reloading

it seems as though there are a lot of crazy gun nuts on this site. :gwh: so I was thinking, I cannot be the only one who reloads his own ammunition. thought I would share this in the finer things in life section, because I find reloading to have a very zen like appeal to it. when I am reloading the whole world disappears, even more than with shaving. plus I can always tell swmbo that if I don't get my alone time, I might accidentally blow up the house. without revealing to her that modern powder is a propellant, not an explosive, :nono: who else here finds reloading to be a relaxing activity?

I reload 12 gauge and 45 colt smokeless or black powder.

i do black powder too, and enjoy it, could have done shotshell reloading a couple of yrs. ago when a friend offered me his old set up for free. but not doing much with shotguns at the time i respectfully declined :gaah: it is good to know i am not the only "gun nut" on here! so now you bring up a new question rodb do you prefer the smell of cordite (smokeless) powder, or black powder in the morning?

Shotguns blasting clouds of black powder smoke is very impressive. Black powder in the morning for me!! lol!!!

I go all the way and use the brass hulls, it's tons of fun!

I do like black powder as well, it smells great and I love the boom you get when you shoot them off. Usually gets a few looks at the club I go to haha :)

Yep I do quite a bit of "Rolling my own" Honestly the only stuff I don't load are .22's and Shotgun shells...

I am all in Match Load Rifle rounds in fact if you read my one and only Blog on here it is more about Handloading then Honing hehehe

I need to get some more 45-70 loaded up all the other ammo boxes are full that one is lagging behind :(

I reload all my pistol ammo. It is cheaper than buying it at the store. If you see someone at the gun range picking up a bunch of brass and asking everyone around them if they want that. It may have been me. lol.
The gunpowder I use has an ingredient in it known as Nitrocellulose. It is very unstable and highly flammable.
I used to work at a paint factory where we used Nitrocellulose. They did a demonstration for us. They burned 10 pounds of it in about 5 seconds. The flame was about as high as our water tower. I know it isn't pure Nitrocellulose, but just having that ingredient in the gunpowder makes me cautious while using it.

I only reload my large pistol ammo, 45acp , 454 casull, and 500 s&w

I have a Lee 4 hole Turret Press...I know, not exactly top of the line, but consistent and cost effective.
I reload .45ACP, .38 handgun loads.
Rifle I reload 30.06.
SWMBO tells people that I don't reload, I stockpile....another misunderstood activity.

I also just started to cast my own bullets.

I used to have Star progressives in 45ACP and 38spl but sold those years ago. Kept my RCBS rock chucker and use that for 45-70, 38-55, 44spl and mag, 357mag. I've got the dies for .40S&W/10mm but haven't loaded for those yet, but I intend to. I also do some boolit casting.

Yep, I roll my own too. I love USPS's flat rate boxes! Just got in 1K .308 bullets and 500 .357 bullets in one box, yep, it was heavy! I've never gotten to the progressive reloading stuff, my turrent works well for me too.

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Originally Posted by ColonelG

I have a Lee 4 hole Turret Press...I know, not exactly top of the line, but consistent and cost effective.

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I as well use a lee: american family made, quality, and a good price point. What else could you want? But I dont even use a turret, classic single stage for this guy. Like I said its me time, so why rush it. Every round I load gets total attention, and im proud to say I have never had 1 f.t.f., I believe largely because of this. It is nice to see that you go against the grain of "serious reloaders only use a progressive" as well. It was once said (I can't remember by who) "I used to reload so I could shoot more, now I shoot so I can reload more!" That explains my hobby style very well. Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts.

I've looked into getting into reloading several times. .223, .45acp, .380, 7mm-08 would be what I'd start with. Every time I've looked into it the initial buy in costs pulled me back from it. I still collect my brass though because I know at some point I will get into it.

My setup is very minimalist, a Lee Classic loader or Lyman 310 tool for the 45 lc and 50-100+ year old gear for the shotshell reloading.

I have a Hornady progressive. So far I have only reloaded for my pistols .38, 45 ACP, .222, 7-30 waters. I cast bullets for my .58 since I have yet to find any "store bought" that are of decent quality.

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Originally Posted by JBPilot

I've looked into getting into reloading several times. .223, .45acp, .380, 7mm-08 would be what I'd start with. Every time I've looked into it the initial buy in costs pulled me back from it. I still collect my brass though because I know at some point I will get into it.

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make the leap, come on everyone is doing it, all the cool kids do it, glenn did it and just look at his picture it turned him into a bleeping polar bear ( how awsome is that)!:D I don't know if you can get cooler than a polar bear (pun intended), but it will definately make you cool. :cool: just watch out for tubmlaereAD (totally unnecessary but makes life alot easier reloading equipment adictive dissorder)

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Originally Posted by JBPilot

I've looked into getting into reloading several times. .223, .45acp, .380, 7mm-08 would be what I'd start with. Every time I've looked into it the initial buy in costs pulled me back from it. I still collect my brass though because I know at some point I will get into it.

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Wait for it hehehehe

"Reloading will save you money in the long run"



Bawhahahahahahahahaha

Now where have I heard that before :rofl2:

Hahahahahaha yeah I've heard that before!!!! I will eventually, just gotta have the spare money to spend on the stuff (which I don't have right now). What would y'all suggest to get started that I can use for both rifle and pistol?

Anyone else weigh every powder charge ? I use a Belding & Mull measure and used to weigh every fifth charge but now I do all of 'em. Takes longer but no surprises.

I use a progresive reloader for shotshells (12 ga MEC) and rock chucker press for varmint bullets, it is also relaxing as is wet shaving.

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Originally Posted by JBPilot

What would y'all suggest to get started that I can use for both rifle and pistol?

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I would definitely look into lee, some of their setups can get you going for under $200. add in all the basic extras, and you will be doing your .45 for under $350. think of this, during the current crisis, at its peak I was making my .45 rounds for $0.09 a piece (cast my own though) other folks were paying upwards of $1 a round. even if you have to buy the bullet heads, you can still come out under 20 cents per round, you can do the math on how quickly you can make your money back. if you do go with lee, buy it from someone other than lee directly, they will offer the same warranty and lee purposely charges more than their distributors, to prevent underselling them. also their basic press can handle pistol and rifle, anything except for 50 BMG

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Wait for it hehehehe

"Reloading will save you money in the long run"



Bawhahahahahahahahaha

Now where have I heard that before :rofl2:

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I can quit buying guns and razors anytime that I want to, I just don't want to right now is all. I have this under control, you all do not need to worry about me.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Anyone else weigh every powder charge ? I use a Belding & Mull measure and used to weigh every fifth charge but now I do all of 'em. Takes longer but no surprises.

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Yep, my powder measure measures each charge by weight. I use it most of the time except for bulk 45 & 9mm, then I use a powder dispenser that measures by volume. I still weigh about every 10 rounds...

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Anyone else weigh every powder charge ? I use a Belding & Mull measure and used to weigh every fifth charge but now I do all of 'em. Takes longer but no surprises.

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Really depends on the loads.. I not only weigh most rifle loads I go so far as to make sure the powder rolls through the funnel a certain way :p

Pistol loads not as critical for just plinking but for hunting yes I weigh all those also..


Yeah really just depends on how stupid tight I want the groups :)

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Originally Posted by straightshooter1911

I would definitely look into lee, some of their setups can get you going for under $200. add in all the basic extras, and you will be doing your .45 for under $350.

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+1 for the Lee set up.
It really is a great product. I've never had any issues and the price point is far below the other name brands.

+1 for gssixgun's comment: "Reloading will save you money in the long run."
You will shoot more at a cheaper price OR stockpile ammo more cheaply, but the money will exit the wallet....
SWMBO, constantly points to these money saving activities and calls them what they are: Hobbies that take time and money.
I'm going broke saving all this money! Lol

I posted in an old thread on reloading a few months ago. At that time, I was considering getting into reloading and buying a progressive press (most likely a Lee just for cost of entry vs. performance). After giving it more thought, I have decided to go with a Lee hand press. For the initial startup costs, I get my press, quick lock bushings, dies for .40 S&W and .223, case trimmer, sizing gauge, scale, tumbler and media, etc., etc., for about $300. I figure there's merit in doing it this way for three reasons:

1. I get a good understanding of how each phase of the process works since each step must be done individually, as well as allowing more control over accuracy.

2. One word: Portability

3. If I decide to upgrade my press down the line, all of the components will work with my new press (assuming I stick with Lee) and I only take about a $50 loss on the hand press (which really isn't, since I can go work up loads at the range or in the woods or re-purpose the press for specialty tasks/loads).

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Originally Posted by rodb

My setup is very minimalist, a Lee Classic loader or Lyman 310 tool for the 45 lc and 50-100+ year old gear for the shotshell reloading.

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If I remember, the Lee Classic Loader is the 'hand tool', not a press like device.
Minimalist is the operative word...entry point VERY inexpensive.
I always wanted to try that...maybe now, I will.

It works great on pistol loads. It takes a bit of craziness though to be reloading with a rubber hammer!!

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Originally Posted by ColonelG

If I remember, the Lee Classic Loader is the 'hand tool', not a press like device.
Minimalist is the operative word...entry point VERY inexpensive.
I always wanted to try that...maybe now, I will.

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I'm going to start reloading in the next 45 days. I used to help my father reload when I was in high school. I have forgotten everything, but I know a friend who does it all the time, so he will be helping me get caught up. I want to involve my son in it, the main reason I'm starting this new hobby. He likes working with his hands & I think he will like this.

I've been at it about 20 years, don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Critical is having a couple of Load Manuals....
Just a strong suggestion that I hope is backed up here....

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Originally Posted by crouton976

I posted in an old thread on reloading a few months ago. At that time, I was considering getting into reloading and buying a progressive press (most likely a Lee just for cost of entry vs. performance). After giving it more thought, I have decided to go with a Lee hand press. For the initial startup costs, I get my press, quick lock bushings, dies for .40 S&W and .223, case trimmer, sizing gauge, scale, tumbler and media, etc., etc., for about $300. I figure there's merit in doing it this way for three reasons:

1. I get a good understanding of how each phase of the process works since each step must be done individually, as well as allowing more control over accuracy.

2. One word: Portability

3. If I decide to upgrade my press down the line, all of the components will work with my new press (assuming I stick with Lee) and I only take about a $50 loss on the hand press (which really isn't, since I can go work up loads at the range or in the woods or re-purpose the press for specialty tasks/loads).

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Good thinking with the portability aspect. Also all your gear will work with bench mounted presses. The threads on dies are 7/8-14 and work with all modern presses.

I too reload all the calibers I shoot. 12 and 20 ga. as well. I cast bullets and slugs and buckshot as well. I use a single stage and it works well for me. I have used progressives before, but I like the hands on approach of each round being worked individually. I first pulled the press handle in 98 and have been shooting since 82.


Big plus 1 on reloading manuals. You can never have too many. Lyman, Lee and Speer are very good.

There are also other forums such as Cast Boolits, The FIring Line, The High Road, amongst others where there is plenty of info and help. Many of the powder companies have load data for the various powders/calibers on their websites as well.

castboolits has to be the best reloading site online.

I reload 45colt, 223, 303 British, 45-70 BP, and 308. I also cast for my 45-70 and my muzzle loaders.

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Originally Posted by ColonelG

Critical is having a couple of Load Manuals....
Just a strong suggestion that I hope is backed up here....

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+1. This is very true, lymans is a good start

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Originally Posted by straightshooter1911

+1. This is very true, lymans is a good start

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Lyman and Sierra have a place on my bench.

My biggest pet peeve is stuck cases. When I had my .458 Socom, I had to reload as the rounds were about the same price as commercial .50 BMG. Biggest issue with it is that it is a round that is notorious for sticking if you don't get enough case lube on it.

What's your guys main way for getting stuck cases out?

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

What's your guys main way for getting stuck cases out?

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Carbide dies, it becomes a non-issue