Starting to Reload Pistol Ammo

Notes - Getting Started, Reloading Pistol Ammo

2013

Sample Costs Why Reload? I only shoot 100 rounds a year. ( Yep don't bother.)
I may shoot 500 rounds a month. (check out the cost comparsion.)

List of Equipment What do I need to begin Reloading?

Where can I purchase [ bullets(ie. without the brass), primers and powder ]?
Where can I purchase the brass? ( Just purchase some quality ammo, and them begin using it to reload.)

What is quality ammo? Search the web to get various users opinions on the quality of brass to obtain. There are lot of forums with experienced users and beginners sharing their opinion. Some of the comments may be back to 2009, but I have found them very useful.

Where can I purchase components in Tucson? ( note if you have primers or powder shipped - some vendors add a HAZMAT fee)
    SportsmanWarehouse in Marana, (bullets, primers, powder)
        Thunderstick Trading Company [ 1125 N Jefferson Ave  Tucson, AZ 85712(520) 290-8599] no website, (primers, powder)
        DillonPrecision.com , or http://www.xtremebullets.com/ , http://montanagoldbullet.com/ , or http://berrysmfg.com/ for bullets,
           you need to learn what weight bullet you should use for your reloading. Google or ask at the range. Note, heavier bullet
           results in less powder required. Bullet weight price vs. the amount of powder required determines the cost.
Reference Material to Reloading Site, Manufacturer Links and Reloading Equipment Links. (look at bottom of the page)
Where can I purchase ammo? J&G Sales (online), - 440 Miller Valley Rd. Prescott, AZ 86301 or upfirearms.com in Tucson.
Dillon Precision Product's Official Technical Help Site
Starting to Reload:
    Cleaning the Brass: Since you have purchased your tumbler you will need some media to help clean the brass. There are three types of media I have used. (1- walnut shells, 2- corn cob and 3- white rice) If you use walnut shells or corn cob you may want to also place some used bounce (from the laundry) sheets in the tumbler to collect the fine dust. I use them once and then replace them the next time I use the tumbler. I have had the best results with white rice. We just picked up 10lbs of cheap white rice at Costco. You may also want to purchase some brass cleaner to put into the media. I usually put in 1-2 caps of the brass cleaner and run the tumbler for 1 hour to get the cleaner to distribute. Then I add the brass and will run it for as many hours as it takes to clean the brass to my satisfaction.

    Sizing the Brass: Once I have reloaded the cleaned brass I inspect every round using a case gauge ( Dawson has a few 20 round gauges that make the process go quite fast).
If the round will not fit in the gauge, it us usally due to some expansion/splitting at the base of the brass that you can see and feel. At that point you can pull the bullet and save the powder and bullet - I usually throw away the primer and brass for those that do not pass this test.
Brass Bulge can cause your rounds to jam in the chamber. There are notes on the following link about this issue. BRASS BULGE
see Tips File #12 on the page that appears. There are two frequently discussed reasons for brass bulge :1- GLOCKs are given credit for causing brass to bulge due to their larger barrel specifications, 2- if you have obtained brass from someone that is loading the brass for USPSA major shooting, the results of over loading the brass to obtain the higher velocity tends to cause the brass to bulge. The Tips File noted above discuss these sources of bulged brass.

    Inspecting each loaded round: Note: I have checked the powder load, overall length, primer setting of the completed rounds every time I begin to reload ( less if you are just getting started) to calibrate my reloader. ( I highly recommend the Dillon Square Deal B).

    Recording each loaded round: The screen capture of an excel worksheet shows the data recorded for reloading.

Storing the reloaded rounds: I have found the 100 round plastic cases handy to store and carry for my purposes. You will find they are sold for the various calibers of the ammunition.


My 9mm Rounds (10/22/2013)
Primers: CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers Midwayusa.com (1000=$29.99; 5000=$141.99) or Federal Small Rifle Primers ( I use them for both 9mm and 38 Super); 5000=$143.99
Powder: (see my powder link for additional info.) IMR HI SKOR 700X - 8 LBS. or 4LBS or 1LBS IMR HI SKOR 800X - 8 LBS. or 4LBS or 1LBS In Tucson;Thunderstick Trading Company [ 1125 N Jefferson Ave Tucson, AZ 85712(520) 290-8599] no website, (primers, powder) or PowderValleyinc.com IMR HI SKOR 700X - 8 LBS.$115.25 plus S/H PLUS HAZMAT Fee $27.00
Brass: have plenty at this time
Bullets: Dillonprecision.com 9mm (.356 diameter) Berrys Thick-Plated 9mm 115 grain RNHP Bullets Stock Number 17178; 4 Packages (1000 Projectiles) $88.80 ; 5000 with Tax, S/H was $508.73 Berry has not been shipping the 124 grain as fast as the 115. There are a few other 115 on the website that are also acceptable.
Powder load for 700-X is 4.1-4.3, Overall Length is 1.143 to 1.149

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