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Reloading in 38 Special
It use to be that you could get into it for very little money … not sure if that’s still the case.
I started years ago with the RCBS stuff. I think they’re still around.
Get a good powder dispenser. Don’t depend on the funky little cups.
Calibrate your scale.
Set of dies and a press and that’s really all you need to get started.
Inspect your casings before every reload.
When I started I didn’t have a trimmer or a polisher. Those are nice items to have but you won’t need them to get started.
I always started with new brass, good powder, and primers. Personally I never did like shooting straight lead, but preferred jacketed rounds. Cleaning the gun is a lot faster.
Needless to say, but get a good reloading manual. Beware of the limits of your weapon and watch the temptation to hot load, (even though we all do it).
Be safe and have fun.
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Reloading in 38 Special
sorry, i could've been more clear.
using spent brass is fine. you just need to be aware that metal distorts, elongates and tears. the extent will be load and application dependent. therefore you need to inspect your casings prior to use.
starting from with fresh brass as opposed to picking stuff up at the range allows you to document number of reloads, charge and load type, round weight, etc. at "t" zero.
your first box of bought ammo will work nicely.
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Reloading in 38 Special
denis,
go into your local gun shop --- if it's anything like the ones i use to go into, there will be lots of books to chose from on reloading.
i guess i'm not that familiar with the gp100, i thought they were all 357 capable ---
but then again i don't even remember the model number of my 357 ruger. i'll have to look tonight.
i haven't been out shooting in over 8 years. i bet i'd find it difficult to focus rear sight to front on the redhawk --- geeze tough getting old.
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Reloading in 38 Special
well that's great news for you. i'd verify it with the factory and then load up some 357 ---
quite a difference in bang!
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Reloading in 38 Special
Denis,
The first thing you need to do is have a look a several reloading books or do a search for on line info.
I personally like hard copy and collect books.
Reloading ammo is pretty basic but for obvious reasons can have catastrophic results if done incorrectly.
So the first thing is to think safety.
Part of being safe is having a good well lit work space, clear of fire and flames. You need a place to store your powder and finished product.
Consider the anatomy of a bullet:
1) case
2) projectile
3) powder
4) primer for ignition
The fundamental reloading process will involve:
1) a die to reform the case and punch out the old primer.
2) a mechanism for re-priming the reconditioned case
3) a dispenser to place the appropriate amount of powder into the re-primed case.
4) a die to seat the bullet into the case
So when looking for equipment you will be looking for
1) a “press” or tool to hold the dies
2) a die set for the cal of round you want to reload
3) a scale to weigh your powder
4) a dispenser to charge your cases
This is would be the minimum for me, others will claim less or more.
Getting a trays to hold the rounds for various stages of the activity are nice. A good caliper is almost essential.
Gun cleaning materials if you don’t already have them are essential.
Obviously the list can go on and on --- but hopefully this will give you some idea of the process.
Get some books or better yet have a visit to your local gun store just to see the equipment.
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Reloading in 38 Special
Not to complicate things here ... but there will be this issue of powder selection. Different peformance parameters of the various powders will effect your load performance.
Hence the many charts for round mass vs charge type to produce a given velocity.
The scales just provide another "finer" control knob.
Btw, the scales that we're talking about here are no where near the expense of a lab type scale.
This will be a fun hobby for you ... and like all hobbies a time and money sink!
After the loading equipment you'll need a good chonograph, then more guns, then more dies, then a spotting scope, then ...
Actually I think it pays to shop wisely up front, and invest in good equipment the first time. Think of it as buying a tool ...
good luck
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Reloading in 38 Special
just don't use any "pro-choice" nuts for target practice!
have fun!
(this is meant as a joke)
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