Hi everyone!

[upsguy]

I've been lurking here on this site for a few days now and wanted to let everyone know I think this is a FANTASTIC site! I belong to many different types of forums and since I want to start reloading, found this one and really enjoy reading the posts here. I really like the fact that you guys help one another and I've learned alot these past few days.

I've never reloaded before and read all the sticky posts before I started to do my "homework". That said, I already know that I've decided to get a Lee turret press for my first press. I'd really like a Dillon, but I want to do this the right way, slowly. (gotta walk before you can run) thinking here... I'm gonna be loading strictly pistol calibers for now, .38/.357 mag, .45acp and .45colt. Anyway, looking forward to hearing from you guys!

[woolleyworm]

Welcome to TFF and look fwd to getting you started reloading. It's not difficult, just alot of detail. Do you have anyone that you know that reloads? I'd say that if you want a Dillon, then get the Dillon. No sense in buying something that you don't want; unless it's a need. You can do slowly on any press.

Kudos for taking the time to read the stickys, that should help you pinpoint some things for starting out.

Enjoy and I'll cya around !

[springerbuster]

UPS guy,

Welcome to the forum and to reloading. You have come to the right place. I started reloading just over a year ago and have learned a lot from this forum. The first thing I would do is get yourself some good reloading manuals and read them and then read them again. I started with one called the ABC's of reloading, I would recommend it to anyone starting out. Good luck and have fun.

[upsguy]

I forgot to add, I have the ABC's of reloading, Speer reloading manual, Hornady reloading manual all on their way. I was also thinking of getting the Lee reloading book (comes with a free single stage press) from Factory sales as well.

[upsguy]

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

Do you have anyone that you know that reloads? I'd say that if you want a Dillon, then get the Dillon. No sense in buying something that you don't want; unless it's a need. You can do slowly on any press

I do know a guy on my route that gave me alot of info and reloads. Also, I belong to a private pistol club and they offer a NRA reloading class that I will probably take as well.

As far as the Dillon, Im gonna start with the turret first then maybe get a Dillon in the future. You can't have too many presses, can ya?

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by upsguy

I do know a guy on my route that gave me alot of info and reloads. Also, I belong to a private pistol club and they offer a NRA reloading class that I will probably take as well.

As far as the Dillon, Im gonna start with the turret first then maybe get a Dillon in the future. You can't have too many presses, can ya?

Nope; can't have too many as far as I'm concerned. If you go with a Lee Turret, get the Classic cast. You can find them for under $100 and they're fairly stout machines.

You'll learn alot from the reloading class; take alot of notes!

[johnlives4christ]

welcome to the forum from a beginning reloader. i have a single stage c press i got used for 30 bucks. i got everything i need including a lyman manual for less then 200 bucks. mostly used.

[pickenup]

Welcome to The Firearms Forum.

[howlnmad]

upsguy,
Welcome to the addiction. If you take to this, it won't be long and you'll be saying "Hi, I'm upsguy and I'm an addict". You have been thinking this through smartly and on the right track. Your press of choice is a good one as are many others. Some may say go progressive but I say start with what you'll be most comfortable with. If your tools confuse you, it will just lead to mistakes and possible injury.
There are great people here that will help with questions. Never hesitate to ask. Start slow, triple check everything and be safe.

[upsguy]

Thanks for the welcomes everyone. I'm sure it won't be long before im an addict either... I was talking to a co-worker yesterday, (btw, im not doing my regular job driving, seperated my shoulder, slipped on ice. So im working "light duty"... for now) and this co-worker's late husband was a reloader and told me I could check out what he had. The only thing is, he didnt shoot pistols. So I figured maybe theres something I could use. I was planning on buying stuff this weekend, so why not start early?

[howlnmad]

Take your co-worker up on this offer! Used equipment is no problem. If she wants to get rid of all of it, take it. Even if you don't have need for some of it, you can always trade, sell or just donate to someone that does and is in need. You'll be surprised at the stuff you'll acquire over years of handloading.

[upsguy]

I even tried to see if she was willing to part with the rifles, quick NO. She even told me she buried her husband with his favorite rifle. Thats the first time Ive ever heard of that...

[howlnmad]

Originally Posted by upsguy

, quick NO. She even told me she buried her husband with his favorite rifle....

Wow, that's taking "from my cold, dead hands " to the extreme.

[ozo]

With todays technology and equipment, you would laugh at me if you saw me getting started in early '70. I built a big chest out of red oak that came from an old barn and used it as a coffee table,storage locker, and work table. I would sit behind it,in front of the TV watching football,and do everything one stage at a time.
Looking back,it seems sooo time consuming,but while in the midst of it back then, all I remember is a wonderful time. I would make 5 loads each,starting at the recommended charge, go down a grain or two, go up a grain or two,until I had 20 rounds or so,vise my gun, and come up with an accuracy load for each gun. PITA by todays standards I guess.Imagine just charging them,spooning some powder onto the beam scale,and individually dumping each charge into the casing.....but it was fun,AND I had great groups on my targets. But in my own defense of that era, there was very little room for error,and safety is key. I kept tight records on my loads,which really made a wonderful 'catalog' if you will, for future reference as my equipment progressed with time.
Welcome to TFF.
P.S. Did I mention, we are a diverse group here, we have tips on cleaning,cooking,knitting,etc.(sorry,my bad)

[upsguy]

That was cool Ozo, funny as well.

Question: For curiousity's sake. How many rounds of .45acp does one pound of powder make? I just want an idea as to how much quanity of powder, bullets, brass, etc... Im gonna need to get started.

[JohnTheCalifornian]

1 lb = 7000 grains

Depending on the powder you use and the charge you go with.

A ball park figure would be in the area of 909 to 1600+ for each pound of powder.

That was derived from usinf a 230 grain round nose jacketed bullet.

Different bullets and different powders will yield more or less reloads per pound.

To get started I would say 500 is a good number, just dont load all 500 at one time, they may not cycle the pistol properly, may give un accurate results, etc.

Also on your list of items you should have is a bullet puller, because you WILL eventually need the use of one. We all have one and used one at one time or another.

[JLA]

welcome upsguy

[JLA]

Originally Posted by upsguy

That was cool Ozo, funny as well.

Question: For curiousity's sake. How many rounds of .45acp does one pound of powder make? I just want an idea as to how much quanity of powder, bullets, brass, etc... Im gonna need to get started.

heres a link for you to add to your favs as well. Every handloader that uses the internet to order should have it handy...

http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp

[RustyFN]

Welcome upsguy. I would recommend buying the Lee classic turret over the deluxe turret. The classic has so many better features that make it well worth the extra money. Check out www.kempfgunshop.com for the classic turret kit.

JLA, every time I see that bug at the bottom of your post it freaks me out.

[JLA]

my wife has tried to mash it a dozen times already

[upsguy]

Well, no good news at my co-worker's house . Her late husband had a ton of shotgun shells stockpiled, factory stuff. The reloading press was for shot shells too, not a total bust. I found a bulk pack of Federal .22LR, Winchester 30-30 silvertips and an OLD Remington 1/2 box of 30-30 Kleanbore. I don't own a 30-30...YET, but it's been in my future plans . I told her when she gets into the safe, if she ever wants to part with any guns, I'd be more than happy to buy them off her. Since there was 30-30 ammo, he must have one in the safe. She did say he shot mainly shotgun, but had an old rifle from his grandfather. I'm guessing its an old Winchester 1894, that's what I'd like to have...old too.

So it looks like I'm gonna have to buy new stuff,(what I planned on doing anyway) gonna start at Cabelas this weekend and check prices there and compare.

[upsguy]

I've got another question I keep forgetting to ask, it's about dies. My primary loading will be mostly .45ACP FMJ 230gr. The die to seat the bullet, is it shaped for the fmj ball ONLY? Say, I wanna try SWC or JHP or whatever, do I need to buy seperate dies for the shape of the bullet? Sorry Im ignorant on this stuff, but, I DO have books on the way...

[woolleyworm]

Originally Posted by upsguy

I've got another question I keep forgetting to ask, it's about dies. My primary loading will be mostly .45ACP FMJ 230gr. The die to seat the bullet, is it shaped for the fmj ball ONLY? Say, I wanna try SWC or JHP or whatever, do I need to buy seperate dies for the shape of the bullet? Sorry Im ignorant on this stuff, but, I DO have books on the way...

There are different seating inserts that can be replaced in your seating die. Alot of die sets come with 2 seating inserts, most often you'll have to buy the one for wadcutters, but you don't have to worry about that in the 45.

[JLA]

Originally Posted by upsguy

Well, no good news at my co-worker's house . Her late husband had a ton of shotgun shells stockpiled, factory stuff. The reloading press was for shot shells too, not a total bust. I found a bulk pack of Federal .22LR, Winchester 30-30 silvertips and an OLD Remington 1/2 box of 30-30 Kleanbore. I don't own a 30-30...YET, but it's been in my future plans . I told her when she gets into the safe, if she ever wants to part with any guns, I'd be more than happy to buy them off her. Since there was 30-30 ammo, he must have one in the safe. She did say he shot mainly shotgun, but had an old rifle from his grandfather. I'm guessing its an old Winchester 1894, that's what I'd like to have...old too.

So it looks like I'm gonna have to buy new stuff,(what I planned on doing anyway) gonna start at Cabelas this weekend and check prices there and compare.

If youre shopping for guns look up what you fancy here online, then shoot Double D a PM, hes a dealer and a member of this very forum... And can prolly get you what you want at a great price. Hes a good man to deal with from what I hear...

[zkovach]

welcome ups guy i know everyone told you there favorite book and all of them are great. i would also suggest getting a reloading dvd. It helped me a lot seeing what gearing is out there and its function.