I aint even new yet

[cleanview]

I have been reading for a month or so now and figured out what I wanted to get to reload and then ran across a friend that uses the same lee turret press. He showed me a few things and has given me some pointers on what to buy. Needless to say my head starts spinning as I read and surf hours on end. I am pretty sure I have the essentials ready to order. At a gunshow I bought some hodgdon hp 38 and some primers to save on haz mat charges. I am ordering 9mm and 380 dies but cant settle on the bullets. Meister Hard Cast Bullets 380 ACP (355 Diameter) 92 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of 500 from midway was what I was wanting to get but cant find load data on them. I understand 231 and my powder are the same. any help.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr View -

Welcome to THR !!

and more importantly...

Welcome to Reloading !

• You're correct, HP-38 is the same as Win 231. Very good choice in powder, too.

• Don't confuse inexpensive with easy to reload. Lead bullets, since they are slightly larger, can be troublesome during reloading and after shooting. Take my advice and start with plated bullets, such as Berry from Graf & Sons (or directly from Berry Mfg). The ease and cleanliness may convince you they are a better deal. Not to say you'll never shoot lead; there is a time and a place for everything. But for someone just starting out, believe me you'll have your plate full. An extra headache will not be on your 'list of things to do'.

• You're proceeding in a very logical fashion. You'll be a really good reloader and enjoy many hours in your new hobby.

All the best

 

[Blue68f100]

Cleanview, Welcome to THR

Lead bullets are not for the beginner, there are more things involved to make them shoot successfully through your gun. Start with a jacketed or plated bullet.

 

[mdi]

I would suggest you find a load/bullet combo in your manual and then buy components.

 

[gamestalker]

I stand with those suggesting you start with jacketed or plated. And probably the easiest of the two for the beginner is jacketed because there is so much matching data available and small variances in same weight different brand bullets is often insignificant to the powder charge utilized.

 

[Walkalong]

Any 90 to 95 Gr lead data will be safe to use. W-231/HP-38 is very popular and I bet someone will come along soon with a good starting load. I haven't loaded it in years and do not remember where that old data is right off hand. Someone who has the Lyman #49 can give you plenty of good data. I had an older Lyman, but seemed to have lost it in a move.

While plated or jacketed is a little easier to load, don't worry about loading lead as it is pretty easy as well. I started with lead in 9MM, .44 Spl, and .45 ACP.

Welcome to THR

 

[LiveLife]

This is from Lyman #49, page 339:

380 Auto, 90 gr lead RN (#2 Alloy), .980" OAL

W231: Start 2.3 gr (701 fps) - 3.5 gr (1000 fps)

 

[cleanview]

Thanks very much for the replies. I kind of thought I should pay a little more and get platedor similar. Eventually I want to cast bullets as well, but we will go with baby steps. My friend casts as well I am going over next time he does it. I order most things from midway and saw one reply with other sources. I have checked several of these but am open to any suggestions. Thanks alot I am sure I will have many questions to come. I order my stuff this week and then play with setting it up. I got more active in shhoting recently (idpa) and reloading seems like it will be a good hobby.

 

[cleanview]

o h i bought the lyman 49 this yesterda and read through most of it. Very informative.

 

[cleanview]

One more thing. looking at berry bullets. Do plated load similar to jacketed? They are substantially cheaper.

 

[LiveLife]

Berry's are sized similar to lead bullet diameters and I use lead load data or start-to-mid range jacketed load data.

Good bullets and Powder Valley has very good prices.

 

[Walkalong]

Plated bullet info link.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6195350&postcount=11

 

[cleanview]

Well thanks. A lot of good info. I will probably run my first load data by you all just to make sure. I know I have a lot of simple questions that are not simple at all to me. For instance....

Looking at load dat for 125 gr bullets and finding mostly 124 gr bullets. How much differnet would the data be and is there a formula or somethiing

 

[LiveLife]

I use 124/125 gr load data interchangeably as most jacketed/plated bullets vary by 1 gr bullet-to-bullet (most lead bullets will vary by 1-5+ gr).

 

[Cherokee]

cleanview - Welcome to reloading. 231 works fine in 380 ACP, I use a lot of it with cast and jacketed. It also work fine in 9mm. I started with cast bullets in most cartridges so it dosen't seem to be a challenge but jacketed are easier. Enjoy !

 

[cleanview]

I am going to order a little of both and see the difference. I am wanting to figure out the basics before winter sets in. I have a lot more time in the winter and want to be casting my own by then.

 

[1SOW]

re BULLETS:
http://www.berrysmfg.com/
http://www.montanagoldbullet.com/
Other Supplies:
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/
http://www.grafs.com/

I recommend NOT ordering a lot of 'anything' until you get loads developed that you and your pistols like. Win231/HP38 is a great way to start. Berry's has sample packs and MG also sells some smaller amounts.

AFTER you get established reloading, order in bulk by all means.

Enjoy it.

 

[Walkalong]

http://www.tjconevera.com/index.html

Another good option.

 

[cleanview]

Below is a copy of what I ordered last night. Should get it within a week. I am pretty sure I am going to order an assortment of berrys bullets.

I know this has not happened to anyone else but I asked my wife about setting up in the house and got shot down and left in the garage.

Appreciate all the links comments and advice.





622290 1 $117.99 Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Aut...

885350 1 $39.99 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm...

362866 2 $13.38 Winchester Bullets 380 ACP (355 ...

980287 1 $24.99 Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 380 ACP

548630 1 $21.99 Lee Safety Prime Small and Large...

604242 1 $18.49 Frankford Arsenal Electronic Cal...

668253 1 $15.99 Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die 38...

144477 1 $14.99 Magtech Bullets 9mm (355 Diamete...

753719 1 $13.79 Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 9mm (35...

215517 1 $11.99 Frankford Arsenal Impact Bullet ...

451220 1 $11.49 Frankford Arsenal Flip-Top Ammo ...

292460 1 $8.99 Lee 4 Hole, Classic 4 Hole Turre...

156894 1 $8.17 Magtech Bullets 9mm (356 Diamete...

114080 1 $7.49 Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure Riser

974498 1 $3.29 Lee Powder Funnel 22 to 45 Caliber

178889 1 $1.99 Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press ...

 

[rfwobbly]

I know this has not happened to anyone else but I asked my wife about setting up in the house and got shot down and left in the garage.

• Tell her it could be a lot worse. You could take up the banjo !!

• Or maybe let her catch you looking at a new forum we need here on THR called "Meeting Women Who Love To Reload".