Another reloading newb

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Sorry in advance for any ignorance I might show or dumb questions that might follow. I've mentioned before that me and a close friend have been saving and starting our research and want to go in on a basic reloading set up. Not looking at pumping out thousands of rounds or nailing down the perfect rifle round. Mainly just want to have the capability and tools and supplies so when there is another long term shortage or so forth we will be able to insure we have a few rounds available. I also plan on adding equipment as I go for some of my older antiquated and more oddball calibers that is hard to find at times. My dad brought me a surprise gift today from a close family friend who has been goin through his late brother's stuff. I received a box with several die sets and other small pieces like deburring tools and shell holders. I'll post some pics so you experienced reloaders can tell me a little more about what exactly I have. I know the calibers but not exactly 100 percent sure of what specifically each set is for. Like the 38 special set says swc which I know means semi wadcutter but does that mean it will only load semi wad cutter projectiles? The 45acp set says shotshell? Is that like the cci bird shot rounds you can buy? Thanks for any and all info. And again thanks for being patient with a reloading newb. My family friend said as he continues to go through stuff there will be some more reloading gear headed my way. here's pics of dies in box they look lnib. First the 38 and 45acp 9mm and Weatherby 300 and Lyman 41 s&w

 

[nettlle]

That's a pretty broad question. What calibers are you wanting to reload?

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Mainly to start with just have the supplies and tools for our most common pistol and rifle calibers. 38/357, 9mm, 45acp, 45long, 5.56, 308, 30-06. Then I plan on adding the equipment as I go for 32long, 32short, 38short black powder only, 7.62x25. Again not planning on being a regular reloader except for some of the harder to find calibers that I would like to shoot more often. Just want to be able to insure I can keep my shooting habits without running short if the shelves go bare again like they have several times in last bunch of years.

 

[nettlle]

With all due respect only a caliber or two at a time please. I understand that you are new and respect that. You are asking for a tremendous amount of information all at once. This is a highly respected reloading forum and the answers you ask will have to be researched by the members. That takes a considerable amount of time.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

With all due respect only a caliber or two at a time please. I understand that you are new and respect that. You are asking for a tremendous amount of information all at once. This is a highly respected reloading forum and the answers you ask will have to be researched by the members. That takes a considerable amount of time.

Also with all due respect my initial post was asking primarily about exactly what the dies that was givin to me are for. I know what calibers they are for but not sure of some of the wording on the boxes. Like swc on the 38 dies I assume means semi wadcutter but does that mean that die set will only load semi wadcutter projectiles? And like the 45acp set says shotshell? Is that for making like the cci plastic tip birdshot rounds? These are some of questions I was asking in op not how to reload every caliber I plan to reload. I would never expect to learn everything about every caliber in one post. I apologize if my op was mis understood.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Sorry in advance for any ignorance I might show or dumb questions that might follow. I've mentioned before that me and a close friend have been saving and starting our research and want to go in on a basic reloading set up. Not looking at pumping out thousands of rounds or nailing down the perfect rifle round. Mainly just want to have the capability and tools and supplies so when there is another long term shortage or so forth we will be able to insure we have a few rounds available. I also plan on adding equipment as I go for some of my older antiquated and more oddball calibers that is hard to find at times. My dad brought me a surprise gift today from a close family friend who has been goin through his late brother's stuff. I received a box with several die sets and other small pieces like deburring tools and shell holders. I'll post some pics so you experienced reloaders can tell me a little more about what exactly I have. I know the calibers but not exactly 100 percent sure of what specifically each set is for. Like the 38 special set says swc which I know means semi wadcutter but does that mean it will only load semi wad cutter projectiles? The 45acp set says shotshell? Is that like the cci bird shot rounds you can buy? Thanks for any and all info. And again thanks for being patient with a reloading newb. My family friend said as he continues to go through stuff there will be some more reloading gear headed my way. View attachment 1181241here's pics of dies in box they look lnib. First the 38 and 45acpView attachment 11812429mm and Weatherby 300View attachment 1181244and Lyman 41 s&wView attachment 1181245

I’m going to start with the obvious:
Each set tells you which shell holder is required but doesn’t include one - nor do I see any in your pictures - so to start you will need a press and the specific shell holder listed for each set. Each set also includes an instruction sheet. Those tell you how to setup the dies, not how to make a load. For instructions on matching cases, primers, powders and bullets to create a basic load you need a manual - Lyman’s, Hornady, Sierra, or The ABC’s of Reloading. Finding charge tables is easy; finding an instruction book that reads well and provides good information is not. Opinions vary and there are cadres of dedicated anti-manual cheerleaders out there. The alternative to reading is watching TV; in this case, YouTube. There’s a lot of good and bad content out there in whatever format you choose, so choose a wide variety and compare notes.
Really all you need are some dies and some way of holding them. You have some dies, now you need a press and a stable platform to mount it on. And some charging tables, powder, primer, projectile, and case. But mostly you need good instructions.

 

[rg1]

Partnership—DONT do it!!! It doesn’t work out at all even with best friends. Equipment at your house your friend won’t be able to use it, at his house you’re out of luck!! Reloading takes up a lot of time and often short reloading sessions. You nor he will want to spend hours at each others home. Buy your own press, scales, and tools. You MIGHT be able to share a few items but I don’t recommend that either. Ask me how I know. A good friend asked me to join him in a reloading setup and kept at his house. I never felt comfortable or wanted to spend hours trying to work up loads. Wasn’t his fault and I was welcome. Have to change dies, adjust trimmers, and other tools every time. Your tools will remain set for your calibers. You can polish cases at home, do small batches at home, etc. Take my advice, no partnerships!!!!!! Think about it!!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Again not planning on being a regular reloade

“The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley.”
- Robert Burns

Truth is, in order to acquire the skills needed to be an occasional handloader you must first master the skills and create a documentary foundation solid enough to ignore for long stretches without regular practice. That takes years of regular work at the craft.

 

[nettlle]

You can go on the websites for all of these brands of reloading dies and it will describe in detail what these dies are for and what they do. I'm more than happy to help but with that many dies and that many brands I would do exactly what I just said. I would go to the websites and then relay the information back. Better you than me.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Thanks for all the help. I'll do my research elsewhere like has been suggested by you experienced reloaders. I'm just glad to have such a helpful group of guys that I can ask the questions I don't know the answers to. mods can close thread all my questions have been answered with great satisfaction

 

[Hugger-4641]

One thing I do that I've never seen mentioned on any you tube videos is a checklist. Maybe because I have aviation interests also. I'm not home to take pic of mine, and it varies depending on what press I'm using and what type cartridge, but
here's an example:

Correct dies ×
Correct powder x
Powder charge determined x
Correct bullet x
Cases sized and primed x
Cases lubed x
Sizing die adjusted x
Seating die adjusted x
Crimping die adjusted x
Data entered in journal x
Finished rounds- lube removed and weighed x

Everyone has to come up with a system that works for them , but you need some checks and balances for safety and QC.

 

[NMexJim]

So, you need a press. Most any single stage press will get you started. If you have RCBS, by all means look at their cheaper presses. Make sure you get one that had a simple primer feed.

After the press, you need a couple of good measuring tools. A caliper is the first. Lots like the electronics, but I've stuck w/the manual caliper for many years. There will be other measuring tools you'll need along the line, but the caliper will get you started.

You need to be able to trim cases to length. Not so much pistol as a rifle. You need to be able to debur inside the mouth and outside.

Some sort of scale to measure powder and some funnels to get the powder into the case.

A few loading blocks for the ammo you intend to load,

Go to Hoddgdon internet site and check out their load for 45 ACP. Get the components and go to town.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

I loaded with a friend for a couple years before I just got equipment of my own. By then I had an idea of what I wanted and bought it piece by piece.

Good luck.

 

[Bazoo]

I'd start by getting a Lyman reloading handbook. If you have more stuff coming, you'll likely get the manuals and press too.

You can use regular dies to load the blue plastic shotshells like what can be purchased, so your dies will likely produce a star crimped shotshell cartridge like that of the older 22 LR.

Dies that are marked SWC mean they have a SWC seating stem. The third die, or crimp/seat die is the one in question. The seating stem needs to be close to the nose shape of the bullet. A semi-wadcutter stem will likely be able to load round flat nose and truncated flat nose bullets, because it pushes against the flat of the nose, and doesn't need to fit perfectly in the stem. If the stem is a bit large, it's of no ill effect, if it's small though, there will be a ring left on your bullet noses. You can shoot them anyway, however. The die body crimps, and with several interchangeable stems, you can load RN, SWC, wadcutter, and spire point bullets.

 

[Howa 9700]

Most of those dies are setup with what looks like the rings used Forster / Bonanza co-ax press. If that is available and forthcoming, you are in luck. That is a high quality single stage press that doesn't use shell plates.

Hopefully you will also be getting some of the other guy's stash. Primers, bullets, etc. Or offer to buy it all from them.

 

[lordpaxman]

Like swc on the 38 dies I assume means semi wadcutter but does that mean that die set will only load semi wadcutter projectiles? And like the 45acp set says shotshell? Is that for making like the cci plastic tip birdshot rounds?

I think mine say that too, but that’s the seater stem that’s for SWC. The dies will FL resize a case, any .38 case. They’ll expand a .38 case, any case. They’ll seat any bullet, but the seater stem will be designed for a SWC. Change the seater stem and you’ll have what you’re loading for, or you can plug it with tinfoil. I suspect they’re roll crimp as well - that’s for revolver.
The .45 ACP dies, are for converting rifle cases into .45 shotshell - that’s a rare die, and not for loading standard .45. Pretty cool - if you’re not going to hang on to that I and others would be interested.
There’s a couple of pinned threads on this forum that explain the basics. HTH.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Thanks guys. I'm definitely gonna wait and see what else is coming then start making a good list of what else I'll need to purchase.

 

[Bobaloo22]

I am a newb as well, it will be two years next March. I can tell you that I had to read, read, read. I have been studying all things related to this craft near every day. ABCs of Reloading that was mentioned helped me getting started to understand the processes, as well as several reloading manuals. I would pick one round, straight walled and “perfect “ ALL things for that round ( I did 9mm). Then after you have a safe working round then slowly add another. As noted checklists are a must. Be careful. I hope this helps and yes there is a ton of great information here but you first need to understand what you are reading. This is a wonderful though dangerous sport if you’re not careful.

 

[AJC1]

Also with all due respect my initial post was asking primarily about exactly what the dies that was givin to me are for. I know what calibers they are for but not sure of some of the wording on the boxes. Like swc on the 38 dies I assume means semi wadcutter but does that mean that die set will only load semi wadcutter projectiles? And like the 45acp set says shotshell? Is that for making like the cci plastic tip birdshot rounds? These are some of questions I was asking in op not how to reload every caliber I plan to reload. I would never expect to learn everything about every caliber in one post. I apologize if my op was mis understood.

Names on dies can mean that one part has a special purpose. As an example your swc probably indicates a scertain seating stem in your bullet seating die. That part is changeable and often is. In the specific example you provided of 38/357 I have and do swap in 9mm seating stems if they fit the bullet better. As for where to start, I always recommend a low pressure round. That would leave 38, 45acp and 45c as the best options you listed. 38 is a classic beginning cartridge and I see no reason not to begin the journey the same place a lot of us did. Moving to 357 in short order changes only a small adjustment of the same dies. Without a mentor I recommend you get well acquainted with pistol before moving to bottleneck rifle.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

I’d be wary of velocities that other reloaders report that are ‘easily’ obtained and obviously outside of published ranges. its remarkable how quickly some people think they know it all and are free to experiment. I would avoid partnerships OR a mentor because you’ll get a better education by far from reloading manuals from the big companies. That said, targeted advice on here can be incredibly helpful.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm just glad to have such a helpful group of guys that I can ask the questions I don't know the answers to. mods can close thread all my questions have been answered with great satisfaction

Thanks guys. I'm definitely gonna wait and see what else is coming then start making a good list of what else I'll need to purchase.

Asked and it shall come to pass