Florida_11B
Member
- Jun 10, 2016
- 95
So I just ordered my first press. I got an RCBS ProChucker 5. I know I need to start out slow. What are the places you go for load data. And tips or things I should look out for would be greatly appreciated.
New to reloading
- Thread starter Florida_11B
- Start date
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Get a good manufacturer reloading manual that covers the cartridges and components you want to load or use manufacturer website data for your loads start at the minimum recommended load and work up.
Florida_11B
Member
- Jun 10, 2016
- 95
Thanks for the info. I'll keep you all posted on the progress
iH8DemLibz
When All Else Fails.
The Hodgdon powder company has great reloading data on-line.
Very user friendly.
Very user friendly.
DaemonAssassin
Why should we Free BSD?
Want me to set up a one on one session with you to get you started? We can go over everything you can think of and if you bring components for 223, you can make some ammo and get some hands on time.
molonlabe
Ultimate Member
I have been for years getting my load data online. It's been years since I bought a reloading book. I think my Speer is edition 11 and my Hornady is a 4. Almost all the powder and bullet mfg. have load data available online.
PowPow
Where's the beef?
Before I started, I read the Lyman and Lee reloading manuals. I later added Hornady and Nosler manuals, since I load their bullets. Hodgdon has really good online load data. Ramshot/Accurate have a useful PDF for their powder load data.
Got another noob question. When reloading the .44 mag do you seat and crimp in one pull or seat all the bullets and then crimp them all in separate steps? I have mine set where it will seat the bullet and crimp. It took a lot of adjusting to get it to do both at once. How do you know if your crimp is sufficient? I'm using Hornady 240gr XTP with a cannelure. If I have to seat and then crimp so be it, I'd like my first batch to be a success.
Blacksmith101
Grumpy Old Man
- Jun 22, 2012
- 22,295
There is a lot more in the manuals than just the load data and any new reloader should read the manual preferably two or more first. Things like pressure signs, the differences in powders, all the safety cautions, etc.
DaemonAssassin
Why should we Free BSD?
Seat on one step, crimp on the second. Takes more time, but there is less of a chance of a screw up, if you are not combining the steps.
LGood48
Ultimate Member
Couldn't agree more! I've been reloading for over 30 years now and still have the current Lyman, Hornady and Lee manuals on my bench. Periodically check for new updates as well.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
For roll crimping, I will do it in one step. Taper crimp is always two steps.
To set the die to seat and crimp:
1) Put die in press, part way. Raise bullet seating stem.
2) Insert case in press, move to top of stroke.
3) Screw die in until you feel the crimp portion touch the case, then back off 1/2 turn.
4) Seat bullet in case, starting with shallow, seating, then screw seating stem in, step by step, until the bullet is seated properly. The case mouth should line up with the crimp groove.
5) Raise seating stem several turns.
6) Raise case with bullet to top of stroke. Screw in die, until the case mouth touches the crimper. The lower case, screw die in a small amount (1/4 turn or less), the raise case. Check crimp. Repeat until crimp is correct.
7) Screw lock ring tight.
8) Raise case to top, then screw in the bullet seater until it touches bullet. Lock the jam nut.
9) Test with another case and bullet.
It takes longer to read, than to do it.
Thanks, I watched a few videos last night that show that very procedure. It'll save a little time. I finished my first batch of .44 mag now I guess I need to go see how they work.
Florida_11B
Member
- Jun 10, 2016
- 95
Thanks for all of the replies. I know I have been MIA from this post for a while now. I have been travelling all the time and just started back into this. I have the first batch of rounds cleaned and re-primed just waiting on powder and projectiles then ill let you guys know how that goes. fingers crossed I wont be missing any fingers after range day.
jimbobborg
Oddball caliber fan
From what I experienced, one thing you need to look for besides the usual pressure signs and stuff is your bullets walking out of the case. I loaded some new to me coated bullets in my .357, the recoil started pulling the bullets out of their cases
The third bullet moved enough to interfere with the revolver's action.
Florida_11B
Member
- Jun 10, 2016
- 95
From what I experienced, one thing you need to look for besides the usual pressure signs and stuff is your bullets walking out of the case. I loaded some new to me coated bullets in my .357, the recoil started pulling the bullets out of their cases
Would you contribute that to improper crimping?
jimbobborg
Oddball caliber fan
Insufficient crimping. I need to increase the crimp on the rest of these. Nothing catastrophic happened, but it's something to look for.
