New to the site , New to the hobby, I picked up a used reloader RCBS, to try to feed my springfield, 03A3, and looking for pointers, Am I in the correct part of the site???

First of all welcome.

As to the right place. Depends on your next question. If you are looking more for reloading advice I would post my question on "reloading" more general questions as to a medium bore would go here.

There is another room on down the list that is dedicated to reloading but my first advice is to get a good reloading book and read it cover to cover a couple of times. hornady is a good one as is lyman's. The ABC's of reloading is good.

I'd also recommend the latest Sierra manual. Your '06 should be easy to load for. Read the manuals thru several times so you understand the basics then start slowly.
Reloading really isn't that difficult - just pay attention to what you're doing.
Good luck & enjoy.
Bear in Fairbanks

Welcome to the forum. Another good book, assuming you can get by the "bragging" is the Lee loading manual. Like the others have suggested- read, research, listen in to conversations on the reloading section and you can glean some real wisdom. I've been fortunate to get some real good advice and put it to use. Above all, be safe! Like Bear said, you have to pay attention to details. No TV, etc. Focus...all it takes is a bit of distraction and you've got a case without any powder. You might breath a sigh of relief if you can't chamber another round behind it. You might not breath again if you CAN chamber another round. I was lucky enough when I started to have the first of these occur, not the second!

Doug

All true; your first task is to get a good loading manual (I like Hornady) and read it a few times and really understand how the basics work. Then post your questions in the reloading section of this forum and you will have thousands of guys ready to answer you. Be wary of general stuff on the net; lots of good info and lots of BS. Lots of details you do not need to worry about for now too.

Thanks to all, I am comforted by the fact that there seems to be agreement amongst you as to where/ how to start, The reloader set I have came from an old timer who retired,came with damn near everything, minus a case trimmer and a brass tumbler, have 4 manuals, Lyman, Sierra, Speer, and NRA handloaders Guide, Its a crap load of info to digest, a bit overwhelming, not really sure where to start, Thanks again, Aris

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Its a crap load of info to digest, a bit overwhelming, not really sure where to start, Thanks again, Aris

As the others have said take a couple of the manuals and first read the instruction portion. After you have done that I'm sure you will have some questions. As to case trimmer, a simple lee tool will work for most peoples needs. I loaded for 5-8yrs before I bought a tumbler. Just noticed my Hornady manual was printed in 1973.

Once you are comfortable with the directions then pick one cartridge you want to start with. Don't try and run before you start walking.

As others said loading isn't that hard. You just need to pay attention and be consistent.

Aris, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a good start with regard to reloading equipment. When I started a few years back, I too felt pretty overwhelmed. I would suggest that you find someone that reloads and watch them a few times. That was helpful for me. Also, some of the larger gun shops conduct reloading classes. You are in for some fun.

Welcome Aris
There are a lot of really good handloaders on this site. I am not including myself in that group but all of us had to start from scratch too. It is a good bit to learn and for some of us we get so involved that we never stop learning.
It is a bit like learning a new language. The more you learn the more you can learn.
Just remember don't approach it like it has some schedule and some finite limit. Do not even think about the time just let it come to you at a comfortable pace.
There are several well known recipes for the 30-06 that work like water though a hose. Get one of those loads. Then learn how to successfully resize brass, seat new primers, load the charge and seat the bullet.
Learn good work habits so you do not make a mistake.

quote:

Originally posted by Aris:
Thanks to all, I am comforted by the fact that there seems to be agreement amongst you as to where/ how to start, The reloader set I have came from an old timer who retired,came with damn near everything, minus a case trimmer and a brass tumbler, have 4 manuals, Lyman, Sierra, Speer, and NRA handloaders Guide, Its a crap load of info to digest, a bit overwhelming, not really sure where to start, Thanks again, Aris

Aris,

One more welcome to the site. It is a great resource.

If your manuals are older (more than say 10 years), I would strongly suggest you get a couple of brand new ones. Lyman puts out one of the best in terms of instructions on how to load safely, IMHO.

There are a few reasons: powders change over time, the people that make the manuals have better equipment today and have more accurate pressure readings, there are a lot of new powders/bullets/cases that didn't exist way back when.

Again, welcome, and don't be afraid to ask any questions. The stupidest question is the one not asked.

Jeremy

Welcome to AR and welcome to reloading!

As it can be a bit overwhelming at first, may I suggest that you dedicate the lionshare of your focus to saftey in the begining. Meaning safty in reloading and making safe loads. Then work your way up to things like accuracy and tuning a load to a specific rifle once you have your mind well wrapped around safe reloading practices.

Hi and Welcome!

All good advice. Not much more left to say except, maybe:

1. Work clean. Keep your area clear of clutter, and only work on one project at a time, at least in the beginning.

2. Develop the habit of inspecting carefully (after every step). If it looks in the least dodgy, strip it or dump it. In time, you will learn what causes what, and what is critical or not.

3. Try to develop a 'system' for everything you do. An orderly production line is generally a good one. And you shouldn't be working to a deadline (yet). By the time you do get to working to a deadline, your 'systems' should help keeping things safe.

You DO realize that you're never going to be the same, don't you?

Best advice I can give, and the others who have responded have "been there, done that" and are offering really straight advice. You notice; no one jokes around when talking of reloading.
1. Start with modest loads with medium burning rate powders. IMR4064 or H-414 or W-W 760 powder and 150 grain bullets are a good starting point.
2. Don't be tempted to hot rod the loads. Strive for accuracy. You can't see how fast the bullets move with the naked eye but you can see the results on the target.
3. Take notes on what you are doing. It's as important to know inaccurate loads as accurate ones.
4. And, as oft repeated, read you manuals. Then reread.
Good luck and you are embarking on an enjoyable hobby.