New to reloading

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12 years 5 months ago #11628 by txlongshotb4
Replied by txlongshotb4 on topic Re: New to reloading
Moby,
I took a look at all of the stuff included in the package in your attached link. It looks good, but it's a package designed to perform the reloading steps. There are, however, some additional casing prep steps to the process that need to be addressed, and the kit does not list the things you'll need for that.

Realize that .308 brass expands in the chamber when fired due to heat and pressure. This literary stretches the casing-the softer the brass, the more it will stretch.It is only a few thousandths of an inch or so, and not really visible to the naked eye, but fired brass can and most often does stretch past the recommended overall case length designated in the reloading manual for the specific caliber. (I do not know if this is a big concern for the .45 ACP as I do not reload it.) You will need to buy a case trimmer to remedy this. You can either buy an electric case trimmer or a manual (hand operated) one. It basically operates like a little lathe. A shell holder is attached to one end of the trimmer to hold the caliber you are trimming, and it is turned against a small bladed head to shave off the brass at the neck until the desired length is obtained. Electric case trimmers come in many different brands and configurations and are somewhat pricey. The manual hand turn types are pretty affordable, and I've found that they work well enough to render the need of spending the cash on a fancy-pants model as a waste...just be sure to take it slow and shave off the brass in small amounts-it's easy to over-do it with even just a little too much elbow grease-even with the collar set to length...slow and steady, just like your trigger pull. You'll also need a de-burring tool, which is just a little hand held devise you use after you trim the case to smooth up the edges and remove any shavings still attached to the case lip after trimming...again, a fairly inexpensive tool.

It's also a good idea to pay attention to the primer pockets. There are brushes you can buy that fit inside the primer pocket to help remove the residue left over from firing. You can also buy a tool that has a "bit" that is cut to scrape out the pocket, but be careful doing this, as it is easy to gouge out the sides of the soft brass and oversize the primer pocket. I'd stick with the brushes for now, and concentrate on getting out the carbon so that your primers get a good seat, and making sure that the flash hole is not clogged up or obstructed.

You are also going to want to buy a media tumbler. It's pretty much a big bucket on a vibratory motor, into which you dump a polishing media substance such as ground up corn cob or finely crushed walnut hulls. (there are several different varieties of polishing media available.) You then put your fired/ dirty brass in with it along with some optional chemical polish and let it run for a few hours. After it is done, your brass will be shiny and clean. Media tumblers are not super expensive...they can be had for around 80 to 100 bucks...but they are both necessary and worth the money.

I would also advise you to upgrade your calipers to a high-end digital readout type if your kit does not include just that. Manual calipers are subject to human judgmental errors, especially if your eyesight isn't prime, and cheap calipers just shouldn't be trusted-accurate and safe reloading calls for tight tolerances within thousandths of inches. High end digital calipers eliminate a lot of error and differences in specifications, and improve the overall goal of building up accurate and safe loads.

It will also serve you well to go ahead and but three or four extra shell holders for your calibers. You'll need one for your press, your hand help priming tool, your case trimmer, and you'll probably want to buy some other peripheral stuff down the line that will need use of caliber specific shell holders as well. You can always just use one and change it out from devise to devise, but having several will save you time and they are cheap enough to make it worth the money.

As a final thought, there is one piece of gear that I recommend, though it is not really a must. I would advise you to invest in a good quality digital powder dispenser. These devises generally have a large reserve hopper into which you can pour a large volume of powder, and it then has a digital interface and mechanical apparatus that will pour a specified powder charge into your casings with repeatable results. ( I've found that the manual powder charger included with my RCBS kit is a bit unreliable, particularly with cylindrical-shaped powder.) Digital powder dispensers save a LOT of time in the reloading process, as far as I am concerned. They are pretty pricey-most good quality powder dispensers will hit your wallet for over 200 bucks, but again-I have found it to be worth it.

Reloading is addictive man...It can get to be just as obsessive if not more so than shooting the loads. If you are an accuracy nut like me, you will NEVER be satisfied, and there is so much to learn about reloading that you may-or should I say-you will never fully master it...but that's what makes it great-there is always going to be room to improve it. As such, there is an overwhelming choice in gear to help you reach whatever pinnacle that you strive for, but these things I've listed here are what I see as the "must haves" to get a good start.

I hope you enjoy this new-found hobby as much as I have. You've got my number, so when you get set up give me a ring if you have any questions...I am not an expert by any means, but I know the basics well enough to point you in the right direction.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Moby

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12 years 5 months ago #11629 by Akai
Replied by Akai on topic Re: New to reloading
tx, Nice article, it's all the small things that make a big difference when reloading, and I think you have covered most all of them, especially the things they don't tell you you need! more often than not this is the case, real them in with a package and then stick it to them on the small stuff they didn't tell you that you need. Once again thanks. Hope all that are new to reloading read this. B)

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12 years 5 months ago #11631 by Moby
Replied by Moby on topic Re: New to reloading
Bro it was great talking to you this evening and I appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge. I almost chuckled when I read you stating you're not an expert.
It reminded me of a time when I was in court as a Coast Guard Boarding officer and the prosecuter asked me if I was an expert in small boat handling. Being a bit humble I said "well sir I wouldn't call myself an expert". This irritated him to no end!! He ased if I could handle a vessle in a heavy storm? I said yes sir. He ask if I can find any point on a chart and sail there? I said yes sir. He asked if I could navigate around the world day or night? I said yes sir. Then, in a very quiet court room he yelled....PETTY OFFICER SULLIVAN JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK IT TAKES TO CALL YOUR SELF AN EXPERT COXSWAIN?"

Needless to say I learned from then on. YES SIR!!! You stated you've been shooting since you knew the dangerous end of the rifle. I think it's safe to say you've forgotten more about weapons than I've ever known!! You're an expert sir!! LOL Meant in good sprit sir. I cannot wait to buy you a few beers and pick your brain.

Can't wait for my AR10. It's been shipped and I'm like a kid at Christmas. Now for you "real" shooters out there (I am not one yet) try to rememeber your first AR10. And it's an Armalite which I'm told is a great rifle. Can't wait to reach out and touch some hogs!!!

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12 years 5 months ago #11632 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Re: New to reloading
I would also add that, unless you're ordering in bulk, buying powder and primers from a mail-order house like Midway can get pretty expensive due to hazmat shipping charges (IIRC, it's somthing like $27.50 from Midway.) It's far more economical to buy them from a local shop that sells those items, even if you have to drive a bit to get them.

Enjoy your AR10 when it arrives and welcome to the world of big-block ARs.

Leb

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12 years 5 months ago #11669 by sansone
Replied by sansone on topic Re: New to reloading
I believe in weighing EVERY powder charge for rifles being shot more than 100yds..
I use an auto powder dispenser ONLY for pistol rounds. The modern digital scales make it easy to weigh each rifle charge so why not?
Also for auto-loading rifles many people like to put a "factory crimp" on the projectile due to the inertia in the magazine pulling out your seated bullet.
That's why cheap hammer-style pullers work, the inertia will make the bullet move. Even slight movement of your seated bullet will change the distance between the bore(rifling lands) and your projectile (changing point of impact)
You have entered a world of perfectionists when reloading and you will see better groups with you reloads than factory ammo.
GOOD LUCK and ask questions BEFORE you put your fine rifle (or yourself) at risk

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12 years 5 months ago #11672 by Moby
Replied by Moby on topic Re: New to reloading
LOL Howdy Gary!!!

Guys Sansone is the guy I purchased my AR10 from at a great price!!!
He's been shooting and reloading for over 20 years!!!
AND HE HAS A RANGE IN HIS BACK YARD!!!!!

This guy has given me great advice, helped me purchase the right reloading gear and steered me away from bad purchasing choices.
I couldn't recommend this guy more folks!!!!
He even told me to buy my ammo from Lucky gunner because I could get it cheaper than from him!!!! How's THAT for honesty?????

5 stars plus for Sansone!!!
Talk to him before your next purchase!
He's a straight shooter. LOL

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12 years 5 months ago #11675 by sansone
Replied by sansone on topic Re: New to reloading
thanks Ken,
I don't claim to be an expert (like your coast guard story) but I will admit it is not good to lie to your firearm customers.. LOL

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12 years 5 months ago - 12 years 5 months ago #11676 by Moby
Replied by Moby on topic Re: New to reloading
LOL
Funny thing about experts.
Non of them think they are.
I bet there's a few in these forums.
And yet if I asked there isn't any!

Looking forward to getting that reloading gear buddy.
My AR10 comes today, I've got my ammo, now I just need something to shoot at!!!

To top it off I'm going camping this weekend.
ALL I'll be able to think about is going home and getting to the range!!!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
Last edit: 12 years 5 months ago by Moby.

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12 years 5 months ago #11677 by sansone
Replied by sansone on topic Re: New to reloading
boxing-up your reloading stuff today. We should use Private Messaging to not abuse the fine people who moderate this forum

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