Beginning Reloading

[GoldenVolt]

Jim,

I also don't like shooting much lead. It will crud up your dies and smokes like a fraught train when shot.

I mainly use Rainier plated bullets. Depending on who has the best price on the day I order Midway, Natchez or Cabalas.

Stay safe.

Greg

[DaFadda]

a "Fraught ". Methinks you speaketh the King's English faultily my liege!
ROFL

[svandamme]

The smoke is actually not to bad if you keep from maxing out the loads.
I run 200 grain LSWC with VihtaVuori powder and they don't smoke any more then my factory Fiocchi 230 ball.

I do also have Magtech 200 grain LSWC, i shoot that just to get fresh brass , plinking and yes , the smoke on those full power Magtechs is terrible..



Have fun with yer reloading , i think you'll be fine with a turret press.

MS is a biotch, but it's not like you have to rollover .. stay active, I'm sure , if you take your time, you'll be just fine reloading..

[Grizzman]

A good aspect of single stage loading is that it can be done very effectively in batches. The use of multiple loading trays makes it fairly simple to ensure the current operation was completed on a piece of brass, including visually inspecting every case in a tray for the appropriate amount of powder.

I've been using a Rockchucker for a long time and can recommend it without reservation.

I only use jacketed bullets (Hornady XTP, Nosler JHP, & Sierra FMJ) and typically buy them from MidwayUSA.....actually logged in to order some more .308 bullets for 30-06. I also use Brownells and Naches if I'll be ordering something else from them.

Good luck in your decision.

[Thedragonslayer]

(from a non-reloader as of yet.)

I was considering reloading myself just a few months ago, but the economy has put a lot of things on hold.

I have "played around" with very small set-ups and large multiple stage set-ups. I felt the multi-stage presses such as the Dillion could load a lot of ammo quickly. You may not have to worry about time though, but that is a consideration. If you are punching paper, speed is king IMHO. But if you want precise reloads for specialized shooting, the hand work is preferable.

With the larger presses, you also get several alarms that will limit "serious" mistakes and thats what I liked the most. Once you start the process and have everything measured out correctly, the process and alarms work to keep you out of the "danger zones." Visual inspections of each load and an occasional measure check are very easy to do and also help build on your quality.

The bad part is price. I was just over $1,200 for a fully set-up Dillion 650 with all the bells and whistles.

Just some thoughts.

Good Luck and please let us know what you decide to do.

[Big Smoke]

I started out with a used Dillon 550b, and a used case cleaner and separator. It came with .45acp dies. I slowly added some bells and whistles, and more dies as the need arose, as time went on, and then came across another guy who was selling his Dillon 550b, and I bought his, and then slowly added some bells and whistles. I have a lot more bells and whistles I can add, but I have what works for me, for now, and I don't see a need to add a case feeder at the moment, although I'd probably love it if I did.
But it isn't everyday you find someone selling their Dillon press. Most people, like myself, hold onto them for dear life.
The down side to starting with a progressive press is you get spoiled. I bought a single stage press and tried to do some loads just to check for accuracy, but I just didn't have the patience anymore.

[Jdl2]

Thank you my friends for all of your invaluable input. Regrettably, after reviewing your counsel, consulting family, friends and doc the overwhelming opinion is that I am not capable of reloading. So I will not be moving ahead with this endeavor. Bitter pill for me to swallow. However, nothing like giving up the Harley last year. Thank God I am able to continue shooting and derive great pleasure from doing so.
My best wishes to all of you.
Jim LaTulip
Oswego, NY

[GoldenVolt]

Originally Posted by DaFadda

a "Fraught ". Methinks you speaketh the King's English faultily my liege!
ROFL

My bad. I was watching Full Metal Jousting.


Correction...... Freight . why would spell check let that go through?