reloading questions/advice if you would please?

[youngolddude]

I'll give you some examples in .45 ACP using 230 gr. RN lead bullets. 1.23" OAL
231- 4.0 gr. @ 661 fps, 5.8 gr. @ 902 fps
Titegroup- 4.5 gr. @ 735 fps, 5.1 gr. @ 841 fps
Unique- 5.5 gr. @ 695 fps, 7.3 gr. @ 905 fps
Pick something in between to start and load 10-20 rounds to test for function. Use a case gauge to find out of spec ammo. Do not use a barrel as a cheap alternative. I've gotten ftf at a match with out of spec ammo because I used a barrel. A round nose is most like a fmj and you can always get swc to try other loads. I've used 185 and 200 gr. swc successfully in my guns.
If you think you might want to load other calibers, try to pick a powder that would work with all or most of what you would do. I don't want a bunch of different ones if I can help it.
Cheapest bullets are lubed lead, but many companies offer coated bullets for a bit more. My last order came from Bear Creek bullets which are moly coated. Large pistol primers are more expensive than small and not as easy to find. You can also order .45 ACP brass with small pistol primer pockets and they are reportedly no different in firing than the large.
When I first started reloading, I bought 200 pieces of .44 Magnum brass.
You will not save money, but shoot more for the same amount you otherwise would have spent.

 

[Old_Me]

ok, so many of you recall i have a Dillon 550C, and a Lee Pro-4000

on the Dillon, at the time, i could only get Lee dies, in whatever caliber i wanted, as the shortages hit the reloading world, as you also recall.

i had been reloading 45 ACP on the Dillon, and the Lee crimping die always made it difficult to get the cartridge into the die for a taper crimp....sometimes, as i lowered the ram, it would also pull out the bullet!

so i said screw this, and searched Dillon's website for dies.

i only bought the crimping die.

i just set it up, and it works like BUTTER..

no hang-ups going into the die or lowering the ram when done.

in the following pics, you can see the somewhat narrow opening Lee die, compared to the Dillons wider open die.

you can also see the differences in the shell casing sitting into the dies.

Dillon's crimping die for the 45 ACP was about $48 with tax/shipping..

i look forward to the 200 rounds i have to reload in a few days

Dillon on the left, Lee on the right

 

[Shootist43]

ok, so i got that new credit card the other day, but sleep schedules have been off, so to order what i want will actually be for another day.

i have "planned" on getting the Lee Pro 4000 from one of the online places i do business with.

my first choice of ammo to reload will be .45 ACP, as this is my favorite to shoot.

i "may" buy other dies and plates for (maybe) 38 special, 357, 9mm, and maybe 44 special (even though i haven't any 44 caliber gun, and may never own a 44 caliber gun. my "thoughts" are geared up, for when i go to sell the equipment, i can offer more to the buyer and not limit myself to only the .45 ACP, if you get what i mean?

ok, so i got a hold of a possible purchase of used tumbler and digital scale (Frankford Arsenal) from a RSO.

then i still need a bullet puller, case gauges (maybe one block, rather than separate ones) and a few other odds and ends, like a digital caliper for OAL measurements.

i already have the latest Lyman reloading book. i know that the gun powder websites have specs, as well as another book (or 2) will be in my future.

now, regarding just the gun powder, i'd like "smoke free"? and if so, what do YOU reloaders use for good, dependable, gunpowder for a new guy like me, that right now, just wants, near factory specs. at my age, i am not into competitions, or hot loads, PLUS it is NOT smart to go off the specs for anything BUT factory specs.

as far as primers, i know i'll need (if i can find them) large pistol and small pistol primers. name brand not withstanding, price may dictate what i can buy.

as far as bullets, i have heard of Berry's, and a few others that i have in my search favorite, but what is the general consensus of what YOU buy?

right now, we all know cost is a factor, i clean my guns regularly, so leading may not be an issue, if i do not go FMJ bullets.

also, do ANY of you write down your "recipes" for your reloads, as well as day, date, performance, maybe lot number of the powder, etc, etc?

i will have other questions in the near future, thanks in advance to all that read and help, advise, recommend..!!

Most of what you are talking about makes sense and there are plenty of people willing to offer advice. But, I think the way to start, once you have equipment, is with recommended loads from what ever powder manufacturer you choose to use. Again the recommendations for types of powder everybody has their favorite. So if you choose to start with, let's say, Winchester, look at their loading manuals, all available on line, and start with the lower third of the range they recommend. Somebody's favorite load may work perfectly for them in THEIR GUN, but not so perfect in your gun, even if the same model. So read the posts but take everything with a grain of salt, or powder.
I didn't read all of the posts but in the few I did Dillon's Precision was missing. Dillon (call and get one of their catalogs and get on their list) makes progressive presses (google it if you don't know what that is) which is what you want if you are a pistol shooter. A progressive press is what you want if you are a pistolero because you may shoot hundreds of rounds per week which most rifle shooters don't do.
I have two Dillon Square Deal B's which only load pistol rounds. I have used them to load 100's of thousands of rounds over almost 40 years. Never, well almost never, a problem. But if something does go wrong they will help you determine what's wrong, and send any parts you might need free, shipping paid. Lifetime warranty for real. Even if it is your fault, like you can't get it together after cleaning, or you lost a screw or bearing. FREE - LIFETIME. I have dies for 6 or 7 different calibers for guns I have owned over the years but don't buy dies until you need them. If you think you might load rifle cartridges you will need to step up from the Square Deal B. I'm not a rifleman so they were fine for me.
Some folks reload because they enjoy it, like a hobby in itself. Me I find it boring and tiring for my right arm. I loaded all that ammo because it used to be much cheaper than factory ammo. Not so much anymore and primers are hard to find reasonably priced. Once started you'll be buying them 5,000 at a time. On my presses I can load 100 rds. in less than 15 minutes - which is a bit less than 400 per hour. What I typically do is every time I walk past the press I sit down and load 100 rounds. Anybody can find 10-15 minutes to load. An hour might be harder to find.
I'm an NRA certified reloading instructor but I think this place frowns on advertising or posting email addresses. But I'm retired and would be happy to get you started. Free, like Dillon.
I just read a few posts and learned Dillon is backordered. Still, there is a reason they are backordered.

 

[Old_Me]

Most of what you are talking about makes sense and there are plenty of people willing to offer advice. But, I think the way to start, once you have equipment, is with recommended loads from what ever powder manufacturer you choose to use. Again the recommendations for types of powder everybody has their favorite. So if you choose to start with, let's say, Winchester, look at their loading manuals, all available on line, and start with the lower third of the range they recommend. Somebody's favorite load may work perfectly for them in THEIR GUN, but not so perfect in your gun, even if the same model. So read the posts but take everything with a grain of salt, or powder.
I didn't read all of the posts but in the few I did Dillon's Precision was missing. Dillon (call and get one of their catalogs and get on their list) makes progressive presses (google it if you don't know what that is) which is what you want if you are a pistol shooter. A progressive press is what you want if you are a pistolero because you may shoot hundreds of rounds per week which most rifle shooters don't do.
I have two Dillon Square Deal B's which only load pistol rounds. I have used them to load 100's of thousands of rounds over almost 40 years. Never, well almost never, a problem. But if something does go wrong they will help you determine what's wrong, and send any parts you might need free, shipping paid. Lifetime warranty for real. Even if it is your fault, like you can't get it together after cleaning, or you lost a screw or bearing. FREE - LIFETIME. I have dies for 6 or 7 different calibers for guns I have owned over the years but don't buy dies until you need them. If you think you might load rifle cartridges you will need to step up from the Square Deal B. I'm not a rifleman so they were fine for me.
Some folks reload because they enjoy it, like a hobby in itself. Me I find it boring and tiring for my right arm. I loaded all that ammo because it used to be much cheaper than factory ammo. Not so much anymore and primers are hard to find reasonably priced. Once started you'll be buying them 5,000 at a time. On my presses I can load 100 rds. in less than 15 minutes - which is a bit less than 400 per hour. What I typically do is every time I walk past the press I sit down and load 100 rounds. Anybody can find 10-15 minutes to load. An hour might be harder to find.
I'm an NRA certified reloading instructor but I think this place frowns on advertising or posting email addresses. But I'm retired and would be happy to get you started. Free, like Dillon.
I just read a few posts and learned Dillon is backordered. Still, there is a reason they are backordered.

well since i originally started this thread, it's been just over 2 years now of reloading.

i'd have to go get my reloading log books and then give you a near total of how many rounds i have made.

but i know its at least over 5,000

i only reload pistol, and pretty much just 9mm and 45 ACP

i have several up to date reloading books, and yes, i do check the powder website as well for more updates.

i switched from lead bullets to poly-coated 45, and the 9mm's are now copper coated

too much smoke from using lead bullets, and i no longer have to wear latex gloves, just to handle the lead

 

[3L120]

well since i originally started this thread, it's been just over 2 years now of reloading.

i'd have to go get my reloading log books and then give you a near total of how many rounds i have made.

but i know its at least over 5,000

i only reload pistol, and pretty much just 9mm and 45 ACP

i have several up to date reloading books, and yes, i do check the powder website as well for more updates.

i switched from lead bullets to poly-coated 45, and the 9mm's are now copper coated

too much smoke from using lead bullets, and i no longer have to wear latex gloves, just to handle the lead

Should have known this started as your post ! Reloading is either a passion or an intense dislike. Started the game in 1979, with 7.65 Mauser. Have dies for 38+/- calibers. Some calibers have made it cheaper to buy new, think 9mm, some have got to the point of being better for reloading , think 38. I have no presses except a Rockchucker and a Herters C. No progressives, no turrets, etc. The ‘ zen” of reloading carries me through and I never consider time at the bench as wasted time!

 

[Old_Me]

Should have known this started as your post ! Reloading is either a passion or an intense dislike. Started the game in 1979, with 7.65 Mauser. Have dies for 38+/- calibers. Some calibers have made it cheaper to buy new, think 9mm, some have got to the point of being better for reloading , think 38. I have no presses except a Rockchucker and a Herters C. No progressives, no turrets, etc. The ‘ zen” of reloading carries me through and I never consider time at the bench as wasted time!

well whether it is my Lee or Dillon, i use each as a single stage press....i have tried more than a few times to use them as progressives, but even at my slow working speeds, i get "mucked up" to the point where..."one at a time works best for me"

also too, unlike some of you here, i had absolutely NO mentor to guide me..i had to refer to youtube videos, and sites like this for advice, and believe me, i joined the Queen Mary of sites to gather up all the information i could.

it was a slow process to learn, but my former days of a wrencher helped me assemble, adjust, the produce many rounds of ammo

is reloading a "passion" for me..??? NO

but it is a part of the hobby/sport i wanted to learn and do, much like when i was wrenching or driving trucks, i wanted more knowledge of my trades as i cannot stand to at least try and learn more.

do i "dislike" reloading....NO.......

cuz if i did..??

i would have sold my reloading room..........long ago.

i am into reloading for a while longer...how long...???

well........i think the "man up stairs", will give me a signal to stop

unless....he goes out for a beer, and forgets to let me know......