Reloading advise for a complete novice.

T

TwoLaneBlackTop

Guest
I have never reloaded before, but with the prices of ammo and the fact that I want to shoot more it looks to be a good time to start. Also, I want to really learn firsthand about producing accurate ammunition and fine tuning loadings to achieve the best possible accuracy with a particular rifle. I am only a causal bench/target shooter at this point because I don't feel that I have learned enough to step up to a higher level just yet.

Eventually I would like the ability to reload several calibers. I will likely buy a progressive press to reload 0.45 ACP, 10mm, 9mm and 0.223 Rem. However these are not the rounds I am asking about in this topic. What I am interested in is reloading 0.308 with a goal of fine tuning the loads to match my rifle for the best possible accuracy. This will be used in my bench/target rifle, and occasionally I might hand load some 0.308 to use in my M1A for local CMP matches.

For the best results I should probably stay away from the progressive press if sheer accuracy is my goal because it offers less overall control of the process at each step, correct? But, I basically know next to nothing about any other type of press. I allready have plenty of high quality calipers and I know I will need a very precise scale. I would only be planning on hand-loading 0.308, and eventually I might also reload 0.22-250 (if I purchase a 0.22-250 rifle, and I am seriously considering it)

So, what should I look towards. I am not trying to find the cheapest way out, I am looking to hear about the best overall solution for my application. Any links that would help, or book recommendations would be appreciated and product suggestions are welcome. This forum is a great information source, and I could not think of a better place to ask this question.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Blacktop

With all due respect, you need to post this over on the General Discussion Forum, or perhaps the Factory and Hybrid Forum.

The reason I say this is because what is discussed on this Forum as it pretains to "reloading" is so far out on the fringe from what you are asking about that any answers given would not suite your needs at this time.......jackie
 
i agree with jackie, this should be on the general forum, but before you go...while i currently load some of my 308 "hand" loading, i have for years used my dillon 550b for match ammo that has shot in the .35x area...a bad day is .5......more about proper prep than the actual tools.

mike in co
 
Reloading

One idea would be to attend a local match, see what the shooters are using, speak with them and see first hand how they reload.

Where are you located? Let's see if there is another forum member close to you.
 
Two Lane Blacktop: Man or Road Movie?

Dear TLBT, Here are some helpful guidelines in your quest for reloading precision: For your pistol ammo look at the lower end Dillon reloading presses. Look up their web sight if you do not have a catalog. Unless you plan on seriously competing in pistol competition and practice to do so, the higher end presses with their resulting complexity are too much machine. For your rifle reloading consider the Redding competition series micrometer bullet seating die and a bushing style Redding full length resizing die. You will also need about 3-4 resizing bushings in different diameters. A different set of dies is needed for each caliber. You will need a single stage reloading press. An RCBS partner press is a good choice for a beginner. You will need a shell holder to attach the case base to the press. I am guessing that the 22-250 and the .308 use the same one. Buy an electronic scale to weigh powder charges. A beam balance is a lot slower and the new electronic ones are relatively cheap. At the present time I would not recommend buying a neck sizing die. Many if not most benchrest shooters full length re size (FLR) their cases. Prior to reloading start with new cases. FLR all of them. Trim them to identical lengths. De burr the inside of the flash hole and uniform the primer pocket. Then weigh them and sort them by weight. The goal is to make each set of cases as uniform as possible. Throw your powder using a funnel, powder measure or, as Jackie does, dump truck. Seat your bullet and presto chango...your first loaded round. I wish you the best of luck and if your path leads you eventually to shooting benchrest all the better for us. Tim
 
Two lane, there are some good books and CD's on the market and check into a local range that offers an NRA reloading course. The advice given here from these guys are gtg.
 
Question Asked

While i agree with Jackie that the loading questions your asking would be better directed at another forum on this board (there all great) You most likely asked on this forum because who better to ask than the Best guys in the world in the topic of reloading and with that in mind you have come to the right place everyone here has "started reloading" at some point in there life, and heres what I started with 25yrs ago before we had the option of looking on the Internet.

Step 1, go to your local range and find somebody willing to help you get started because answers will only generate more questions and you'll need someone that can invite you over and give you a run down on what you'll need.
For me that was my Uncle (funny thing now he comes to my place).

Step 2, Read everything you can get your hands on and a good manual I still like the Sierra Manuals there is a ton of instruction in there as well as good data.

Step 3 you'll need "Stuff" to get started, since I was in college and broke, I started with a Lee hand press with a set of dies for my .223 and at that time I got everything for $25.00 at a gun show so now you have your dies, press, shellholder and priming tool, now all you need is something to put powder in the case....for $5.00 I bought a lee powder dipper kit and I was advised to use a ball powder. So with the dipper kit and a GOOD manual and a understanding of what ball powder is, you simply poor the powder into a old butter tub grab a business card and plunge the correct dipper into the powder (Consistently) and strike it off with the business card and with your powder funnel to guide you into the case, dump it in. To begin with load all your ammo as the book says with everything being exactly as it is in the book including overall length.
Seat the bullet with your hand press and repeat

Step 4. Go and Shoot, and shoot and shoot repeat the reloading process and shoot some more and as you get comfortable with that keep asking questions....it's how we all got here.

Hope this helps

I'll see ya on the Factory forum.;):eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top