Here a stupid question

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by samuel

they all three go bang when excited. sam.

Don't we all?...

[Obsidious]

Originally Posted by gcsod45

I know you guys are going to get tired of my questions.

How do you tell if a case is reloadable. I'm not talking about looking for splits or cracks. Lets say you are at the range and pick a casing off the ground what do you look at to see if it can be reprimed and that type of stuff...........sorry still new to this

That isn't a stupid question at at...in fact I was wondering the same thing! Thanks for asking before I did!

[Taurus Fan]

What cartridge are you reloading, gcsod?


Here's a bit of advice for a beginning reloader: DO NOT fall into the "I gotta max load everything" mindset, as many new handloaders do. Max loads listed are to be approached with care. Load light, no point in beating your gun up when you're just plinking. Some cartridges are less forgiving than others when reloading. The 9mm for example, is a small cartridge that's already operating at a very high chamber pressure. If you're loading it hot and you set the bullet in too deep , the chamber pressure can skyrocket. Pay attention to overall cartridge length the manual gives for the bullet you're using.

[rdale501]

Originally Posted by samuel

JAC:Yeah,but me being 'common'think I know what I am talking about.You being a chemist have to research it.I believe it is better to not be smart,or,"ignorance is bliss".By the way,I believe the original term was fulminate of mercury,not that it makes any difference,they all three go bang when excited. sam.

Does this mean some people are educated beyond their intelligence?

[samuel]

Originally Posted by rdale501

Does this mean some people are educated beyond their intelligence?

Just educated beyond mental comprehension!!! sam.

[billy]

i dont get it...

[samuel]

It means I can possibly read,write, and spell every word in the English language,but I cant comprehend all of them.This only effects dummys like me and has nothing to do with reloading unless I cant comprehend what I read.I handle that by tying the gun down,getting a long lanyard and place to stand and yelling,"FIRE IN THE HOLE" and pulling the lanyard. sam.

[gcsod45]

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

What cartridge are you reloading, gcsod?

I will be loading for 45 Long Colt (here goes this thread. LOL)
30-06, .270 and 9mm

I appreciate any help on these items. I have a Lee Classic Kit coming.

[Taurus Fan]

Have you got any reloading manuals yet? Get one for each of the brands of bullets you'll be using, Hornady and Speer manuals are a must, and they're entertaining to browse through.

Edit: And get a case cleaner! Especially since you're shooting the 9mm and you'll be picking up your brass off the ground.Some kind of tumbler/vibrator to clean the dirt off is a must. I loaded for a couple years without one, and once I started using a vibrating cleaner I was disgusted with myself for loading dirty cruddy muck covered brass and shooting it.

[samuel]

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

What cartridge are you reloading, gcsod?


Here's a bit of advice for a beginning reloader: DO NOT fall into the "I gotta max load everything" mindset, as many new handloaders do. Max loads listed are to be approached with care. Load light, no point in beating your gun up when you're just plinking. Some cartridges are less forgiving than others when reloading. The 9mm for example, is a small cartridge that's already operating at a very high chamber pressure. If you're loading it hot and you set the bullet in too deep , the chamber pressure can skyrocket. Pay attention to overall cartridge length the manual gives for the bullet you're using.

I see no reason to load light just in case the bullet is seated too deep.The object of the game is to seat the bullet right to start with.If you then have trouble with backset bullets that slip deeper in the case when going through the loading process,then it is time to think of crimping.That means going to bullets with a cannilure and setting the die so it crimps when it seats the bullet.It is all in the loading instructions everyone should have. sam.

[Taurus Fan]

[quote=samuel;462682]I see no reason to load light just in case the bullet is seated too deep.

That's not really what I was saying, sam. I was saying that for casual plinking a lighter load is just as fun and your gun will last longer. As far as your cavalier attitude about seating depth, the 9mm can be very touchy, since it's operating at 35000+ cup and has a very small case capacity. In a max load, seating the bullet 1/10" of an inch deeper or having it forced deeper when the bullet is chambered during firing can make pressures jump to 50,000+ cup. This sort of sucks.
Changing the crimp as you mentioned is also something to be leery of if you're at a max load, going from a light crimp to a heavy one will also increase chamber pressures. It's all in the loading instructions everyone should have.

[samuel]

Could you print where you got the info that seating a bullet 1/10th" deeper will increase the pressure to 50k lbs? Also,could you post where you read that a crimp will cause dangerous pressures.I really dont know much about 9mm,s but have used them some.I used to shoot about 500 rds in one day competing.I loaded my own and had to pass the fps test before comp. sam.

[Taurus Fan]

Originally Posted by samuel

Could you print where you got the info that seating a bullet 1/10th" deeper will increase the pressure to 50k lbs? Also,could you post where you read that a crimp will cause dangerous pressures.I really dont know much about 9mm,s but have used them some.I used to shoot about 500 rds in one day competing.I loaded my own and had to pass the fps test before comp. sam.

Old info, thought it was common knowledge. No, I can't print it, it was something I picked up on 30 years ago, I think it was from Speer Reloading Manual #9, section called "Before You Get Started". (And it was a warning about the 9mm specifically, other, more voluminous cartridges are more forgiving) Also, I didn't say that a crimp will cause dangerous pressures, I said that going from a light to a heavy crimp will increase pressure. If you're at a max load, it may well put you over the recommended pressure. That I believe was from an article called "Why Ballistician's Hair turns Gray", but again, can't say for sure. In it, they chronographed the same load with no crimp, light, moderate, and heavy crimp and showed the increase in velocity as the crimp got heavier.

[samuel]

It doesnt matter.The reason I got into your post was you sugested light loads.There is a lot of danger in light loads,especially for beginners.Actions failing to function,bullets failing to leave the barrel,powder up powder down.There is no problem as long as they follow the loading manual.Also,if the expander is right there should be no reason to crimp pistol cartridges.Revolvers are different.I am sure you know what you are doing,it was only the way you said light load and didnt refer to the load book.No one should load less than the book says. sam.

[Taurus Fan]

Originally Posted by samuel

It doesnt matter.The reason I got into your post was you sugested light loads.There is a lot of danger in light loads,especially for beginners.Actions failing to function,bullets failing to leave the barrel,powder up powder down.There is no problem as long as they follow the loading manual.Also,if the expander is right there should be no reason to crimp pistol cartridges.Revolvers are different.I am sure you know what you are doing,it was only the way you said light load and didnt refer to the load book.No one should load less than the book says. sam.

????? I never said to load less than the recommended starting charge weight. I said not to fall into the n00bish habit of automatically trying to max load everything you get your hands on when you're just shooting them into the dirt. This is the third time in a row you've misconstrued what I've said so you could have something to argue about and it's starting to look intentional. Let's find a new game to play, shall we?

[samuel]

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

????? I never said to load less than the recommended starting charge weight. I said not to fall into the n00bish habit of automatically trying to max load everything you get your hands on when you're just shooting them into the dirt. This is the third time in a row you've misconstrued what I've said so you could have something to argue about and it's starting to look intentional. Let's find a new game to play, shall we?

[gandog56]

Originally Posted by samuel

Look in the neck at the bottom of the case.If you see one hole in the center it is reloadable.If you see two holes spread apart it is berdan,and not reloadable. sam.

Not technically true. You can reload Berdan, its just that it's a PITA to do it.

[Billyz]

what is the best press to buy when just starting out reloading?

[samuel]

Any singlestage or even turet,but single stage will teach the basics.I'm partial to RCBS.The cheaper Lee,s look ok now. sam.

[DWARREN123]

I would not try aluminum or steel, can be done but a BIG pain in the rear.