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Post by GLSHOOTER on May 18, 2013 17:51:05 GMT -8
I'm starting this thread to look at some basic and not so basic activities in keeping our rifles fed and happy. Your additions to it are highly encouraged. A few sacred ox or Walter Mitty theories might get gored a tad but then we all learn. I sure don't know it all and I have learned that there are some new things popping up every day.
I've been doing this since 1976 and there is at least one guy around here that has me beat by half a decade or so. I've always believed in common sense winning through and that if you play with fire you best be wearing NOMEX or you will get burned. I'll plod along and nudge it as we go.
OK lets go............
First issue what do you think the first step should be when starting a career as a loader or when you are approaching a new, to you or maybe anyone else, cartridge?
Greg
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djmfl
Senior Member
Posts: 118
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Post by djmfl on May 18, 2013 18:21:57 GMT -8
Greg:
Like you, I've been reloading a long time (1970) but i certainly don't consider myself an expert. When i first started loading, I asked everyone and anyone for help and their expertise, and to be honest...I still do when it comes to new cartridges.
For me, when i start loading a new to me cartridge,I take the well established load data and drop a 1/2 grain to start working up my loading. With a brand new cartridge, I look at the load data of parent case, bullet weight, and possible pressures and start on the conservative side and work up from there.
We all need to realize that what combo of things I shoot well in my guns may just be terrible for someone else, but its a starting point to learn from.
Reloading is rewarding and fun when done correctly. Safety first and last!
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Post by lkrbuilder13 on May 18, 2013 19:24:55 GMT -8
I guess I am kind of a chicken when it comes to new calibers because I haven't done enough of it to know all the different tells on when pressure is getting too high. The only load that I have loaded outside of the book parameters is 38-40 and I only did that because I wanted to deer hunt and I know a guy that has done alot with the load and went with his data. Here in Indiana there are certain criteria that deer cartridges must meet 358 diameter or larger, and a maximum case length of 1.8". There are some people here that are making a 358 WSM and a 358 WSSM (which was the old max length 1.625). The guy that I know that has been making guns doesn't produce ammo that is the hottest. I know some other guys that get these guns and load all by experimentation (looking at similar loads like described in a previous post) as well as looking at the case and primers for signs of excessive pressure. I have wanted to try this but I haven't had the balls to try it.
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Win75
Full Member
Posts: 77
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Post by Win75 on May 31, 2013 2:57:42 GMT -8
I have been reloading since 1972. I started with a Lyman single stage press loading .38 special. Over the years I have worked with many, many different calibers. Reloading to me is very enjoyable and relaxing. When starting to work with a new caliber, or even new bullet weights in a known caliber, I ask lots of questions, consult numerous reloading manuals and publications, and read...read...read.
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Post by amazecustom on May 31, 2013 10:19:58 GMT -8
I would agree with Win75 (other than reloading since 72). I just started reloading this year with the Rock Chucker Supreme. I asked a few questions of some of the older guys I work with but other then that, reading for me has been the best way to learn (not to mention having to toss a few cases here and there finding out what works and what doesn't, LOL).
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melbakid
Junior Member
Lefties Unite
Posts: 31
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Post by melbakid on Jun 9, 2013 17:01:43 GMT -8
I started reloading in late '72 early '73, can't remember which, I'm over 60 and I forget! I was a newly wed and didn't have any money for ammo, so I had to reload my own. I started out with a Lee die set that you used a hammer to punch out the primers. No press at all. Having said that, I think the first thing is to buy reputable reloading manuals and read them. Back then we didn't have the internet! Now you can go to the internet and research about the basics of reloading. Sierra put out a video with David Tubbs many years ago and the info is still pertinent today. He gets a little technical but, the info is presented in a way that is understandable. I'm one of those guys that a picture is worth a thousand words. I just reaquired the first press that my wife gave me for Christmas in 1973. I sold it back in 1987 or so to my best friend. He never used it and sold it to a fellow employee. When I found out, I asked it he would sell it to me and he did. It was like having an old friend back in the fold! Now forty years later it is still going strong on my bench along with the other 10 presses that I use.
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will
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by will on Oct 14, 2013 11:08:31 GMT -8
I started reloading on 5/1/2008 (or at least that's what my log says). Picked up a killer deal on the introduction of the Hornady LNL press and I was off to the races. I did pistol for the first 2 years and then started loading rifle as well. Pistol is duplicating factory ammo (for me), but rifle is a whole different game. When I got my BHW 6x45 barrel I really got into it. Very systematic and will try everything once, I've got 19 flavors of 6mm bullets and one killer 85gr Sierra round to show for it. I currently load for 5.56, 6x45, 6.5 Grendel and .300 BLK (all AR platform). I didn't have anyone to learn from so it's all self-taught and *lots* or reading. Thank God for the Internet, because I haven't got a clue as to how you old-timers got all your info. My log lists over 11,000 rounds loaded and not a single ka-boom (tho' there were some blown primers along the way) so I must be doing something right (so far, knock on wood...).
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Oct 14, 2013 12:50:46 GMT -8
I started reloading on 5/1/2008 (or at least that's what my log says). Picked up a killer deal on the introduction of the Hornady LNL press and I was off to the races. I did pistol for the first 2 years and then started loading rifle as well. Pistol is duplicating factory ammo (for me), but rifle is a whole different game. When I got my BHW 6x45 barrel I really got into it. Very systematic and will try everything once, I've got 19 flavors of 6mm bullets and one killer 85gr Sierra round to show for it. I currently load for 5.56, 6x45, 6.5 Grendel and .300 BLK (all AR platform). I didn't have anyone to learn from so it's all self-taught and *lots* or reading. Thank God for the Internet, because I haven't got a clue as to how you old-timers got all your info. My log lists over 11,000 rounds loaded and not a single ka-boom (tho' there were some blown primers along the way) so I must be doing something right (so far, knock on wood...). Following a manual does help for safety and results. Of course every firearm is different so you have to pay attention. We loaded from the manuals in the old days but there was probably only 50% of the stuff on the market then. Wonderkin rounds weren't being invented and pushed every month. News didn't travel fast so the learning curve was not as steep. We didn't have chronographs in every rig like today. We shot for groups and terminal ballistics. We also didn't have to deal with virtual shooters and obnoxious Walter Mitty types. Also I believe that there was lots of sharing like today but maybe we were less wedded to our opinions. Competition like IHMSA and IPSC kicked off loading big time and Mike Dillon made a huge difference as did the Magna bullet makers. Old guys built up a huge amount of practical experience. Now anyone that can write a check and get on a computer thinks he is a reloader or, Heaven forbid, a wildcatter. Experimenting was cautious as we liked our fingers back then. It is great to hear of someone's growth in the hobby. Greg |
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will
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by will on Oct 14, 2013 19:09:28 GMT -8
I started reloading on 5/1/2008 (or at least that's what my log says). Picked up a killer deal on the introduction of the Hornady LNL press and I was off to the races. I did pistol for the first 2 years and then started loading rifle as well. Pistol is duplicating factory ammo (for me), but rifle is a whole different game. When I got my BHW 6x45 barrel I really got into it. Very systematic and will try everything once, I've got 19 flavors of 6mm bullets and one killer 85gr Sierra round to show for it. I currently load for 5.56, 6x45, 6.5 Grendel and .300 BLK (all AR platform). I didn't have anyone to learn from so it's all self-taught and *lots* or reading. Thank God for the Internet, because I haven't got a clue as to how you old-timers got all your info. My log lists over 11,000 rounds loaded and not a single ka-boom (tho' there were some blown primers along the way) so I must be doing something right (so far, knock on wood...). Following a manual does help for safety and results. Of course every firearm is different so you have to pay attention. We loaded from the manuals in the old days but there was probably only 50% of the stuff on the market then. Wonderkin rounds weren't being invented and pushed every month. News didn't travel fast so the learning curve was not as steep. We didn't have chronographs in every rig like today. We shot for groups and terminal ballistics. We also didn't have to deal with virtual shooters and obnoxious Walter Mitty types. Also I believe that there was lots of sharing like today but maybe we were less wedded to our opinions. Competition like IHMSA and IPSC kicked off loading big time and Mike Dillon made a huge difference as did the Magna bullet makers. Old guys built up a huge amount of practical experience. Now anyone that can write a check and get on a computer thinks he is a reloader or, Heaven forbid, a wildcatter. Experimenting was cautious as we liked our fingers back then. It is great to hear of someone's growth in the hobby. Greg It would have been nice to "grow" into reloading as it started to blossom, tho' I wouldn't trade it for all the available options I have today. I had a friend give me all his reloading stuff from the 70's (w/ Speer Reloading Manual 9 from 1974) and it's amazing to look at loads like the 223 Rem and see that they had all of 6 loads with 8 different powders. Compared to offerings today, it's seems quaint and a bit stifling. I can see why wildcatting became so popular. I love the experimentation and the thought of having *the* most kick-ass load possible for my rifle. I'm looking forward to building a fabulous 600-800 yd 6.5 Grendel round- this is what makes it worth all the work... |
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Oct 14, 2013 20:06:37 GMT -8
Starting with a BHW barrel gives you a great start for your goal. Common sense goes a long way.
Greg
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will
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by will on Oct 14, 2013 20:21:39 GMT -8
Starting with a BHW barrel gives you a great start for your goal. Common sense goes a long way. Greg Buy once, cry once. Learned that a looong time ago... Plus, they're only 2 hours west of me and I like buying local. It'd be nice if we were known for barrels and apples (though you can't put the latter into the former [cleanly])... |
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aspp
Junior Member
Posts: 44
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Post by aspp on Oct 18, 2013 12:25:31 GMT -8
Im a young man, but I grew up at my Dad and Grandpa's Knee helping them reload and work on our ranch. For 50+ years my Grandpa farmed grain here in CA, and had his own hog eradication program going. All the kids and grandkids got a 22lr for their 6th birthday, were taught to shoot it, and at their 9th the got a centerfire rifle. We reloaded out of necessity more than anything, we were killing over 7000 hogs a year as a family for a while, and that's a lot of ammo! I was reloading my own ammo at 14, and at 18 made a short career of developing custom ammo for a custom gun maker here.
Ive only played with a handful of wildcats, but the biggest thing is experience. Indecision and ignorance are the two biggest obstacles to reloading. Once you know the limits of what your comfortable with, and learn more than a little about the powders your working with, it is not too hard to start developing loads. Always err on the side of caution, and build your loads up slowly, and even if you know almost nothing about the cartridge you can find a load without worrying about a kaboom.
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