[wudjalike2no]

1. how does a reloading press work?
2. what do dies do?
3. what do case trimmers do?
4. what do flash hole burring tools do?
5. what is the flash hole?
6. what do i need to start reloading?
7. what is an inexpensive kit to do somesoftcore relaoding?
8. where can i get some cheap brass?

i plan to load for 300 wsm, 243, 30/06, 303 british

 

[huntswithdogs]

Wudja,

The best thing for you to do,would be to buy a reloading manual from Hornady. They go over all of the questions that you've asked and more. They explain it to a degree that'll answer most any question that you have. I've been reloading for 10-15 years and still find myself going back to the book at times.
Reloading is something that you don't just start doing without a little research and a good manual. Mistakes made can be life changing or fatal.

Most all manufacturers make a starter kit that will do all that you want. The Lee kit would be the most inexpensive and they only go up from there. I personally like the Hornady press and dies.

As for cheap brass,reuse what you have been firing,if you've saved it. Be sure that you stick with one brand of brass for each gun. Over time you'll find that different brands of brass shoot different places. You also get to decide on primers,bullets and powders. All components are available through Midway and others.

If I were you, I'd find someone at a local range or gunshop to help you get started.

HWD

 

[mountainview]

H w/ dogs hit it on the head. Get a couple of books and read them from cover to cover and talk with as many experienced reloaders as you can. Since no one was around to show me the ropes, I read the books and carefully studied them. One other thing I did was to download the user manual for the press I intended to use and analyzed it in detail before loading a single round. Another helpful thing, if not doing already, is to load shotshells before moving on to cartridges since it provides some of the background needed and is a good transition point.

 

[timbertoes]

1. how does a reloading press work?

it is just a device that moves a cartrdige up/down in a straight line.

2. what do dies do?
they :
remove the fired primer (never a unfired one)
form the case dimensions to specification
(firing a round changes dimesions slightly)
aka sizing die

push the bullet into the case - Seating die
crimp the case (some calibers)

3. what do case trimmers do?
returns the case to specification in lenght. often required.

4. what do flash hole burring tools do?
sometimes there are burrs inside or the hole soemtimes the primer holes is undersize or egg shaped. this tool fixes that.
Not 100% required step, but it cant hurt.

5. what is the flash hole?
where the primer's "fire" goes through

6. what do i need to start reloading?
approx $150
patience. a local experienced freind helps a lot too.


7. what is an inexpensive kit to do somesoftcore relaoding?
let us know when you are really ready...... make sure to put on a flame suit. the word "Lee" pisses some people off. but it works, and it works well.

8. where can i get some cheap brass?
Ebay
also might find deals on Dies

i plan to load for 300 wsm, 243, 30/06, 303 british

start with .243 or the .303 if you have the brass.

 

[deerdown444]

The best thing to do would be to get a manual, it will tell you every thing you will need to know.If you are not sure you want to start reloading and don't want to spend a lot of money.You can get reloading manuals cheap on ebay.

 

[wudjalike2no]

i just got "the ABC's of Reloading"

 

[[Smoke]]

The most important lesson I learned about reloading is to "zero the scale". I had to learn this one the hard way. I had just got my first rifle when I started reloading. I was loading IMR 4895 at 46.7gr and like I said, forgot to zero the scale. I was actually loading roughly 65gr. Lets just say I'm lucky my face is still attached, at least thats what the doctor said.

I accept the humility from the more experienced loaders in hope that future loaders learn from this.

Oh yeah, the second most important, don't smoke while reloading.

Better yet, just ask me what not to do. :wink:

 

[Rev.]

As it has been said, your best bet is to find someone who reloads, tell them what you want to do let them tell you what to buy, and buy it. After you reload for a while you will discover what your "pet loads" are. After you buy the equipment and supplies invite your new friend over to help you set everything up. Reloading is not hard to do, but you have to know what your doing. The key that you must never forget is make shure of your powder!!!

 

[jkvirginia]

Okay, I'll bite. I've never been a terribly bright fish.

Why does mentioning "Lee" provoke fear and loathing and a "red cape in front of a bull" reaction?

 

[RANGER94]

I have several reloading "How To" manuals, and by far the best one is published by the NRA. These are different than Load Manuals published by bullet manufacturers, you should have several of these. Another recommendation, if you can afford it, is a digital scale, it will save time and give more accurate readings. Most of these digital scales are sold with automatic dispensers, which I find to be very slow, and I only use them with my more accurate varmint loads.

 

[bbanbury]

JK - I think the perception is that most of the Lee products are really cheaply made/poor quality. When you compare most of their equipment to Lyman, Hornady, etc. - it is. However, I use some of the Lee hand dies for 45 LC and they work just fine for plinking ammo.

 

[danurve]

The most important lesson I learned about reloading is to "zero the scale". I had to learn this one the hard way. I had just got my first rifle when I started reloading. I was loading IMR 4895 at 46.7gr and like I said, forgot to zero the scale. I was actually loading roughly 65gr. Lets just say I'm lucky my face is still attached, at least thats what the doctor said.

I accept the humility from the more experienced loaders in hope that future loaders learn from this.

Oh yeah, the second most important, don't smoke while reloading.

Better yet, just ask me what not to do. :wink:

Good post

Well I started with some Lee products, and still use them. Over the years the collection includes some RCBS & Redding tools. Digital scales are the cats ass if; used correctly. Beam scales do fine on a budget. Lee case trimmer, friggin love it. I highly recomend a primer pocket cleaner too. The latest Hodgden manual is a great reference. the only thing I don't like about it is the way it folds with the oversize rings, because the holes for the pages catch and tear easily.

 

[JJB]

the guys are absolutly right about haveing an experienced, PATIENT, friend to mentor you as you are learning to reload... i i had this and i've been reloading now for about25 yrs. about LEE products... i use a lee press and i love my lee speed dies..... i reload .38 spl.,.357 mag., and 9 mm all with two single stage presses and lee speed dies... i bought two die bodies so i can use both presses for different stages as i reload.... works out great... the lee scale is prolly the most accurate scale you will find, and i is hard to beat the lee auto prime for repriming cases......... i hope you have good luck in your quest to learn to reload as it is a great way to pass the winter hrs...... i just needed to out this summer an shoot more as i've already got about 2600 rounds loaded...........

 

[The_Cook]

I use RCBS pardner press, Lee dies, Redding scale, case trimmer, and trickler. I like redding products cause they are all very metalic, not a single part is plastic and all of it is heavy, and sturdy. Avoid FRANKFORT ARSENAL stuff, it's cheap sometimes, but for the most part all of thier stuff is plastic, and chinsey.... don't like em....