wanna get my feet wet/looking to start reloading

[rugersol]

Of course, the LNL-AP has a case-activated powder-measure. Once properly adjusted, locked down, and filled ... so long as ya don't short-stroke it ... 'er double-stroke it ... it's nearly impossible to F it up. I recommend to noobs to weigh every 1st drop, and 100th drop ... if they're within +/-0.2gr ... the "batch" is GTG!

Lots of guys run progressives with case-activated powder-measures producing millions of rounds, every year. The question is, at what point is a noob ok to work such a thing? I've actually seen a noob use a single-stage, charge a tray of cases ... and bulge the bbl on one gun ... and pound out a squib in 'nother ... on the same nite! ... two different calibers! Could the same guy F up a case-activated measure? ... sure! Point is, a tray's no guarantee neither!

Frankly, given the choice 'tween a tray of 50 cases, 'er a single hopper, to make sure they're "filled appropriately" ... my money's on the hopper!

HOT DAMM !!! FINALLY !!!

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE STATED HERE - and I am yelling that response to you and everyone.

THANK YOU !!!!

I'm here to help!

[plblark]

since I'm not being passive-aggressive, I'll say that Seismic Sam has a reputation as the mean and nasty reloading troll. But just because you don't like his presentation doesn't make the content gibberish.

Or were you saying being careful and advocating that new reloaders be careful as well as pointing out the pitfalls and places where people could screw up is a bad idea?

Yeah, I agree that it's sometimes over the top and detail heavy. Would more people read it if presented differently? Possibly.

[OldmanFCSA]

...................................
Would more people read it if presented differently? Possibly.

Yes.

[plblark]

just because you don't like his presentation doesn't make the content gibberish.

And being honest, with a different presentation, he'd get a lot more people to pay attention and learn.

[yuppiejr]

just because you don't like his presentation doesn't make the content gibberish.

And being honest, with a different presentation, he'd get a lot more people to pay attention and learn.

There are a number of great members here generous enough to post answers to question about reloading including Serious Sam. None of these guys/gals is being compensated for providing their time and expertise as a service to the community so I don't see where anyone can complain about the tone/content of any replies to a question they ask. I enjoy the personality that some posters project beyond the invaluable technical content/opinions in their posts, sometimes being called out or publicly shamed for asking a dumb question or admitting to having done something noob-foolish is a powerful learning tool (speaking from frequent experience). A healthy dose of new reloader guy hazing to promote humility and emphasis on getting fundamentals right with a dose of over-caution may save a person's life or limb when they are most prone to making mistakes just starting out.

Short version - if you're getting a free meal don't complain, learn to enjoy Brussel sprouts along with your steak.

[R.E.T.]

I have learned a lot from SS's posts.

[farmerj]

Short version - if you're getting a free meal don't complain, learn to enjoy brussel sprouts along with your steak.

One shouldn't have to constantly be riddled with condescending comments either.

[SleepingJake]

So it appears that the overall vote is for the progressive press, awesome.

So here's another question, I see a mixed vote for going with carbide dies vs regular dies. The argument being that with carbide dies you don't have to lubricate the brass, however, it makes loading much easier-especially on a progressive press. Note that I have zero experience in reloading, all I've learned is from scouring the internet, Lyman & Hornady's reloading guides are in the mail.

[Dutch]

I don't lube handgun brass with carbide dies. Rifle brass needs to be lubed, also with carbide dies.

[SleepingJake]

I don't lube handgun brass with carbide dies. Rifle brass needs to be lubed, also with carbide dies.

Noted, thanks.

[JJ]

Whatever you decide to do, RTFM. And when you are done, read it again. Don't end up like this guy, who's post I stole from another forum:

loaded some 50gr nosler BT with 40 gr varget according to the nosler manual for most accurate load. once i managed to pry open the bolt on my savage 10 predator there was no primer that i could see, case wedged in the chamber pretty good and extractor claw is messed up. what in the world happened? just pulled three more bullets and weighed the charge at exactly 40gr like was listed. my old book has it at 36gr. is the data messed up in the current nosler book? fluke? need to pull all 50 rounds i loaded last night? HELP!

going back through old post looks like most guys are using between 34 and 36 gr of varget. so I am way over load looks like!

[SleepingJake]

Whatever you decide to do, RTFM. And when you are done, read it again. Don't end up like this guy, who's post I stole from another forum:

loaded some 50gr nosler BT with 40 gr varget according to the nosler manual for most accurate load. once i managed to pry open the bolt on my savage 10 predator there was no primer that i could see, case wedged in the chamber pretty good and extractor claw is messed up. what in the world happened? just pulled three more bullets and weighed the charge at exactly 40gr like was listed. my old book has it at 36gr. is the data messed up in the current nosler book? fluke? need to pull all 50 rounds i loaded last night? HELP!

going back through old post looks like most guys are using between 34 and 36 gr of varget. so I am way over load looks like!

I downloaded "The ABC's to Reloading" which seems to be a pretty good read. My Hornady and Lyman books will be here, like never. Kuwaiti Customs is on strike and I'll be in Iraq when they get here.

[Rem700]

Whatever you decide to do, RTFM. And when you are done, read it again. Don't end up like this guy, who's post I stole from another forum:

loaded some 50gr nosler BT with 40 gr varget according to the nosler manual for most accurate load. once i managed to pry open the bolt on my savage 10 predator there was no primer that i could see, case wedged in the chamber pretty good and extractor claw is messed up. what in the world happened? just pulled three more bullets and weighed the charge at exactly 40gr like was listed. my old book has it at 36gr. is the data messed up in the current nosler book? fluke? need to pull all 50 rounds i loaded last night? HELP!

going back through old post looks like most guys are using between 34 and 36 gr of varget. so I am way over load looks like!

The guy was trying to reload 22-250 but had his reloading manual opened to the 22-250AI Oooops

[JJ]

Whatever you decide to do, RTFM. And when you are done, read it again. Don't end up like this guy, who's post I stole from another forum:

loaded some 50gr nosler BT with 40 gr varget according to the nosler manual for most accurate load. once i managed to pry open the bolt on my savage 10 predator there was no primer that i could see, case wedged in the chamber pretty good and extractor claw is messed up. what in the world happened? just pulled three more bullets and weighed the charge at exactly 40gr like was listed. my old book has it at 36gr. is the data messed up in the current nosler book? fluke? need to pull all 50 rounds i loaded last night? HELP!

going back through old post looks like most guys are using between 34 and 36 gr of varget. so I am way over load looks like!

The guy was trying to reload 22-250 but had his reloading manual opened to the 22-250AI Oooops

That is one reason I always double check loads against more than one source.

Plus the guy went right to the "accuracy load" that was published, instead of working up his load. Always reduce and work up. It's not like you need to shoot a 10 shot group at each charge. Even loading one single round at increasing charges should show pressure signs before catastrophic failure.

[Shipyard]

Short version - if you're getting a free meal don't complain, learn to enjoy brussel sprouts along with your steak.

One shouldn't have to constantly be riddled with condescending comments either.

comming from you that's rich...

it's the interwebs and reloading is serious business. asking questions is awesome. i'm actually glad that i got my head bit off a few times when i was a noob reloader - it saved me from having my hands blown off later.

also the reason that when i see some noob idiot at an indoor range sweep the range or myself witht he muzzle i'm intheir face screaming like they just tried to **** my wife - it let's them know that this is serious **** and next time they remember not to be an idiot. point a gun at me, get one pointed back.

we ain't learning fractions or building model airplanes here.