[Squirlnutz]

Where to buy reload supplies? I'm looking for 7mm mag brass ( which I can find) and the projectiles or bullet and primers.
What do you use?
Brass, caliber of projectile, kind of primer, powder.
I'm new to reloading and ill bet quite a few more that will read this are too. So tips for safety will much appreciated with what you reload.

 

[Reloader54]

I reload .357 mag, .40S&W, .45LC, and .45acp, I've tried to find brass from Midway USA and they said that they were out of most types of brass and did not know when they would be getting any in. I was in a local gun shop and I did see brass in the store. But I did not look to see what types they had. When I buy ammo that I know that I can reload I keep it for that reason so that I can reload it later and keep reloading it until it starts to give me problems. Then I recycle it in one way or another. I'm using at this time primers from Winchester and CCI. I reload using both large and small pistol primers. I'm using Winchester 231 powder at this time for the powder that I use. I also shoot lead cast bullets in all of my firearms. and I get them from Dillion Presion. When I do reload I use the powder cherge that is from middle to low range. I only shoot paper tagets or metal silhouettes. And the loads that I use work great for this type of shooting that I do. If your just starting out reloading make sure that you have an up to date reloading manual and go by the info for the caliber that you are reloading. and I'd start out at the lower end of the powder charge. you can always increase it when you reload the next time. But you do not ever want to go over the max charge that is listed in the manual. It could be to much for youe firearm to handle. And that could make your firearm blow up on you. I've found that the low to mid loads work fine for me. My firearms have a lot less recoil that with full charge and I have more accuracy with my firearms. But that's me and my firearms. You would need to work on the loads that work for you and your firearm to see what works best for you and them. And since you're reloading the ammo yourself you can play with the loads and find out what works best. I hope this helped.

 

[Squirlnutz]

Yes this great data and advice!! Thank you for sharing.

 

[phideaux]

I reload .38,.357,9mm,44 spcl,44 mag, 45LC, and .223 rem.

I use 2400 powder mostly for Magnum loads
I use Unique powder for some, I use H110 and Power pistol for some, I even use a little Bullseye.
Mostly use H335 Some IMR 4198 and Varget for .223.
I d say Unique is a decent all around powder for handgun to plink.

Any new brass I buy,(which is not much anymore , reuse mine and pickup at range), comes direct from Starline Brass. I really like thier brass.
The .38 and 9mm brass all comes +P rated.

Thats where Midway and others get it.

I load a lot of leadcast bullets, I buy mine from Missouri Bullet Co.

I been wanting to try some of those moly coated bullets, just hadnt got aroundtuit.

Only reload JHP for SD. and a few to try . Not plinking. I buy those at my LGS.

Google those 2 companies and take a look.


Jim

 

[Squirlnutz]

This info. Is AWSOME. Thank you for posting!!!!

 

[Squirlnutz]

Missouri bullet and starline brass look pretty good for choice except I didn't see any 7 mm mag. But plenty of choices for many different rounds.
Have you guys read/heard of the hornady loading manual? I was recommended to read it from a local gun shop? Supposed to be very good and up to date.
Oh, I also got a Lee catalog today in the mail!!!

 

[phideaux]

Hey Squirl,
the Hornady book is good.

I recommend the Lyman 49th edition Reloading manual.
Read it cover to cover ......twice.
It will really help.



Jim

 

[Pancho_Villa]

Hi Ho Fido,

Glad to see you here.

Squirlnutz,

Find a good reloading manual.....or two. I have the Hornady, old and new. Also have the Speer, old and new. Read the sections on using the dies and the press. I know some people will advise you to get a progressive loader. It's good if ya can afford it or if you will be loading alot of pistol ammo. It can be a time saver for the pistol ammo.

I use to load alot, not so much now. Started with a Rockchucker Jr. press back in 1976. It is a single stage press. If all you load is a couple of hundred rounds of rifle ammo a year, it will work for ya. There are other brands if you prefer. I still use it and never got anything else. I load a hundred or so .270 cal rounds a year with it and .243. Also have dies for .303 British, .300 Savage, .30 Carbine, .223, .222, and .221 Fireball in rifle cals. Really never loaded enough .223 to need a progressive loader. Stocked up on that stuff after the first AWB so I would never get in a bind for it. And I don't shoot much of the others. Now have a rifle in 7mm/08 and have not got around to getting dies for it. Gave up on the .25-06. Great round, but not quite nuch different from the .270s I shot. Sold those. I do have 7mags off and on, but found that they kill on both ends. My reloading has gone the route of others, less bang and recoil. I don't push them anymore. NDon't have a need for it. Just got a couple of .30-06 last week. Kinda low on ammo. Have about half a box of reloads that I made up using bullets that I pulled from a couple of boxes of old ammo and I re-reloaded using my .300 Sav. dies. Don't have .30-06 dies. Have to do some more bullet bulling and neck sizing only to get some more usable ammo. I stumbled on a collet bullet puller a year or so ago with .22 cal and .30 cal bullers. Worked great with my press. Need more dies now so I can salvage old bullets and brass Went to Wally World to get fresh .30-06 and they still didn't have any yet. Gotta do something to feed those 2 new rifles.

I use to load alot of .44 mag. .41 mag, .357 mag, .38 spl, and .45 acp. I managed to get by with the old press. Don't load that much anymore except for the .44 mag and .38 spl. I have a Lee electric pot and bullet molds to make bullets and a Lyman sizer and lubricator. I got those @ 1980 and they still work. Used wheel weights and remelted bullets to make new bullets. Good cost cutter if ya want to go that far with it. Takes more time too. Got into a habit of buying loaded .45 auto so I quit loading for it. Never did for the 9 mil or .380. Never thought it was worth it. Might get to where it is worth it before too long.

Hope this helps some. Just don't overspend on reloading tools. A couple of my friends did and then found that reloading was not for them. They also had plenty of cash flow. So buying ammo was no problem for them. But it is a problem when there is no ammo to buy.

 

[Squirlnutz]

Hard to find ammo for the old mans .30-06. Most places have a limit on how much you can buy. The 7mm mag how ever is still available at Wally World but can only get 3 box per day per customer. The 7mm mag cost from $22 to a lot more a box. ( I still don't know why such a difference in cost per box ammo?) I've ben buying Remington core lock rounds at $25 or so a box. I've read a few folks are getting 8+ re-loads from that brass. I also have some Winchester brass that cam with the rifle. I'm hoping today ill have a chance to order the manuals. I'm thinking the hornaday and spear. The, I need to figure out the projectile part and Hopeful begin to gather supplies and materials.

 

[Will]

I only load for .38 special.

I find it is a fantastic way to feed my GP100, SP101, and my Rossi 92 rifle.

I load using a Lee Classic Loader and hammer all of my rounds together. That said I have added the Lee autoprime as I was tired of hammering on primers. A few went off, and my wife got sick of the smell in the house when they did. I also added a Lee Perfect Powder Measure as I was having a lot of consistency issues with the scoop method.

I now have a Less press and die set on order, and am constructing a mobile reloading station to use at my desk.

My favorite recipe for .38 spl
CCI or Winchester primers (small pistol or small pistol magnum. Rugers don't care which)
4.2 grains of Unique
158 grain flat round nose FMJ

 

[phideaux]

Hi Ho Fido,

Glad to see you here.

Squirlnutz,

Find a good reloading manual.....or two. I have the Hornady, old and new. Also have the Speer, old and new. Read the sections on using the dies and the press. I know some people will advise you to get a progressive loader. It's good if ya can afford it or if you will be loading alot of pistol ammo. It can be a time saver for the pistol ammo.

Hey PV, good to see ya too.
I try to diversify, and pick as many brains as I can.

Good advice to Squirl, those are great manuals,seems I can always use another manual.

I been following your latest show caper.


Jim

 

[Dreamthief]

I really want o get into shots shell reloading.

 

[bamaboy]

You really should get a book, I have an older Hornady, as well as their new revision. Also the book that Lee puts out, it has basic instructions that explain every step, equipment, and load data. I drempt and drooled over the Dillon catalogs for years. But Lee's philosophy is it doesn't have to be expensive to work, all my equipment is Lee, I know not the best, but it does work, I think the most important component is the choice of dies, I bought the best one they make, and I turn out some pretty decent ammo with them. Just say'n

 

[Squirlnutz]

I've got the catalog from Lee. I've read that Lee equipment is inexpensive, easy to use and a very good starting point. I need to get a hornady catalog and Speer now. Just having trouble this morning locating them. This evening ill more time to hunt

 

[Reloader54]

Having good reloading manuals is always a good idea. But you can also find reloading info on the web. I have some sites bookmarked. But you can also go to the powder manufactuer's web sites and look for a way to contact them and ask them questions and they'd be more than happy to answer any and all of your questions. I've done it a few times and have gotten answers really fast. I found that with Alliant you have to ask your questions through sending them a message through their site though. But I got an answer in a day. It just depends on who make the podwer that you want to get the info on and from. They'll ask questions like what type of bullet your using and the weight of the bullet. Then they'll either send you the info or if you're talking to a person they'll tell you what you need to know. I've done it both ways and I've had great results with the info I've gotten from them.

 

[Squirlnutz]

So the entire world ( Internet) is out of magnum primers?... Damn government

 

[Squirlnutz]

So the entire world ( Internet) is out of magnum primers?... ]

 

[Squirlnutz]

So far I have gathered for 7mm mag and .30-06

Also got last of buck shot for 12 gauge ammo.
Tomorrow Ill get the rest for reload of ( rifle only) from a sheriff owned local gun shop.

 

[Squirlnutz]

Ok....
I bought a Lyman kit that came with:
10000 electronic scale
Universal trimmer w/expounded pilot multi-pack
#55 powder measure
Auto primer feed
49tb edition hand book( to go with my hornady)
Universal primer arm
Case line kit
Primer tray and load arm
Deburring tool
Powder funnel
And some other stuff I can't name haha
I spent more than expected ( ofcoarse)
But I also produced 6 ammo before I left the store with my items. I spent 3 hours with a man named Ron who was concerned that I have a complete understanding of my equipment before purchase and leaving the store. Quite the experience I must say and the best customer service I've had ever. I also purchased .30-06 dies ( rcb) and 7mm mag.
Tomorrow I'm hoping to set everything up on a table and ill take a photo to post. Ultimately I feel very good about the experience and confident I can produce quality ammo.

 

[Squirlnutz]

Mmm...... How would you stow or store your supplies....powder, bullets, and so forth.....

This is a great question I think for the more experienced loader.

.30-06 and 7mm mag.
67.2-.4 RL 7mm mag 154 hornaday 154
And
Accurate 55.4-.6 hornaday 150 that works well so far.....
How do you stow your powder and gear!