My Reloading Project....

[Shootingblanks]

My buddy and I spent last Saturday reloading ammunition in his garage. I have decided to invest in a set up and am in the process of installing it in my basement.

This arrived on Monday and installed it tonight on a workbench that was already in the basement.


This bench will be temporary till I get around to building something more permanent, like framing a safe room to store firearms, ammunition and reloading equipment.

 

[Shootingblanks]

The following components arrive on Monday:

Redding Competition 10X-Pistol and Small Rifle Powder Measure

Redding #2 Master Magnetic Powder Scale 505 Grain Capacity

RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center 110 Volt

RCBS Vibratory Case Tumbler 110 Volt

RCBS Rotary Case and Media Separator

RCBS Carbide 3-Die Set with Taper Crimp 45 ACP, 45 GAP

RCBS Carbide 3-Die Set with Taper Crimp 9mm Luger

 

[Shootingblanks]

Have more to aquire such as Sheridan gages, more dies, bins, etc.

Have about 1-2k rounds coming from my brother who is a SWAT officer for a large department. So that will keep me busy during these cold winter days.

 

[Dagny]

Now you did it. there is no end to it now. Reloading is a very fun and rewarding hobby. Making a rifle perform at it's highest potential rocks. there are so many combinations of powder primer and bullets have fun but be careful.

 

[mdbeck1]

I've been reloading for years. It can be a lot of fun. It looks like you have a nice setup.

If you haven't already done it. Read all the manufacturer's documentation for the equipment that you purchased. It will save you a lot of time and trouble with the setups.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have seen too many firearms that has been blown up by Hot loading shells.

 

[1950mercury]

I have seen too many firearms that has been blown up by Hot loading shells.

They would have to be complete morons to blow up a gun. Reload books have min-max powder charges...plus most cases won't hold enuff powder to "blow up a gun"

 

[Shootingblanks]

I have seen too many firearms that has been blown up by Hot loading shells.

I second what 1950Mercuy stated. Powders have come a long ways and several reliable resources and books that have min-max powder charges.

Early Glocks in .40 S&W were designed with less chamber support, which led to case failures when negligent shooters used over pressure rounds the gun were used for. The issue has been remedied and no other caliber was affected.

This special die corrects the case bulge:

Redding G-RX Carbide Base Sizing Die Kit 40 S&W, 357 Sig, 10mm Auto

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/23...pf_ci_google&gclid=CPCH1-mBvcoCFYUbgQodl-8Hzw

Also all brass should be inspected for cracks, holes, etc. prior to reloading them.

Glock barrels have polygonial rifling and should never have lead reloads shot out of them.

For my Glocks I intend to get an aftermarket barrel (LoneWolf, Silencerco, KKM, etc).

 

[shoggoth80]

Ooooh. Redding. Very nice.

I pretty much never load out near the end of the curve. I almost always load just a hair over mid-way through the charge weights, with few exceptions. Currently load .45 and 9x18, and tooling up to do other military rifle calibers.

Edit: Just for general information...I really like the Lyman, and Hornady manuals. Sierra isn't half bad either.

 

[crab]

There are forums dedicated to reloading .

 

[Derek1387]

Exactly. I have seen many firearms blow up because of IDIOTS reloading. Not proper reloading.

I reload about 1000 rounds of 9mm a week. Never once had an issue, and I run on a fully progressive Dillon press.

That being said, yes, there are forums for reloading ;-)

 

[dwysywd]

Great setup. I have done thousands of shot she'll reloading but always wanted to get into brass. I've subscribed in hopes to duplicate your setup.


Regards,
Jeff

Sent from my bag phone...

 

[Adk Mike]

Great hobby you like good equipment. I've reloded for 37 Years. Hunted all over never used a factory shell. In later years its been cast bullets and low pressure loads. A great hobby. I never have loaded shells to the max. No reason.

 

[gungatim]

Exactly. I have seen many firearms blow up because of IDIOTS reloading. Not proper reloading.

I reload about 1000 rounds of 9mm a week. Never once had an issue, and I run on a fully progressive Dillon press.

That being said, yes, there are forums for reloading ;-)

yeah like that idiot that posted on a bunch of reloading forums about how his TC was a piece of **** and he almost lost an eye when it blew up and sued them...only to find out he admitted to waaay overloading a hot round...

there is no "Reloading for Dummies" book...well, if there is, there shouldn't be. it is easy but not for everyone. most guys I know that reload like me have a bad round they keep around to remind them how easy it is to make a mistake...

 

[Aussie Mike]

Looks like a great setup. I liked having a good section of bench on either side of the press as I found it's easier for organization as you cycle through. Get yourself a comfortable bar stool to sit on.

I've got mainly Lyman stuff now. Lyman T Mag manual turret press similar in design to your Redding. It has a built in primer seating tool but I prefer using a hand primer inserting tool. Find I have a better feel and can cycling through faster once you get a rhythm going.

I had a Hornady progressive press but often had problems getting it to feed the .308 loads I was using. In the end I switched to the manual turret press as it was more versitile especially if you are weighing every charge or switching between neck sizing or full length sizing or doing primer pocket swagging on ex military brass etc.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Aussie Mike]

Speaking of bad round. How about the one you forget to drop a powder charge into. The primer has enough puff to just shove the bullet an inch or two down the barrel. Very embarrassing in a comp when you are lying on the mound. Never did it twice but since then I took to sub consciously giving each round a shake before dropping it into the action (Single shot full bore target rifle).

 

[Forever Fixin]

Very nice setup. It going to be like collecting tools, you always need just one more thing. Interesting choice in press, what made you decide to go that route? You will find there is nothing more satisfying that using things you've made yourself.

 

[Browning1]

Nice setup. My dad was into it when I was younger. Now I am getting into it since I still have all his stuff. Using a rcbs single stage

 

[greenbikemike]

Nice,looking forward to seeing the full set-up.I was told 25-30 years ago that it's cheaper to reload,not true.....you just shoot more!
Instead of changing barrels,have you looked into coated rounds for your Glock? I use Bayou Bullets,but there are others.After a day on the range,pull a bore snake thru it a few times,clean as a whistle.
Don't buy pounds if you can buy a keg,don't buy a box when you can get a case! Take your time and read up and talk to fellow reloaders, hell of a hobby

I have seen too many firearms that has been blown up by Hot loading shells.

Never seen one "blown up" with a hot load,but HAVE seen one that didn't have a load in it[squid] and then shoot a round behind it,not good.

Speaking of bad round. How about the one you forget to drop a powder charge into. The primer has enough puff to just shove the bullet an inch or two down the barrel. Very embarrassing in a comp when you are lying on the mound. Never did it twice but since then I took to sub consciously giving each round a shake before dropping it into the action (Single shot full bore target rifle).

I have a Hornady LNL and with the dies,it won't drop a charge unless there is a case under it.

Greenbikemike

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

The Redding T-7 is a great do all press. I do all my precision reloads on mine. Have a Dillon 650 for 9mm and 223. Have a 550 just for 45's, just might be selling it and get the goodies to run 45 on the 650.

Get a FART (Frankford Armory Rotary Tumbler) I do just about all my cleaning in it. Just do a final tumble for 10 minutes of finished in my Dillon FL1000 tumbler with just clean corn cob.

 

[OkRider]

You're off to a great start. I've been at it since 1974. Started loading for my .30-30 and it ballooned from there.

 

[drink]

Are you popping squirrels or what?

 

[Shootingblanks]

Very nice setup. It going to be like collecting tools, you always need just one more thing. Interesting choice in press, what made you decide to go that route? You will find there is nothing more satisfying that using things you've made yourself.

I decided to go with Redding because it is still made in USA 100% with iron for the cast from USA also. They're know for their quality and the flexibility of this turret as opposed to a true single press. You can set up your dies caliber specific and leave them. You may purchase additional turrets to accommodate other dies for other calipers.

A Dillon progressive was out of price range for now and is like to learn from the basics. Some have started right out of gate with a progressive.

 

[Forever Fixin]

I started on a Lee Classic cast turret, but liked the idea of a progressive, picked up a Pro 1000 and while not the best it sure will crank out ammo. Your turret will serve you well and will be faster than a single stage, but if you catch the bug, soon you will be going progressive. I'd love to have a Dillon.

 

[Shootingblanks]

Are you popping squirrels or what?

I hunt deer in PA with a Remington 700 30-06 and Savage 22WMR and a Savage 17HMR.

Unfortunately you cannot reload rim fire cartridges. However they are inexpensive. 22WMR has been scarce but 17HMR is readily available.

I shoot often and cost of ammo and range time adds up.

Mostly shoot 223, 45ACP and 9mm.

However think my next firearm purchase will be a SCAR17.

 

[mdbeck1]

...

Unfortunately you cannot reload rim fire cartridges. ...

.

Actually a friend pointed out that there is now a set of dies for 22 rimfire. They even have them on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?rlsa...22+reloader&device=c&crdt=0&ad_grp=1626526643

...and this one tells you the process..
http://22lrreloader.com/design-details/

although if you add your time in you will probably find that it is easier to just purchase new rounds.

 

[jimgood]

They would have to be complete morons to blow up a gun. Reload books have min-max powder charges...plus most cases won't hold enuff powder to "blow up a gun"

I've never blown up a gun, but I did create some damn hot 9mm charges once when I had something touching my scale but didn't see it.

 

[gungatim]

I hunt deer in PA with a Remington 700 30-06 and Savage 22WMR and a Savage 17HMR.

Unfortunately you cannot reload rim fire cartridges. However they are inexpensive. 22WMR has been scarce but 17HMR is readily available.

I shoot often and cost of ammo and range time adds up.

Mostly shoot 223, 45ACP and 9mm.

However think my next firearm purchase will be a SCAR17.

actually you can, the hard part is finding the right matches to make the primer. have heard of some types of toy cap gun caps work as well...

 

[cspcrx]

Nice start. I use a Dillon 550B and a rock chucker for single items like depriming and sizing. This way the progressive does everything else, which is easy to change on the 550B.

Since things are available again its a great time to get started. Kind of cracked me up when I saw people flooding in to Cabelas and Sportsmans to buy reloading equipment when there was a shortage on ammo, only to find the materials to reload (primers and powder) were impossible to find.

Lots of great forums out there. I like Brian Enos' site. Good group and willing to share their mixes with you.

 

[crewchief888]

i started out with a progressive, a dillon square deal.

it's loaded more rounds than i can to think about, mainly 45acp.

but i have .40/10mm, 38/357, 38super dies/toolholders

and a couple lee loadall's for 12g & 20g

 

[cagullett1]

Exactly. I have seen many firearms blow up because of IDIOTS reloading. Not proper reloading.

I reload about 1000 rounds of 9mm a week. Never once had an issue, and I run on a fully progressive Dillon press.

That being said, yes, there are forums for reloading ;-)

Do you reload for specific loads? I don't see how 9mm would be beneficial to reload unless you are looking for a specific load.

 

[Aussie Mike]

I have a Hornady LNL and with the dies,it won't drop a charge unless there is a case under it.

Greenbikemike

The problem I had was because I was using the powder thrower on the side and weighing every charge before dropping it in manually. The AR2206 powder I used is little jelly bean shaped grains and didn't throw very accurately for my application.

cheers

Mike

 

[Shootingblanks]

UPS is showing the order as two boxes to be delivered on Moday.

So probably get to setting it up when the kids go to bed.

Next will be stocking up on supplies, powder, brass, bullets, primers, etc

 

[Tenex]

Anyone who reloads for precision should look into Forster products. Their Co-Ax press and case trimmer are the best. Redding and Forster make the best dies. If you want a progressive press then look no further than Dillon. I haven't been impressed with much of Hornady's products.

 

[greenbikemike]

Do you reload for specific loads? I don't see how 9mm would be beneficial to reload unless you are looking for a specific load.

If you shoot a lot[I shoot 1600-2000 rounds a month] the initial cost of,press,tumbler,scale,brass,etc. the price of ammo goes way down. As for the loading for a specific load,that's a plus,you can dial in your loads for your needs.Using this calculator, I can load 1000 .45 ACP for about $130.00 compared to over $300.00 to buy factory ammo.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

The problem I had was because I was using the powder thrower on the side and weighing every charge before dropping it in manually. The AR2206 powder I used is little jelly bean shaped grains and didn't throw very accurately for my application.

cheers

Mike

Oh,I can see that....I was just stating with my progressive press,it won't drop a charge. You must be doing long gun and it is better to charge on the side....X makes the spot!

Anyone who reloads for precision should look into Forster products. Their Co-Ax press and case trimmer are the best. Redding and Forster make the best dies. If you want a progressive press then look no further than Dillon. I haven't been impressed with much of Hornady's products.

Ford vs. Chevy.....Dillon's are good,but I've used a Hornady since 1990,only problem that I've had was a broken decap pin once in a while,100,000+
rounds, traded it in last year to Hornady and they set me the new Lock and Load for $150.00. I use it for handgun loads,200-300 rounds an hour taking my time and double checking....you mileage may vary ...as for precision shooting,I shot Bullseye for years....Ten X is hard to do with a .45 ACP....at 50 yards..... 1 handed....

UPS is showing the order as two boxes to be delivered on Moday.

So probably get to setting it up when the kids go to bed.

Next will be stocking up on supplies, powder, brass, bullets, primers, etc

Getting it set up and dialed in takes some time,and once it is,take your time and do like 10 rounds at a time and double check them...as for getting loads dialed in,start on the low end,see what you gun likes and go from there,that's where talking to guys[and gals] that are shooting the same gun as you that reload are very helpful,ask what they use.
have fun and stay safe,

Greenbikemike

 

[David W]

I'm thinking about getting into reloads myself. The thing that scares me at this point is inadvertently doing a double charge.
A book I'm reading about reloads tells a story of a union soldier at the battle of Gettysburg who had loaded 9 charges into his rifle without firing a shot. Thankfully he didn't actually shoot the gun!

 

[bob15]

Anyone who reloads for precision should look into Forster products. Their Co-Ax press and case trimmer are the best. Redding and Forster make the best dies. If you want a progressive press then look no further than Dillon. I haven't been impressed with much of Hornady's products.

The Co-Ax press being the best in a matter of opinion. I found the Co-Ax to be somewhat awkward using and not very fat finger friendly. I've had a T-7 for close to 20 years now (bought the first year it came out) and have little to zero bullet run-out using it. it will last the OP a lifetime and then some.

I also have zero issues using Redding, Forster, Lee, Lyman and RCBS dies. I prefer the micrometer seating dies, though I have loaded 1,000's of round with the "regular" seating die.

I like the Thumbler's tumbler for brass cleaning and use the simple Lee primer tool and Lee case trimmer without any issues.

To the OP, good luck on your new hobby. Pay attention to the manuals and no reloading if drinking (even one beer) or if you are tired. That is how mistakes happen.

 

[speed bump]

I'm thinking about getting into reloads myself. The thing that scares me at this point is inadvertently doing a double charge.
A book I'm reading about reloads tells a story of a union soldier at the battle of Gettysburg who had loaded 9 charges into his rifle without firing a shot. Thankfully he didn't actually shoot the gun!

The way to avoid this is to avoid powders that don't fill the case at least half way. The only person I know I know that double charged a round was loading light rounds with a ball powder in a 44 mag case. I know a few people who have loaded squib rounds though.

I enjoy my Lee turret press versus other turrets because it rotates station to station. Not the most impressive press on the market but its consistent, reasonably fast (I do 250 pre primed rounds in about 30 minutes weighing and checking OAL every 10nth round) and I can't tell a difference between rounds loaded on it and any other press.

 

[Shootingblanks]

It was 10:30pm and I ran out of tap-con screws. Have to make a supply run tomorrow and finish a plan I thought of since I've got the rest of my components coming in two boxes on Monday.



It feels good to have a plan come togehter.

 

[pendragon1998]

Ballpark, what does it cost to get into reloading?