I'm very new to firearms and just bought a Lee progressive loader along with some dies and a Lyman's reloading book. I would really like to take a class to get myself familiar with reloading. Does such a thing exist here in Maryland? I have seen reloading classes available at Hyatts in NC. http://www.hyattgunstore.com/introduction-to-reloading-class-learn-from-the-pros.html
Reloading Class
- Thread starter Navyblue
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Machodoc
Old Guy
Good question. I don't know of any, but it's something that you can do pretty much on your own, and with a little help from your MD Shooter friends. First, read, read, and read. It's essentially a simple process, but you want to be able to clearly see the overall picture of what you are doing before you get started You'll start picking up on that if you read enough and see what basic things keep popping up in each book. Then, if you have questions, come here and ask them. With luck, there may be someone nearby willing to have you come over and see how things are done. Real mentors are a good thing, but we also have YouTube now.
I'd probably start with Sierra's reloading manual and The ABCs of Reloading. (I haven't actually read The ABCs, but it gets lots of good endorsements from people around here.)
I'd also eventually add to that Lee's reloading manual--especially if you are going to buy Lee equipment. Lee's stuff is the most affordable on the market. You'll hear lots of folks say how much better other brands are, but I can tell you that you can get perfectly good results with Lee gear, once you learn how to work with it correctly. You don't need a Rolls Royce if all you need to do is drive to church on Sunday.
I'd probably start with Sierra's reloading manual and The ABCs of Reloading. (I haven't actually read The ABCs, but it gets lots of good endorsements from people around here.)
I'd also eventually add to that Lee's reloading manual--especially if you are going to buy Lee equipment. Lee's stuff is the most affordable on the market. You'll hear lots of folks say how much better other brands are, but I can tell you that you can get perfectly good results with Lee gear, once you learn how to work with it correctly. You don't need a Rolls Royce if all you need to do is drive to church on Sunday.
ProShooter
Ultimate Member
Check NRAinstructors.org
Wojo
What's that Smell
Bob at http://www.marylandreloadr.com/index.html gives lessons when you buy a Dillon from him. Not sure if he would give you a lesson for $$$ but maybe just give him a call and check.
Read, read and read is very sound advice indeed! And "The ABC's of Reloading" would also be my recommendation for where to start. ABC's is not a load data manual. You'll need good data also, and preferably from more than one industry standard source. ABC's is rather a good broad overview of the reloading topic.
A class and a mentor are both great ideas.....but it typically isn't always easy to find either. Don't let that stop you if you wish to pursue the hobby. I'd venture to say that most reloaders are self taught. The hobby certainly doesn't require a degree from Harvard, but neither is it an activity to take lightly, any more than handling a firearm would be. It requires some basic knowledge and understanding, a very definite attention to detail, and the good sound common sense judgment to follow instructions and guidelines from tested and trusted industry sources. With that awareness and that mindset, you'll begin to establish the foundation you'll need to begin a very rewarding hobby. And you'll do just fine!
Talk with Bob Markert (DR Bob) at FreeState. I believe he was thinking about putting a class together.
CFCE
Active Member
July issue of Gun World magazine has a pretty good primer on reloading.
browning guy
SCRUFFY NERF HERDER
What area are you in? I am always willing to help out someone just getting started.
pleasant1911
Ultimate Member
- Apr 12, 2012
- 10,408
Read, read, read, and re read, and then go make few rounds with all different specs, and then go test. take a rest bag, and a notebook with you to the range.
I agree with the rest.
Op: while you are waiting for your stuff to come in. I suggest get the "ABC's of Reloading" and start reading to at least get some really basic information under your belt.
By the time we set a date to meet, can help you set-up/started and answer your questions.
Op: while you are waiting for your stuff to come in. I suggest get the "ABC's of Reloading" and start reading to at least get some really basic information under your belt.
By the time we set a date to meet, can help you set-up/started and answer your questions.
As suggested, Read and watch videos and know that some stuff you see in videos may not be something you do. Everybody seems to have different methods and processes but with similarities. Each person may have a special 'safety process' they do that others don't.
One thing I did not see alot in the books was that you should learn to seat bullets Without! primers or powder in them. Get a bullet puller so you can un do the work. Nothing so good about seating a bullet and crushing a case with powder and primer in it. Glad I did a few dry runs first as well as got my seating depth right.
Make sure the Air conditioning is working and your comfortable and not rushed the first time you load that first primer and powder
One thing I did not see alot in the books was that you should learn to seat bullets Without! primers or powder in them. Get a bullet puller so you can un do the work. Nothing so good about seating a bullet and crushing a case with powder and primer in it. Glad I did a few dry runs first as well as got my seating depth right.
Make sure the Air conditioning is working and your comfortable and not rushed the first time you load that first primer and powder
As suggested, Read and watch videos and know that some stuff you see in videos may not be something you do. Everybody seems to have different methods and processes but with similarities. Each person may have a special 'safety process' they do that others don't.
One thing I did not see alot in the books was that you should learn to seat bullets Without! primers or powder in them. Get a bullet puller so you can un do the work. Nothing so good about seating a bullet and crushing a case with powder and primer in it. Glad I did a few dry runs first as well as got my seating depth right.
Make sure the Air conditioning is working and your comfortable and not rushed the first time you load that first primer and powder
Great tip Melnic. I will look about getting a boolit puller and do some practicing. It would seem to be much safer that way. The help is appreciated.
Just another random thought but would it be worth putting together a sticky with these tips and recommendations for us new to reloading??
Steve
vafish
Active Member
NRA reloading class August 17th in Centreville, VA (western Fairfax county)
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
I have also offered to help people get started.
Not a formal class, but go to their place and help them set the dies and get some rounds loaded.
I have been reloading off and on for a LONG time. I hate to admit how long, as it shows that I am getting old.
Not a formal class, but go to their place and help them set the dies and get some rounds loaded.
I have been reloading off and on for a LONG time. I hate to admit how long, as it shows that I am getting old.
Tons of good info on Youtube as well.
UltimateReloader.com has a lot of good information and videos for beginners
http://ultimatereloader.com/getting-started-reloading/choosing-a-press/
http://ultimatereloader.com/getting-started-reloading/choosing-a-press/
stu929
M1 Addict
I think the main issue is just having enough seasoned people that are willing to help that live across the state. I had a few offers a while back but everyone lived so far away unfortunately.
DocAitch
Active Member
I would suggest starting with a single stage press until you are comfortable with the process. The progressive presses perform many actions simultaneously and it is very difficult to monitor everything at one time. With a single stage press, you perform one task at a time and can check your powder level visually - the most critical part of the process.
I have been wrestling with a Lee Pro 1000 for about 6 months now and after a number of false starts including having to pull down hundreds of rounds of 45, am relatively confident that I can use it to produce decent safe ammo.
I believe that the Pro 1000 is not a machine for a beginner. If you have the 5 station progressive from Lee, you may be OK ( I have no experience with this machine).
I am not a beginner and load many calibers on a turret press and a Dillon 650, and I may be expecting too much from the Lees.
DocAitch
I have been wrestling with a Lee Pro 1000 for about 6 months now and after a number of false starts including having to pull down hundreds of rounds of 45, am relatively confident that I can use it to produce decent safe ammo.
I believe that the Pro 1000 is not a machine for a beginner. If you have the 5 station progressive from Lee, you may be OK ( I have no experience with this machine).
I am not a beginner and load many calibers on a turret press and a Dillon 650, and I may be expecting too much from the Lees.
DocAitch
