Okay, I'm ready to start!

[shooter57]

When you really get into it you may want to buy in bulk instead of a box at a time. A good place to buy bulk bullets are gun shows so you don't have to pay a shipping charge. remember to get the brand and weight and put them on the scale to check the weight. Keep having fun.

[DrDavidM]

Congratulations to Benzuncle. I am glad you had a good time and are getting the routine down. I have been loading for about 5 years now and I usually start in the middle of the load range as well. Better too light than too hot, but I have never had one fail to cycle. Keep loading and enjoy. It's almost as much fun as shooting the bullets isn't it? :D

[Mushroom]

I cheat! I use a Lyman 1200-DPS3 powder scale. It's pricey but I have been reloading for over thirty years and decided to indulge myself. Using the auto repeat setting I weigh every charge. I still have the same press I started with, an RCBS Rock Chucker. I am going to wear it out before I stop reloading! I won't even try to guess at how many thousands of rounds I have loaded with it.
.300 Win Mag.
.30-06
.270 Win
.223 Rem (5.56 NATO)
7.62 X 39 Russian
.30 M1 Carbine
30/30 Win
7.62 X 54 Russian
7 X 57 MM Mauser
9 MM (9 X 19 Luger)
.40 S & W
.38 Special
.357 Mag.
.44 Mag.

[DrDavidM]

Hey Mushroom. What brand of dies to you use for your 7.62x54r. I just got a Mosin m38 for Christmas and want some dies. I have always been very fond of Lee dies, but I have read of some people having issues with them in the 7.62x54r. Thanks

[KimberPB]

Hey Mushroom. What brand of dies to you use for your 7.62x54r. I just got a Mosin m38 for Christmas and want some dies. I have always been very fond of Lee dies, but I have read of some people having issues with them in the 7.62x54r. Thanks

Hey Doc I have not started loading for the 7.62x54r yet but a guy I work with has been. He said he has not had any issues with the Lee Dies. He did mention, for some reason, the Przi brass showed a lot of scrapping when resized. All the other bands resized without an issue.

[benzuncle]

Shooter57, I bought 500 bullets and 500 Starline casings when I bought my Lee setup from kempgunshop.com. They are located in Michigan City, Indiana.


I would have bought in bulk, but not on the first try.

[KimberPB]

Shooter57, I bought 500 bullets and 500 Starline casings when I bought my Lee setup from kempgunshop.com. They are located in Michigan City, Indiana.


I would have bought in bulk, but not on the first try.

Nice start. Now you just have to start training all your non-reloading friends to collect there brass. Before you know it you'll have a couple 1000 rounds of different calibers! :D

[Mushroom]

Hey Mushroom. What brand of dies to you use for your 7.62x54r. I just got a Mosin m38 for Christmas and want some dies. I have always been very fond of Lee dies, but I have read of some people having issues with them in the 7.62x54r. Thanks

The one's I have had for at least 20 years.(RCBS) They are all good, I usually use RCBS or Lee. Lately I prefer the Lee because they allow me to drop powder thru the expanding die of my pistol calibers. I load a lot of .40 S&W.

[benzuncle]

Here's the continuing saga of Benzuncle's handloading adventures:
As you will recall, the first 20 rounds carefully loaded and measured at 4.2 grains were more than a little light, but as I mentioned, I figured they were and was being careful. The next 20 rounds were boosted to 5.1 grains, and they are fine. I shot 10 rounds at 21ft. and the other 10 at 40ft. I am very pleased, and now I can load up a small pile. Thanks to everyone for all of the much needed advice. ;)

BTW: I also purchased a Maxpedition Jumbo Versipak, which is designed to be used for a CCW. I plan to use this to carry my Sig P220 Compact. I've been looking at these long and hard and had initially decided on the regular Versipak. But as I carry a backpack to work each day, I got the larger one so it can pull double duty. These units have a lot of pockets and pouches, and add-ons. I am very pleased with the bag. The 3 guys that work at the range each have 2 different Maxpedition bags and are very fond of them. I can see why...

[Red Hat]

Congrats again. Now you can see what less than 1 gn difference will do. That's the reason you check and check and check your loads as you reload.

I have a fanny pack that has a holster built in. I use it in the summer sometimes. Works great when I don't want my weapon seen at all.