Crash Course in Reloading

[GFK]

My sportsmen club is sponsoring a Spring training clinic for youth 13-18, using AR-15s. At a club meeting, the instructor offered an opportunity to learn about reloading, in preparation for the clinic. He is expecting about 20 youth and wanted to make sure enough ammo was on hand. He claimed it would be about 2-3 hours. Since I had a desire to learn about reloading, I said sure. Well, we (me) actually spent 5 hours making 100 rounds. Either, I was slow with the process, or he underestimated the time required. I am thinking that I was slow.

I did get a chance to work through the whole process though, I think (inspecting, lubing, resizing case and removing primer cup, cleaning primer seat, checking case length, seating primer, measure and add power, seating bullet, and measure overall length). We used casing that had already being cleaned. So, he just started his process and talked about that part. Overall, I enjoyed the process. Yet, I think that I would rather work in groups of 50 instead of 100. Maybe, I will pick up speed as time goes on. Or, I could break down the process into phases. It was about the only thing that I gone done today. And, I want like to do other things throughout the day. However, it was a good day!

[runnin n gunnin]

GJK - Good on you for getting involved with our younger generation. There is nothing wrong in taking your time and checking your work.
Fast is slow, slow is fast !

You will get some great feed back here. For me, it all depends on how many rounds I am reloading. I currently have 2K 9mm casings to load. I do it in phases, deprime everything, then clean everything, then case resize and bell, then drop powder, seat bullet. If I have 50 rounds or less, I will do them all at one time.

You have to work at the pace that is comfortable to you, not someone else.

[fortyshooter]

Reloading is something you don't want to rush through especially at an older age. I take my time and run powder load checks, COL checks and so on.
Always glance at the case before you insert the bullet and if you take a break during the process check everything again before resuming operation.
Put a label on the powder dumper on what powder you are using too.

[GFK]

Thanks for the feedback! We have about 5 more weeks before the first clinic. He wants to run 2 clinics in April. The plan is to produce 100 rounds per Saturday. The goal is based on 25 rounds per youth x 20 each clinic. So far, 600 has been produced. I may help out one more time. But, I will have to confer with the other half. I am learning that this 2 as 1 thing works better when the 2 work together.

[John E Davies]

Reloading bottle neck rifle cartridges is a pain in the butt! Especially if you start down that long endless thankless trail to tight groups. That gets you into measuring headspace, checking and adjusting bullet runout, individually weighing and sorting bullets, individually weighing charges, using a chronograph to fine tune the charge, and more. It is a rabbit hole I found myself part way in. I sold all my high velocity rifles (and their related special reloading equipment) and kept one pistol caliber rifle….

With straight walled cases it is a third the work, use a carbide die set, so you don’t have to lube. Use a quick and reasonably accurate powder measure like the classic Uniflow. If you are in a super hurry, use a turret or progressive press. Reloading should be fun, if it isn’t, then don’t bother.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[Rifletom]

And do NOT be in a hurry. Just learning? Please take your time. I've been handloading since 1977 and I an still in no hurry at all. Have the same RCBS single stage I bought then and still use that. No hurry. Enjoy the process.

[Headhog]

All excellent advice provided here. I've been reloading since the mid 70's and also still have my first RCBS press. As I shot more and reloaded more I needed to add progressive presses for straight walled cases. It's a fun extension of your shooting hobby. Just take the time to do it right.

Paul

[GFK]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. That is what my club member stated also: accuracy is more important than speed. He then stressed that precision is even more important when loading rounds for 600 yards shots. Next, he asked if I considered shooting for competition. I told him that I was just interested in target practice, hunting and self-defense. He invited me to come out and see the youth shoot, stating that it would motivate me in considering competitive shooting. He did not want to take maybe as an answer. So, I may just observe one of his clinics. I typically don't get involve with events that the club hosts. But, I do get involve with the NRA Annual Youth Sports Fest. I normally conduct the orientation and safety brief.

He has been running the clinic, since I have been a member, 2017. He hosts a CMP Garand match yearly and takes youths on different matches as well. He even competes himself. I guess that is why he was insistent about competition. To me, competing is not fun. Yet, I guess it does help a person to become a better shot under pressure. Even so, I am good with how I am currently shooting. I believe there is always room for improvement. That is why I practice, practice and then practice.

[Shakey Jake]

Reloading bottle neck rifle cartridges is a pain in the butt! Especially if you start down that long endless thankless trail to tight groups. That gets you into measuring headspace, checking and adjusting bullet runout, individually weighing and sorting bullets, individually weighing charges, using a chronograph to fine tune the charge, and more. It is a rabbit hole I found myself part way in. I sold all my high velocity rifles (and their related special reloading equipment) and kept one pistol caliber rifle….

With straight walled cases it is a third the work, use a carbide die set, so you don’t have to lube. Use a quick and reasonably accurate powder measure like the classic Uniflow. If you are in a super hurry, use a turret or progressive press. Reloading should be fun, if it isn’t, then don’t bother.

John Davies
Spokane WA

I go as far as checking headspace. I do not own a chrono and really don't care about weighing and sorting bullets. I do weigh charges by hand though. So long as it goes "bang" and I get decent groups I'm fine.

Jake

[GFK]

Is there a manual or reloading set that I should start with? Hornady's manual was recommend. I don't have a workshop, and my garage has vehicles in it. I do have a shed. But, it does not have any wall mounted shelving. Maybe, a portable table?

[fortyshooter]

Find the Lyman manual as a good start and I think the latest is the 50th edition. As far as a reloading area/location...I started out in my shop/garage but later moved all but the decapping/case cleaning operation inside the house in my gun room. This keeps you loading operation in a controlled temp/humidity enviroment.

[GFK]

Gun room. That is a nice idea. Have not got there. Thought about my home office/exercise room. But, it is shared with my wife, and room is limited.