Mostly Lead
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So which book did you get?
Who had a reloading mentor and I’m looking for one local
- Thread starter shoebox1.1
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So which book did you get?
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shoebox1.1
Member
ABC’s of reloading 6th edition. It was 10 bucks
bigpower491
Member
You're getting a pretty good mentor in @Charlie98
I load lots of 44 special, and yes, you're making a very wise move loading them yourself
I load lots of 44 special, and yes, you're making a very wise move loading them yourself
GeoDudeFlorida
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My uncle’s idea of teaching me how to reload started with learning how to make coffee in a camp percolator. He figured if I could manage grinding beans - just the right amount - and bringing the water to a boil - but not a rolling boil - without burning the grounds or turning off the heat too soon, then I could manage measuring powder, seating bullets and primers, and preparing brass.
It had to be GOOD coffee
It had to be GOOD coffee
AJC1
Member
Now it's time to figure out primers and powder you can stomach the price of... 5 years ago the consensus would have been unique mentor included. I haven't seen unique on a shelf in years. You will likely stay with your first pick for quite a while. Ramshot zip or accurate #2 will likely be easier to find and not make you cry. If shooters world powders are available they historically have been less expensive.
Charlie98
Member
Actually, for mid-range .44SPC loads, even something like TiteGroup works, barring a better powder like Unique.
Kingcreek
Member
I had a mentor that became my best friend. He has passed and I have grown older. I would love to mentor a younger reloader but I don’t even know anybody interested.
The first time I met my mentor friend is a fond memory. His wife and mine knew each other thru an exercise class. He called me and invited me to go to his range to shoot. He said bring whatever you got. He picked me up in his truck the next day. I climbed in the cab with a .22 colt woodsman pistol, a model 66 S&W and a couple boxes of shells.
When we got to his private range on his BILs farm, he opened his topper and it was full of gun cases and ammo cans! We shot all day!
I was amazed that a carpenter could afford to shoot all that. After, we went to his house and cleaned all those guns and drank a couple beers and he showed me his reloading setup.
Wasn’t long and I was gradually getting my own. Been reloading for 40 years now.
The first time I met my mentor friend is a fond memory. His wife and mine knew each other thru an exercise class. He called me and invited me to go to his range to shoot. He said bring whatever you got. He picked me up in his truck the next day. I climbed in the cab with a .22 colt woodsman pistol, a model 66 S&W and a couple boxes of shells.
When we got to his private range on his BILs farm, he opened his topper and it was full of gun cases and ammo cans! We shot all day!
I was amazed that a carpenter could afford to shoot all that. After, we went to his house and cleaned all those guns and drank a couple beers and he showed me his reloading setup.
Wasn’t long and I was gradually getting my own. Been reloading for 40 years now.
bigpower491
Member
Actually quite a few powders work well in 44 Special. I just stepped in from out back, where I let go 50 with 6.7gr of True Blue. Looks pretty promising in spite of having 2 cups of coffee this morning. Unique is the classic propellant for 44 special, but like @AJC1 , it's a rare bird in my vicinity. I've used Titegroup, power pistol, blue dot, Zip, Silhouette, #5, and today was a first go with True Blue. All give acceptable results, some better than others. But power pistol and 5 have been my most used and do very good
W.E.G.
Member
I've never had a mentor for anything.
That's probably why I'm good for nothing.
I did read books.
The Anderson/Matunas book was helpful to me when I started handloading in the 80's.
I wish a mentor had told me to cool it on the massive brass-resizing project. I blew out my elbow real bad pulling on that Rock Chucker. Supposed to start "physical therapy" in a couple weeks. Don't see how that's gonna help if the muscle is completely detached. Pretty sure I'm not coming back from that. Oh well, if this is it, its been a good run.
That's probably why I'm good for nothing.
I did read books.
The Anderson/Matunas book was helpful to me when I started handloading in the 80's.
I wish a mentor had told me to cool it on the massive brass-resizing project. I blew out my elbow real bad pulling on that Rock Chucker. Supposed to start "physical therapy" in a couple weeks. Don't see how that's gonna help if the muscle is completely detached. Pretty sure I'm not coming back from that. Oh well, if this is it, its been a good run.
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shoebox1.1
Member
As far as primers go is 38/357/44 typically always large pistol primers? I’d like to get some of the hard to find stuff coming In. Big gun show this weekend too might drop in and see what’s there
bigpower491
Member
38/357 are small pistol, 44spc is large pistol.
Hey, didn't you pick up a Match Champion not long ago? Better get some 38/357 dies while you're at it
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shoebox1.1
Member
I do have a match champion and it’s a bad boy! Best gun in the safe by far. Roger that on 38 dies.
Blue68f100
Member
I feel your pain. I've pulled several mussels loose where they attached, shoulder, ankle. Every one had to be surgicaly reattached. Now tares can be rehabbed, and with the use of good medicine (steroids) and therapist recovery can be pretty quick. Follow your therapist instructions and it will go fast. Also tell them all they pain your feeling. PT is normally a requirement before surgery can be approved. So if it's not working go back to your Dr and proceed with the process.
Repetitive motion injuries can and do happen over time. This is where good ergonomics come into play to minimize the damage.
Hope you get back into the game soon.
AJC1
Member
They did have lp 38, 357 but I've never had any. Spp will work well except with magnum powders mostly. Shooters World heavy pistol claims magnum power with regular spp. So des 2400.
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shoebox1.1
Member
We have a scheels locally and I was looking at their powder online. They have a bunch of brands. What would be good if I can’t find unique? For specifically 44 Spc skeeter loads? Titegroup or power pistol maybe?
GeoDudeFlorida
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I would look at W244, W231, Herco, or Blue Dot. Accurate No.5 is a good choice. Accurate No.7 and the H&G 503 are really only good for longer barrels in my experience. Super 14 and longer.
AJC1
Member
Tightgroup was my first powder. It's a great powder for a more experienced reloader, and would be better as a 3rd or 4th go around. Accurate #5 will give you more push but not quite magnum.
conan32120
Member
Hs6 is my .44 special goto unique being a close second
Charlie98
Member
I have a set of .38/.357 dies languishing on the bench... I'll bet you could talk me into loaning them to you. I gave up on .38's some years ago.
Don't forget Gunmaster down in Plano, he's had his fair share of good pistol powders, including Unique, lately.
I used TiteGroup in .44SPC, along with .45 Colt, TG has a high nitro content, so after 50 rounds, the pistol was almost too hot to hold to punch empties out. Because of that, I'm not a big fan of using TiteGroup with cast bullets in particular. I plan on using it up in 9mm... with plated and jacketed bullets, in a poly pistol that doesn't turn into a heatsink.
Before you run out and buy powder, let's look at the loading manual and see what you want to shoot, and what you want out of it. For example... TiteGroup and PowerPistol are 2 very different powders.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Yup. I always start with a question: “What do I want to put a hole in?”
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shoebox1.1
Member
Two answer the last two posts. Specifically the classic skeeter load. 240gr Lyman 429421. I would perfer unique at the recommend 7.5 grains. And Charlie I forgot alll about gunmaster. I’ll go tomorrow and take a peek thanks!!
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shoebox1.1
Member
AJC1
Member
I have your 44 dies, the single Lyman mold you speak of and other accouterments..... I'll make you a trade once you get your feet wet...
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shoebox1.1
Member
Awesome thank you.
My Mentor lives about 2 miles away. We met riding recumbent trikes. He has been loading for somewhere around 40 years. He has taught me a lot. I ask him the dumbest questions but he answers them like they were new questions. He has even showed me what defects to look for in once fired brass. He has loaned me dies for my 270 ammo and gave be about 20 pieces of brass for the 270. I loaded about 5 boxes of 30-30 brass for my son. Loaded about 4 boxes of 308 for my other son. My middle son with get my 270 Remington model 4. My oldest son with get the Remington 788 lightweight,308. My youngest son borrowed the Winchester model 94, 30-30 Trapper and has kept it for the last 30 years, he can have it. I also have a 1911 Iver Johnson and cycle works .32 S&W, top break, which goes to my daughter and a North American arms 22Mag also goes to her. I don't know if either of the boys wants to reload but I am hoping so cause I have a lot of loading equipment. I have even written what I paid for each piece of loading equipment just in case something happens to me and my wife has to sell the equipment.
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