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Don't use your 'intuition'.
If i was allowed two, the second one would be, 'Don't load anything based on data you obtain from anywhere other than a major propellant or projectile manufacturer until you have been loading for that calibre for a good few years.
"You are basically starting with explosives, the: Get help! There are many friendly, helpful folks who would be glad ro show you the ropes."
Quote from: oafpatroll on Feb 23, 2024, 10:23 AMDon't use your 'intuition'.
If i was allowed two, the second one would be, 'Don't load anything based on data you obtain from anywhere other than a major propellant manufacturer, projectile manufacturer or a knowledgeable and experienced reloader who you'd trust to be alone on a desert island with your wife until you have been loading for that calibre for a good few years.
I think I should moderate #2
1. Get a good reloading manual (or 2) and read it. This explains all the basics and terminology, and enables you to ask for and understand advice. The manual from the same guys who made your dies is a good choice, as it explains the proper procedures and settings for your tools. ABC of reloading is one of the best and available from Takealot. Some of the older manuals are available for free in PDF format.
2. Get a knowledgeable friend to mentor you at the start. Even the experts ask questions and learn from others.
Read a lot, ask a lot, check answers every time.
Second piece of advice would be to get, beg or borrow a chronograph. Without it, one is lost and doesn't even know it.
Quote from: Ds J on Feb 25, 2024, 06:58 PMSecond piece of advice would be to get, beg or borrow a chronograph. Without it, one is lost and doesn't even know it.
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although I agree with statement and do also dish it out, I wonder.
We loaded right out the yearish 2000, perhaps even later with chroni's being things we wished we had but made do without.
Quote from: Treeman on Feb 25, 2024, 07:26 PMQuote from: Ds J on Feb 25, 2024, 06:58 PMSecond piece of advice would be to get, beg or borrow a chronograph. Without it, one is lost and doesn't even know it.
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although I agree with statement and do also dish it out, I wonder.
We loaded right out the yearish 2000, perhaps even later with chroni's being things we wished we had but made do without.
Correct, we made do without but we didn't know what chances we were taking.
My 222 has a very tight chamber, and I was probably constantly shooting over-pressured loads with it.
Research.
Get a reloading manual and read it.
Buy a proper reloading scale...that one at the China shop is not the one you want.
Know the difference between gr and g.
Follow the powder manufacturer's published load data.
Start at Min and work up. Do not just jump to the middle of max load.
Start saving for a chrony.
Measure and record everything. You don't know if you don't measure and you sure as hell won't remember if you don't record.
Don't load from memory even if you are 105% sure that you remember correctly. Set up for every loading session by starting with a review of your data.
A messy loading area is an error prone loading area. Keep it clean and free of stuff that you aren't using in the current session.
RTFM
Or as an engineer I know used to say; "Read the comic".
South Africans do not like being told how to or what to do, it is a problem.
Quote from: JamesNotBond on Feb 29, 2024, 09:11 PMSouth Africans do not like being told how to or what to do, it is a problem.
. . . . which is one of the reasons we have such impressive road accident fatality numbers. Anyone who doesn't listen a great deal more than they speak when they start out loading isn't welcome in the lane next to mine at the range.
Quote from: oafpatroll on Feb 24, 2024, 07:30 AMQuote from: oafpatroll on Feb 23, 2024, 10:23 AMor a knowledgeable and experienced reloader who you'd trust to be alone on a desert island with your wife until you have been loading for that calibre for a good few years.
;D
Wilssssooooonnnnnnnn!
ALWAYS look into the cases with small torch after you have added the powder.
Make sure that:
1) Each case has powder in it.
2) The amount of powder should "look right". Case filled to the shoulder, unless you are doing something clever.
3) Check that the amount of powder in each case is at the same level within a batch.
This will stop you from killing yourself through squib loads, or adding too much powder by mistake.
Another way people kill themselves is to use the wrong powder or too heavy a bullet by mistake.
Find someone from your shooting discipline that shoots much better than you and reloads.
Ask them to share their reloading process with you, maybe sit in on a few reloading sessions.
Take note of the equipment they use. Ask what equipment they bought and don't use anymore, and why.
Ask about what they do, what they don't do, and why.
Reloaders in general are not selfish about sharing their knowledge and experience.