Things you wished you knew when you started?

I began reloading back in the 1950s, when Lyman was great and powder and bullet choices were few. And I was happy with what I was producing with loads that would shoot into 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards. Around the late 1970s I had other interests and it wasn't until the last 5 years I began to re-acquire the equipment and look at it seriously. I don't regret any of it, the long learning curve, the evolution in firearms and components. Now I just enjoy reading, checking in on LRH and other sites and trying to do my best. It's still fun and I'm enjoying myself.
 
WYO300RUM said:
You sound a lot like me. The accepting reloads from somebody especially . I was 19 years old. A guy at Sporting good store gave a friend and I some 12 ga. reloads. I had my dad's A.H. Fox Sterlingworth double barrel. He got from his dad. Weren't Damascus barrels . I shot first shell and thought wow, that was a hot load. Second shot blew up in my face. The left barrel by breech opened up next to my face. From the pressure up my nose and face I thought it blew my face off. I had powder burns all over my face and brass from case head burried in my forearm in two places so far I couldn't get out with tweezers. I won't say how I got out. My dad was ticked off. I called my friend and told him what happened and don't shoot them. I took shotgun down to store to show and tell the SOB what happened . He said I think my charge bar messed up and dumped too much shot. I almost wrapped the shotgun around his head and got into an altercation with him. My friend convinced me wasn't worth it and we got escorted out of the store. That same jerk married a friend of mines sister...
Click to expand...
My story is just the opposite relative to someone else's reloads. Long ago as a virgin Second Lt and non hunter I was assigned to Alaska from the Maryland/DC area. Knowing less then nothing about ammo and hunting I trusted a civilian friend that hunted when he gave me "hunting" loads to take with me to AK. Long story short, they were for East coast white tails. Well when you try to shoot a moose with them through the shoulder blade they kinda flatten out. The moose goes down, I walk. up, the moose stands back up, I am out of ammo, I wet myself, my buddy drops the moose with 6 44mags. There is more to the story concerning me and the now unloaded 44 mag and a bear. But that is for another day.
 
I wish I had started this journey at a younger age. I had an Uncle that was heavy into reloading and would often reload my hunting cartridges. Instead of learning from him I unfortunately thought I had better things to do. One of my biggest mistakes. Instead of posting, I tend to read and absorb what is said on the forum. I have to say, that I am enjoying this post as it has a lot of input from experienced members. I have purchased loads of equipment from learning on various forums, and finally bought a used Dillion 550. I am trying to decide if I should send it in for an overhaul or keep looking for a place to set up! Thanks for some great info in this post. Sorry I can't add to it. Thanks.
 
Back in the 80s and early 90s neck sizing was the thing to do everyone thought that fire formed brass was the ticket but it's hard to chamber after a few times and and it was supposed to increase brass life but it don't
Sorry guys I was in and out today wasn't paying attention
 
nicholasjohn said:
By "that one guy" do you mean the one who knows EVERYTHING, and is only too happy to tell you what he knows ???? I think I've run into him a few times …...…...
Click to expand...
He could be the one, but I was referring to the guy that is disrespectful to everyone else on the line because he thinks he is the most important.
 
Mram10us said:
Click to expand...

Apples and oranges people please!!! There's a huge difference between what hunters like us use, and what champion target shooters use. Do you buy three barrels at a time, all chambered at the same time, and have your dies cut with the same reamer? If so of course you full length size, because that custom die will only bump the case back to your chamber size. I have watched a champion shooter measuring before and after sizing and dimensional changes where minuscule. I.E. The discharge energy all goes into the barrel, NOT into rearranging the dimensions of the brass. Most of us hunters have realised a long time ago that a Collet neck die and a Body die [when necessary] after fire forming is vastly more accurate and produces extraordinary case life. Neck sizing is way more accurate in all eleven of my rifles, and all seven of the other rifles I reload for. We also never have to trim our brass after the original unifying and never get doughnut swelling. The stupidity of asking one specialised branch of shooters for a general rule for all is astonishingly stupid. God spare us from u tube idiots like this!
P.S. If you are in Australia, I dare you to come and prove me wrong. I have a place to shoot all hours any day and a place for you to stay free of charge. If you're not game to try, just shut your ignorant mouth.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 4 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Similar threads

Country Bumpkin
When You say “Remage”....?
Replies
6
Views
3K
FEENIX
FEENIX
B
Can you help me get started?
Replies
4
Views
2K
devildoc
D
L
Thank you
Replies
0
Views
536
Left_to_ Lobster
L
N
Would you buy?
Replies
12
Views
756
sedancowboy
sedancowboy
MI.264
You have insufficient privileges to post threads here., when Can I
2 3
Replies
31
Views
3K
Alibiiv
Alibiiv

Recent Posts

Top