Hey I was wanting to start reloading for a couple of my rifles. Who could I talk to in order to start learning how to use the press. Also what materials would I need for reloading 300SAVAGE, 7mm Rem Mag and 30 carbine
@Nick would probably be your guy since he’s the chairperson or @Team_Hatchers
If he has the time @Gimli is you best bet for getting great instruction on how to load. He has an enormous amount of experience.
@btb5987
Hi Ben,
Excited to see you wanting to get into reloading. So to get started I would ask have you ever reloaded? If you haven’t, I or @Gimli can probably give you a short introduction on a more common caliber like 223, 45, 357/38 or 9mm. This would give you the general knowledge you will need to understand the process of reloading.
Once you understand the mechanics of the process, we get into reloading your rifle cartridges as there will need to be some investment to get started. I don’t believe we have dies for 300 savage, 7mm or 30 Carbine. Russell I think has a 30 cal set of dies he would probably be willing to bring up and teach you on. But, you will have some shopping to do and we can explain that in more detail during your instruction. Hatcher’s currently doesn’t stock components for reloading, We have some casing that have been donated, but odds are they are not the calibers you are wanting.
A rule to be knowledgeable on when reloading. There is no storing of primers or gun powder at DMS. So if you bring it in, you will also need to leave with it.
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I have not done any myself but my grandfather was into it for a long time. If I’m correct he has dies and the bullets for 7mm but the rest I would need to buy.
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Awesome,
When are you wanting to learn? So I can try and get something together.
Thanks
Nick
As soon as I could. What days would be convenient for you?
Cool,
I’m swamped right now with work and up coming holidays, but I’ll talk with Russell and get a class on the calendar as soon as possible. Thanks for the interest @btb5987. What times during the week work for you?
I have my dad’s set of dies in my possession, and he intended to lend them to Hatcher’s but either we need to figure out a way to permanently mark things as his (it’s my understanding that he does intend to reclaim them when his workspace is back in order), or they would only be available when @thatguy or I are on the premises. I’m not really sure what’s in it, but Steven might have an idea off the top of his head.
I have the box of dies in my truck @Nick if you want to check them out we will be there tomorrow
We really should create a RFID lockable cabinet so we can track the dies. I don’t want to see 1000’s$ of dies get misplaced without a way to track it.
Luckily I know a guy who can cut stuff on the PlasmaCam should we create a drawing for it.
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Don’t know what the guys have on the bench in Hatchers, but at minimum you’ll need a set of dies for each caliber, a shell holder for each caliber, and perhaps a primer tool shell holder.
Choosing your dies depends on what you expect to get out of them.
Hunting/Plinking ( >= 1MOA) - Most any manufacturer will do. I prefer Lee dies, because even though they are among the least expensive, I’ve gotten more consistent results over the years with them than I have RCBS or Hornady at that price point. This also depends on your rifle, which has to be able to shoot into the group size the ammo can provide.
Accuracy rifle ( < 1MOA) - Redding and Wilson are the top choices here, but require more experience to use and understand. I use Wilson bullet seaters exclusively, and Redding bushing sizer dies. But I’m feeding half-MOA rifles with them. I mostly bump size now, and use only Lapua brass. Prepping my cases takes a long time, and is a hideous pain in the ass - so I wouldn’t bother for hunting ammo.
I have some very expensive tools, but you’d be surprised how many Lee Precision tools I still use. Lee just makes some great stuff (and some crap too). Their autoprime tool is a winner, their crimp dies a necessity for glocked brass, and their dies excellent.
It’s a bunch of fun man, and you’ll find yourself shooting more, and getting better faster soon.
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I hear what you all are saying. The Die Sets we tend to buy for Hatcher’s run in the $50 to $150 range. Yes, this is expensive, but it is unlikely that we will lose 1000s of dollars worth of dies. Almost all of our dies have been donated as well as the equipment in the room. Once @TBJK buttons up the reloading bench, we will have to build a Die Storage unit. I don’t think our dies will get picked over if they are left unlocked. Especially, if we mark them.
During the week Tuesday’s wendsdays and Friday’s after 5. During the weekend almost always.
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Anyone happen to be at the space now?
I’ve been prodding Russel hard to add a class. He has submitted a class for the 14th! Hopefully we can get an approval. Sorry for the delay, but you know the issues of being all volunteer and a required wait of 240 hours to have an honorarium class.
He is basing the teaching on reloading 223 rifle cartridges, because if you can reload a bottle neck cartridge you can reload most anything.
I hope everyone enjoys Russel’s class, he truly is one of the most generous people I’ve met at the space, you are lucky to have him as a instructor.
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Thx Nick, I’ll be on the look out for it.
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I too am looking forward to this class.
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Just an FYI, as of right now, there has been nothing submitted for a reloading class.
Thanks Alex,
I’ll tag Russel again, I was texting him yesterday as he said he was about to hit submit.