Want some re-loading recommendations...

tristar viper · January 29, 2010, 05:56 PM

The wife and I have decided to start re-loading. She'll do her .380's, and I'll do my 9mm and 38 special.
Already have a press, the questions I have center around two things; dies and powder.
What are good dies? I have had guys say carbide dies are the best. I'd like to know what guys who actually do re-loading think and prefer.
And powder; would all these re-loads (.380, 9mm, and 38 special) take the same powder? Recommendations please....

Thanks!!

zxcvbob · January 29, 2010, 06:05 PM

Do you have a reloading manual? You should have bought that the very first thing. (I really like Lyman's 48th because that's what I started with. They are probably up to 49th or 50th by now) Read the first few chapters over and over.

Yes you want carbide dies. It's not even easy to find steel pistol dies anymore except in a few weird cartridges like 7.62x25. I'm really happy with my Lee 3-die sets. I've bought the 4th die in the set (the "Factory Crimp Die") separately just for .357 Magnums with cast bullets; in other cartridges I don't need it and you probably won't either. Unless you just want to use it; that's OK too.

Unique is a very good powder in all of those cartridges, and it's a top performer in .380. Bullseye is also very good, and it measures easier than Unique. It won't give you loads as hot as Unique (especially in .380) but maybe you don't want that... W231 is another good choice, and it measures even easier than Bullseye.

Good luck to you!

Don P · January 29, 2010, 06:09 PM

I would recommend Titegroup powder. Meters very well and shoots cleaner than Unique. I use it in 38spl/357mag, 9mm,40S&W and 45acp

Flint Ridge · January 29, 2010, 06:17 PM

There is a wealth of info on this site.

You may even get the Blue itch and buy Dillon equipment as I have.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?

Section specific to reloading, do some searching around there. This site caters to serious shooting folks in competitions etc.

oneounceload · January 29, 2010, 06:40 PM

Unique, Universal CLays, Clays, Bullseye, are among MANY powders that can be used successfully in all of those calibers.

Carbide dies do not require the lubrication that steel dies do. I prefer RCBS dies - have used them about 30 years now.

And to second the previous poster - you need manual, preferably several - not just for the load data, but for the basic understanding of what you're doing to avoid pitfalls or potentially dangerous scenarios.

Lyman is good, The ABC's is another as are the manuals from Speer, Sierra, Hornady and many others.

bignz · January 29, 2010, 06:43 PM

W231 is a top performer in those calibers. Check out the reloading section of this forum for much more information. Buy several manuals and read them, and re-read them.

mrawesome22 · January 29, 2010, 10:05 PM

Hornady's Titanium Nitride dies are the cat's meow if you ask me.

tom234 · January 30, 2010, 01:42 AM

Nothing wrong with Lee dies and they are reasonably priced. Get the carbide 4 die set that have the FCD. [The 4 die Lee set will be cheaper that other maker 3 die sets]. Carbide dies are the ONLY way to go.

mnhntr · January 30, 2010, 01:47 AM

Get the Lee Die Set with the factory crimp die included. As for a powder that will do those calibers, I suggest Hodgdon's Tightgroup or Accurate #5.

Hook686 · January 30, 2010, 02:08 AM

You do not say what press you have. If is a 4-die press, I'd buy the Lee 4 die Carbide die set. If it is a 3 die press, I'd buy the Lee 3 die Carbide die set. Yes manuals, calipers, scale, powder and bullets I find necessary in addition to the press. I use Unique powder in 9mm (don't load .380) and jacketed bullets. I prefer Winchester Small Pistol primers, but will take whatever is on the shelf.

Good luck, enjoy, and read the manual.

Did I remind you to read the manual. That is a very good idea.

Jim243 · January 30, 2010, 06:37 AM

Winchester 231 for powder, comes out of powder measures right on the button, cleaner buring (less mess in barrel), works in all calibers and is listed in almost every handgun weight and caliber load.(easy to find load data for).

What's not to like.

Jim

Dustin0 · January 30, 2010, 09:53 AM

Carbide dies make relaoding alot easier. There is no need for case lube with them. I use red dot for all my pistol and shotgun loads. It not the cleanist powder out there. But it does make soft shooting loads for shotgun and 45. I have to get back to you on the 357.

January 29, 2010, 05:56 PM	#1
tristar viper Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 889	Want some re-loading recommendations... The wife and I have decided to start re-loading. She'll do her .380's, and I'll do my 9mm and 38 special. Already have a press, the questions I have center around two things; dies and powder. What are good dies? I have had guys say carbide dies are the best. I'd like to know what guys who actually do re-loading think and prefer. And powder; would all these re-loads (.380, 9mm, and 38 special) take the same powder? Recommendations please.... Thanks!!

January 29, 2010, 06:05 PM	#2
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Do you have a reloading manual? You should have bought that the very first thing. (I really like Lyman's 48th because that's what I started with. They are probably up to 49th or 50th by now) Read the first few chapters over and over. Yes you want carbide dies. It's not even easy to find steel pistol dies anymore except in a few weird cartridges like 7.62x25. I'm really happy with my Lee 3-die sets. I've bought the 4th die in the set (the "Factory Crimp Die") separately just for .357 Magnums with cast bullets; in other cartridges I don't need it and you probably won't either. Unless you just want to use it; that's OK too. Unique is a very good powder in all of those cartridges, and it's a top performer in .380. Bullseye is also very good, and it measures easier than Unique. It won't give you loads as hot as Unique (especially in .380) but maybe you don't want that... W231 is another good choice, and it measures even easier than Bullseye. Good luck to you! __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth Last edited by zxcvbob; January 29, 2010 at 06:11 PM.

January 29, 2010, 06:09 PM	#3
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	I would recommend Titegroup powder. Meters very well and shoots cleaner than Unique. I use it in 38spl/357mag, 9mm,40S&W and 45acp __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 29, 2010, 06:17 PM	#4
Flint Ridge Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Location: Flint Ridge, Missouri Posts: 225	Check out Brian Eno's There is a wealth of info on this site. You may even get the Blue itch and buy Dillon equipment as I have. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php? Section specific to reloading, do some searching around there. This site caters to serious shooting folks in competitions etc.

January 30, 2010, 02:08 AM	#10
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	You do not say what press you have. If is a 4-die press, I'd buy the Lee 4 die Carbide die set. If it is a 3 die press, I'd buy the Lee 3 die Carbide die set. Yes manuals, calipers, scale, powder and bullets I find necessary in addition to the press. I use Unique powder in 9mm (don't load .380) and jacketed bullets. I prefer Winchester Small Pistol primers, but will take whatever is on the shelf. Good luck, enjoy, and read the manual. Did I remind you to read the manual. That is a very good idea. __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides.

January 29, 2010, 06:40 PM	#5
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Unique, Universal CLays, Clays, Bullseye, are among MANY powders that can be used successfully in all of those calibers. Carbide dies do not require the lubrication that steel dies do. I prefer RCBS dies - have used them about 30 years now. And to second the previous poster - you need manual, preferably several - not just for the load data, but for the basic understanding of what you're doing to avoid pitfalls or potentially dangerous scenarios. Lyman is good, The ABC's is another as are the manuals from Speer, Sierra, Hornady and many others.

January 29, 2010, 06:43 PM	#6
bignz Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Location: North Texas Posts: 196	W231 is a top performer in those calibers. Check out the reloading section of this forum for much more information. Buy several manuals and read them, and re-read them.

January 29, 2010, 10:05 PM	#7
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Hornady's Titanium Nitride dies are the cat's meow if you ask me.

January 30, 2010, 01:42 AM	#8
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	Nothing wrong with Lee dies and they are reasonably priced. Get the carbide 4 die set that have the FCD. [The 4 die Lee set will be cheaper that other maker 3 die sets]. Carbide dies are the ONLY way to go.

January 30, 2010, 01:47 AM	#9
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	Get the Lee Die Set with the factory crimp die included. As for a powder that will do those calibers, I suggest Hodgdon's Tightgroup or Accurate #5.

January 30, 2010, 06:37 AM	#11
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Winchester 231 for powder, comes out of powder measures right on the button, cleaner buring (less mess in barrel), works in all calibers and is listed in almost every handgun weight and caliber load.(easy to find load data for). What's not to like. Jim

January 30, 2010, 09:53 AM	#12
Dustin0 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 701	Carbide dies make relaoding alot easier. There is no need for case lube with them. I use red dot for all my pistol and shotgun loads. It not the cleanist powder out there. But it does make soft shooting loads for shotgun and 45. I have to get back to you on the 357.