Reloading Equipment/Procedure Basics For Beginners - Read This First!

**Maiden32** · February 5th, 2013, 03:14 PM

Since I'm new,my question is can I use one press for handgun rounds and 300 win mag?I'm buying a kit in a few weeks and wanna make sure I know what I need.Thank you

**Pector55** · February 5th, 2013, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Maiden32

Since I'm new,my question is can I use one press for handgun rounds and 300 win mag?I'm buying a kit in a few weeks and wanna make sure I know what I need.Thank you

You sure can. The dies or what will make the difference. For what its worth my 300 Win Mag went from shooting 4 inch groups to shooting sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards just by getting the C.O.L. correct.

**Lycanthrope** · February 5th, 2013, 07:00 PM

You also need the correct shell plate. You may need priming gear if your handgun uses small primers.

Lycananddiesthrope

**Maiden32** · February 7th, 2013, 11:13 AM

I was thinking on RCBS or Hornady..Kit for around 300 or so...

**Pector55** · February 7th, 2013, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Maiden32

I was thinking on RCBS or Hornady..Kit for around 300 or so...

I picked the Hornady kit last year. At the time they gave you 500 free bullets with the kit. Since then I bought a case trimmer, tumbler, primer pocket cleaners, etc. The best investment has been the O.A.L. gauge.

**Maiden32** · February 7th, 2013, 01:12 PM

I am still doing research.Trying to build a workbench.And making sure I read 1st.Just a little nervous. Plan on doing 9mm,maybe 45 if I get one.30-06,7mm08 and 300 win mag.poss.30.30

**RaggedEdge** · May 27th, 2013, 02:46 PM

Does anyone anneal their brass with a torch after reloading the same brass a couple times or is it not worth the effort?

**cephas** · May 27th, 2013, 03:24 PM

Ed Harris on the subject from the cast bullet association:

BA> "Reanneal" rifle brass? Could you enlighten me (us) on what you
BA>actually do and what you look for to trigger the decision to do it?

I go mainly by the way it machines when trimming under power. A very hard neck gives short shavings which come off line filings, whereas a soft case gives nice long fuzz.

On my rifle match brass I keep batches of about 400-500 rounds (1 .50 cal. ammo can full) together until they are all fired, then they are processed and reloaded at the same time. If full length resizing for rapid-fire, they need to be trimmed every time and reannealed every 5th reload, or earlier if I get any neck splits. When I get the first neck split, I anneal the whole batch after sizing, and before trimming.

To anneal rifle brass I first full-length resize, clean primer pockets, tumble clean so you can make a good visual inspection, then set up your propane torch in a vise so it is rigid and the flame is horizontal with your bench top.

Adjust the flame so the inner blue cone is 3/4" long and MEASURE it. For .308 Win. or .30-'06 size cases take the piece of brass in your fingers, place the open mouth of the case into the flame at about a 45 degree angle so the tip of the inner blue cone contacts the inside of the neck near the shoulder junction.

Annealing must be done in a dimly lighted room and with a bucket of water on the floor between your feet. As you hold the case mouth in the flame count to yourself two seconds, then turn the case 180 degrees, then two seconds, then 180 degrees, one second, 180 again, once second, then the case neck should be just transitioning from dull red to bright cherry, and drop it in the bucket.

You need to be very careful doing this bare handed, but the key is that holding the case head in your bare fingers, if you don't burn your fingers, the case head can't get too soft and be dangerous. Always size first, then anneal, for if you anneal first the dead primer in the pocket hoilds air in the case so you don't get a good quench and the case will get too soft. Even if you decap first, if you anneal and then size, the case shoulder may buckle when you size. I size, clean, anneal, then trim.

In Home Mix We Trust, Regards, Ed

I find different loads/calibers vary.

**Popsracerx** · June 5th, 2013, 06:10 PM

I am thinking about learning to reload and this thread is very instructive for newbies. I do have a couple of questions; How often can you reuse the brass? Do you keep using it until there is visible damage to the case or is there a number for times it has been used that once reached it is better not to reload it?

**ImAfossil** · March 13th, 2015, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Popsracerx

I am thinking about learning to reload and this thread is very instructive for newbies. I do have a couple of questions; How often can you reuse the brass? Do you keep using it until there is visible damage to the case or is there a number for times it has been used that once reached it is better not to reload it?

Yoooo Pops:

Starting out reloading ? Good ! !

If you are interested I have a Sierra (Rifle only) Hand Loading Manual you can have. It answers mostly all of the questions that you will have.

It was my bible for lots of years---I loaded thousands of rounds for me and my buddies and normally got my info out of this book.

Just send me a PM (private message) and I will work out a way to get the manual to you.

See Pictures of manual.

ImAfossil (My board handle)