Reloading basics

[mdlowry]

With all the gun nuts (myself included ) around here I thought I'd address this to the TDR membership.



I have a . 41 Magnum revolver that I like. The problem is . 41 had never become a very popular caliber. The ammo is somewhat difficult to find and expensive when I do. There isn't much in the way of target ammo around.



Since I don't want to go broke, and I do want to use it, I've been considering getting into reloading. What am I going to need to get started? I figure that I will be fine with a single stage for now and probably for some time to come. I just don't know anything about the procedure. How can I learn?



Michael

 

[drawson]

Rock chucker

Here how I would start... .



Get a good reloading manual(s) Then I would look at RCBS Rock chucker press, carbite(sp) dies, a powder measurer, and some supplies Powder, Primers, and some bullets.



Almost all the reloading manuals have good starting instructions, but what would be best is to find a local shooter that could help you out.



E-mail me if you can use some other advise -- email address removed --

 

[Headlight]

check out midwayusa.com they have brass, bullets, reloading dies, everthing you will need to get started, including manuels and videos. Buy you're powder and primers from a local store. Mail order companies charge at least $15. 00 for hazardous material shipping. Also check with NRA for reloading information. It's fun easy and saves money

 

[The patriot]

You'll also need a scale. You could probibally do without the micrometer.

Reloading is addictive!!

If/when you go to a progressive, get the Dillon 550. You wont regret it.

Eric

 

[Scollins]

Reloading is not very difficult at all. The most important thing is SAFETY! My dad and I got into reloading when I was shooting in IPSC competitions. We couldn't afford to shoot otherwise. We learned by getting a few reloading books, and finding a GOOD gun shop that has reloading supplies. They will be glad to answer your questions.



I would recommend going straight to a progressive press. I have used the Lee Pro 1000 for many years, and I'm happy with the results. It isn't the highest quality press out there, but I couldn't see spending over a $1000 for my dream press (Dillon Super 1050. ) Midway USA sells the reloader for $121. 99, and that includes dies. A powder scale, dial calipers, a bullet puller, safety glasses, powder, primers, bullets, cases and case tumbler will round out the minimum equipment needed to get started. I would think $500 and you're are ready to reload.



I've been using jacketed bullets lately, so my cost per reloaded round is about 12¢. That's $6 per 50, which compares to $12. 99 for store bought ammo (. 45 ACP. ) If you use cast bullets, it is even cheaper. Based on this, it would only take 3,600 rounds to break even. Do you shoot enough for reloading to make sense? I'm guessing your cost per 50 on store bought ammo is higher than $12. 99, so let's just say it takes 3,000 rounds to break even. If you shoot 100 rounds per month (one stop at the range), you looking at almost three years to break even! When I was shooting competitively, I was going through 1,000 rounds per month! The press and related equipment were paid for in no time.



Reloading requires your full attention, so distractions are not allowed: no watching TV, listening to the radio or talking on the phone. You don't want a double powder charge to ruin your day, or worse, your life! I'd recommend getting some books, reading up on the subject, and then make a decision. From my experience, reloading is a good distraction from the daily routine. You can't think of anything else while you are reloading. Plus, you will probably shoot more! Good luck!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Hey MD, the store i work in is phasing out reloading equipment. Ill look tommorow and see what they have in . 41 magnum. They have all sorts of stuff that he is letting go checp in the relaoding department. Anybody need anything, be SEPCIFIC as to what you want and ill look tommorow

 

[mdlowry]

Originally posted by Scollins

I've been using jacketed bullets lately, so my cost per reloaded round is about 12¢. That's $6 per 50, which compares to $12. 99 for store bought ammo (. 45 ACP. ) If you use cast bullets, it is even cheaper. Based on this, it would only take 3,600 rounds to break even. Do you shoot enough for reloading to make sense? I'm guessing your cost per 50 on store bought ammo is higher than $12. 99, so let's just say it takes 3,000 rounds to break even. If you shoot 100 rounds per month (one stop at the range), you looking at almost three years to break even!

When I can find . 41 in the stores around here it usually runs $18-20 per box of 50. Usually I can only find the box of 20 JHP at $12-13. I did pick up a . 22 a while back just to help keep the cost down. . .

 

[Bigsaint]

I still have my RCBS Rockchucker from 1981, going strong. Get that or any other GOOD press, a good scale, a caliper, a powder funnel, a set of carbide dies,a reloading manual and some powder,primers and bullets and you will be set. Before you buy the powder,primers and bullets, browse through your reloading manual and try to pick a powder that best suits your needs and barrel length.



The . 41 magnum is a great caliber, fairly well rounded as you can load it heavy for the big stuff or load it light for fun and plinking, play around with different loads, find an accurate lite and heavy load and go have fun with it. It's too bad it never really took off, I would trade my . 40 caliber Glock for a . 41 Mag. in an instant as a duty weapon.



Forgot to add, most of the reloading manuals give the basics to reloading within their covers, buy one and read, there's alot to know in regards to powder burning principles, pressure related to specific powders and primers, as well as the correct seating depths of each bullet,etc, but that's the fun part.



Scott W.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

No luck on the . 41 magnum die set. Will keep looking though.

 

[mdlowry]

books?

From what most people here have said, it looks like I need to pick up some reloading manuals. What are your recommendations?



Michael

 

[tntway]

.308

EMD--any stuff for . 308win. ? got the RCBS rockchucker. thanx

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Will let you know when i go in tuesday. Anybody else need anything?

 

[Sled Puller]

Any shotshell stuff?



12 and 20 Wads, primers??

Thanks,

gene

 

[The patriot]

EMD, got any benchrest seating dies? I need 223 and 308. I'd prefer Redding, but I realise it's a close out type deal.

Also: How much you want for that Wilson CQC compact?

Eric

 

[The patriot]

Gotta be in the right place at the right time....

Michael, check flea markets, garage sales etc. etc.

You might be able to do this on the cheap.



About two weeks ago I got a RCBS rock chucker press, Lyman #55 measure, RCBS 38 spl dies (Not carbide ) and about 600 rds of once fired 38 spl brass for $15. 00!!

I was going to offer that much for the measure alone!! I got real lucky!

Everything is in excellent condition. The measure is dated 1955 and has the orig box paperwork and two drop tubes!! I even got the paperwork and orig boxes for the dies !!

Eric



PS I think the rifleman (NRA magazine) just had a series on reloading a few months back. Check it out.

 

[roycrown]

Don't overlook Lee relaoding equuipment either. I believe if you had to buy everything new, and shopped around mail order, it could all be bought for less than $100. Anytime I buy anything new these days, it is from Lee. Have been relaoding for 27 years, have supplemented my RCBS Rochucker with 2 Lee presses right beside it to avoid having to screw dies in and out for different operations.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I would also recommend looking at Lee products to get into it. The press that was recommended to me and that I've recommended to many is the Lee turret press. The nice thing about this press is that you can use it like the rockchucker or any single stage press and have 4 different dies ready to go in a turret to move around with adjusting the press (best way to load match rounds, IMO). Or you can use it in the auto mode and the press will automatically change from one die to the next. It means you take one round through the entire process in 4 strokes, whereas with a progressive loader each stroke gives you a finished shell (4 operations are happening at once). The nice thing about it is that it's pretty fast and much simpler for a beginning reloader, plus you can use it for rifle rounds or match rounds if you wish. You can also buy different turrets and change from once caliber to another in seconds. Here's a pic of the turret press (the aluminum round piece at the top of the press is the part you can change out and have different dies ready to go.



#ad

 

[Bigsaint]

The Lee press is a fine entry level reloader, I would choose something stronger if you plan on sizing larger rifle cartridges, but for most handgun tasks, the Lee will do just fine.



As for reloading manuals, I started with a Sierra in 1981 and have since accumulated Speer, Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, etc. , to name a few. If you have a local gun shop, stop by and see what he has in stock. If he doesn't stock any, I'd choose either the newest Speer or Hornady manuals as a first. Both are quite thick and cover all the basics of reloading. Midway, as mentioned above, is an excellent source for all that you will need, minus powder and primers.



mdlowry... I was just going through my reloading gear and I have a set of Lee . 41 Mag. carbide dies with a shellholder sitting on my bench and collecting dust. I don't have a . 41 mag anymore so theses are yours for free for the asking, let me know.



Scott W.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

The RCBS Rock Chucker master reloading kit usually sells for about 250 from midway. It has the press, scale, primer feed tubes, powder thrower, case lube pad, case trimmer, pilots, funnel, reloading block, Speer manual, and a few other things. Definitely will get you on the right track. For the first time reloader, I suggest a single stage press so that you can keep tight controls on each piece. If you get into serious wolumes of shooting, then step up to the progressive press. For brass, also check out Starline brass.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

Oh yeah, I forgot, also get a tumbler to clean your cases. Midway has em cheap. I picked two up so that I don't have to switch between corn and walnut media