Question for the Reloaders here

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Striper69

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 31, 2014
    1,400
    Iowa
    I've been thinking of showing a few guys who go to the range I use how to reload their ammo. They all have had a hard time finding factory ammo as we all have. Noone really taught me how to reload. I used videos and books/magazines to learn.
    Seeing as how even the reloading equipment is hard to find and getting more and more expensive I'm kind of hesitant to try to teach them. Also I'm concerned about the danger they face if they do something wrong when trying to load on their own. A bad accident could happen if you do one thing wrong as you all know.
    Have any of you tried to teach a newbie to reload?
     

    Blacksmith101

    Grumpy Old Man
    Jun 22, 2012
    22,154
    I've been thinking of showing a few guys who go to the range I use how to reload their ammo. They all have had a hard time finding factory ammo as we all have. Noone really taught me how to reload. I used videos and books/magazines to learn.
    Seeing as how even the reloading equipment is hard to find and getting more and more expensive I'm kind of hesitant to try to teach them. Also I'm concerned about the danger they face if they do something wrong when trying to load on their own. A bad accident could happen if you do one thing wrong as you all know.
    Have any of you tried to teach a newbie to reload?

    I just suggest they get a good manual or better two and read them then buy a Lee Loader (wack-A-mole type reloader) to try reloading and see if they like it before spending a lot of money for equipment because reloading is not for everyone. Many reloaders including me have started with a Lee Loader and gone on to become hooked on reloading. Currently they can buy a Lee manual ($16.00) and Lee Loader ($29.49) (Natchez Shooters Supply) for less than $50 plus the cost of your components and try reloading and if they are the kind of person who likes making there own ammo they will go on from there. But if they don't like it they don't have a lot invested and probably can sell the stuff for what it cost.
     

    SKIP

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Mar 5, 2009
    3,248
    Glenwood/Glenelg
    I got started on the LeeLoader back in the 1970s. It was cheap and safe.
     

    Attachments

    • Leeloader.jpg
      Leeloader.jpg
      71.9 KB · Views: 235

    E.Shell

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 5, 2007
    10,242
    Mid-Merlind
    I got started on the LeeLoader back in the 1970s. It was cheap and safe.
    Same here, 1971 with a 12 gauge loader, just in time for dove season, closely followed by another one in .22-250, which I nearly wore out. The ultimate gateway drug...

    There is so much info out there now, that self-starting is pretty easy. As suggested above, READ a few (more than one) reloading manuals, not just the data on your cartridge, but the full explanations and instructions that make up the first quarter or third of every manual.

    It would be good to have someone help you get off the ground with it, instead of trial and error on everything. Safety isn't a big issue, as long as you watch critical things like charge weight, powder type and seating length. The mistakes usually just cost you brass...

    Here is some info that might be helpful once you get going:
    http://www.shell-central.com/Brass_Prep1.html
    http://www.shell-central.com/Powder1.html
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    Yes , yes I have . But that's me , not telling you what to do .


    But right now isn't a good time in any case , as Primers are harder to obtain than loaded ammo .
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    I learned on YouTube, and by reading. I’ve shown a few folks the basics. It’s not rocket surgery. Appropriate warnings on paying attention to over/double charging.
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    Best piece of advice I can give to new folks? Pull a book off the shelf, before you start pulling handles.

    Start out by reading a decent overview of the reloading process. I'd recommend The ABC's of Reloading as a serviceable initial read. Then buy at least 2 good reloading manuals. I'd suggest your first 2 be manuals that mirror the bullets you'll most likely find on the shelf, which are typically Hornady and Sierra, or sometimes Speer. Less confusion this way starting out IMO. Read these manuals, and then do indeed read them again.

    Please, forget about load recipes initially. This is the hardest thing to do, but it is the most important thing one can do as a beginner. Manuals are so much more than merely being load recipe books. The goal should be to come to understand just exactly what it is that you're doing in each step, and within the entirety of the reloading process.
    Learn how and why steps are interrelated, and why each part of the process matters.

    It is entirely possible to build ammunition that will go bang, without truly understanding how you did it.

    It is also entirely possible to build a less than satisfactory cartridge, or even an accident, in the very same way.

    Sadly, you'll come to find in the sorts of questions and comments you'll hear as you grow in the process, that this important step is a step that never really happened with many.

    Read all you can.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,730
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I have taught many people to reload (one of my NRA Inst. ratings) but I don't think I would try to do it now. The shortages of components and equipment may lead to bad choices just get started.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    Any of the major hardbound Loading Manuals ( think Speer, Hornaday, RCBS, LEE , plus any edition of the Gun Digest Handbook of Reloading , but especially an edition written by Dean Grinnell ) are all comprehensive textbooks on the subject . Read and study the explanatory parts before ever looking at the actual data .



    Or , the old school way , be tought by your Father .
     

    Uncle Duke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2013
    11,665
    Not Far Enough from the City
    Any of the major hardbound Loading Manuals ( think Speer, Hornaday, RCBS, LEE , plus any edition of the Gun Digest Handbook of Reloading , but especially an edition written by Dean Grinnell ) are all comprehensive textbooks on the subject . Read and study the explanatory parts before ever looking at the actual data .



    Or , the old school way , be tought by your Father .


    To Biggfoot's spot on mention, Dean Grennell was (for sure) also the editor of the Second Edition of ABC's of Reloading, and may have edited other early editions as well. He had a writing style all his own, and was my favorite writer when I started to learn reloading.

    Grennell is sadly long gone now, but his writing across many publications tended to be a worthwhile blend of wit, good humor, wisdom and common sense, with the latter being from back before the common sense term got perverted. Some of his writing may be dated today, but much of what he had to say is timeless. Do indeed treat yourself, if you happen to see some of his work.
     

    DanGuy48

    Ultimate Member
    I've been thinking of showing a few guys who go to the range I use how to reload their ammo. They all have had a hard time finding factory ammo as we all have. Noone really taught me how to reload. I used videos and books/magazines to learn.
    Seeing as how even the reloading equipment is hard to find and getting more and more expensive I'm kind of hesitant to try to teach them. Also I'm concerned about the danger they face if they do something wrong when trying to load on their own. A bad accident could happen if you do one thing wrong as you all know.
    Have any of you tried to teach a newbie to reload?

    You might want to have them check this out. I sympathize with the liability concerns. They have a small selection of presses and other reloading equipment that they use on display.

    Edit: duuuuh, sorry. I just saw your location. My bad.

    https://www.hafersguns.com/reloading/
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,877
    Opps , I meant " ABCs of Reloading " , and had a brain fart .

    And for your further Historical Knowledge , Grinnell was Co- Inventor of the finally getting some respect .45 Super .

    Tom Ferguson had the initial concept , Grinnell did all the ballistic development .

    Tom Ferguson is another name for you . A mid tier gun writer in day , he was very wise and insightful , before dying too young from lead poisoning from his time as head Range Guy for San Antonio PD . ( Ferguson was the driving force for SAPD issuing .41 Mag back in the day .)
     

    Striper69

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 31, 2014
    1,400
    Iowa
    Yes , yes I have . But that's me , not telling you what to do .


    But right now isn't a good time in any case , as Primers are harder to obtain than loaded ammo .

    Small rifle primers have been popping up around here kinda frequently but yeah it isn't an ideal time to start reloading.
     

    Harrys

    Short Round
    Jul 12, 2014
    3,362
    SOMD
    Always Lots of Good Info

    Reloading is both art, mechanical, math, machine work, and most of all attention to detail. I started reloading in 1975 and learned for a Master Chief Gunners Mate when I was a sea pup. I was stationed at the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, MD. He was the range master and took care of the range in the basement of building 70.

    At that time you could use the range anytime after you went through range safety. Just sign in and start cracking rounds, clean up your brass and go. You could even check out a 45 from the armory however, you needed to provide your own ammo. The GMMC took a shine to me as I was in the range a couple times of the week. He asked If I would like to learn to reload to save money on ammo. I said yes and learned how to reload 45 auto, 30-06 and 12 gauge buck shot. His reach Uncle Sam had purchased all the equipment for him the only thing he to purchased was powder, primers and heads.

    In todays world we have courses, videos, on line forums, and good people with lots of knowledge. To show someone else how to reload is a personal preference. With that choice in todays world, their could be repercussions both good and bad. So the only advice I can provide is it will be your choice and decision only, good luck.
     

    K31

    "Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2006
    35,632
    AA county
    If I was going to do it I would get NRA Metallic Reloading instructor certification and have students sign waivers holding me harmless.
     

    770107

    Member
    Apr 15, 2022
    6
    Woodsboro
    I've been thinking of showing a few guys who go to the range I use how to reload their ammo. They all have had a hard time finding factory ammo as we all have. Noone really taught me how to reload. I used videos and books/magazines to learn.
    Seeing as how even the reloading equipment is hard to find and getting more and more expensive I'm kind of hesitant to try to teach them. Also I'm concerned about the danger they face if they do something wrong when trying to load on their own. A bad accident could happen if you do one thing wrong as you all know.
    Have any of you tried to teach a newbie to reload?
    Hi, new guy here, let me empathize with you even though this is an older post. I have read all the responses. I had the same dilemmas over the years, What I have found especially in the throws of shortages, while there is a genuine need amongst the people, maturity levels play paramount into this scenario. Most folks burning ammo at the range will say yes to learning how to reload like they would say double R bar burger at RR. The real Questions are why reload? Accuracy? Economy? Availability? Do you like to read or have the patients to read and learn? This is key. The Reloader in general seems to be a guy or gal with a slightly Analytical mind. Slightly mechanical mind. Someone whom understands cause and effect. Would have to say my quest 40 years ago reloading was begun for economy, yet I surmised Accuracy went hand in hand with the why, see cause and effect here. If it wasn't accurate, it wasn't worth the effort. Or I could economically purchase ammo cheaper than I could reload, and it was also what I expected in the Accuracy department. From experience the student is a one on one affair, with me at the Bench with them, watching the entire process from start to finish, that way we are focused on each other. And one day soon I would be able to put complete confidence in them, and sleep better at night. Patience is key....hope this was helpful.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,918
    Messages
    7,258,752
    Members
    33,348
    Latest member
    Eric_Hehl

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom