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Reloading 101

JOKER

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I have seen a good many post about "New to reloading" or "Thinking about reloading" so I figured I would post this up to help out beginners or people thinking of getting into reloading.
I love to sit at the bench and work up some rounds. I find it relaxing and very gratifying when I'm done.

This is how I do it and I'm always open to suggestions and tips.

This is my reloading bench I like it clean with plenty of light.
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First I take some empty cases that I have shoot and spray them with case lube.

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Using the full length resizing die in the press I resize and deprime in one step.
You can neck size if you are going to shoot the ammo in the same bolt action.

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Trim all the cases to the correct length with my case trimmer and then chamfer and deburr the case neck and clean the primer pockets. I can do all these steps with my RCBS case prep center.

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Heres one finished

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Its good to use a flash hole deburring tool also.

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Off to the tumbler for polishing. I like to use corncob media with brass polish for about 1 or 2 hours . This makes them shine like new.

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Clean all the media out of the cases and primer pocket. (I use a round brush)
Pay close attention to the flash hole, media likes to get stuck in there but a toothpick will get it right out.

Now its time to put new primers in also this is a good time to inspect your cases for problems like cracks or dents. (don't try and use them)

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The case on the left has a dent and the one on the right has a crack.

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Next comes the powder. You need to take great care to get this right because if you get if wrong it can get REAL ugly when you shoot the ammo. You need to have a reloading manual to go by this will give you all the info like min & max charges and case lengths , what types of powder for the rounds you are loading .

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I have an auto powder dispenser but you can use a beam scale .

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Measure your powder and put it into the cases.
It's a good idea to set all your cases with the primer up and then flip them over when you are loading the powder one at a time so you don't accidentally pour in 2 charges. (That would be bad!)

i14.photobucket.com_albums_a309_royce636_P1000138.jpg
 
Now you can put the bullet into the case with your bullet seat die.

Set your seat die to the long side and slowly adjust it down until you reach the correct length.
Then I like to use a factory crimp die to really hold it in there. All this is done in the press.

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Check the first few and set the bullet depth then load them all.

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Now your ready to go shooting and do it all again !!!
 
Nice job and very informative , after polishing be sure to check the flash holes for tumbling media before priming
Yep, I did put in to clean all the media out of the case and primer pocket should have mentioned to pay close attention to the flash hole. Thanks
 
Very well done sir. I too just enjoy reloading, it is relaxing to me.

I'll add my small variation...

A.)I deprime before tumbling (I wet tumble with SS media). This cleans primer pocket of all carbon as well. I've never had any instance of a pin sticking in the flash hole, though be sure to check.

B.)For semi-auto handgun loads I don't trim. I size and prime in the same step, using a carbide die.

I'll try to post some pics of my set up... not as spacious but I too like it organized and well lit.
 
Its about time somebody did this. We need to make a sticky for this. There have been countless "new to reloading" threads and no one ever looks at the old threads before posting :doh:
 
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