First off, Hello to everyone. I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I am also new to reloading, so new that I haven't loaded the first round yet. I started out reading books such as the Lee book and ABC's of Reloading, and I have the 48th Lyman Manual, Hogdon and IMR manuals, and I have the Speer and Hornady Manuals ordered. My main reason for wanting to reload is that I wanted a hobby, but a useful hobby. I have always loved guns and shooting. I have built myself a rather nice reloading bench and I have $1000.00 (maybe I should also mention that I am a "stuff" freak, the more the better) or more worth of equipment in my floor waiting for the finish on the bench to dry. I have bought more than I needed to start out, but I had the money at the right time and I figured I might as well strike while the iron was hot. Anyway, I wanted to introduce myself and say I'm glad to be here and will probably be asking for help and advice in the days to come. ~ Marc

Welcome. Sounds like you are going "whole hog" on the deal.

One piece of advice. If wifey-poo complains, just remind her it's far cheaper than a bar-habit..... FWIW, Dutch.

Marc, if I had had an experienced reloader with me when I started out I wish he would have told me to avoid going for maximum velocities right off the bat. My best balanced, most accurate, most pleasing to shoot loads are usually not the max velocity loads (although that does happen once in awhile, like with my .300 WinMag). Work on consistency in your techniques first, velocity later.

To begin with, concentrate on making good, basic ammo. Don't get too tied up in the esoteric stuff that some folks will tell you must be done.
Once you have your feet firmly on the ground, then you can start trying some of the finer points of reloading to see if they help you.
Welcome Aboard
By the way, ask a lot of questions and don't be embarassed to ask a "dumb" question. I daresay there isn't anything, no matter how dumb or klutzy, you can do that we haven't already done ourselves.

Welcome SC,

It is obvious you have the first required atribute... obsession!!!

While you may find you won't need most of the stuff you bought, I think you will have fun with it.

The Lyman manual has very good basic information, as well as the Hornadey manual.

My first question to you... did you buy a single stage press or a progressive press?

Welcome S C. There is no such thing as a Dumb Question. But you will shure get some Dumb Answers arround here from time to time Sounds like you are off to a good start with the bench & books & equip.

Welcome SC Gunner.

Boy have you picked a winner of a hobby. Only Golf can drive you crazy longer or faster!

Hangout, & ask anything which seems to need an explaination. Best thing is to hit the books first and grasp the theory and method of reloading.

Good luck, and welcome once again.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Best thing is to hit the books first and grasp the theory and method of reloading.

I, too, bid you a warm welcome. The above quote is of most importance. READ, READ, READ. There is no such thing as too much good literature.

Now, since you have chosen to "roll your own" I highly recommend you familiarize yourself with some good companies: MidwayUSA, Sinclair International, MidSouth Shooters Supply to name a few.

You like stuff? GET A CONCENTRICITY GAUGE!!!! That little booger will tell you more about your technique and final product than anything else in my opinion.

As goofy as you may feel, it really isn't a bad idea to wear goggles while loading your first few times. SAFETY!

Always use caution and let no one disturb you while loading. Period. Many things can go very wrong which could spell disaster at the range.

You will find that this site is a wealth of information. Many of the members have decades of experience and can supply you with endless shortcuts so you don't have to learn the hard way.

Welcome!!

Welcome aboard. What do lyou plan to reload and what kind of equipment did you buy. I'm curious, as usual. Tom Purdom

Welcome, This hobby is fun but you can get so caught up in it. If your buying STUFF get a RCBS casemaster or the Sinclair model for roundout and a ogive comparator for overall length. Keep records of what you do and have a ball.
Rob

quote:

Now, since you have chosen to "roll your own" I highly recommend you familiarize yourself with some good companies: MidwayUSA, Sinclair International, MidSouth Shooters Supply to name a few.

You like stuff? GET A CONCENTRICITY GAUGE!!!! That little booger will tell you more about your technique and final product than anything else in my opinion.


Welcome!!

Doc, A concentricity gauge...
I wouldn't wish that on any Newbie! I know the man said he likes gagets, but a concentricity gauge...

Probably my favorite, but frustrating toy/gaget. Good advice!

quote:

Originally posted by SC_Gunner:
My main reason for wanting to reload is that I wanted a hobby, but a useful hobby.

Welcome to AR, Marc. I don't think you could have picked a more useful hobby, except perhaps arc welding.

You should do well if you manage to comprehend all the good info contained in those books. I learned using the Lyman book. It spells out the complete handloading process in a way any newbie can understand. Always remember, safety first.

I don't know exactly why, but I have a feeling you're not the kind of guy to ask on his second posting, "how bigga hammer d'you dudes use to open a stuck bolt? I started at the max load but didn't go over."
I'm not kidding.

There's literally years of archived info here. Learn to use the search function.

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Doc, A concentricity gauge...
I wouldn't wish that on any Newbie! I know the man said he likes gagets, but a concentricity gauge...

Probably my favorite, but frustrating toy/gaget. Good advice!

SHHHHHH!! SHH SHHHH. SHUSH.

Boy, you don't have to tell me about frustrating. You think you just rolled 10 pristine rounds then you check them only to find out 5 will be foulers.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

Originally posted by 308Sako:
Doc, A concentricity gauge...
I wouldn't wish that on any Newbie! I know the man said he likes gagets, but a concentricity gauge...

Probably my favorite, but frustrating toy/gaget. Good advice!

SHHHHHH!! SHH SHHHH. SHUSH.

Boy, you don't have to tell me about frustrating. You think you just rolled 10 pristine rounds then you check them only to find out 5 will be foulers.

That's why I never bothered with the concentricity gauge. My stupid old gun doesn't seem to know the difference, it just keeps chucking them into the same hole!!!

Mike you're a lucky guy...don't part with that rifle!

I appreciate all the warm welcomes. I actually finished setting up my bench Sunday afternoon, and loaded 20 rounds of .38 spl that evening. I haven't had the change to try them on a target, but I did pop off a couple just to check out the cases afterwards. I must say I'm glad that I decided to invest a little money in this hobby. I really enjoyed loading those first rounds, and I think I'm hooked. ~ Marc

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
Mike you're a lucky guy...don't part with that rifle!

Doc,

I have a few rifles that are too dumb to know any better!! Sometimes it takes a good bit of trial and error to find what makes them happy, but once I find their preferances, I just keep feeding them till they burn out!!

Now if I were to start using concentricity guage, my guns might get the idea my cooking isn't as good as they thought.

Welcome Marc, There are some pretty smart fellows here.(maybe some women too but I don't think I have met any yet)
What part of SC do you live?

quote:

Originally posted by SC_Gunner:
maybe I should also mention that I am a "stuff" freak, the more the better ~ Marc

Stuff:

RCBS Case Master
Hornady Head & Shoulders Gauge
Hornady Comparator set
Hornady OAL Gauge (you'll need an appropriate caliber modified case)
RCBS Chargemaster
K & M outside neck turner
Bersin Tool described here

are we up to $1,000.00 yet?

Starrett caliper

And a neck sizer, body die, competition seater and factory crimp die in each caliber.

I think we made it.

Remshooter, I am in Spartanburg.