Made my first batch of reloads

[Stonecold]

I followed every step perfectly but I am still worried I messed something up. Are these things gonna blow up in my face or am I being paranoid? First time reloaders, how sketchy did your first batch feel?

 

[Klaus]

My first time reloading, I flinched every time I pulled the trigger. But after a few good shots, I calmed down. When your rounds finally start working right, you get confident real quick if you're careful.

 

[Unshaven2897]

It took a while but I purchased a interlinked powder trickler and scale. I've loaded more rounds than can be counted. Never has that pair of tools made a mistake. Of course I am still responsible to use the correct powder and amount. Never a short or excessive load. It let's me put my concentration on other things like the cases, crimps and making each identical.

BTW, you will probably be reusing cases. It's a good time to come up with a system so you know how many times they have been reloaded when they inevitably get mixed. I use a needle file to make the lightest of light notch by the first letter of a brand marking. Some cases last longer than others of course and for various reasons. Some cartridges only reloaded once. Some several times +/-. It's a really fun hobby and fulfilling too. If there is any ongoing problem it is where to store primers and powders.

I shoot large caliber stuff and the savings is substantial. Be careful!

 

[Unshaven2897]

The weather couldn't be better for spending time inside cleaning and making some new inventory.

 

[NW Hunter]

SW WA has some great weather coming next week.
I plan to do load development on a Seekins 6 Creedmoor.
I also have a Reaper suppressor on my 300 wm that I will be shooting for the first time.

 

[Light_burn]

My first set of reloads just sat there for a week. I kept going over every step in my head, like a broken record. But once I finally tried them out, the fear disappeared fast. Being careful just felt normal, not like I was doing something wrong.

 

[VancMike]

Years ago, I bought a Winchester Mdl 71 in .348 Win. The previous owner included a box of ammo but when I priced new, the cost was so high I decided to take up reloading. I think I've loaded now for 15+ calibers since, including casting bullets for mostly handguns.

Throughout the years, I believe I only had a couple of squib loads that resulted in bullets stuck in the barrel. Fortunately, both were caught before a second shot made things worse.

I'm amazed at how the cost of primers has increased through the years...if you can get them. My shooting activity has declined and so has my reloading. But I've got enough 38 Spl and .357 Mag inventory to take on a couple of Armageddon events...

 

[Montana Cowboy]

I know what you mean about the price of reloading components. I have CCI primers that I bought for $7.90 a brick and they function just like I had bought them yesterday, you could buy powder as low as $12.00 a pound. I'm happy now that when I saw a good sale I practiced the " Buy it cheap and stack it deep" train of thought, glad now that I did. MC

 

[CoyoteHunter]

Back in the late 70's, powder was going for $9.50 lb. from Kesselring's gun shop here in this area. If you had a FFL license then price was around $7+.

 

[BearBio]

If you didn't hotrod (I stuck to basically factory specs the first few years, when I was a teenager and early 20's), switch components, or cut corners, you should be good to go! I basically used mine with factory blem bullets for sighting in and practicing for hunts. Loaded premium bullets for hunting and sighting in for hunts. Forgot how many calibers I loaded for over the years: from 22-250 to 458 Win Mag, including BP loads. Any questions, PM me and I'll try to help.

 

[VancMike]

I'm sure most of you have loaded for more, but here's my list:

In caliber order: 22 Hornet, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 220 Swift, 22-250 Rem, 243 Rem, 260 Rem, 280 Rem, 30-06, 348 Win, 38-55, 375 H&H, 45-70, 458 Win

Revolvers: 32 H&R, 38 S&W, 38 Spl, 357 Mag, 44 Spl, 44 Mag. I didn't want to chase brass, so I never reloaded for semiautomatic calibers (all my .223 rifles were bolt action).

Never loaded BP, but own a copy of Quigley Down Under and who, along with Mike Ventures (RIP) has tempted me many times.

About half of my dies have been Lee but I hated their round boxes and kept them in Lyman boxes which you could buy empty and stack neatly.

I'm thinning my herd and shooting less. Keeping mostly items that would be of interest to my grandsons.

My advise to new reloaders is to 1) find good instructions (the Hornady reloading manual is good) and follow them faithfully; 2) load lead bullets (there are several good purveyors on-line) whenever possible. They're cheaper, just as effective for non-game targets and easier on your barrels; 3) use current load data. It's safer for new powders now on the market and, 4) don't take advise from old guys on-line.
Except those of us here, of course....

 

[CoyoteHunter]

I don't reload anymore, I gave all my reloading equipment to my son a couple of years ago.

But I did find an old notebook with what some of my reloads was coasting at the time.

After much searching, I stuck with just two manuals for all my reloading - Hodgson & Speer, they proved to be more accurate than any of the other manuals, especially after I got my chronograph to compare.

My dies are Redding, RCBS, Hornady and Bonanza/Forster. I do prefer the latter the best (B/F)