Eurodriver
04-02-15, 12:34
I know this forum shuns "Facebook" type posts, so I will try to make it somewhat technical.
I wanted to get into reloading many many years ago. Growing up I had a neighbor and mentor that showed me all about reloading, but I couldn't do it myself per mama's rules. He passed away in high school and after that Gunny didn't take too kindly to reloading presses setup in the barracks, so It's been a long time coming. Reloading means more to me than just saving money or developing accurate ammo.
Today I loaded my first 9mm round. I owe many thanks to williejc, masan, markm, and everyone else who has contributed information and time. I was very intimidated, but now that everything is in front of me I already feel like an expert! ;)
williejc was kind enough to donate a pristine ~50 year old Lachmiller engineering press after my POS Remington 700 obliterated my reloading budget. This thing is ridiculously smooth (even compared to modern presses) and is solid as a rock. I am very appreciative of his generosity, and it looks and functions great on my iron grinder stand (williejc's idea)
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2276_zpsvhb0pwi2.jpg
I setup the sizing/deprimer die, and it went as easy at it could!
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2270_zpsfgkzxkgf.jpg
I used the RCBS ram priming unit to insert a new primer, and that went easy too. I absolutely like the feel of the RPU and got a correct depth (using calipers) on my very first try. It allows for a very easy "feel" to know when it's been placed in the pocket.
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2271%201_zpsabd5cejk.jpg
Then the trouble came - which was entirely my fault.
First, I might have had the expander die a little bit too far down :bad:
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2273_zps0esllv7t.jpg
Then, I went through 16 rounds (dummy rounds) of this:
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2274%201_zpsh9tkbkgk.jpg
Until I finally figured out that I am an idiot. When I started out I just did "one" piece of brass only to understand the concept. When I messed that piece of brass up during the crimp/seating stage, I went straight from the brass pile to the bullet seating die, and I couldn't understand why the bullets were falling into the case. After more than a dozen screw-ups I realized that the full length sizing die must resize the case to a smaller size and prevent the bullet from falling all the way down. This fixed it.
So, here is all my ruined brass and bullets (some were crimped so tightly I couldn't get the bullet out), and my first successfully loaded 9mm dummy round (primer, case, bullet - no powder)
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2275_zpsxuiz5hk4.jpg
Again, thanks to all of you for the help and assistance. The wealth of knowledge and eagerness to assist a young guy like me trying to get started on this forum is really something else. Absolutely A+ stand up group of people here.
I wanted to get into reloading many many years ago. Growing up I had a neighbor and mentor that showed me all about reloading, but I couldn't do it myself per mama's rules. He passed away in high school and after that Gunny didn't take too kindly to reloading presses setup in the barracks, so It's been a long time coming. Reloading means more to me than just saving money or developing accurate ammo.
Today I loaded my first 9mm round. I owe many thanks to williejc, masan, markm, and everyone else who has contributed information and time. I was very intimidated, but now that everything is in front of me I already feel like an expert! ;)
williejc was kind enough to donate a pristine ~50 year old Lachmiller engineering press after my POS Remington 700 obliterated my reloading budget. This thing is ridiculously smooth (even compared to modern presses) and is solid as a rock. I am very appreciative of his generosity, and it looks and functions great on my iron grinder stand (williejc's idea)
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2276_zpsvhb0pwi2.jpg
I setup the sizing/deprimer die, and it went as easy at it could!
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2270_zpsfgkzxkgf.jpg
I used the RCBS ram priming unit to insert a new primer, and that went easy too. I absolutely like the feel of the RPU and got a correct depth (using calipers) on my very first try. It allows for a very easy "feel" to know when it's been placed in the pocket.
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2271%201_zpsabd5cejk.jpg
Then the trouble came - which was entirely my fault.
First, I might have had the expander die a little bit too far down :bad:
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2273_zps0esllv7t.jpg
Then, I went through 16 rounds (dummy rounds) of this:
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2274%201_zpsh9tkbkgk.jpg
Until I finally figured out that I am an idiot. When I started out I just did "one" piece of brass only to understand the concept. When I messed that piece of brass up during the crimp/seating stage, I went straight from the brass pile to the bullet seating die, and I couldn't understand why the bullets were falling into the case. After more than a dozen screw-ups I realized that the full length sizing die must resize the case to a smaller size and prevent the bullet from falling all the way down. This fixed it.
So, here is all my ruined brass and bullets (some were crimped so tightly I couldn't get the bullet out), and my first successfully loaded 9mm dummy round (primer, case, bullet - no powder)
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/w521/6234987u02/IMG_2275_zpsxuiz5hk4.jpg
Again, thanks to all of you for the help and assistance. The wealth of knowledge and eagerness to assist a young guy like me trying to get started on this forum is really something else. Absolutely A+ stand up group of people here.