Handgun range brass for "Pearl of Wisdom" (ALL WELCOME)

[koehlerrk]

If using the stainless steel cleaniing method and cold water you must ENSURE ALL CASE LUBE IS OFF OF THE BRASS BEFORE CLEANING. If you don't all of your brass will come out with a nice grey lube/grim finish, your pins will have a nice grey lube/grime finish, and the inside of your drum will have a nice grey lube/grime finish. It will require the use of very hot water, green scrubby pads, and a bunch of soap to clean everything up. Oh, and it will include an angry wife looking over your should as you fill up several buckets of hot water from the bath tub, and spill a little on the carpet on the way out to the garage...

Easy fix for this... add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to each gallon of water before tumbling. It also makes the brass shine!

Other "pearls" I've had explained to me or have learned on my own...

1. Don't reload or cast when distracted. Distractions are very bad.
2. If you have lubed boolits that you're going to re-cast.... clean the lube off before putting them back in the pot. Don't do what I did and get visited by the tinsel fairy.
3. Wear a face mask when casting. Full face shields are cheap, eyes are expensive and they don't grow back.

[NewbieDave007]

This is some great stuff. Thanks everyone. Keep it up.

[vogironface]

This is a great idea. Here are some good leasons learned and a good idea that I am sure is not origional but has made my life easier.

1) When teaching someone to reload they should be taught on a single stage press. This way they learn better the basics as they see each step independantly from the others.

2) When using a digital scale allow it to warm up. No one likes working in the cold, especially your digital scale.

3) Shooting is fun. Reloading is even more fun. Casting and reloading is even funner (is that a word?) still. Casting and reloading and experimenting all the time with new stuff is even funnerist. The learning never stops.

Now for my tip for a new caster.

I found my aluminum muffin tins always getting beat up and bent. I eventually mounted them to a board by drilling holes in between the cups and using a washer and screws firmly attaching them. Now I can weight them down under a small amount of water to wet the board and after assuring there is absolutely no water in the cups can pour the ingots. When ready I easily flip them over without getting burned by using the slightly over-sized wood and without denting the pans. This also makes the very inexpensive from the thrift store muffin pans almost as durable as the cast iron versions. It has made my life much easier.

[gmsharps]

Let someone that needs the brass have it :

Only have one can of powder at a time on your bench. Always empty the powder measure when you are finished loading for the day and put the powder can back in its palce.
Do not trust only one source for info. Always double check with a second source.
Do not trust your memory for anything always write it down.

gmsharps

[Sensai]

Lead is heavy, it seems that melted lead is even heavier. Check your melting/smelting equipment for strength and stability before you start.

Don't get caught up in the faster is better syndrome. Start at or near published starting loads and go up in small increments until you either get worse groups or pressure signs. Just a note, but I almost always get worse groups before I get pressure signs. Remember that the objective is to get the best performance, not to burn the most powder!

If you're in a hurry, STOP!!!! Don't be in a hurry to make a mistake, you'll always have another chance to make one.

[NewbieDave007]

This is some great stuff and I have learned a couple things through this and others have been reinforced. Thanks. Keep it coming. I can tell already that this is going to be hard to pick just three.

[Springfield0612]

I started reloading about 5 years ago and took the sage advice of starting on a single stage press. The reasons are simple:
1) Feel each stage and learn and become an expert at each stage so you know when something goes wrong and how to fix it. This is very difficult to do for a new reloader starting on a progressive press. Once these skills are mastered you can transfer that knowledge over to a progressive and if you have any issues on a progressive you immediately know the issue. You need to crawl before you can walk, etc..
2) If you find that reloading is not for you, or you don't have the time to focus on it your not out hundreds or thousands of dollars.
3) If you cannot multitask reloading on a single stage you have no business even thinking about a progressive.
4) Because it takes more time to load rounds on a single stage you are more apt to take pride in that round and take a sense of ownership in it. You will be more likely to make that round count as you send it down range because you've put the time in to create it. You reload them slower so you shoot them slower, you become more accurate and proficent with them.
5) The most important reason to start on a single stage? Once you out grow it and move on to a turret or progressive, you hand it to a new reloader so they too can learn the correct ways to reload by crawling.
6) If the only information in a reloading manual that you plan on reading is the load data recipies, STOP! Sell all of your equipment and stick to buying factory ammo. Safety is paramount, if you make a mistake you can and will injure yourself or someone else. Take your time, do things right, but enjoy it and have fun!

I've recently upgraded to a progessive, and about every 20th round I look over longingly at my one remaining single stage press and ask myself do I really need this progressive? But the one single stage press I have left(the other is with a new reloader, who I had to talk out of blowing $500 on a Hornady Progressive that he had no business even considering), I've got my kid(s) using to de-prime brass, and as they are sitting next to me working hard I'm teaching them the other aspects of reloading and just having good quality time with them!

7) Karma works! The amount and type of energy you put out into the world comes back to you!

[scarry scarney]

(I dont need the brass)
To go with only having one can of powder on the Bench, write the powder name on masking tape, and tape it to the powder measure. Check the the weight of the powder coming out of the powder measure every so often.

When casting, and using marvelox as flux, SLOWLY add the marvelox, or the Tinsel Fairy might come visiting, and ALWAYS wear safety goggles.

[MBTcustom]

I don't need any brass.

As a new caster, I have a few pearls:

1. For the first year or two, write down exactly what you loaded, and everything you observed in the process. Include as much information as possible. I'm not talking about writing a book, but burn half a paige recording everything you observed when loading, and use the second half of the paige to record what you observe while shooting those loads. What did you see? Smell? Hear? Measure? Feel? Suspect? Write it down.
This has the added benefit that if you have a kaboom, you can decipher what went wrong from your notes. This advice was given to me by my father and I still have an old notebook that has about 100 entries of the same load for my 30-30. It didn't matter. It's just good record keeping.

2. Fit. The boolit must be .001-.002 over groove diameter (BTW, groove diameter is not written on the side of your gun; you need to slug your barrel to find out.) during he reloading process, ask yourself if the boolit is still the same size constantly.
So you cast up your boolits and they are the right size?
You put them up of a year. Are they the same size?
You sized them. Are they still big enough?
You lubed them. Are they still big enough?
You loaded them in the brass. Are they still big enough?
You crimped the brass. Are they still big enough?
They rode in the magazine while the previouse 3 were shot. Are they still big enough?
They went through the front of the cylinder before entering the barrel. Are they still big enough?
They made it past the first 1/2" of the barrel. Are they still big enough?
They made it past the crown of the barrel, and leaded your gun. Are you absolutely SURE they were big enough?
You get the picture.

3. If at any time you get a funny feeling that there is something wrong with batch of ammo that you loaded. Pull every single one of them. Don't argue with me, just do it. Time will only kill you eventually. Not wasting time by making sure of your loads, will kill you awfull sudden like.
Buy a hammer bullet puller and use it when you're not sure about your loads.

[Bored1]

I don't have any "pearls" for reloading yet, haven't been doing it near long enough. However I do have some on acquiring some items.

1)Let everyone you come into contact with regularly know you are looking for anything to do with scrap lead, brass, and reloading items. You will score a TON of things you didn't even know you wanted this way.

2)The best place to find wheel weights are generally anywhere that deals with semi trucks. Truck repair shops and truck stations being the best of the best. DO NOT CALL. For some reason they will tell you NO on the phone, but take 15$ @ the same shop for 2 buckets if you show up and ask. Plus sorting 2-8oz weights goes ALOT faster than the smaller car weights.

3)Drink lots of coffee when it is offered!!! You will learn more over a cup of coffee than reading whatever books you can find. Real world experience will take you further starting than trying to picture something you've never seen from a written page in a book.

[Chilmonty]

Best "Pearl of Wisdom" I think I ever got:

"If you don't VOTE like a gun owner, your an A**hole!"

JMO

[NewbieDave007]

Best "Pearl of Wisdom" I think I ever got:

"If you don't VOTE like a gun owner, your an A**hole!"

JMO

Lol. Don't forget to cite your quote. Lol

[NewbieDave007]

These are some great "Pearls". On a side note, three of the people that have helped me have also listed "Pearls" here for everyone. This is a great forum with very helpful people on it. I only have one problem though, I'm addicted and find myself jumping on when I have plenty of other things I should be doing. Keep them coming and thanks for everyone that has already posted.

Dave

[Cag40Navy]

I do have a couple of pearls for greenhorns like me... I do hope these help.

1) Listen to those who have been doing this for longer than you have been alive. I promise you, they know more and every time (for the most part) they have given me advice, it has made a huge difference in the way I look or do certain things.

2) Always seek advice. This will be a huge help to you.

3) Keep notes on said advice. You never know when you will need that tidbit again...

4) and finally, and has been said a few times, never turn down coffee.

[country gent]

While Im not in need of anything heres a couple more to add to your list.
Not only label your handloads but keep a 3 ring binder with all information dates and lot numbers also any recipes techniques or procedures you used. This save you repeating the same things and allows you to duplicate what has worked.
Pass along your knowledge to other newcomers help them to get started easily and safely.
Keep a detailed record of firearms ( serial numbers descriptions modifications), equipment ( shooting reloading casting) on a couple discs for insurance reasons Pics are good to have also. Make 3 discs store one at home one at work and one at a friends or family. Makes claims with insurance or keeping track of what you have much easier.
Always try to enjoy what you are doing dont get so serious it no longer becomes fun. Take time to say hi to other on the range.

[NewbieDave007]

Just a few more days. Thank you to everyone who has already posted.

[shaper]

I could use some brass. I haven't cast a bullet yet, or loaded one. I'm still reading books and all the posts I can find on this site. There is so much information on this site one person cannot remember all of the good ideas. Would like to find a "Reloading 101" instruction book, if such a thing does exist. I have two items to share,
1. If you are new here, read every post.
2. I found that a metal recycling yard will sell any kind of lead they have at a very good price.

[Grump]

Um can I ADD to the brass to be shipped to the illustrious winners? All of your listed calibers.

Oh, and put 100 .30-06 LC type cases into the pot too. Pick one more winner, and let them know that's on the menu.

My pearls, near-randomly selected at imperfect memory whim from what clues I caught since 1982...

For casting (and a lot of other things too), arrange the workspace so you have a place to safely back up, and always be aware of your escape route. Never had to use that one while casting, but have seen too many people trip up out of awkward spaces while doing car work or tossing pizzas in the oven and whatnot.

For reloading, velocity appropriate for the barrel length, powder and bullet is your best "pressure sign". The velocity/charge curve "flattens out" when you are above spec pressures. The brass is the weak part of the system, so respect those gaskets.

For both, PAY ATTENTION. And as stated by others, keep notes. I may add, keep them organized. The purpose of records and filing is not to have a place to put stuff, but to be able to FIND stuff after it's been put away.

For women, always try to understand her but don't despair when you don't, 'cause you probably never will. Fully at least. She feels the same way often enough too, so put more energy into listening than persuading. And don't underestimate empathy.

For yourself, you're not nearly as bad a person as you think, and not nearly as awesome as you imagine. There's a good way to not give a flip about what others think. Find it. Shun the bad way to not give a flip. Then you can serve and help and defend right and fight evil and do good without being compelled, maybe without being an A$$$$ about any of it.

[orisolo]

I dont have any reloading pearls to write.
I can only write what I learned in the Mil.
It goes like:

What doesn't go with "Force"
goes with "More Force...".

What doesn't go with "More Force"
goes with a "Hammer.."

What doesn't go with a "Hammer"
goes with a "Brick of C4"

[orisolo]

Oh yeh, I forgot this one:

"America is a Free country but so Expensive to leave in"