Need advice about reloading

Started by Regret Chancy, September 03, 2009, 10:45:11 AM

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Regret Chancy

September 03, 2009, 10:45:11 AM
With the price on ammo going up, up, up, and up still more, I would like to get started reloading. I am a pack rat anyways so I have a pillow case plum full of once shot brass (lucky for me). I dont know what things I need to reload ammo that is consistent in performance. I will be reloading 45 (long) Colt, 44 Russian, 45/70 Govt, and 45/60 Winchester. If I can get a list (recommendations) of the tools and items needed to do this safely and efficiently and a coach or mentor who can put up with my questions, I would be much more comfortable getting started. I would appreciate any help I can get. Thanks for any and all assistance, Regret Chancy
e-mail voodooky@windstream.net
P.S. At a later time I may also try to do the 56/50 Spencer ammo also. ??? :)
"Aint nothing better than riding a fine horse into new country"

Leo Tanner

#1
September 03, 2009, 01:49:47 PM
Sent ya a PM.
"When you have to shoot, shoot.  Don't talk."
     Tuco--The Good the Bad and the Ugly

"First comes smiles, then lies.  Last is gunfire."
     Roland Deschain

"Every man steps in the manure now an again, trick is not ta stick yer foot in yer mouth afterward"

religio SENIOR est exordium of scientia : tamen fossor contemno sapientia quod instruction.

Driftwood Johnson

#2
September 05, 2009, 07:58:52 PM
Howdy

First, before you buy anything, buy a good reloading manual and read it. A lot of your questions will be answered off the bat. I recommend the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook, but there are plenty of other good manuals out there too. Speer, Lee, and the regular Lyman manual come to mind. Each of these has a section detailing the process of reloading, that's what you need to read to begin to get familiar with reloading. Do this before you spend any money at all on equipment.

And don't be surprised when you find out that primers are currently just as difficult to obtain as loaded ammo.
That's bad business! How long do you think I'd stay in operation if it cost me money every time I pulled a job? If he'd pay me that much to stop robbing him, I'd stop robbing him.

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Shotgun Franklin

#3
September 05, 2009, 09:27:37 PM
Three things.
First, get someone local to help you start out. Hands on training is always best.
Second, don't expect to recoup your money over night. You'll spend as much for reloading gear as you would for a new gun. Consider it a longer term investment.
Last be carefull and ask questions, ignorance is easily cured.
Yes, I do have more facial hair now.

Singing Bear

#4
September 06, 2009, 11:44:24 AM
What they said above.  Also, get at least 2 reloading manuals.  Most times, data differ from one manual to another.  I have 4 and all have differing minimum and max charges.  This will leave you more options and still be within safe, published specs.  :)

Leo Tanner

#5
September 06, 2009, 11:51:23 AM
The primer situation has kept me off the bench fer awhile.
"When you have to shoot, shoot.  Don't talk."
     Tuco--The Good the Bad and the Ugly

"First comes smiles, then lies.  Last is gunfire."
     Roland Deschain

"Every man steps in the manure now an again, trick is not ta stick yer foot in yer mouth afterward"

religio SENIOR est exordium of scientia : tamen fossor contemno sapientia quod instruction.

Russ T Chambers

#6
September 06, 2009, 02:13:44 PM
Leo
I had the same problem.  Had 1000 primers on back order from Cabelas for about three months.  Then managed to get 1000 through one of the guys in our CAS club.  Saved me the shipping and hazmat fee.  Now I've got enough loaded to shoot our annual three day match next weekend!
Russ T. Chambers
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Leo Tanner

#7
September 06, 2009, 03:22:51 PM
Well be sure ta send that guy a Christmas card this year.  Around here it's like goin up ta the counter an askin fer a box of hen's teeth.
"When you have to shoot, shoot.  Don't talk."
     Tuco--The Good the Bad and the Ugly

"First comes smiles, then lies.  Last is gunfire."
     Roland Deschain

"Every man steps in the manure now an again, trick is not ta stick yer foot in yer mouth afterward"

religio SENIOR est exordium of scientia : tamen fossor contemno sapientia quod instruction.

Texas Lawdog

#8
September 06, 2009, 05:34:38 PM
I bought a Beretta 380 this week and can't find any ammo for it. Cabela's has all it's 380 on back order. However I did find some cowboy loads 45/70 for my Springfield Trapdoor that should be here next week.  I'm also in the market for some 30/40 Krag ammo and some ammo for my 1917 Eddystone.
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Leo Tanner

#9
September 06, 2009, 08:15:31 PM
I can't find 30-30 around here. 
Nothin could suck more than buyin yerself a new gun an then findin out ya can't get nothin ta put in it.
"When you have to shoot, shoot.  Don't talk."
     Tuco--The Good the Bad and the Ugly

"First comes smiles, then lies.  Last is gunfire."
     Roland Deschain

"Every man steps in the manure now an again, trick is not ta stick yer foot in yer mouth afterward"

religio SENIOR est exordium of scientia : tamen fossor contemno sapientia quod instruction.

Cactus Rope

#10
September 06, 2009, 08:57:03 PM
+10 on all the above.

I started reloading about a year ago. Learned a lot from my brother. Also I have Hornady's Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, has a lot of good info. I would also go to Hodgdon Powders site, they have load info for just about every cartridge and you can download this info. www.hodgdon.com, look for their reloading data center.

Good luck and especially be SAFE.
NRA * GAF * NCOWS *

"Every oncet in a while, you have to step in it to learn the lesson."

Professor Honeyfuggler

#11
September 12, 2009, 11:39:17 PM
Quote from: Cactus Rope on September 06, 2009, 08:57:03 PMI would also go to Hodgdon Powders site, they have load info for just about every cartridge and you can download this info. www.hodgdon.com, look for their reloading data center.

Yes, I use the Hodgdon's site and find it very useful.

Also the primer shortage seems to be easing a bit. Maybe the hoarders finally maxed out. I've actually found the primers I use in stock at three different stores recently, one of them being Cabela's. And several online sites that had multi-month backorders are now down to a couple of weeks.
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