Handloading "Working up a load” (and more on supplies)

"Working up a load" where the hand-loader loads 25 to 50 rounds of a bullet and powder to see what shoots best, you will find that pistol loads will start to work out sooner than rifle.

My favorite rifle powder is called Varget, and I choose it over other powders because of the cold temperature stability and firing under the same cold conditions. It is a powder made into little rods or sticks and it does not "cast" as well as powders that are little flakes or balls... the powder WW 748 is a ball shaped particle powder and is easy to cast from a powder measure into accurate weights... The other ball powders that may work well would be BLC 2 (flattened donut shaped balls), Accurate 2230 (flattened donut shaped balls), Accurate Arms MR-2460 (flattened balls), H335 (flattened balls), DuPont IMR-4895 (rods), Accurate Arms MR-2520 (balls), Hodgdon H380 (balls), there are other brands like Vihtavuori, and Scott, you may not find everywhere...

I order my powders, primers, and bullets I do not make from...

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com
http://www.wideners.com
http://www.grafs.com

When you order powder and primers, make sure you order enough to make it worth the HAZ MAT fee that comes with the primers and powder...

I just ordered another 10k of primers and an 8lbs keg of powder, the order not confirmed yet... they are all behind now because of the panic...

You can figure out the basic cost per round by using the grain vs. pounds of powder, brass, bullets, and primers...

For example .308 in Varget powder will load 1360 rounds with an 8 lbs keg in one of the standard loads for 147 gr bullets... .270 will use MORE powder than .308.

I would suggest that when you make the next trip to a local reloading supplier get a pound of three different rifle and three different pistol powders. (check the loading manual) and try them out, once you find a good powder you like buy a keg...

Most hand-loaders load for accuracy, but there are other reasons, in my case it is cold/hot weather stability, reasonable accuracy, and reliability...

Metallic cartridge reloading for beginners, part 2

Kit or no kit?

If you are thinking about the starting kits for hand-loading pistol and rifle, one each for our example, my advice...

I would make my own kit...

If I were to start... knowing what I do now... what would I want, that would shave as much money as possible, and get everything I need to make it reasonable...

Assuming you are going to order from Midway...

Also assuming your are collecting your own brass to reload (and have been picking it up for some time now)

Prices are as of April 2, 2011

1. Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press Product #: 317831 $99.99
   
2. Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 9mm Luger Product #: 140349 $27.99 (comes with shellholder)
   
3. Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Set 270 Winchester #: 279271 $30.99 (comes with shellholder)
4. Lee Factory Crimp Die 270 Winchester #: 735849 $11.99
   
5. Lee Factory Crimp Die 9mm Luger #: 557910 $15.99
6. Frankford Arsenal Micro Reloading Electronic Powder Scale #: 175512 $36.99
   
7. Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner Product #: 467111 $2.09
   
8. L.E. Wilson Chamfer and Deburring Tool #: 789334 $14.99
   
9. Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer #: 548630 $21.99
   
10. RCBS Powder Trickler #: 317787 $13.99
    
11. Frankford Arsenal Reloading Tray #5 #: 536734 $5.99
    
12. Lee Perfect Powder Measure #: 540522 $23.99
    
13. Lyman Case Trimmer #: 795961 $72.99

(I use a Forester, but the standard model will not trim pistol cases, I use the cheep lee trimmers for that)

Items from other places...

First you can make your own case sizing and forming lubricant with a small tube of lanolin and a bottle of castor oil - heat (carefully in the microwave, can we say third degree burns?) together and mix. This is the best lube ever, will even swage bullets, in a pinch castor oil alone works great.

• www.harborfreight.com - 6" DIAL CALIPER $19.99
  
• www.harborfreight.com - 5 LB. METAL VIBRATOR/TUMBLER ITEM $49.99 on sale! (only if you want clean shiny brass, you can wipe them off with a rag)
  
• www.harborfreight.com - 25 lbs. Fine Grade Walnut Shell Blast Media $24.99 (only if you want clean shiny brass)
  
• www.harborfreight.com - 5 Piece Test Probe Set $4.99
  

You can add any caliber to this setup, and should last a lifetime of loading...

Metallic cartridge reloading for beginners

A simple list and some beginner advice I make standard, prompted by postings on the web.

The question that prompted this post was about beginning kits, and the viability of a particular hand-powdered progressive press.

The Lee 1000 would be a BAD choice for a beginner...
If you want a fast press, think about the Lee classic four position turret, faster than single stage presses and less complicated to set up than a full progressive.

The 1000 from Lee is notorious for finicky setup (as noted by many others) and poor production - IT IS NOT A BEGINNER PRESS!!! it has a reputation for problems with even the MOST EXPERIENCED reloader/handloaders, in fact ANY of the turret presses would be a challenge for a new person.

The Lee Classic Turret Press, it is my most used press in my collection, it will load any pistol and rifle cartridge of "regular” size up to about .308 (and larger without some features).

Using the automatic powder dispenser will only work with an extra part and only up to .308. Larger cartridges will work on the press but the auto powder dispenser will not actuate (you will have to charge by hand). Setting up this press is easier than an automatic press, but that is difficult enough...

I have used automated units for my past business (hydraulic and electric tools far beyond even what most would see) and I dislike the automatic hand powered units, I do use the turret press, I consider it fast enough without automation.



I am a BIG supporter of Lee products for the market, I use them myself, and I like the lower prices (even though my best press is a Corbin a SINGLE STAGE $600 press) ...

I would suggest the Lee Classic Cast press, I have that model also...

I would strongly suggest that you start with a single stage press, that is one operation at a time, this is particularly good for reloading rifle cartridges and obtaining the best in accuracy.

As I listed here the term "classic" with Lee is used similar to "premium"...



Also many of your tools you can get from secondary sources like Harbor Freight for a set of measuring calipers and a vibratory polisher and walnut hull media (if you want shinny brass cases.

Without a doubt you could call me a former professional because I not only had a license from ATF for the manufacture of ammunition but I also made from lead and copper the bullets, not just any bullets but premium jacketed bullets for hunters, police, and benchrest shooters (premium bullets are often priced at $1.50 each or more - just the bullet).

With all that said safety is the main issue...

Reloading mistakes, even simple ones can be catastrophic...

It is best to learn slow on a simple strong quality press, like the single stage models.