Reloading...who does it?

[c_deezy]

If I recall there are some firearm savvy people on this site...So who does their own reloading?

I've been putting off buying the hardware to do it, because I really don't shoot that much. But I got a enough gift cards to Cabela's/Bass Pro to give me a good start on equipment that I could finally justify it. RCBS is also offering mail in rebates of a decent amount so I figured it was time.

Plunked down the cash on the RCBS Rock chucker, the dies for what I shoot, every reloading manual I could find and gave it a go over the Holiday. Reloaded about 150 rds of 223 and about 100 rds of 308. Don't have the brass and couldn't find it in the store to do any .45 yet.

Seemed like Varget transferred across quite a few .223 and .308 loads so I stuck with that mostly, along with some Win748 for some .223 loads. I went with all the min loads based on the bullets I was loading, haven't had a chance to shoot any yet.

Anybody else do it? Got any honey loads to share? I was a little intimidated at first but after reading and reading and reading it went pretty smooth and I'm looking forward to loading some more! :tank:

[ebay ed]

when i was into shooting sporting clays i used to do it all the time on shotgun shells but i have never done it on rifle or handgun before hell i dont even shoot anymore

[THRILLSEEKER]

Ive got a small fortune invested in reloading equipment that hasnt been touched in a few years. A lot of guys claim they save money by reloading, thats complete bullsh!t. You just get to shoot twice as much for the same money. The really cool part about reloading is that you can achive new levels of accuracy out of most guns that you never thought was possible.

Every firearm with the exeption of most shotguns has a specific rate of twist in the rifling. Every twist rate has an ideal bullet weight, load too heavy of a bullet and the barrel wont be able to stabilize the bullet for maximum accuracy.

Factory ammo has to be able to chamber and fire in any and all makes and models of firearm chambered in that specific caliber. Nine times out of ten the bullet is seated so deep in the case that it actually makes a jump to start into the barrel. By seating the bullet so that when chambered the ogive just barely touches the throat of the barrel you take away the initial "jump" this greatly improves accuracy. Also neck sizing only on centerfire bolt gun ONLY loads can improve accuracy. You will need special tools to measure your chamber if you choose to play with bullet seating depths, match grade seating dies are also nice. You may not be able to seat some smaller calibers far enough out due to short bullet length. If thats the case seat to the depth the reloading manual specifies.

Read the crap out of the manuals. The 7th addition Hornady covers most mil spec calibers that most other manuals dont. Spend the cash on a Sinclair priming tool, they're pricey but after using one you will throw your old priming tool in the trash. Theres a couple reloading forums out there where guys share recipes and most of them can tell you what bullet weight you should be shooting for your barrel.

Varget is a great powder that covers a broad range of calibers. Titegroup is the equivilant for pistol calibers. Most powder manufacturers have loading charts listed on their websites, so if you have a powder that you want to use for a caliber thats not listed in any of your manuals check the website. If the powder you want to use isnt listed on any website or in any manual for the caliber you want to load DONT! use it. I ran into that problem with .44Mag. If your loading for semi auto, pump, or lever action rifles full lenght resizing and crimp dies are mandatory!

The one thing that I cant stress enough is to keep very detailed notes on everything that you load, I havent loaded in a few years but I could pick up right now where I left off by reading through my notes. I also keep notes on how each load performs in each gun. I've scrapped more than a few recipes due to poor accuracy. Unless I'm loading for superior accuracy, or a custom hunting load, I always load the minimum powder. You get more life out of your brass that way.

Oh, and as gay as it sounds, wear your damned safety glasses. I had a primer pop in my face once, not fun.

www.midwayusa.com

www.SinclairIntl.com

Between the two they should have everything you will ever need. Try to find a local place for powder and primers otherwise expect to pay hazzardous shipping charges. Fin Feather Fur in Ashland generally stocks a good selection.