Clinton MS reloaders: I need a local reloading mentor!

So I have been wanting to start reloading for a few years, finally took the plunge. Cabelas has the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master reloading kit on Black Friday Sale for $249.95, so I jumped on it as my wife's Christmas present to me. I have a few friends that reload, but none are local in town.

I'd like to get to know somebody here in Clinton that reloads, that can maybe walk me through their setup, reloading process, etc. and maybe look over my shoulder the first time or two as well, once I get my own gear set up.

I have been advised to start with .38/.357 and 9MM, and get the hang of that, but ultimately would like to reload in .45, .25-06 and .30-06 and possibly other calibers as well.

If anybody is up for the challenge of taking a newbie under their wing and teaching me how to reload safely and accurately, I'd love to hear from you.

WesM

That's comes with a reloading manual right?

The RCBS kit? Yeah, it comes with a Speer manual I believe. I have also been advised to get the Sierra manual. Two reloaders I know recommend that one as best.

Read the first half of the Speer manaul before you do ANY reloading. It will explain what you are going to be doing and why. It explains what happens to the case during firing and resizing. If you can't find someone in Clinton, I live in madison and work on highway 18 in jackson I could come by after work and give you a hand. I would start with the 30-06. I have always thought rifle reloading is easier to learn how to get started.

I reloaded rifle first. I was with a mentor, SGMJody. The good thing about rifle reloading is you can't double charge them.

I work in West Jackson and can come over after work if need be. PM me your number if you need me.

PhillipM wrote:I work in West Jackson and can come over after work if need be. PM me your number if you need me.

Like PhillipM, I would be happy to assist you ....

Thanks for the offers, guys. It will be a while before I get my press set up (have to clean out the shed and build a bench first), but I will try to get in touch with some of you over the holidays if you all aren't out hunting. I'd like to spend a little while watching as someone else reloads a batch from start to finish before I try to roll my own.

I looked through the contents of the kit and would recommend adding a 6" dial caliper or electronic. Both types work with a gear running up and down a rack so don't think the electronic is any more accurate. I have an RCBS dial caliper and hate it because it jumps a tooth every now and then. I think some of the ones sold by reloading companies are all made by the same company as the Hornady is a dead ringer for my RCBS.

If I were you I'd lurk Ebay and buy a good used Starett, Browne & Sharpe, or Mitutoyo caliper. These are professional grade and can be had used for as much as a new RCBS and the quality will be much higher.

Next you need to get some dies for whatever you want to start loading first, I don't think it matters which way you go, rifle or pistol. When you get into bottle neck rifle cases you need a trimmer. I think starting out a Possum neck trimmer is what I'd get along with the power adapter. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/775644/possum-hollow-kwick-case-trimmer-270-280-25-06-30-06 I have a .30-06 trim die if you need to use it till you get off and running.

You will also need shellholders. .45, 30-06, and 25-06 all use the same RCBS #3, you will need one each for .38 and 9mm.

Next you need to determine a load. I suggest posting what kind of guns you are loading for and their purpose and ask for suggestions. Luckily you have picked out some very popular calibers so it should be easy to pick out a well performing load from decades of past data. It would be money ahead to pick out a powder that can be used in more than one caliber, but it depends if you want to potentially compromise on performance.

Never be afraid to ask a question, we either learn from each other or the school of hard knocks. Learning from each other is cheaper!

Sold my Rock Chucker but still have dies for .45 and .40 if you need them.

Thanks for the great advice and recommendations PhillipM. Along with the kit, I ordered a set of .38/.357 dies and the shell holder for that cartridge (to get my total order up to $300 for the rebate). I shoot a lot of 9mm, but I have heard that it isn't really any cheaper to reload for that caliber, since 9mm WWB is so cheap at Walmart. I thought I might start with .38/.357, since that is more expensive. Pistol calibers, I'd like to load both for target and for self-defense.

I don't own a .45 yet, but once I get one, I can see myself reloading that.

I'd also like to reload for .30-06 and .25-06. I have a Rem 700 in .25-06 that used to be my deer rifle, but I eventually got a Savage .30-06 to hunt with. Also have a Garand, so I'd like to be able to reload some Garand food. I have a lot of Lake City and Greek HXP brass I have been saving for when I start reloading. Rifle calibers, I'd like to load both for target and for hunting.

I inherited a Lyman Spartan press from my uncle. I wondered the other day if I could set up the Lyman press alongside the new RCBS, and use the Lyman with one die as a dedicated 1st stage press, and use the RCBS with the 2nd die (at least for the rifle cartridges that only use 2 dies). Does this sound reasonable? I am thinking that could save me a little time swapping out and setting dies between stages.

If the Spartan takes the same dies as the RCBS, you could do that. That would actually save you some time.

I believe it does fit standard dies. It's very old, and I'm sure it has some slop in it, so I wouldnt want to use it for anything precise, but I think I could definitely use it at least to deprime and whatever else that first die does.

jbpmidas wrote:If the Spartan takes the same dies as the RCBS, you could do that. That would actually save you some time.

I HIGHLY recommend Harbor Freight out in Pearl when it comes to calipers.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html

You can certainly get better quality but I've been using these for the last ten years with great results and they're a fraction of the price of the big names. On sale now for $19.99 but there's usually a coupon for them in NRA magazines for $9.99.

Most people don't realize going in that the press is typically (at least for pistol reloading) only about half the price of what you'll spend for a reloading setup. Tumbler, dies, case gauge, scale, shell plate, calipers, reloading manual, etc. etc. etc.

JohnHeiter wrote:I HIGHLY recommend Harbor Freight out in Pearl when it comes to calipers.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html

You can certainly get better quality but I've been using these for the last ten years with great results and they're a fraction of the price of the big names. On sale now for $19.99 but there's usually a coupon for them in NRA magazines for $9.99.

Most people don't realize going in that the press is typically (at least for pistol reloading) only about half the price of what you'll spend for a reloading setup. Tumbler, dies, case gauge, scale, shell plate, calipers, reloading manual, etc. etc. etc.

Thats what I use... plus I bought my tumbler from there. Tumber is over 5 years old, still works great.

jbpmidas wrote:If the Spartan takes the same dies as the RCBS, you could do that. That would actually save you some time.

They do -- I actually have an old Spartan press set-up next to my other. Use it in the same manner your are suggesting ...

You have picked a great caliber to start with ... 38/357. That is the BEST to start with, IMHO!!

While you're there, they have some nice little needle file sets and punch sets that come in handy for smithing, pick up some akro bins for storing odds and ends, one of those little hammers with one rubber face and one polyurethane face, and....

JohnHeiter wrote:While you're there, they have some nice little needle file sets and punch sets that come in handy for smithing, pick up some akro bins for storing odds and ends, one of those little hammers with one rubber face and one polyurethane face, and....

reminds me that I do need a new punch set .....

I live in Clinton and can assist you if need be....

You have some fine mentors already lined up....


I'd highly recommend loading 38 specials first. You need to get your "process" in place

Keep us posted....no pun intened