Neophyte reloaders

[doubleh]

I have two people wanting me to teach them to reload and I agreed. I'm also pretty sure a third is going to appear shortly. They may be surprised at how I start them. I'm going to hand each a Lyman reloading manual and tell them to read the section that tells how to get started before we do anything. Then we will sit down at the bench, one at a time, and go through all the steps.

That's how I learned back in the days long before the internet. I guess it worked. I've never blown up anything and only stuck one 223 case in a resizing die when I first started reloading that caliber. We will see how it goes. We geezers are the one's that have to get the younger ones interested in our sport.

As soon as schools out I'll have a fourth student as she will be spending her week days with us while her parents work. She's already been helping me some and is really interested. She will be eleven years old in May. Get them started while they are young.

 

[forty_caliber]

Good for you! I have similar sessions with one of my nephews. They certainly will never learn any of our craft in what passes for school these days.

.40

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I'm envious of you. Cheap ammo is so cheap right now that nobody in my circle is interested in learning. I'm currently working up accurate mouse fart loads in 327fm and .357mag revolvers for my grandchildren so when they are ready I can have something for them that won't scare them off.
My son would not get interested in anything but out shooting me and that will never happen with even a dart gun because he suffers from instant gratification and has no discipline in the sport.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm going to hand each a Lyman reloading manual and tell them to read the section that tells how to get started before we do anything.

Perfect! That is the best lesson you can teach them. Actually, you might tell them both to buy Lyman's 50th Edition for themselves and then tell them to read their book at home. They will need it and maybe 1 or 2 more anyway. This way they can both read it at the same time.

Good on you for bringing new reloaders into the club. Be sure to warn them it's an adiction, it's only fair lol.

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve taught the NRA Metallic Reloading course a handful of years in the last decade, and a non-NRA version of the same. It’s incredibly rewarding and one of my favorite classes to offer, but it’s also incredibly difficult to fill, and very expensive to outfit properly - so it’s most certainly a passion project, not one of profit.

My advice, which you didn’t ask for: Send the book home with them to read on their own before they show up to learn. Reading silently in the “classroom” is a terrible waste of learning opportunity. Review, ask if there were any questions (tell them upon receipt of the book you’ll be expecting questions), ask your own questions to confirm the content was read, and highlight details of the content which are so deserving.

If the most important part of their learning journey could be learned by reading a book, a guy has to wonder why they need a mentor/instructor at all... but it’s not, and they do. We all know the time at the bench under a mentor will be more valuable than simply reading the manual, so I would not waste the opportunity with assigned reading.

 

[Riomouse911]

Use all your learning domains and people will learn; Physical, Affective and Cognitive.

Let them read the books, and question You about the whys and what’s.

Let them touch the pieces of the kit as they learn what things do. Build them up so they see for themselves what they can safely create.

Let them revel in the satisfaction of learning a new skill, and then watch the results as they send their own bullets down range.

Good luck, let us know how it goes

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Congrats
I think it’s great that you’re teaching others.

Having them read ahead is very important. I agree with all that’s been said. So just remember to keep it fun but keep emphasizing safety without scaring them or making it annoying.

I’ll also add that if there are any good videos out there that you might suggest they watch a few.

I have the Lyman manual but like the Lee one better. I also have a few others but Lee was my first choice when I was starting and I like it as the section on how to reload is well written and an easy read.

 

[Grumulkin]

I applaud the intention to teach. It is also desireable that a reloading manual be read by the student but...

If you intend to make the process fun, I'd advise you to get them all set up and take them through the steps with supervision. Some geezers have forgotten how it was when young.

And I know all about self teaching. When I started I had no manual or instructor; just a Lee Loader with directions for loading 7x57 Mauser cartridges and I haven't blown up anything either in the 50 years since I started reloading. Some kids would have given up.

 

[thomas15]

My advice, which you didn’t ask for: Send the book home with them to read on their own before they show up to learn. Reading silently in the “classroom” is a terrible waste of learning opportunity. Review, ask if there were any questions (tell them upon receipt of the book you’ll be expecting questions), ask your own questions to confirm the content was read, and highlight details of the content which are so deserving.

Same as above, no one is asking for my advice or opinion. I agree with Varminterror in theory. Since I taught myself the basics using the Lyman 49th and given that I'm a fairly well read individual, I would and do try to get students to read and understand the safety rules as a prerequisite. That is all. Then briefly discuss the steps, then demonstrate, then hands on with close supervision. The thing is even for someone that likes to read technical literature, basic handloading is not that hard but the manuals are bone dry.

In an informal setting I would break it down into a few steps. Do one step in one session. 1st is case prep. 2nd step adjusting and using sizing die and installing primer. Step 3 powder measure, scale use, case charging. Step 4 bullet seating and measure and crimp. Lastly go over record keeping, ammo ammo storage and bench set up and tool decisions.

I would have the student do enough case prep so that they would know what they are doing and what they are trying to accomplish before moving on to the next step. So by the time I get to the last step the student is doing all of the steps in the process without having a lot of fumbling around trying to remember what comes next. Progressive learning. I think if a handloader understands exactly what a particular die does and how it performs the task it takes away most of the mystery of die set up.

Of course if the student has time for 1 "class" only and you have 3 or 4 hours to do this then you have to do the shot gun approach. All the new to be handloader needs to understand prior to a demonstration of this thing is the safety rules. The rest is going to become mind clutter.

 

[salpal48]

I feel that most younger people do not want to Learn. they just want to be shown How. there is a difference. . some see a Dillon or Lee in action . Pull the handle down and go. everything set up and go. In the Mid 1960's i was taught by Mr Walter Lyman. from the Lyman Co. My self and My father shot @ the lyman range In Wallingford Conn.. He ran the Lyman store there. I think I learned his Instructions well.

 

[Demi-human]

How can one learn, if not shown how?

Every child wants to learn. They are learning constantly. They will learn all the best things, if you can drown out the "noise".

I mean to have said New Handloader.
The stars did not align for me to have a mentor, in person. But I am thankful for The guidance of several mentors I have been lucky to find here.

 

[thomas15]

My self and My father shot @ the lyman range In Wallingford Conn

Off topic but this brought back a memory. Back when I was a Jr. shot for years in the CT State Jr. Smallbore indoor 4 position championship match. It was then largest Jr. State Championship match in the country. That was held at the Winchester Range.

I also shot 1 or 2 matches at the Lyman indoor range roughly the same timeframe. Both of those ranges were similar, they were "safety" ranges, you shot through a small elevated doorway. Prone, sitting and kneeling were shot from the top of a heavy wooden table. For offhand, you got down off the table and moved it back and shot offhand standing on the floor like normal. Because of the table taking up space you had to have someone spot for you. I did this for my older sister (at the Winchester range) when she won high girl, she was too small to move the table I had to do it for her. I was a sub-Jr. at the time, this was I think winter of 1971. The following year as a Jr. I shot a near perfect score (-1) in offhand but dropped several points in prone. My recollection of this is that the Lyman range was a bit dreary compared to the Winchester but neither were state of the art LOL!

But the thing is we traveled from NJ all the way up there to shoot 20 rounds for score. Most Jr. 4 position matches are 40 rounds but this was 20 rounds and if you were on a team you only shot once and your score counted for both individual and team. The match (at Winchester) was so big there wasn't enough time for a full 40 rounds and get all the kids to shoot over the weekend. 20 minute vs. 40 minute relays. I also seem to recall some years I shot on the pistol range other years the rifle range but they were set up basically the same. Two ranges going at once and relays at half the normal time, kids came there from all over the east coast. It was a real madhouse!

 

[forty_caliber]

Back in the late 60's I shot on a NRA .22 rifle team. At first, as a newcomer I remember thinking this was a strange lot I'd fallen in with. All of this other kids were wearing these heavy cotton padded "shooting" tunics with leather shoulder pads..."What a bunch of sissies needing all that padding for a .22". Then we went into the underground range part of the facility. It as cold as heck down there. Next meet, I was wearing one just like it.

.40

 

[klausman]

You know, young guys should hang out with old guys. Old guys know stuff.
I remember my mentors well, and they are all heros of a sort.

 

[alfsauve]

I learned by reading the Lyman manuals of the '70s. I think today's manuals are too wordy and boring. Probably too much concern for liability. Wish I'd kept the old manuals.

 

[lightman]

Good on you for being willing to teach others. I was about 11 when we first started loading and one of the old guys that hung out around the gun shop came over to help get us started. I've tried to do my part of paying that back. The Lyman was the first manual that we had.

 

[doubleh]

You know, young guys should hang out with old guys. Old guys know stuff.
I remember my mentors well, and they are all heros of a sort.

You have the right attitude. Of course being an old guy I can't help but agree. My two oldest grandsons have been calling me for years and saying "Gradnpa, I need some help. I don't want you to do the work, just watch and tell me what to do and then I will know how next time." Of course grandpa does but once in a while he has to take over when things aren't working right and demonstrate what he was telling them. I also have three great grand daughters and cats have nothing on them in the curiosity department. If one or all of them are around they are in the big middle of anything I do wanting to help and I let them. Sometimes it takes two or three times as long to get what ever I have going on done with their help but it's worth it. They learn and seeing those big smiles on their faces when we get done is worth more to me than money.