Reloading 101

[bakamorgan]

Was looking at some reloading kits just to see whats out there since I'm still on the fence if I want to start doing it or not.

While reading Lee's site and looking at the 44 mag pistol loader I saw this.

"Please note: the Classic Lee Loader neck sizes only. This is not recommended for semi, pump and lever action guns."

So is there something I would need to know about making some rounds for a lever action?

Also once I got the hang of doing a 44 mag how easy/hard would it to say switch over to another caliber say like the 45 acp since the voices in my head keep telling me to buy a 1911.

If anyones got any other sites to help me understand reloading let me know. Just trying to edjumakate my self a little.

[model55]

Neck sizing is just resizing that part of the case which grips the bullet.That was the way I started with a 303 british years ago.Someone else will have to say if it will work for a lever gun.Some levers even require fairly tight dies (small base) but I would think the revolver caliber guns would not.

[alnitak]

I am a novice compared to the experience on this forum. However, I started about 7-8 years ago with the .44 mag/spl and a Lee hand-loader. Still use it today. Very simple to load for different calibers...just change the dies. I prefer the Lee 4-die set with the Factory Crimp Die (FCD). They run about $25 used and $45 new. I moved from .44 to 9mm to .38/.357 to .45-70 and now .45 acp all with the same basic set-up.

Many threads on the forum re: getting started in the hobby. Hopefully a search will turn up a number that can address your specific questions. Welcome!

[bakamorgan]

yea, I was using the search function and I was getting a bunch of info. Trying to bounce between the interwebs and whats on here gets a little overwhelming for a first time reading. Figured I would just ask some noob questions and see where it leads me.

[claybob86]

Might be a good idea to buy a reloading manual such as published by Lyman, Speer or someone like that. These manuals provide all the basic knowledge you need to get started as well as load data for whatever you might want to reload. (I like to compare data from as many sources as possible prior to deciding on a load.) As for reloading the .44 Magnum, I've always full length resized the cases with good results. I'm not familiar with the concept of neck sizing a straight wall case, but I guess it can be done...

[piller]

+1 to what claybob said. Lyman's, Speer's, Lee's, and one other manual of your choice should be a good start. Use them all and start and stop where they all agree. I load some things kind of hot, but by following the manuals, I have never had anything blow up. I full length size all my straight wall cases, but that is my preference. I like the carbide dies from RCBS for this step. Once they are set and locked in, you don't have to worry about them again. I do love Hornady's locking rings and have replaced some of the lock rings on my RCBS dies with the Hornady rings. But, for straight wall pistol type cases, get a carbide die and full length size them and you will be fine.

[mikld]

Lee's Loader will full length size straight sided cartridges like the .44 Magnum, their mention of neck sizing applies to bottle necked cartridges. A Lee Loader is for one specific cartridge (except for some ammo like .38/.357 Magnum and .44 Special/Magnum) and cannot easily be modified. You may want to look at Lee's Hand Loader that uses standard 7/8-14 dies for expanding your reloading to 45 ACP (that is if you don't want to go to a single stage "C" ot "O" type press).

"The ABCs of Reloading" is a good text to learn what reloading is all about. Describes the equipment needed too.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... ooks%2C593

P.S. Listen to those guys in your head, they're your friends...

[AJMD429]

Lee's Loader will full length size straight sided cartridges like the .44 Magnum, their mention of neck sizing applies to bottle necked cartridges.

Yep. I reloaded my first several thousand rounds on one of their 'mallet' kits, and shot them without problems in my Marlin 1894 and Ruger Super Blackhawk.

For ease of use and efficiency now, I prefer the Lee Turret press (4-hole), but use the lee 'hand press' with a universal de-capper for de-priming and inspection of brass, as that's the ONE reloading step I do in the livingroom while watching a movie.

[Griff]

For the umpteenth time I paraphrase my thoughts on reloading. FIRST: Buy as many reloading manuals as you can afford. I'd start off with the Lyman 49th Edition of their Reloading Handbook. Their "how to" reload section will be detailed and instructive. It will give you the steps necessary and point out some common pitfalls. Although they will mention their products (I would also), the instructions are NOT brand specific. Both the Speer and Sierra reloading manuals are as good. (I started with the old 2-set Sierra reloading guides). And even tho' my brother-in-law had started me on reloading... he ain't the most detailed oriented guy... and you need to pay strict attention to the details when reloading.

The huge decision you need to make is how much reloading are you going to do. I started reloading so that I could custom formulate my ammo for what I wanted... not what some ammo manufacturer thought my needs were. For home defense and general plinking... that might necessarily be the prime consideration for reloading... unless you're going to be doing a LOT of plinking.

Reloading does NOT save you any money. It just allows you to shoot more for the same amount of $s!

The Lee Loader kits are for the one caliber, one gun type shooter. Someone who's going to buy a box of ammo and then just wants to reload that single box. I have one of those for my .30-30. It's still unused... someone gave it to me when I got my first .30-30. But... I already had a RCBS press and dies for the .30-30 and for my .44 Magnum.

Neck sizing is fine as long as you're only reloading brass that's been fired in the gun you're reloading for. And that gun has no anomolies in the chamber. Brass tends to "spring back" to just a tad under the chamber dimensions after firing... and if neck sized, will (read should) be easily chambered in the that same rifle after being reloaded. The only guns where that MIGHT be a real issue are self-loaders (common refered to as semi-autos or automatics). Point is, that it is only spring tension rather than mechanical leverage that chambers a round.

IMO, a new reloader would be well set up with any of the "beginner" style press kits, as long as they have the ability to load a variety of calibers. It didn't take me more than a few minutes after I bought my first .30-30 to decided that I wanted to reload for it as well as my .44Mag! Most presses will handle anything from .25Auto to shy of .50BMG.. (just an example, as I don't know what the range really is). Some of the longer, traditional BP rifle calibers will be a mite long to load easily, but my 2-5/8" .40-90SBN cases will load on any standard press; I just have to wiggle the bullet up inside the seater die with the ram at the very bottom of its stroke.

That oughta be enough to add to the confusion!