There are old-reloaders and there are bold-reloaders, but you won't find any old bold-reloaders.


Don't take load recipes from a person that’s blind in one eye and missing a few fingers.


Speed is nice but accuracy is final.

Thanks guys. This is fantastic. I am just getting into predator hunting. And because of this site the desire to reload. All of this information is great. To bad high school and college wasnt this informative. I might have paid a little better attention.

I know I can get any help I need askin questions here, which I'm sure I will be doing. I also can ask my uncle for help if I need it. Bein a member here and reading posts and reading the answers here is what made me finally decide to get my own reloading equipment and start reloading once and for all. By the way, this is a great idea for a post, I'll be keeping track of this one.

t/c223encore.

Lots of good advice here. One little thing I'd like to add that I don't think was mentioned. If you use several different powders, leave the can out that you are using at the time. That way you are sure to get the leftover powder back in the right can. Also remember, The only stupid question is the the one thats not asked. If you are unsure about something, get some help.

For my personal opinion, take the time to find someone in your immediate area that reloads. Whether you run into them at your local range, ask your local reloading supplier, or know them through a friend. This is assuming you have a manual and have read it.

Buy them a cup of coffee and ask them to come over and check out your equipment, help you go through the basics, and if there is some anomoly that pops up, stop and give them a call until you can understand what is happening. I have yet to meet anyone in the shooting community that wasn't willing to get a 'new guy' started on the right path.

I've reloaded straight-wall pistol cases for years and have just started reloading bottle-neck cases (.204 & .223) and have a well respected reloader in the next town (4 mi.) as a mentor. (Sounds odd as I am older than he is ) He's not retired and has his own busy life, but he's always been good for a phone call... or to have me stop by on a weekend or evening.

I agree with everyone else on starting lower than any max. load listed. Don't become a "Speedfreak" at the expense of safety. I like a flat shooting load as much as the next, but I want predictability more.

I have been reloading for about any and everything "boom" for over 25 years. The one best website i have ever found is here- www.varmintal.com check his relaoding page......
AFTER reading a good reloading manual cover to cover (I recommend the latest Lyman manual, it is like a very rounded text book, not just load recipe's) (Like the other guys posted)

Tres

Don't get in a hurry. If you don't have enough time to do it right, start the job at another time.

Develop a system or routine. Follow it every time.

A chronograph is one of the most valuable tools. If you are working up a load and see a sudden spike in velocity, you just passed the max load. Doesn't matter what your brass looks like or that your bolt opens easily, it's time to back up a half a grain or so.

Only keep one powder can on the bench at a time.

Don't mix cans of the same brand/type of powder.

Don't pick up used brass. You never know how many times that it has been fired. Brass is relatively cheap, hands and eyes are priceless.

Store your primers separate from your powder.

Have fun. Do it safely. You get a great sense of accomplishment when you shoot that .25" group or fill the freezer with your own custom load.

My first piece of advice is to make sure that the data you are using is for the powder you have, since some companies use the same number as another company for a somewhat different powder (just different enough that the data is not interchangable).

4350 is particularly bad in that respect (3 companies at least) but also 4064, 4831 and 4895 need to be double checked. And those are just from the Lee manual.

The second piece of advice is to be the type of person who learns by reading. And get several different manuals and compare them.

I will touch on the record keeping again

For very close record keeping, I have a 3 ring binder for all my reloading info, I like to keep it 1 rifle to 1 book. I print off all my testing targets from the internet, 8 1/2 X 11 sheets, once shot they get 3-hole punched and inserted along with chrony data on that load. The chrony sheet has places for all data along with comments, powder used, charge used, bullet, OAL and temp on that day, you could add wind or other enviromental data, gets alittle deep though for me. There is no question if you tried something before.

The short version
Never throw away those old targets, take a sharpie and write the load data on the target along with a brief comments like pressure signs etc. Use a couple file folders to keep it straight. I have targets from testing going back years, come to think about it......I still have targets from rifles I no longer have I should do something about that!!

Record keeping is just as important as anything else on your bench, it can keep you from wasting time, money, eyes, fingers or worse.

Develope a routine and stick to it. Zero your scales periodically.

Buy your bullets, primers, brass & powder in bulk with the same lot numbers.

Good point on saving targets. I also have a target file with notes on each bull as to load, date, outside temp, rifle etc.

Keep your loading bench clean and well organized.

I haven't been at it that long, but I've found that if I keep my brass neck down until it's charged with powder, I can tell if it's primed, what kind it is and, I'm sure there's no powder in it already.

Lots of good advice here! I've been loading for quite some time and learn something new everyday from PM forums.

Wanting to load close to max for that little extra speed for a follow-up shot on a running target is not a really valid reason for loading near max. I would keep my loads in the moderate part of the data for accuracy; longer brass life and a little longer barrel life and not have to worry about temperature pressures. Develope and mantaine a safe routine at the loading bench;then when that routine is interupted mental warning bells and whistles go off and that is when you stop and find out why.
Details-details-details; take your time and enjoy all the good things.
.........Chan

I agree whole heartedly about the extreme powders. I try to use them as much as possible. Also, the advise on distractions is right on the money. Pay attention to what you are doing...no radio, no TV, no wife, no beer. I have been doing this for about fifteen years and I can tell you that everyone loves velocity (at first). However, it is rare, extremely rare that you get top velocity and top accuracy with the same load. 2600 fps will kill 'em just as dead as 2800 fps. Accuracy is essential, velocity is optional.

I always keep a small mag lite flashlight on my bench..the reason is to look inside all my cases after the powder has been dumped into them, Especially Pistol reloads, Double charges of powder are very dangerous and it is all to easy to do...I look down inside the cases with a light and it will stick out like a sore thumb.

This is not a safety thing, but may save you time. Dont handle Primers with your fingers..buy a good hand priming tool and dump the primers into it..oil from your fingers can kill a primer.

You can never have to many manuals..I often cross reference loads in one manual with other manuals and find a middle of the road load to start with and work from there.

NEVER NEVER Mix powders...if powder hits the bench, it gets swept up and thrown away...I knew a guy who decided that he could use powder that he raked into a powder can over a period of time...it was 3 different kinds of powder..I told him many times not to ever do this...well he loaded it up in his Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag one weekend, then came to work and told me his Cylinder blew in half...blamed it on the gun...i asked what powder he used...it was the mixed powder...STUPID is as STUPID does.
He is lucky he didnt get hurt or killed, or someone standing nearby.