Advice on what *not* to do when just starting to reload?

[TheSpookyCat]

What are your reloading goals?

If I can develop the skills well enough, I would like to make my own target loads for 7.62.

The ammunition I use seems to have an effect on my accuracy. “Match” loads seem to be the most consistent, and the most expensive.

I guess I would, ideally, like to get to a point where I can get more of the consistency I get from match ammo without paying retail for every shot.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

This!

Currently the price of components is through the roof. If your goal is to save money, forget it. You can buy bulk ammo for less than rolling your own.

Now if you want something specific (like I prefer 9mm in a certain light load pushing 147gr flat points) then reloading is worth it.

And what not to do? drink or multitask. Put 110% of your attention into the reloading.

Great advice about drinking and, especially about the multitasking, I definitely get distracted.

I like how you found a specific load that you personally prefer, and make that for yourself in volume. I am kinda hoping to achieve the same with custom target loads in 7.62.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

What not to do? Hmmm..
Don't be intimidated by reloading.
Don't wait to start, the best time to start was yesterday the second best is today.

Ooh, you hit the nail on the head: all of this is a bit intimidating.

I went to the gun show at the fair grounds a few weeks back, and I left more confused about how to get started than when I arrived!

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Do not buy a Lee press
Do not buy a non progressive press
Do not buy bullet casting components
Do not buy ginex small rifle primers

Okay, I’m glad you said something about casting…is it a waste of time, effort, and money?

I saw a few posts about people casting their own bullets with scrap lead from wheel weights, which does seem really resourceful and low-waste to me, but I had planned on buying my bullets in order to eliminate one element of inconsistency from my process.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Buy a good manual like the Lyman one. Read it twice before buying anything. I don’t know if the brands have changed but when I got started most people recommended Lyman or RCBS for good basic equipment and a single stage press that you would use forever.

It’s nerdy, but I have always loved reference material. I have a professional library that’s big enough to annoy my wife, but I love having a book to go to when I have a question.

I’m old.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Start with a single stage press loading one round at a time.

Utilize loading trays so that you can see the powder level in every shell before you seat any bullets.

Start at the low end of powder charge and work your way up a couple tenths of a grain at a time.

I mic every round for coal, and plunk check a few using my CZ (the shortest throat of all my chambers).

Oh, and don’t use anyone else’s recipe to start with. Stick with the data books.

Do people really use other people custom load recipes? I have to agree, that sounds like a recipe for trouble, especially just starting out like I am.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Keep scrupulous records of your loads/loading. Never leave powder in the hopper unmarked.

As above poster noted, use CZ (or Sig in my case) barrel for spin and plunk test.

I had not even considered this.

I could easily put together a spreadsheet to act as a loading log, and record every batch I make to compare performance and for quality assurance.

I really like this suggestion!

 

[TheSpookyCat]

That is if he's going to load something like 9mm or 5.56 fmj plunking rds.

If he loads JHP rds or match bullets for a rifle he'll save a bunch of money.


Being new you often buy a bunch of extra equipment you end up not using after you understand what exactly you need and want to do.
I say research a lot before buying anything.
Make sure you buy what will suit your needs.

That said I like my turret press the most, but for loading match ammunition I still use my single stage press.

This is pretty much spot-on. I am hoping to make my own target loads for the 7.62, and (hopefully) save some money long-term.

The last part of your post directly address why I posted this thread…I have a tendency to go overboard with new hobbies and buy a bunch of stuff I don’t really need.

I want to try to avoid that this time.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Speaking from someone who works in the life safety industry, (IT for a fire protection company... not a pro, but their basic industry knowledge rubs off working beside them)

As a homeowner, the only service you need to be concerned with for a standard dry chemical units:
1. Check the dial to make sure the needle is in the green. If it is, nothing is needed.
2. If it sits or hangs without any movement or vibration whatsoever: Once a year turn it upside down and tap the bottom of the bottle on the wall a couple times gently. (as hard as you would knock on someone's door) That prevents a rare occurrence where the powder will cake and not want to dispense. (really only every 5, but who can remember that long?)
3. Note the date stamp on the bottle. It needs to be hydrostatically tested every 12 years. But if its a cheap plastic head consumer unit, just throw it away and buy a new one. Nobody tests those disposable units.

But before you throw that old one away, practice using it outside. ABC powder is biodegradeable and is actually a decent fertilizer.

And just in case... there is long standing recall on Kidde home extinguishers. Pretty sure if you have one and fill out a claim they will send you a new one.

Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall, Identification Guide | Kidde

Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall

www.kidde.com

And this recall is no joke. the plastic threads on the heads become brittle and cause catastrophic violent separation. There was a TV report out of Huntsville a decade ago (before they realized what was up) where one was sitting on a dining room table and the head was ejected up THROUGH the drywall ceiling. (and covered everything in the house with a thin dusting of ABC powder.

This is a great post. Solid information here.

I will order a fire extinguisher today!

 

[TheSpookyCat]

You haven't said whether you want to do pistol, rifle, or both. It will matter later.
As mentioned earlier, get a good manual (or several) and start slow.
Set up a safe, organized work station.
Wear safety glasses, and minimize interruptions and distractions. This is a solo sport.
Reloading requires 110% of your attention, and has a steep learning curve, but it's totally worthwhile in the end.
Best advice I can give you is to learn and understand the process, and especially the terminology. Know what you're doing at each step, and why.
Learn to think "if, then", as in "if I change this, then this will happen".
Learn how to properly measure your cartridges.
Learn how to throw a consistent powder charge.
Learn the ramifications of "messin' the recipe" the easy way, not the (potentially dangerous) hard way.
Spending some time with someone who reloads can be very helpful, and helps cut down the intimidation factor.
Safety is paramount, and having an inviolable set of procedures for opening and closing your session (as well as for temporarily stepping away) is of utmost importance to your continuing to enjoy this hobby in good health.
Simple things become very important.
Never leave powder open.
Never open more than one powder at a time.
Keep scrupulous notes of what you're loading, and with what components.
It's a long laundry list, but it's so logical that it all falls into place in short order.

Plenty of good advice to be found on INGO, so never be afraid to ask.
Best of luck to you.

Thank you, tons of good advice to consider here!

I can already see how much knowledge is available on this board…I can’t wait to embarrass myself with my newbie missteps along the way!

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Hello
Don't be terrified it's a great hobby. True you may not save any money unless you are loading big calipers or hard to find stuff. Yes, the price of supplies is way up. Like it was said before you must pay attention to everything. When I load no food no drinks no music, telephone or TV = No problems. As far as the equipment it all works if you work it right. I have loaded on Dillion and Lee. I own Lee now 3 Pro 1000's and a classic turret press. You need to start slow and watch every step. As time goes on you will get as fast as you need to. I enjoy reloading as much as if not more that shooting. I am never in a hurry there is no rush I have loaded over 10 thousand rounds. When I started, I watched videos on Lee Pro 1000 loaders. Took my time and worked out all the problems I ran into now all 3 of my machines run super smooth. If anyone out there has one that they hate, send me a message I will take it. I room for more. I hope you get into loading and find the enjoyment I have.
Thanks
Jim

Other posters have suggesting starting with a single-stage setup, do you agree?

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Especially when starting, DON"T GET IN A HURRY! take your time to understand each step. If it takes you 5 evenings to load your first box of pistol ammo, that is fine. Better than making bad ammo that does not feed, sticks a bullet or blows up a firearm, maybe hurting you.

When I started there was the Lyman reloading manual. The LEE reloading book actually explains things really well if you can take their constant promotion of their products with a grain of salt.

You tube has lots of guys showing each step. Some are a little marginal so watch several. If you get confused, don't experiment, ask someone. There is lots of help on INGO. I have loaded rifle, pistol and shotgun ammo since the early 1970's and still have all my fingers. There are people here that have loaded longer than that. Someone will help. Once you understand each step you will be able to figure out the way you like to do it.

Good luck and welcome.

It is definitely helpful to have a resource like this forum. You guys are great!

 

[TheSpookyCat]

OP is vapor.

Sorry, I’m old…my carriage turn into a pumpkin at like 9pm now.

 

[edwea]

Other posters have suggesting starting with a single-stage setup, do you agree?

If you're wanting to load rifle loads for precision work, a single stage press would be perfect.

 

[Robert Richardson]

Don't listen to morons on internet forums. Get books and read and then read again.

 

[INP8riot]

Start making a list of the things you want in the order you will need them throughout the process. IE processing brass and case prep - press out primer, brass cleaning. Then sizing the brass. Then actual loading. Watch some youtube videos and take note of the tools and items they use. It sounds like you think logically and have an analytical mindset which will help.

Sorry, its more of a do and not a do not list. Don't buy the best of the best at this point. You may think you need it but you actually don't. A Dodge Neon will get you down the road. A Ferrari does it just the same, but you enjoy it more and it will be faster. Reloading is kind of like that. Better tools make it more enjoyable, but aren't necessary. There are tools where you will want good ones and some where just the basics are fine. Experience will dictate what future purchases are worth it.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Don't listen to morons on internet forums. Get books and read and then read again.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[TheSpookyCat]

Start making a list of the things you want in the order you will need them throughout the process. IE processing brass and case prep - press out primer, brass cleaning. Then sizing the brass. Then actual loading. Watch some youtube videos and take note of the tools and items they use. It sounds like you think logically and have an analytical mindset which will help.

Sorry, its more of a do and not a do not list. Don't buy the best of the best at this point. You may think you need it but you actually don't. A Dodge Neon will get you down the road. A Ferrari does it just the same, but you enjoy it more and it will be faster. Reloading is kind of like that. Better tools make it more enjoyable, but aren't necessary. There are tools where you will want good ones and some where just the basics are fine. Experience will dictate what future purchases are worth it.

Thank you, this is a really solid post, with lots of good information to chew on.

I think a good way to “dip my toe” into reloading would be to start by inspecting, de-priming, cleaning and resizing the brass I have already collected.

I actually have an almost-new media tumbler we bought years ago, but if it is too big I can get one from Amazon or eBay relatively cheap.

Tumbler media gives me an excuse to wander anround one or two of the local reloading shops. I hate going to a business if I’m not buying something from them.

My Saturday is staring to shape up!!!

 

[racegunz]

Okay, I’m glad you said something about casting…is it a waste of time, effort, and money?

I saw a few posts about people casting their own bullets with scrap lead from wheel weights, which does seem really resourceful and low-waste to me, but I had planned on buying my bullets in order to eliminate one element of inconsistency from my process.

Yes to all, unless you have something special in a heavy slow bullet that’s difficult to find. Else save time effort and cleanup by purchasing poly coated or plated or jacketed bullets.
For example I cast my own 12 gauge slugs, and .58 caliber musket balls because you can’t find em.
Take from a shooter that’s been reloading for over 40 years, you asked for do not do suggestions.
Here’s a few tid bits that are aligned with some others on here.
You can’t save much if any “right now” reloading factory spec 9mm or shotgun gauges 12/20. All others you can save real money ( if you shoot a lot). I shoot uspsa and do not load 9mm to factory specs, I also load .40 to a longer than normal oal (over all length) for reliability in a 2011 handgun. So see that’s why others asked “what do YOU want from reloading”.
If it’s to save money you can do that but you had better shoot a lot, which is a good thing! Ymmv

 

[Robert Richardson]

Thank you for the advice.

Don't get me wrong. I'm mainly talking about load data. Reloading is not rocket science but, is is something that demands your total attention. Lots of knowledge on this forum. Remember, the only stupid questions are the ones that you didn't ask. Buy quality tools and learn the basics to start. Don't get in a hurry, take your time and do it right.