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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Need a teacher
#412525
08/24/08 01:16 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191
aggie96
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191 |
Ok guys, I live in Longview and I want to learn to reload. My old boss gave me some RCBS reloading equipment, and i was wondering if anyone on here is from Longview and would like to teach me the art of reloading for long guns. Any help would be appreciated.
So many fish so little time
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: aggie96]
#412526
08/24/08 04:38 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 31
Cobbershot
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 31 |
Gidday aggie96...I'm not from Longview...Australia actually... but from my experience, the first thing you should look at doing is heading out and buying yourself a couple of current Handloading Manuals. Sit down and have a good read to familiarise yourself with the individual reloading components, tools and expressions/nomenclature.
Once you have an basic understanding of the tools and procedures then you can start asking questions....as many as you can think of...of those with handloading experience. And remember...there is no such thing as a stupid question, other than the one you don't ask.
That, realistically, is the start point for the compulsion, addiction that we call handloading.
Good luck mate.
Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum (Never let the bastards grind you down) It's been lonely in the saddle since the horsey died. 
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: Cobbershot]
#412527
08/24/08 05:03 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,735
helomech
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 13,735 |
Vince gave you some great advice, get some manuals and read, and read again. I taught myself, by reading the manual. It really isn't hard, just need to follow the procedures.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: helomech]
#412528
08/24/08 01:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264 |
Agree with Vince and Helo. 90% of the reloading manuals spend time talking about the steps involved and safety. Lots of sites that are devoted to reloading. I've just re-started after a 20 year layoff and am teaching my 9 year old Grandson.
Pay close attention, stay 100% sober, and weigh every charge. Don't trust the powder throws and never start with the max load.
OTOH, a local mentor can help.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#412529
08/24/08 08:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,026
psycho0819
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,026 |
What they said, 3x!
I taught myself how to reload as well. It's really only as difficult as you want it to be. I get pretty in-depth, but I try to squeeze every tenth of an inch out of every rifle I own. Some (most) people are not that picky. But even following the most basic steps can yield results that make you wonder why you ever spent all that money on factory ammo.
All great advice above. Just one thing about receiving reloading advice online. Never, ever, take someone else's load data and just blindly load it for your own gun. ALWAYS back the load down about 10% and work your way back up, watching for pressure signs on every round you fire. That's about all I have to add.
Jay
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.
The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: psycho0819]
#412530
08/27/08 05:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 60
TexasShooter
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 60 |
the only thing I would add is I would suggest that you get a reloading manual that is printed and sold by the same company that made your press. I know they all say pretty much the same thing, but I found when I started that the manual I got with my press helped me learn alot about how my press worked as well. Any of the good ones will do but If you have RCBS start out with a RCBS manual.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: aggie96]
#412531
08/27/08 06:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334
PrimitiveHunter
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334 |
What kind of stuff did he give you? There are a lot of little tools you'll need in addition to the big pieces as you progress.
A few of the small tools are a primer pocket brush, a case trimmer, a case mouth brush, and a set of calipers (cheap ones work fine). If you reload a round for use in one rifle only, get a set of neck sizing dies. That will save tons of time, effort, and case wear. Keep you eyes peeled for a used (or new) tumbler. It's not a requirement but it's nice to always have clean brass.
You need a 3 ring binder for each caliber you load. You need to keep notes on everything that worked and everything that didn't work. Some things you think you'll never forget but trust me, you will. Before I gave all my stuff away, I had 4 load manuals. Speer, Hornady, Hogden, and Sierra would make a good set.
Practice doesn’t make perfect.
Practice makes permanent.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: PrimitiveHunter]
#412532
08/27/08 08:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,679
redchevy
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Posts: 40,679 |
I would definately get a manual and do some reading. Then get the equipment and go throught he motions, it is that easy. Make sure on your powder charge, and then show them to someone who knows about and you should be fine. I wouldnt run out and buy alot of extras, I have never used a primer pocket or a case neck brush and dont see the need. I also think a three ring binder is a little over kill. I am not going to say that I am a great reloader, but all my guns shoot sub moa, which aint hard but its good enough for me. Just saying do some playin with what you got before you go out and spend gobs of money, because you can rack it up quick.
matt
Last edited by redchevy; 08/27/08 08:34 PM.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: redchevy]
#412533
08/28/08 12:29 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334
PrimitiveHunter
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334 |
I guess you really only have to get as detailed as you want. I used to hunt with a guy that was too cheap to buy his own press so he'd come over to my house to load his 7Mag ammo. He didn't even measure the powder. He just poured it in till it came up to some level he had determined was correct and seated the bullet. That rifle (Rem BDL) shot so well that half the guys in the County were trying to buy it and finally one did.
Practice doesn’t make perfect.
Practice makes permanent.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: PrimitiveHunter]
#412534
08/28/08 01:41 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,679
redchevy
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Well I aint cheap, just dont throw money at things I dont use, and I weight every powder charge.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: redchevy]
#412535
08/28/08 10:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264 |
PH, you said a mouthful about a separate 3 ring binder. I used to just make notes in the manual. Then, over time, I wound up with a bunch of different manuals by either powder or bullet manufacturers.
OK, I will make a 3 ring binder. I'm getting too old to remember anything.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: redchevy]
#412536
08/28/08 11:26 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334
PrimitiveHunter
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,334 |
Quote:
Well I aint cheap, just dont throw money at things I dont use, and I weight every powder charge.
Just to be clear, I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about a real situation with a real guy that I used to hunt with. My point was actually in support of your statement and my intent was to agree that you don't have to buy every tool available.
Maybe I did more than was required but I cleaned the primer pocket every time. I checked the case length every time. I trimmed the cases every other time I fired them. I neck sized my cases so I lightly lubed the inside of the case neck every time before I re-sized. Based on my notes, I used the calipers to set my seating die every time I changed caliber. I tumbled my cases in walnut hulls every three loadings. I threw my brass away after 10 loadings regardless of the integrity/appearance of the case. I kept my cases segregated by their respective number of loadings. And I kept notes about primer/case/powder/bullet combinations that worked well or didn't work at all. Since I was loading 3 pistol calibers and 4 rifle calibers, there's no way I could keep all that straight in my head.
So I'm sure I wasted a lot of time and some amount of money but my goal was not to load cheaply. My goal was to load rounds that shot better than anything I could buy off the shelf. I guess it depends on why you're loading and what you expect to achieve.
Practice doesn’t make perfect.
Practice makes permanent.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: PrimitiveHunter]
#412537
08/30/08 02:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,026
psycho0819
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2005
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Quote:
Maybe I did more than was required but I cleaned the primer pocket every time. I checked the case length every time. I trimmed the cases every other time I fired them. I neck sized my cases so I lightly lubed the inside of the case neck every time before I re-sized. Based on my notes, I used the calipers to set my seating die every time I changed caliber. I tumbled my cases in walnut hulls every three loadings. I threw my brass away after 10 loadings regardless of the integrity/appearance of the case. I kept my cases segregated by their respective number of loadings. And I kept notes about primer/case/powder/bullet combinations that worked well or didn't work at all. Since I was loading 3 pistol calibers and 4 rifle calibers, there's no way I could keep all that straight in my head.
So I'm sure I wasted a lot of time and some amount of money but my goal was not to load cheaply. My goal was to load rounds that shot better than anything I could buy off the shelf. I guess it depends on why you're loading and what you expect to achieve.
Same here, and then some. Initial brass prep is where I spend most of my time.
Some good results can be had by just dropping powder in and packing a bullet on top. Truly great results USUALLY require that extra effort some of us will spend time to achieve. It's certainly not required for everyone. But to me, being as compulsive as I am, it is. And I've never seen a bolt action rifle that I couldn't get MOA or better from. Most, much better. It's all about eliminating variables.
I started out like everyone else, using the basic steps in the manuals. And loved the results right away. But it slowly progressed into an obsession to make every round exactly the same as the next, and previous, in every aspect.
Jay
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.
The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: psycho0819]
#412538
09/06/08 11:25 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 881
MarkG
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 881 |
And if you buy an old Lyman manual and the say #4831 powder they are not intending imr4831 but rather H4831...and yes learned that the hard way, but did come up with so really hot loads that had no pressure signs.
I35roofing.com
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: MarkG]
#412539
09/08/08 12:47 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264 |
I am ignorant about the difference in H4831 and IMR4831. What differences are there? Thanks
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#412540
09/08/08 12:37 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,026
psycho0819
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,026 |
H4831 is made by Hodgdon Powders. I4831 is made by IMR Powders (Dupont).
Jay
Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction.
The end of the world began the day it was created, and life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: psycho0819]
#412541
09/08/08 02:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264 |
Yeah, I know that but thought that the H4831 was no longer made and don't want to mess up anything. Especially me.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#412542
09/08/08 03:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
gramps
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gramps
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
Quote:
I am ignorant about the difference in H4831 and IMR4831. What differences are there? Thanks
Don’t fell lonesome. Just double check your specific charts.
Hodgdon is a distrubtor of powder. Now also owner of the IMR production line.
IMR series powders were made, and marketed, by DuPont brand of past years. Production of IMR brand has moved to Canada. Now owned by Hodgdon as of a couple of years ago.
The H4831, I believe is made in Oz by ADI (Australian Defence Industries)
H4831 I believe is the same as ADI AR2213
http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/powder.asp
“A slow burning rate rifle powder for cartridges such as .270 Winchester and 300 Winchester Magnum. AR2213SC replaced AR2213 in the Australian reloading market. AR2213 had been produced by ADI only for supply to the Australian reloading market and was only manufactured every three to four years. As a result, the powder that reached the shooter may not be of recent manufacture and stockout situations occasionally occurred. ADI produces AR2213SC for the North American reloading market and is in regular production. This enables ADI to be in a better position to guarantee supply. “
H4831, and AR2213 are proably the same powders sold under diff names.
H4831Sc, and AR2213SC are proably the same powder also sold under diff names.
Short Cut is produced to better feed through powder dumps.
See the below burning rate chart for each powder. Always watch for variation in lot to lot of powder. I would also check the specific powder manufacure web or manual for loads.
Some of the Burn rate Table.
http://stevespages.com/table3.html
fast
186 IMR-4831
187 AR-2213
188 H-450
189 Magnum
190 Magpro
191 R-905
192 W-785
193 N-160
194 H-4831
196 AA-3100
196 MRP
197 N-560
198 RL-22
slow
* This means IMR4831 and H4831 data are not interchangeable.
I have heard the H4831 and H4831SC have intechangeable load data.
 
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.�
~ John Muir
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#412543
09/08/08 03:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
gramps
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gramps
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
I am wondering if the IMR series will over time be phased out since Hodgdon is rebottling and renaming eveything H. Sure make keeping up hard and the Old IMR is a benchmark powder for loading charts and manuals.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in,
where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.�
~ John Muir
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: jeh7mmmag]
#412544
09/08/08 05:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,264 |
Thanks James, the numbers had me wondering and thinking. When I start thinking, I usually either get hurt or fall asleep.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: Dave Davidson]
#412545
09/10/08 02:32 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
sako220
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 13 |
If you go to as many component manufacturer websites as possible they have qualified people answering questions sent to them from the general public. It will give you insight into a lot of mistakes others have made.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: sako220]
#412546
10/02/08 03:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 64
LKT
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 64 |
If still in doubt....check Greens Gun and Range in Marshal, I'm sure somebody there can put you on the right track.
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Re: Need a teacher
[Re: LKT]
#412547
10/06/08 08:57 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191
aggie96
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 191 |
Thanks. I am looking for someone that would be willing to come over to my place and help me with the setup of the equipment and so forth. I guess there must not be alot of people in Longview that reloads.
So many fish so little time
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