Handloaders: How did you learn how? - Page 2

Poodleshooter · January 28, 2002, 06:54 PM

Dear old dad started teaching me when I was 14 or so. He learned it from his dad. Who learned it from.... you get the picture.

kodiak · January 28, 2002, 08:14 PM

My grandma taught me back in 1943.

Bob C · January 28, 2002, 10:38 PM

I had a bad start with trying to load handgun ammo with a Lee Loader. Then while in the Navy a Marine who was stationed where I was took the time to show me the basics, and helped me select a press, etc. That was thirty years ago, and I still have the press ( although a Dillon gets almost all my use now) and I still have a Lyman 55 he sold me for $5 which is now almost 70 years old.

Thanks Rod, wherever you are these days.

J.T.King · January 29, 2002, 06:18 AM

Yep, Dad got me started on this when I was bemoaning the cost of .45acp ammo. It gave me something to do when we would visit "grandma and grandpa" over the holidays that kept me out of the kitchen and out of the family gossip.

Now a Dillon 650 with most of the trimmin's sits on my garage bench!

JT

BIGR · January 29, 2002, 10:48 PM

I learned from an Old Timer and always kept the books close by. He taught me years ago to have more than one reloading manual to double check the loads. It is good to have a knowledgeable person to teach you the steps at first. You can never be too careful. I always try to have a clear mind ,stress free when I reload. To me setting up the scales and the powder measuring step is the most critical step. Have your head in la la land and you might over charge a round. Yes the first time I loaded some shells on my own I was a little bit concerned. After years of loading each step will become natural. Reloading is one of the most enjoyable hobbies I have now. Reloading is fun and saves a person lots of money on ammo. Good luck to you beginners and enjoy your rewards of reloading.

MikePower · January 30, 2002, 02:54 AM

Found a Ponsness-Warren P-200 Straightwall press at a garage sale with .45 and .38 dies, a broken RCBS scale, five boxes of .45 Hornaday bullets, sixteen pounds of assorted powders, a vibrating case cleaner and two thousand large and small primers. I had no idea what the stuff was worth or if the parts were all there but bought the lot for $100. It gets better.

Stored the lot in my garage for five years until I had time to mess with another project.

Last December I read this board from back to front, bought a scale, five manuals and some walnut hulls and started in, and have cranked out several thousand .45 ACP and .357 Cowboy loads from ten gallons of brass I had saved up over the years. Havin' fun.

I returned the broken scale to RCBS, and since it was obsolete they sent me a credit for $100.

My thanks to all for the priceless information I found here!

Ala Dan · January 30, 2002, 04:33 AM

After countless hours of reading and researching all the info
that is available, I turned to my friend Capbuster for his expert
advice. After some trial and error, and with a few stroke's of
the press I got the feel for handloading.

After many year's
of enjoyment, I'm very grateful to my friend Cliff.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.

Peter M. Eick · January 30, 2002, 04:51 PM

The old-fashioned way. I read a lot, bought a lot of manuals (a whole 6 ft shelf now) and kept reasonable records.

Finally, even today, I still ask questions, and don't assume that I know it all. I really value both my hands a lot!!!!!

Be safe.

Guy B. Meredith · February 1, 2002, 02:50 AM

I posted lots of questions on this and other forums, read Lyman and Speers reloading manuals VERY carefully, purchased a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP and went to town.

Many would say that beginning with a progressive press and the copper plated bullets is beginning the hard way, but it has been no problem and I've chunked out thousands of very pretty and satisfactorily shooting rounds.

The copper bullets are neither lead nor jacketed and there is little information on reloading. I start with lead loads and increase .2 gr at a time while watching for over pressure.

The Hornady LNL AP with auto indexing and an RCBS lockout die go a long way towards keeping me from doing anything dangerous.

keano44 · February 3, 2002, 01:47 AM

I didn't have anyone I knew to show me the ropes, but I think what finally made me take the plunge on my own was "Hell, I Was There" by Elmer Keith. This might tell you that .44 was the first caliber I began reloading for. So, first I read "The ABC's of Reloading" by Dean Grennel, and other manuals by Hornady, Hodgdon, Lee, Lyman, and anything else I could get my hands on. This was about six years ago. I wasn't computer "able" back then, but four years ago, an accidental fall at work left me with two shatterred heels, and 2 1/2 months out of work. I used this time to re-read everything, do a lot of reloading, and learn to use a computer. The internet's where I found the most information, as long as you check it against your manuals. I'm 99% back on my feet again, and don't let the 1% keep me from doing anything I want to do. Since I'm busy with work again, I don't reload but about four times a year, and find myself constantly referring back to the same manuals How-to sections, nearly everytime I start to reload.

vluc · February 3, 2002, 04:44 PM

Read what I could, asked a ton of questions, then got three or four maunaula, dl'd a ton of data from the 'net, and jumped in and started doing it.

Got a 550, load about 200 an hour, and have already loaded out about 1000 rounds...most of them shot in the search for the ideal load.

Haven't had this much fun since I started shooting!

GunsdontKill · February 3, 2002, 07:05 PM

I learned from a book first and foremost. Second my Dad had been loading for over 30 years when I started. So I read first and asked Pops when something did not make perfect sense.

And as far as I am concerned you never stop learning about reloading. Keep a log of loads you have made. Make a couple of notes about each load you have tried. And in no time you will have a wealth of information.

blades67 · February 4, 2002, 10:55 PM

I read the Lyman (#47) and Speer (#13) manuals and the Dillon RL550B instructions that came with the press.

ZeusOne · February 6, 2002, 11:33 AM

Read the Lee Reloading Manual, the instructions that came with my press and dies, and proceeded carefully. I continuew to learn new things all the time.

Pay attention to detail, question what you see and hear, and reloading will be a safe and enjoyable hobby.

Granpa's boy · February 6, 2002, 01:17 PM

I have joined the happy ranks of the reloader. I reload in 4 calibers 9mm, 45 Colt, 38spl. and 357mag. I am going to try the 40 smith and Wesson next.

I have made mistakes with seating bullets in the beginning.
but when I started asking questions of other reloaders
then that problem faded away.

I save a mountain of cash especially the 45 colt.

I recommend a friend who owns a class 3 Uzi to get started
reloading. It will be expensive if not.

His Woman must really love him, she bought him a Dillon 650
for X-mas. I wish mine loved me that much.

coonan357 · February 6, 2002, 04:46 PM

I got started when my shooting habit started to get a little expensive ( a case a week at$230 :barf: ) so I went to the shop where I buy my toys and asked "john " how hard is it to reload ? he said can you read?, well you know the story from there , he set me up with a rcbs rs-5 and a bunch of stuff he uses (made a starting kit ) plus some stuff I thought I needed (all for under$230 barely ) this was including the powder and box of bullets ,went home set up on a workmate (didn't have a bench yet ) and reloaded my first rounds (still have 5 of them in a box saving them for keepsakes) was a little scared when it was time to shoot them ,after the first one I was hooked , now its more power ,better accuracy and cheaper to boot , I have taught several of my friends the "black science" and they borrow my bench every now and then , I reload .38-.357, .44spec-mag, .45Acp.,.45LC-.454casaull,and 8mm Lebel , and now I am going to the Lincon of presses a Dillion Xl650 , (want a 1050 but not enough funds)

, the rs5 is going to be the decapping press I've builta bench for it last year (after working on the workmate for several years actually I might put the rs5 back on the work mate for portability at the range) and I have a room dedicated just to reloading .

orlando5 · February 8, 2002, 02:13 AM

You do not need to be a rocket scientist to learn how to reload. The only requirement is to be aware of what you are doing. If you can read you can reload.

Just get the Lee kit and the reloading book that comes with it. This should get you started.

http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/...3=anivers.html

If you’re reloading rifle cal, make sure you get the case length gauge and shell holder. The kit doesn’t come with one.

January 28, 2002, 08:14 PM	#27
kodiak Member Join Date: July 21, 2001 Location: dry south west Posts: 27	reloading My grandma taught me back in 1943.

January 29, 2002, 06:18 AM	#29
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	Good ol' pop... Yep, Dad got me started on this when I was bemoaning the cost of .45acp ammo. It gave me something to do when we would visit "grandma and grandpa" over the holidays that kept me out of the kitchen and out of the family gossip. Now a Dillon 650 with most of the trimmin's sits on my garage bench! JT

January 30, 2002, 02:54 AM	#31
MikePower Member Join Date: April 16, 2000 Posts: 18	..and now I are one Found a Ponsness-Warren P-200 Straightwall press at a garage sale with .45 and .38 dies, a broken RCBS scale, five boxes of .45 Hornaday bullets, sixteen pounds of assorted powders, a vibrating case cleaner and two thousand large and small primers. I had no idea what the stuff was worth or if the parts were all there but bought the lot for $100. It gets better. Stored the lot in my garage for five years until I had time to mess with another project. Last December I read this board from back to front, bought a scale, five manuals and some walnut hulls and started in, and have cranked out several thousand .45 ACP and .357 Cowboy loads from ten gallons of brass I had saved up over the years. Havin' fun. I returned the broken scale to RCBS, and since it was obsolete they sent me a credit for $100. My thanks to all for the priceless information I found here!

January 30, 2002, 04:33 AM	#32
Ala Dan Member in memoriam Join Date: August 14, 1999 Location: In The HOT, Humid, and Mu Posts: 6,116	With help from a friend- After countless hours of reading and researching all the info that is available, I turned to my friend Capbuster for his expert advice. After some trial and error, and with a few stroke's of the press I got the feel for handloading. After many year's of enjoyment, I'm very grateful to my friend Cliff. Best Wishes, Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.

February 4, 2002, 10:55 PM	#38
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	Handloaders: How did you learn how? I read the Lyman (#47) and Speer (#13) manuals and the Dillon RL550B instructions that came with the press.

January 28, 2002, 06:54 PM	#26
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Dear old dad started teaching me when I was 14 or so. He learned it from his dad. Who learned it from.... you get the picture.

January 28, 2002, 10:38 PM	#28
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	I had a bad start with trying to load handgun ammo with a Lee Loader. Then while in the Navy a Marine who was stationed where I was took the time to show me the basics, and helped me select a press, etc. That was thirty years ago, and I still have the press ( although a Dillon gets almost all my use now) and I still have a Lyman 55 he sold me for $5 which is now almost 70 years old. Thanks Rod, wherever you are these days.

January 29, 2002, 10:48 PM	#30
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	I learned from an Old Timer and always kept the books close by. He taught me years ago to have more than one reloading manual to double check the loads. It is good to have a knowledgeable person to teach you the steps at first. You can never be too careful. I always try to have a clear mind ,stress free when I reload. To me setting up the scales and the powder measuring step is the most critical step. Have your head in la la land and you might over charge a round. Yes the first time I loaded some shells on my own I was a little bit concerned. After years of loading each step will become natural. Reloading is one of the most enjoyable hobbies I have now. Reloading is fun and saves a person lots of money on ammo. Good luck to you beginners and enjoy your rewards of reloading.

January 30, 2002, 04:51 PM	#33
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	The old-fashioned way. I read a lot, bought a lot of manuals (a whole 6 ft shelf now) and kept reasonable records. Finally, even today, I still ask questions, and don't assume that I know it all. I really value both my hands a lot!!!!! Be safe.

February 1, 2002, 02:50 AM	#34
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	I posted lots of questions on this and other forums, read Lyman and Speers reloading manuals VERY carefully, purchased a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP and went to town. Many would say that beginning with a progressive press and the copper plated bullets is beginning the hard way, but it has been no problem and I've chunked out thousands of very pretty and satisfactorily shooting rounds. The copper bullets are neither lead nor jacketed and there is little information on reloading. I start with lead loads and increase .2 gr at a time while watching for over pressure. The Hornady LNL AP with auto indexing and an RCBS lockout die go a long way towards keeping me from doing anything dangerous.

February 3, 2002, 01:47 AM	#35
keano44 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2001 Location: Lafayette LA Posts: 177	I didn't have anyone I knew to show me the ropes, but I think what finally made me take the plunge on my own was "Hell, I Was There" by Elmer Keith. This might tell you that .44 was the first caliber I began reloading for. So, first I read "The ABC's of Reloading" by Dean Grennel, and other manuals by Hornady, Hodgdon, Lee, Lyman, and anything else I could get my hands on. This was about six years ago. I wasn't computer "able" back then, but four years ago, an accidental fall at work left me with two shatterred heels, and 2 1/2 months out of work. I used this time to re-read everything, do a lot of reloading, and learn to use a computer. The internet's where I found the most information, as long as you check it against your manuals. I'm 99% back on my feet again, and don't let the 1% keep me from doing anything I want to do. Since I'm busy with work again, I don't reload but about four times a year, and find myself constantly referring back to the same manuals How-to sections, nearly everytime I start to reload.

February 3, 2002, 04:44 PM	#36
vluc Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Posts: 53	Read what I could, asked a ton of questions, then got three or four maunaula, dl'd a ton of data from the 'net, and jumped in and started doing it. Got a 550, load about 200 an hour, and have already loaded out about 1000 rounds...most of them shot in the search for the ideal load. Haven't had this much fun since I started shooting!

February 3, 2002, 07:05 PM	#37
GunsdontKill Member Join Date: January 19, 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 17	I learned from a book first and foremost. Second my Dad had been loading for over 30 years when I started. So I read first and asked Pops when something did not make perfect sense. And as far as I am concerned you never stop learning about reloading. Keep a log of loads you have made. Make a couple of notes about each load you have tried. And in no time you will have a wealth of information.

February 6, 2002, 11:33 AM	#39
ZeusOne Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: The hills of Western MD Posts: 237	Read the Lee Reloading Manual, the instructions that came with my press and dies, and proceeded carefully. I continuew to learn new things all the time. Pay attention to detail, question what you see and hear, and reloading will be a safe and enjoyable hobby.

February 6, 2002, 01:17 PM	#40
Granpa's boy Junior Member Join Date: January 31, 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 12	reloading I have joined the happy ranks of the reloader. I reload in 4 calibers 9mm, 45 Colt, 38spl. and 357mag. I am going to try the 40 smith and Wesson next. I have made mistakes with seating bullets in the beginning. but when I started asking questions of other reloaders then that problem faded away. I save a mountain of cash especially the 45 colt. I recommend a friend who owns a class 3 Uzi to get started reloading. It will be expensive if not. His Woman must really love him, she bought him a Dillon 650 for X-mas. I wish mine loved me that much.

February 6, 2002, 04:46 PM	#41
coonan357 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2002 Location: in a state of confusion and disbelief ! Posts: 726	I got started when my shooting habit started to get a little expensive ( a case a week at$230 :barf: ) so I went to the shop where I buy my toys and asked "john " how hard is it to reload ? he said can you read?, well you know the story from there , he set me up with a rcbs rs-5 and a bunch of stuff he uses (made a starting kit ) plus some stuff I thought I needed (all for under$230 barely ) this was including the powder and box of bullets ,went home set up on a workmate (didn't have a bench yet ) and reloaded my first rounds (still have 5 of them in a box saving them for keepsakes) was a little scared when it was time to shoot them ,after the first one I was hooked , now its more power ,better accuracy and cheaper to boot , I have taught several of my friends the "black science" and they borrow my bench every now and then , I reload .38-.357, .44spec-mag, .45Acp.,.45LC-.454casaull,and 8mm Lebel , and now I am going to the Lincon of presses a Dillion Xl650 , (want a 1050 but not enough funds) , the rs5 is going to be the decapping press I've builta bench for it last year (after working on the workmate for several years actually I might put the rs5 back on the work mate for portability at the range) and I have a room dedicated just to reloading .

February 8, 2002, 02:13 AM	#42
orlando5 Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2001 Location: Somewhere in wonderland. Posts: 699	You do not need to be a rocket scientist to learn how to reload. The only requirement is to be aware of what you are doing. If you can read you can reload. Just get the Lee kit and the reloading book that comes with it. This should get you started. http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/...3=anivers.html If you’re reloading rifle cal, make sure you get the case length gauge and shell holder. The kit doesn’t come with one.