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Reloading in 38 Special
What's a good starting point to learn more about re-loading. I see no reason why I shouldn't. I like my Ruger GP-100 4" and plan to shot it a lot. It gets 2' groups from ~ 25 feet for a lousy shot like myself and I plan on getting better, but not at the expense of my retirement account
Can someone direct me to a good reference to learn more on this topic?
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Reloading in 38 Special
"I always started with new brass"
Jdcman, thanks for the reply. My question is: what is wrong with using spent brass? - I thought that was one of the ways you save with reloading.
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Reloading in 38 Special
OK, I see.
I only plan to reload for my revolver so I'll know the exact history of my cases if I re-use my own. It's also a Ruger so I don't have to worry too much about overloading the .38 special round by mistake considering that this gun is designed to withstand unlimited pounding with Magnum loads.
I gotta get me a book or something on the subject.
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Reloading in 38 Special
hey, you gotta dust off that ol' ruger and shot 'em up.
You're right in a way about the GP-100; that gun was originally designed for .38 special only, but being a Ruger it was overbuilt. You'd know it better than me. Any way, when the need arose to offer a model that could handle .357 magnum, there's wasn't much of anything that Ruger had to modify on the existing .38 revolver. So right now Ruger sells two guns - same weight and size, one is labeled .38 special, the other .357 magnum. But it's the same gun! I asked a gun shop owner why do that instead of just selling the .357 model? He said, at the time some law enforcement agencies (those protecting federal buildings and some others) required their officers to carry a .38 special revolver and no other. Ruger said, fine and "labeled" one revolver two different ways. And that kept the pencil pushers in the government happy. so that's the story.
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Reloading in 38 Special
jdcman, sorry I didn't make it clear before: my gun is labeled ".357 Magnum". I just choose to shoot .38 special with it. I shot a 158 grain high velocity soft point magnum round - that's probably as high in recoil as it gets for a .357 magnum and didn't like it. The bang is fun, but I can't keep the hits on target So I'll stick with .38 Sp for now.
DR, thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!
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Reloading in 38 Special
DR, as far as equipment is concerned, what exactly is it that I need to buy? I went to the site and there are way too many choices. I'm totally clueless. Everyone's advice is, as always, greatly appreciated.
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Reloading in 38 Special
OK, I printed that out, thanks.
Knowing how much scales cost for labs, I figure that would be the most expensive piece to get. Any way to get by with measuring the powder volumetrically? I know you don't like to use measuring cups, but I think that's the only feasable alternative for me right now.
A good book is a must, you're right.
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Reloading in 38 Special
DR, this is invaluable advice. seriously.
I like the "Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit 4 Hole Turret w/ Auto Index" - looks like it's a lot faster to load with that type of equipment, it's not that much more $$. But it looks like this kit doesn't include as many things as the Lee anniversary kit. If I'm off the wall here, let me know.
What do I need to add to the "Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit 4 Hole Turret w/ Auto Index" to set up a complete re-loading station? I know I need to get the 4-set dies, what else?
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Reloading in 38 Special
This is awesome!
Here's what I got from MidwayUSA:
-- Lee Anniversary Reloading Kit with a fat book about re-loading (that includes the press - cheaper to get the kit with press than all other components separately)
-- Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index
-- Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 38 Special
-- Lee Deluxe Handgun 4-Die Set 38 Special and 357 Magnum
-- RCBS 40-Round Case Loading Block (two of those)
-- Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler with Standard Media Separator Kit
The whole thing including shipping for $276. Now all I need is some brass, bullets, powder and primers and I'm in business!
Thanks!
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Reloading in 38 Special
jdcman, we use discarded politicians for target practice around here. Performance almost as good as ballistic gelatin. Unlike regular folks, the pols are full of sh*t, so normally rounds tend to overpenetrate.
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