[Pastor Charlie]

God bless one and all!!!

    I am new to reloading and to this site.  It was recommended to me by someone on "The Reload Bench."  They told me there were some Christian folks here and that it was a well-maintained site.

    Any suggestions for a beginner like me such as brand of equipment, etc.  Any help would be very helpful and appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Pastor Charlie

 

[Marshall Stanton]

Pastor Charlie,

Welcome aboard!  Wow, I don't know where to start, other than perhaps to ask a few questions, so we may help you better!

What are you wanting to handload?  Handgun/Rifle, caliber, and what quantities are you anticipating loading.

Too, you can go into this incrementally, with minimal cash outlay, and get your feet wet with just bare minimums, or go whole hog right from the get-go.  Either way, you can and will end up with quality ammo to shoot.  For instance, you may begin reloading with as little as a 25 dollar investment, and of course go up from there.

We've had some excellent discussions on this very subject that you might want to do a search for through our archives of this forum.

Too, there are some really knowledgable folks here that have walked your road in the not so distant past that will offer their help as well.

Jsut let us know where your interests lie, and we'll try to address your needs!

Make yourself comfortable, and get to know everyone, and I think you'll find a whole host of not only good information, but fellowship as well!

God Bless,

Marshall

 

[Elrod]

Hi Brother Pastor Charlie,
I'm new here myself, and it's a very friendly and informative site.
I started with a Lee handpress set-up from Midsouth, as well as bullets and some brass.
The powder and primers I buy locally, as shipping direct is expensive for so-called hazardous materials.
Then, I fell into a used RCBS Rockchucker (single press) set-up, used, for half price (they go new for $400, but have everything needed except dies).

As warned, I don't save a lot of money by handloading, but I sure do get to shoot a whole lot more!

 

[arkypete]

This site has a wonderful selection of long experienced, beginners, curious and they all have something to share.
And Pastor Charlie you may even run across a few heathens lurking about willing to share and enjoy.
I know I do.
Jim

 

[Pastor Charlie]

Elrod,

    Thank you so much for your kind words.  Thankful to see that you are in HIS grip!!!!  Praise God!!!
    I was curious, is this site mormon?  I was curious considering where it is located...Idaho.

God bless!!!

Pastor Charlie (Baptist pastor)

 

[Elrod]

I can't speak for what octane anyone else here uses, I'm a newbie myself.
Down here in California, we got everything imaginable.
There's a Holy Agnostic church down the block with a flashing neon question mark on the steeple!

<!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->

 

[Alex Stanton1]

Pastor Charlie,

The LDS influence in Idaho is strongest in the southern part of the state.  We're up here in the extreme Northern Idaho Panhandle, where predominantly mainstream denominational Christain churches are the norm.

Personally, we attend a non-denominational Charismatic church, also the foundation church for our kid's Christian school (nearly 200 kids enrolled).

Once again, welcome aboard, and we look forward to hearing from you here on the forums!

God Bless,

Marshall

 

[MattC]

Pastor Charlie:  

Welcome, I am always happy to see a Pastor involved in the shooting sports.  My father was a Methodist Minister for 30+ years as were my Grandfathers for longer stints.  My Pop is an accomplished shooter as were my Grandads.  

If you can afford it and were buying new I recommend RCBS.  I myself have picked up most of my stuff used at auctions and gunshows.  You can get a nice balance scale cheap (redding or RCBS) almost always on ebay, that's a good piece to start with.  I have a Lee scale and the plastic lyman one I'd send you for free.  Both work  

If you are on a budget, I myself believe that lee equipment will allow you to reload decent ammo.  If takes more work and is slower and sometime more frustratinig, but it does work.  

Good Luck.

He is Risen indeed

 

[Pastor Charlie]

Marshall and Matt,

    Thanks again for the hearty welcome!   I am indeed sometimes a pistol-pack'in pastor.  Don't you love it?  

    But even more powerful than a .357 mag. is the GOSPEL gun.  I trust that you all believe.  It makes this site really enjoyable knowing that I am conversing with true brothers in Christ.  Look forward to visiting more.

In HIS service,

Pastor Charlie

 

[Elrod]

So, Pastor Charlie,
What are you shooting, .357 mag?

I handload because .41 mag is expensive for factory ammo, and though buying .45 ACP is cheaper, once you've got the dies we reload even cheaper still.

After dinner while the family watches TV, my youngest son and I pass the Lee handpress back and forth.
The family that plays (and prays) together stays together, even though my wife won't let me mount the RCBS press on the coffee table!

BTW, I play music at two churches on Sunday AM, one of which is Baptist, and another sometimes on Sat. nite, which is Baptist. So I guess I'm Baptist about 2/3 of the time.

Like my loads: 2/3 smokeless and 1/3 black powder.

 

[Snowman]

Hey there arkypete, it's not nice to point out us "heathens" like that <!--emo&--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''><!--endemo-->.
I am new to this reloading game also pastor charlie, and I must say that your choices in equipment and supplies will be second to the assistance the fine folks in here are willing to give. I use a selection of equipment, from a lee handpress and a rcbs junior single stage. My dies are assorted redding, bonanza, rcbs, any new dies I have ordered are lee but only due to cost restrictions. I have found my most valuable, and most used tool to be my powder scale. I reload for some "different" calibers, and with the help recieved from the forums I frequent, have developed loads that have shown me the usefullness of the lee powder dippers(handy little critters) they help speed up bulk reloading of proven loads.
I would like to wish you the best in your venture into this fun and rewarding endevour.

 

[80vette]

I am new (6 months) to reloading.
Sure like me Lee Pro 100 bought it from midway.
Three Hundered bucks invested and I have press, dies, shell plates, holds etc for 357 and 45 as well as tumbler and assocories.

It's not as smooth nor quick to setup as my bud's dillion however it is better than half the price.

Hind sight suggests maybe a Lee Pro which is five station rather than three and reloads rifle ammo as well might be a better deal for fifty to sixty more.

 

[Contender]

vette,

Will the new 4 hole turret plate fit your press?

Shoot an e-mail to Lee to see what is possible.

[email protected]

Regards

 

[80vette]

The reply from lee:

"The Pro-1000 can not be converted to 4 hole. Dave"

 

[Contender]

Oh well,

The devil is in the details as they say.

You can always trade up for the 5 station press if you are so inclined at a later date.

Regards

 

[Imongojoe]

Pastor Charlie,   Glad to make your aquaintence. I may not be the one to talk about this, because I'm new here myself.  But you asked about reloading equipt., and I feel I may be able to contribute. Like that one feller said, you can start for about 25 dollars with Lee's hand loader, but if you are going to load for more than just one or two cartridges, I might suggest Lee's Anniversary Kit. It comes with everything to get you going right except componets, dies and brass.  There are set ups of higher quality, yes and more expensive, yes. but this would get you started for under 100 dollars with a pretty good equipt. list.   You might want to pick up a caliper and a good loading manual, too.After loading a few you will gradually come to see what you do and do not need.  Follow directions and be careful.   There are a lot of fellers here that would be more than glad to answer any questions.   Me included.   Good luck.

 

[Pastor Charlie]

Hi Imongojoe!

    I appreciate your kind reply to my post.  Likewise I am glad to make your acquaintance as well.  I haven't even started in reloading yet nor bought any equipment.  I am in the process of reading some reloading books that I was able to get from the local library.

    After listening to a lot of opinions, I believe I am leaning toward RCBS Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit. ( I am waiting for income tax return)
I know it is a good bit more expensive but seems to be worth it.

    I hope to talk with you again.  Incidently, you have found the best reloading forum on the web.  There are a lot of great fellers in here.....good Christian men and Marshall (the owner) loves the Lord and seeks to follow His leading in all ways.  You can't beat that anywhere.  I pray that you know Jesus also.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply to me....talk with you later.

God bless you!

Pastor Charlie

 

[John Kort]

Howdy Pastor Charlie,

Welcome to the forum and welcome to reloading!

The only thing I would like to add to all the excellent information that the other pards have given, is that I would recommend the Lyman Reloading Manual since it also contains information on bullet casting.  

Of course, if you're like some of us, you'll end up with several different ones over time.  They're all interesting!

Please keep us updated on your progress.

Yours in Christ,
John

aka Jack  Christian SASS #11993 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13
aka w30wcf
aka John Kort

 

[dodgestdshift]

Pastor Charlie:

You will love the RCBS rock chucker.  I bought one about 25 years ago and it still works like new.  The thing is heavy, strong, and will do anything you want it to.  Your grandchildren will be grateful for the money you spend on good equipment and it will outlast them.  You get what you pay for.

Bullet casting is for later, for now if you want to load cast bullets buy them.  There are lots of places on-line and local to buy them.  When you get more experience under your belt then consider casting.  You can use the bought bullets to find one your gun likes, and buy the mold.  I have been reloading for 25 years and I don't cast.  I am not putting it down, I just don't want to do it.  Good luck with reloading it will give you a lifetime of fun, challenge, and sometimes frustration, but I absolutely recommend it.

I recommend a bullet manual (I like Speer) hornady or sierra.  Then to start reloading use their bullets.   After you get "your feet wet" then experiment.  I recommend getting at least one more manual for comparisons.

Wow!  Some people think pastors are long winded, look what I just wrote.