Basic Questions for a New Reloader

[doc540]

reading here, reading links, reading period

Assuming I have good equipment (SDB) and it's set up properly

and I have an experienced reloader present to train and coach me on the process and procedure


Pistol:
1977 Colt Combat Commander in 9mm (with a few mods, but stock springs)

Application:
range and local IDPA, 500 rounds a month average

Budget:
nothing stupidly more expensive than WWB, but I'll spend some money for quality performance

Dick and Jane questions:

1. Bullets
What weight?
What design? ( CMJ? FMJ?)
Quantity to begin with? (500-1,000?)

2. Primers
Any particular manfu. and type?
Quantity?

3. Powder
again, manf. and type?
Quantity?

4. What kind of quantities should I purchase to learn to reload?

Gotta start somewhere and all the different variables discussed are too detailed for me at this starting point.

Thanks, and save the effort of telling me there are plenty of links. I've sorted through dozens already.

[Kid Sopris]

Before you spend a huge amount of cash and time on bulk components, find a sampling of stuff to try. Then when you have tried a few rounds that you have made; and they all work with no evidence of problems then and only then proceed forward. There is nothing worse than producing a 1,000 rounds of 9mm 115 gr Solids only to find out they are improperly loaded and your gun prefers 147 gr. JHP's. !

[haggis]

Doc,

I'll try to respond to your questions with some recommendations. Keep in mind that this is one man's opinion, and somebody else may think differently.

1. Bullets
What weight? 115 grain for practice. you may want to look at some 124 grain to see what regulates best in a fixed sight gun.
What design? ( CMJ? FMJ?) FMJ and/or lead to start. Round nose to lessen feeding problems.
Quantity to begin with? (500-1,000?) 200-300 of each FMJ and lead. You'll get more later.

2. Primers You don't have any ignition worries here with a 1911 and stock springs. Get whatever you can find, as in "cheapest".
Any particular manfu. and type? Standard small pistol - CCI, Remington, Winchester, Federal. Avoid Wolf or cheaper primers for now until you have more experience.
Quantity? 1000 to start, you'll eventually buy 5K or 10K lots.

3. Powder Many choices! My recommendations are below.
again, manf. and type? Hodgdon Universal Clays or Alliant Unique. These are versatile, similar powders that fill 9mm cases up, decreasing the chance of a double charge.
Quantity? one pound will load about 1400 rounds. Later, you'll buy 4 and 8 pound kegs for economy.

4. What kind of quantities should I purchase to learn to reload? The quantities of components are listed above. I strongly recommend that you buy a chronograph to know what your actual velocities are. You can get a good one for a hundred bucks. You will learn that velocities listed by reloading guides vary, and they give no indication of velocity spread (or standard deviation) which are good estimates for potential accuracy of a load.

I think you will enjoy reloading - work methodically and have fun!

Buck

[doc540]

KS and Buck, I know these questions have been asked a million times, so thanks a million for answering them one more time.

I'll get with my reloading friends and try a little of this and a little of that.

One of them is going to help me set up the unit and coach me on the basics until I can safely reload on my own.

Thanks again

[smkummer]

As long as your not "trying to make major" with the 9mm, you can find a lead bullet (sometimes 1/2 the cost of jacketed bullets) that will do what you want with any little leading in the barrel cleaning up with a bronze brush and Hoppes 9. The 125 grain lead bullets can be run slower (as low as 900 FPS) and still cycle the action. I have been using 700X (3.9 grains) in my 9mm loads as it is bulky and can see the powder charge in my progressive press. 9mm will work with many powders so if you might load another caliber such as 38 special, one can find a powder than works for both. Down the road you can cut the cost of reloading 9mm further in half by casting your own bullet but take it one step at a time.

I still recommend a quality single stage press for first timers especially if the have centerfire rifles but I have noticed newbies very happy with a turret press that loads quicker than single stage when loading quantities of pistol ammo.

[Colt75]

As long as your not "trying to make major" with the 9mm, you can find a lead bullet (sometimes 1/2 the cost of jacketed bullets) that will do what you want with any little leading in the barrel cleaning up with a bronze brush and Hoppes 9. The 125 grain lead bullets can be run slower (as low as 900 FPS) and still cycle the action. I have been using 700X (3.9 grains) in my 9mm loads as it is bulky and can see the powder charge in my progressive press. 9mm will work with many powders so if you might load another caliber such as 38 special, one can find a powder than works for both. Down the road you can cut the cost of reloading 9mm further in half by casting your own bullet but take it one step at a time.

I still recommend a quality single stage press for first timers especially if the have centerfire rifles but I have noticed newbies very happy with a turret press that loads quicker than single stage when loading quantities of pistol ammo.

+1 on the quality Single Stage press for starting out. The best way to learn the reloading process and gain a good understanding of what is going on.

[doc540]

+1 on the quality Single Stage press for starting out. The best way to learn the reloading process and gain a good understanding of what is going on.

$200 for a complete Dillon Square Deal B with both 9mm and .45acp dies was just too good to pass up.

So, that's what I have to start with.

[sodsqad]

I'm new to this board but not reloading. I started out at 14 years old reloading shotgun shells with my Mec 600 Jr. that I still use today. Then in 1984 I got some RCBS stuff. A lot of trial and error for sure but it is fun. I only reload my 22-250s now for spot on accuracy and .357 and .44 snake loads. I have dies for many calibers but the set-up is time consuming for each caliber. And, always take notes!!!!!

[smkummer]

$200 for a complete Dillon Square Deal B with both 9mm and .45acp dies was just too good to pass up.

So, that's what I have to start with.

Well, make sure you read and understand the operator's manual completely. Get yourself a bullet puller and have a rod that will fit in your barrel to knock out a stuck bullet. If you know someone that uses a square deal, have them show you how it works. With a progressive you have several operations taking place with one pull of the lever so it is very important to follow the set-up instructions to the tee. With a Colt govt. model, you can use the barrel as a cartridge gauge to see if the loaded round chambers in the barrel with it removed from the weapon. I am not trying to scare you off and in time you will figure it out, but I have seen newbees turned off from reloading by starting with a progressive. Report back on your experiences and hope all goes well.