Reloading Ragchew: Recent Episodes
Reloading Ragchew
So you got that reloading press you asked santa for. Here are 10 tips to get you started sucessfully down the rabbit hole
Discussing the 1993 article "Secrets of the Houston Warehouse" from Precision Shooting Magazine
https://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/10/18/secrets-of-the-houston-warehouse-lessons-in-extreme-rifle-accuracy/
Gift Cards:
MidwayUSA – Widest Selection, works for even non-reloaders
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/939233586/midwayusa-gift-certificate
Midsouth – Great selection of reloading gear
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/gift-cards
RMR Bullets – Great prices on bullets
https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/apparel-swag/rmr-bullets-giftcard/
Inline fabrication
Amazon – Oh how they make shopping easy
For anyone
For the rifle shooter
Imperial Sizing Wax - https://amzn.to/2KC62Ur
Brass Trimmer and Prep - https://amzn.to/2P3tafi
For the pistol shooters
Brass Sorter (Pistol) - https://amzn.to/2DMaH4L
Brass Gathering and Cleaning
Brass Catcher for AR and similar - https://amzn.to/2DKc3NA
Brass Retriever - https://amzn.to/2RimT0X
Ultrasonic Cleaner - https://amzn.to/2S9lzxE
Wet Tumbler Kit - https://amzn.to/2FJkpHU
Hand Deprimer - https://amzn.to/2P2nphN
Measuring and Powder Scales
Automatic Powder Scales
Hornady - https://amzn.to/2DNoPuN
RCBS - https://amzn.to/2r7pxex
Digital Scale - https://amzn.to/2SbSamk
Inexpensive but good caliper - https://amzn.to/2r5Bt0j
Very good caliper - https://amzn.to/2S9Ff4m
Organization and Shop Helpfuls
MTM ammo crates – Great for organization and range trips – 2 options, one with 4 medium cans and one with 3 large
4 Medium - https://amzn.to/2TMQbXp
3 Large - https://amzn.to/2S9DoMW
Akro Bins
24 Pack of Medium - https://amzn.to/2E0CeR3
6 Pack of Small - https://amzn.to/2P1aNr7
Shop Lights - https://amzn.to/2PW8knb (Single) https://amzn.to/2FFpmBr (4 Pack)
Chronographs
Caldwell G2 Great Starter option - https://amzn.to/2KyFEL1
Magnetospeed - https://amzn.to/2RlCzkp
Labradar - https://amzn.to/2KBUPDa
Peterson Cartridge – for the precision rifle guys
https://www.petersoncartridge.com/
Offer for help – Email reloadingragchew@gmail.com and I will help translate your reloaders needs
After a freezing night, winter has come. How to make sure temperature doesn't affect your reloads
A very high level discussion on shotgun reloading - Tools, Components, Process and is it worth it?
Sorry for being gone so long. It's been a whirlwind in my personal life and work. Given everything going on, it's probably prime time for a Reloading News and announcements episode.
Freedom Munitions and thier parent companies have filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Reloaders are chewing their fingernails over how this will affect Xtreme Bullets
Facebook is shutting down groups for sale of pretty much any reloading componets. People are flocking to MeWe as an alternative, however I also recommend finding some forums to praticpate in.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/
https://68forums.com/forums/
https://mdws.forumchitchat.com/
https://www.handloadersbench.com/
Finally Labradar has launched their app, which uses the Bluetooth already built into your device. It's only on android right now, but they have promised an IOS version. So far its basic but makes several tasks much easier than the on device buttons.
Labradar - https://amzn.to/2yqLkV0
SD Card - https://amzn.to/2tcDnO8
App - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.labradarmobileapp
Another Tuesday morning, another episode. This week a quick discussion on scale choices, there are thousands out there, what is best for you. Scales really fall in to a few categories
Cheap Pocket Scales (weed scales) - cheap, battery powered. Tend not to last very long and questionable accuracy. I would avoid, the price temptation isn't work the headaches
Basic reloading electronic - Better, there are a couple winners in this class. The best I have tried is the Frankford https://amzn.to/2KDUE9t
Balance Beam Scales. Couple of good choices here, the Lee is a good inexpensive choice https://amzn.to/2s0H7ks or the RCBS is a good performer https://amzn.to/2rY3Y04
Higher end electronic scales - My favorite is the Gempro 250, it has served me well for years: https://amzn.to/2s5OgjN on the really high end https://amzn.to/2wZbQnO
No matter what scale, I recommend getting a set of check weights. You can get them very cheap here: https://amzn.to/2rXS8Dl
Start of the tumbled rounds myth and discussions about handloaded ammo for self defense
Let's dip a toe into the world of wildcat cartridges. The How, Why and more importantly Why Not?
A great reference for all reloaders to have on their shelf - The handloader's manual of cartridge conversions
https://amzn.to/2FvKJja
And another for the collector or general gun nerd: https://amzn.to/2rbucwB
The big double digits are here. Wanted to make a quick episode to go over my favorite dealers, err places to buy supplies.
RMR Bullets - Great quality, shipping times and just a good bunch of folks. Their in house stuff is excellent for the money
Shooters Pro Shop - One of my favorites for discount rifle bullets and jacketed pistol stuff
Missouri Bullet Company - Top notch outfit for cast bullets, you can order different hardnesses and diameters, very few places offer this kind of service
Ballistic Products Inc - Kings of shotgun reloading. Not only sell componets but publish load books, build their own tools
Powder Valley - One of the best sources of powder and primers for both price and selection
Redeye Reloading - Interesting finds, great deals
Midsouth Shooters Supply - My go to when I need a specific pack of bullets
Midway USA - Where else can you get rare brass, gunsmith tools and a air rifle all in one shopping trip
Casting:
Rotometals
NOE Bullet Molds
For local I like Cabelas for powder and primers, good selection and pricing. Around the Atlanta area Adventure Outdoors also has a wide selection of powder most times I stop by there.
Forums with good Buy/Sell/Trade sections for reloading
Cast Boolits
Greybeard Outdoors
Arfcom
So I had a squib at this last match...
Discussing the common causes of destroyed guns and how to prevent them. Really comes down to 3 common failures.
Products discussed during this episode:
Press LED Lighting - Great if you need to shed a little more light on the subject
https://amzn.to/2qJlG79
USB Borescope - This one will work with most android and PCs/Macs
https://amzn.to/2JSBLQz
Wireless Borescope - This one works with IOS devices too, along with PCs/Android, etc. No wires is tempting
https://amzn.to/2H9lnNS
WallControl Pegboard - I love this stuff, comes in dozens of colors and looks much better than normal pegboard
https://amzn.to/2H9GlMI - Full starter kit
https://amzn.to/2EUYbNk - Just the panels if you already have hooks
10 non-reloading items that should be on your bench. These make life easier and all of them are cheap
Canned Air - https://amzn.to/2Hki82O
Dryer Sheets - https://amzn.to/2GH1DAO
Funnel - https://amzn.to/2qgRyQf
Sharpies - https://amzn.to/2v4uZ6G
Post it notes - https://amzn.to/2GGZzZA
Micrometer - https://amzn.to/2qk9dX1 or find a used one from ebay or a machinest supply.
LED Light Strip - https://amzn.to/2GNdDAY
Power Supply - https://amzn.to/2JwQ6lE
Food/Postal Scale - https://amzn.to/2Jx7SF6
Ziploc Bags - https://amzn.to/2GMPkiv
Reverse Tweezers - https://amzn.to/2GIs4Gy
Discussing the reload-ability and requirements/intricacies of reloading the FN 5.7x28 cartridge
A discussion about what headspacing is and how it affects our reloading in both safety and accuracy
Products discussed in this episode
Headspace Gauges
Hornady Headspace Gauge Kit : http://amzn.to/2HLLGFP
Hornady Headspace Gauge Bushings - get this if you already have the case length gauge http://amzn.to/2G21gjn
Calipers
iGaging - http://amzn.to/2HNwsQj
Shars - http://www.shars.com/products/measuring/caliper/aventor-6-large-screen-ip54-electronic-caliper
Redding Competition Shell Holder Sets:
.223/5.56 Based Cases - http://amzn.to/2FVXQLw
.308/7.62 Based Cases - http://amzn.to/2IAT0oE
Win Mag, WSSM, etc Cases - http://amzn.to/2IAPZoH
There are others, these are just the most common
DIY Option
.002 Shim stock - http://amzn.to/2FSFuuW
Shim Stock pack (if you dont want to stack them) - http://amzn.to/2FKZSC7
How to get the most from your electronic scale, with a few tips for mechanical types too.
A quick discussion about the different types of reloaders and how their needs vary widely