I had never loaded my first round until after christmas '14. just over a year later im guessing ive loaded at or over 3000 rounds. (i guesstimate by trying to remember how many times i finished a box of 1000 primers.) Ive done 9MM, .45, .22-250, .308, .223, and 6.5 Grendel. The knowledge here is invaluable. especially @nitesite trick of used dryer sheets in the tumbler, and @oli700 trick of lubing in a plastic bag.
Ill agree with Oli that getting the proper flare, and subsequent crimp on pistol rounds can be tedious. seems every time you switch bullet it has to be adjusted. And im with Nitesite on the RCBS swaging die. beats the hell outta removing primer crimps by hand, or even with a power trimmer. I run all my LC, Hornady, and Wolf brass over the swager now. (Ive found Wolf Gold brass in .223 to be pretty good for reloading. I think i have some rounds with 5-8 reloads, and still holding primers well, and no case cracking.) Unfortunately the Wolf Gold in 6.5G is made by PPU and it doesnt reload well. (Oli might keep that in mind if he delves into that round)
Like Deep1 said, its an addiction, fun trying to see how much better you can make every gun in the safe.
A stuck case remover, and spare decapping pin for your sizing die should be up on the list. nothing ruins your day like a stuck case or broken pin, leaves you dead in the water if youre not prepared.
Ill agree with Oli that getting the proper flare, and subsequent crimp on pistol rounds can be tedious. seems every time you switch bullet it has to be adjusted. And im with Nitesite on the RCBS swaging die. beats the hell outta removing primer crimps by hand, or even with a power trimmer. I run all my LC, Hornady, and Wolf brass over the swager now. (Ive found Wolf Gold brass in .223 to be pretty good for reloading. I think i have some rounds with 5-8 reloads, and still holding primers well, and no case cracking.) Unfortunately the Wolf Gold in 6.5G is made by PPU and it doesnt reload well. (Oli might keep that in mind if he delves into that round)
Like Deep1 said, its an addiction, fun trying to see how much better you can make every gun in the safe.
A stuck case remover, and spare decapping pin for your sizing die should be up on the list. nothing ruins your day like a stuck case or broken pin, leaves you dead in the water if youre not prepared.
