Author Topic: Reloading  (Read 833 times)

Offline TheMercinary60

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Reloading
« on: January 08, 2013, 08:54:39 PM »
Another little project ive had in mind for awjile. Just curious if theres anything specific i should know and maybe some advice on the hardware... also it maybe a stupid question but how do i go about switching from one caliber to another? At the moment i have. 38 special, 7.62x54, and 762.x39 if that gives you any ideas on what i might need to know
Formally Merc flying with the 99th Blue Lagoon Bandits
I wish people would use the wish list forum to post their brilliant ideas, and be smart enough to not post all their stupid ones.

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HiTech - in response to davidwales

Offline mtnman

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2013, 09:10:39 PM »
What do you mean switching?

There are separate dies for separate calibers.  The scales, presses, etc., remain the same for the most part.
MtnMan

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Offline homersipes

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2013, 11:17:26 PM »
yes mtnman is correct, I have 1 press and about 8 different dies for different guns.  along with that comes shell holders also.

Offline icepac

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2013, 07:30:22 AM »
Reloading is the only way a nagant revolver will gain any accuracy.

Most of the rounds available for them are extremely low power so......a bit more power really wakes up that gun.

Offline Triton28

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2013, 03:52:35 PM »
Welcome to a hobby within a hobby.   :cheers:

I would suggest getting a single stage press unless you're loading for absolute volume.  On some other forums I frequent the general recommendation is that progressives are fine for noobs, but I disagree.  Too much going on at once.  I'm in the middle of troubleshooting a progressive press as we speak, and they can be frustrating to say the least.
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Offline mbailey

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2013, 04:26:42 PM »
Welcome to a hobby within a hobby.   :cheers:

  I'm in the middle of troubleshooting a progressive press as we speak, and they can be frustrating to say the least.

AMEN!!!  I have a Dillon (650) progressive.....and an RCBS Rock Chucker (Single Stage) and i use the RCBS 95% of the time.  Its more theraputic in my mind   :D
Mbailey
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Offline homersipes

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2013, 07:44:47 PM »
I have an rcbs rockchucker also, works great.  my dad has an rcbs progressive loader, but we alsays used it as a single stage, the powder thrower wouldnt throw the powder we used(dont remember off the top of my head what it was imr 4831 i believe) grains were too big. so that was a total waste of money.lol

Offline Triton28

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2013, 10:48:46 PM »
AMEN!!!  I have a Dillon (650) progressive.....and an RCBS Rock Chucker (Single Stage) and i use the RCBS 95% of the time.  Its more theraputic in my mind   :D

Haha... yup.  Sometimes I don't wanna get finished.  :D

I got the Hornady LNL AP last year for Christmas and have just now got around to getting it squared away.  Part of the issue was the money to feed the damn thing, and the other, like you, was just enjoying the Rock Chucker for what it is.

I want to get back into pistol shooting though.  As long as component prices don't get nuts on me again, I'm hoping the Hornady fits the bill.
Fighting spirit one must have. Even if a man lacks some of the other qualifications, he can often make up for it in fighting spirit. -Robin Olds
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Offline Maverick

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2013, 12:03:39 PM »
If you are going to get started in reloading I suggest you make one purchase right now. The book is titled, Modern Reloading Second Edition by Richard Lee. It has a great explanation of the process as well as a review of the more common and available tools used in reloading. It also have a lot of load data or "recipes" if you will for loads of tons of calibers. I suggest you get at least 2, preferably 3 loading manuals so you can cross check load data on cartridges.

To get started buying one of the "kits" by Lee, Lyman or RCBS is the way to go. The kit will have the majority of the tools you will want. I have a personal preference for RCBS in the press (rock chucker is best single stage IMO)and powder throw myself. You will also need a set of scales for powder measurement to calibrate the powder measure. Dies by any of the manufacturers are good. Just make sure you get the kind that will fit in your press. I like the universal thread style as you can buy from any manufacturer then. You can use the press to seat dies but I prefer the Lee hand primer for that job myself. Much better feel for when the primer seats and you don't crush them with the press leverage.

Pistol dies come in a 3 pack, rifles normally in a 2 pack. You want a carbide pistol die set. Saves you tons of time since you do not need to lube cases.

Use the loading manual to find a powder that will do as many of the cartridges you want t load. Some powders are very specific like small cases or very large cases or fast / slow burning rates. There are several pistol powders that will handle multiple handgun cartridges form target up top magnum loads.

The 3 cartridges you list can be covered in probably 2 powders. One for the pistol and one for rifle.

The variables are one of the big fascinations with reloading. Various powders can provide peak accuracy and or velocity. They rarely are the same load for each goal. The max speed is seldom the most accurate load. You can get bogged down in the different powders and slug selection to keep you busy for a lifetime in just one caliber like .308 and 30-06 for example.

Do some reading then you'll have an idea about getting started. You can go ultra cheap with the old Lee hammer style dies that do not use a press. I do not recommend you do this. Using a hammer to load a cartridge is hardly a precision way to go and it is very very very slow. I also do not like using powder dippers, too imprecise especially in some pistol powder recipes where using only 4 grains of powder is the norm. That is a tiny amount of powder and I know of a few 38 special loads that use only about 2.5 grains of powder. Keep in mind that there are 7,000 grains in a pound of powder.
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Offline mbailey

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2013, 02:03:55 PM »
Mercenary, if you ignore every other post here, make sure you read Mavericks........To say he hit the nail on the head would be an understatement.
Mbailey
80th FS "Headhunters"

Ichi Go Ichi E
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

When the game is over, the Kings and Pawns all go into the same box.

Offline TheMercinary60

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2013, 02:45:20 PM »
Mercenary, if you ignore every other post here, make sure you read Mavericks........To say he hit the nail on the head would be an understatement.

i was thinking the same thing haha, thats just the kind of post i was looking for. thank you Maverick and everyone else for the help
Formally Merc flying with the 99th Blue Lagoon Bandits
I wish people would use the wish list forum to post their brilliant ideas, and be smart enough to not post all their stupid ones.

But I am under no disillusions of my wish ever being fulfilled.

HiTech - in response to davidwales

Offline Triton28

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2013, 02:54:58 PM »
There are several forums that are excellent resources as well.  My personal favorite is snipershide.com.  Not only do they have good resources for noobs, but have all the info you need if you decide to obsessively pursue extreme accuracy.   :rock
Fighting spirit one must have. Even if a man lacks some of the other qualifications, he can often make up for it in fighting spirit. -Robin Olds
      -AoM-


Offline TheMercinary60

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2013, 02:56:51 PM »
There are several forums that are excellent resources as well.  My personal favorite is snipershide.com.  Not only do they have good resources for noobs, but have all the info you need if you decide to obsessively pursue extreme accuracy.   :rock
thanks, i may have yo look into it, but im afraid id need more then the perfect bullet for better accuracy  :lol
Formally Merc flying with the 99th Blue Lagoon Bandits
I wish people would use the wish list forum to post their brilliant ideas, and be smart enough to not post all their stupid ones.

But I am under no disillusions of my wish ever being fulfilled.

HiTech - in response to davidwales

Offline mbailey

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2013, 02:58:47 PM »
There are several forums that are excellent resources as well.  My personal favorite is snipershide.com.  Not only do they have good resources for noobs, but have all the info you need if you decide to obsessively pursue extreme accuracy.   :rock

Once again  AMEN!! Preach on brother Triton!!   (lol sry couldnt resist   :D )

I got alot of good info on there when i was trying to dial in my TRG.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2013, 03:02:03 PM by mbailey »
Mbailey
80th FS "Headhunters"

Ichi Go Ichi E
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

When the game is over, the Kings and Pawns all go into the same box.

Offline rogwar

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Re: Reloading
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2013, 03:07:57 PM »