10
Rich Keagy Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: southern California Posts: 48	Save yourself a headache and get a bullet gage ASAP. If the reloads drop in 'plunk', fine. If not, you make adjustments. If one of your reloads is too fat and it get crammed into the gun chamber, you might be without that gun to shoot for awhile. Don't ask me how I know.

August 26, 2009, 06:49 PM	#11
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	The best cartridge gauge is the chamber of your weapons barrel. Remove the barrel and use it as your gauge. Using a commercial gauge will result in the rejection of many cartridges that would fit and function in your weapon.

August 26, 2009, 06:54 PM	#12
Kyo Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 897	you don't need a bullet gauge. you need calipers. Calipers give you exacts. a gauge means you eyeball it. You don't eyeball in reloading. you be exact.

August 26, 2009, 07:59 PM	#13
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 766	go to rcbs.com and watch the videos. get a good manual and read it.