Teaching a newbie to reload

Gil Martin · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject: Teaching a newbie to reload

One of the guys that shoots our rifle matches wants to learn to reload. I gave him a few bits of information and some guidance. He went out and bought and RCBS starter kit, reloading manual, primers, powder, bullets and dies. He is coming over on Saturday to get a crash course in reloading for .223 and .30-06. I picked up some Lee trimmers, primer pocket tool and a chamfer and deburring tool for him. So we are good to go.

He is middle aged, commutes 90 miles a day to New York City to work and this is a new hobby. His enthusiasm is a thing to behold. Never had a more attentive student. The guy even takes notes. Not sure if you folks have taken someone under your wing and started them down the road to reloading. His wife is OK with his new venture so he will be just fine. I will keep you posted. All the best...
Gil

fireball 3 · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

hey gil, good luck with your student. I've taught a couple friends on how to reload. they caught on ok, but they were'nt very confident. I told them that it's not as cut and dried as some folks would think. So now they come over and we just get it done. They seem more confident now. Keep us posted . Dave in calif. Very Happy

1895ss · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

Good for you Gil. Yes I have taken a few people under my wing, so to speak, and got them started. The enthusiasm is just great isn't it. One is my brother in-law and the another is a good friend of mine and I have also taught both of my sons. My sons just load here using my equipment. My brother in-law still phones me when he runs into a snag or is unsure as to what he should do. We have to keep the sport, if you will, going somehow and every little bit helps. Good luck Smile

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

Make sure he has at least two manuals and a lot of internet address for the various bullet and powder manufacturers.

Yes I have and it can be a lot of fun...

4rum · Member Joined: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 211

I'll second Bushmasters advice. Get him a couple GOOD reloading manuals first. Let him read at his leisure and comprehension level. Once he understands the principles of detonation, ignition, burning rate of powder, gas expansion... and pressures, the mechanics of crafting rounds will be a joy.

george20042007 · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:18 am Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

Gil Martin wrote:

He is middle aged, commutes 90 miles a day to New York City to work and this is a new hobby.
Gil

From NEW YORK CITY... Very Happy

All kidding aside, you both will have fun. Are you going to teach him case trimming, primer pocket cleaning, when to crimp, when not to, bullet seating depth for different weight bullets, case cleaning, pressure concerns, and etc. It can be a real chore. I had one student who wanted to know everything, so that's what I geared up to do. That's the only student I had that said it was too complicated & quit. So be careful about what one must know vs what one doesn't need to know in the beginning.
Keep it coming...

Morax · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:44 am Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

4rum wrote:

I'll second Bushmasters advice. Get him a couple GOOD reloading manuals first. Let him read at his leisure and comprehension level. Once he understands the principles of detonation, ignition, burning rate of powder, gas expansion... and pressures, the mechanics of crafting rounds will be a joy.

this is how i did it, i read and reread everything i could get my hands on, asked countless questions to people, and then "just did it" and have not looked back since, but of course it is just like anything else, once ya start you cant quit, it just gets bigger and bigger.. i like doing it for the fact of i drop a round off the press i KNOW where it will hit, i pull it out of a box i THINK I KNOW where it will hit, this and reloading for a unavailable round is great too

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

Glad to hear it Gil Very Happy

. He couldn't have a better teacher Very Happy

Joe

Gil Martin · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

I have reloading manuals from Hornady, Lyman, Nosler, Sierra and Speer in various volumes from over the years (about 15 in total). This guy is very determined and wants to get it right. I am certain that as we shoot our nine rifle matches this year on Sunday mornings that we will be reloading in the afternoons. I have dies for about 40 different calibers.

He called to tell me he bought a case tumbler and wanted to know how to set it up to prepare some .223 and .30-06 cases. I told him how to do it and he called later to report on the condition of the tumbled brass.

He bought an M1 Garand last year, then a Yugoslav 24/47, followed by an 1891/30 Russian, he now shoots a Bushmaster in the matches and is working on re militarizing a 1903-A3 Springfield (that I picked out at a favorite gun shop). This guy is on a roll. All the best...
Gil

d_hoffman · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

I'm just getting started on loading for my Taurus m66 6" .357

Can Lil'Gun be used on any jacketed 158gr bullet? I can only find specific info on Hornady XTP and I would like to also load remington SJHP and JSP
and would like to be at 1500+fps for hunting deer and hogs.

Also looking for suggested loads on various 140gr bullets, speer 146gr JHPSWC, Rainier Leadsafe 140gr and 158gr flatnosed for target and plinking, Speer Gold Dot 170gr JSP. Maybe even a light load I could use for rabbits.

I was thinking about using starline brass cases for my light loads and starline nickle cases for heavier loads. and remington or federal primers.

Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Bushmaster · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:03 am Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

You will be asking a lot of that Taurus if you plan to get 1500+ fps out of it...The fastest load I have is 1450 fps using W-296. I can get you close to 1500 using a 140 gr SJHP Remington. Other then that I doubt you will see 1500 fps from a 6" barrel without over stressing the gun. I have not seen much data for Lil'Gun for use in .357 magnum. I do have one loading for 1600 fps and that was with a lead bullet, but I have no idea how long the test barrel was and I will not post it here. It is, in my opinion, too hot.

You can get 1500 fps, but I won't and I don't. I have dropped deer using a Colt SAA with 4 3/4 barrel and 1200 fps using a 140 gr SJHP Remington bullet.

You will note that I have not posted any load data here as my loads for the top end of my Ruger 6 1/2" are rather hot and NONE are above 1450 fps.

My VERY BEST advice to you is to purchase at least 2 loading manuals and read them several times. I have no idea of your loading skill levels so I must give that advice...I have gone through 6 load data manuals and most keep the 158 grain bullet to 1200 fps.

BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL OF SOMEONE ELSES DATA...IF IT IS NOT WRITTEN IN A LOAD MANUAL...FEAR THAT LOAD. ALWAYS WORK UP ANY LOAD YOU ARE STARTING. NEVER START AT THE TOP LOAD... Or you may suffer KA-BOOM...

bodyalter · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

here here bushmaster.

and welcome to the site d

lots of wisdom here so "ask and be learned" as my granddad said

Matt

1895ss · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

You have just received some excellent advice from Bushy...........! Neutral

d_hoffman · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

Thanks for the info Bushmaster. I was getting my info from the Hodgdon website and come to find out the test barrel for that load was i believe was 8-1/2" so 1500 would be a far reach for my 6" Taurus. The W-296, according to their website, with a max load using 16.7gr has a CUP of 40,700 producing a MV of 1591fps as compared to Lil'Gun using a max load of 18gr with a CUP of only 25,800 producing a MV of 1577fps. Both loads using a 158gr Hornady XTP, thus the interest in using Lil'Gun with various 158gr bullets. Correct me if I'm wrong, i was thinking that the lower CUP would have less recoil and muzzle flash. As far as my loading experience, I am a ROOKIE!!! I have loaded some 44 mag and 40 S&W with fair success but that was about 10 years ago. The actual loading that I'm doing is going to be done by a friend of mine. He likes to mold his own bullets and I preffer using jacketed bullets to stay away from leading up my barrel. That's why I'm trying to gather as much info as possible before getting started. Again, thanks for the reply.

1895ss · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:13 am Post subject: Re: Teaching a newbie to reload

By the way....... Welcome d_hoffman enjoy your stay. Smile