"Understanding Firearms Ballistics" is a fantastic book, I read it twice. Alas I lent it to someone and never got it back.
As one member said there are a lot of choices out there but my choice of Lee was based on two things. One, I was a "broke butt". Two How much would I have to shoot to recuperate the cost of the kit and supplies. There are better kits on the market but Lees products work. The manual was written for the beginner. You can get specific load data on line today but not when I started.
Do you need a Cadillac or will a VW suffice?
A quick look at Midway USA shows 5 beginner kits. If I cold afford it I'd buy the RCBS but the Lee is a lot less expensive. For a beginner with one cartridge to reload...I might even consider the Lee hand press.
A cheap place to start! IMHO buy the book, spend your money on a couple 22s, rifle and pistol. Spend some money on training and practice. Find a good CCW that fits you and your needs. Then decide what you want to do, buy a shotgun? Another hand gun? Hunting rifle? Maybe more factory ammo for that 32? Now you need a place to keep things safe. Then look at reloading.
I can't disagree with a thing you said. Lee is a good place to start, especially on a budget. Although circumstances have changed, I wasn't cash-strapped at the time I dived into handloading.
Mike
"Walking away seems to be a lost art form." N454casull
Because of this, the forum eventually developed our "best barrel break-in" procedure. As you've already been informed, it involves chipmunks, fire, a loin cloth and a full moon.
It's been a while since I've read the entire thing, so I forget if you have to circle the fire clockwise or counter-clockwise while juggling the chipmunks though.
There is also some difference of opinion as to whether you wear the loincloth or the chipmunks do.....and whether or not the loincloth has to be on fire or not......if so, I think that would greatly shorten the length of the ritual.
And just wait until you run across one of our threads where we are discussing tactical throw cats......
Well, as a theatrical costumer, my main question would have to be whether it's suitable for the chipmunks' loincloths to have sequins?
Oh Lord NO! That would be weird!
Well, you can't blame a bling junkie for trying!
PS -- I guarantee you don't want to see ME in a loincloth!
I don't know about that! We've seen worse. l remember a pic of one of our members using another member's butt as a rifle rest at the SE Shoot!
Well, as a theatrical costumer, my main question would have to be whether it's suitable for the chipmunks' loincloths to have sequins?
I think Zorba is our resident sequin expert, so I shall defer to him on that one.....
Zorba would COVET my sequin collection, right habibi?
That would be a big 10-4! And ya better watch your jewelry like a hawk - especially earrings. They used to call me the "Earring King" where I worked (before retirement).
No offense to anyone here but I'd rather see Maxine Waters in a loincloth before any of you guys here, sequins or no sequins.
I looked at Zorba's web page and was impressed by that beautiful woman he linked to who can bend backwards and touch her ankles. HER, I'd like to see in a loincloth. Or in a nurse's outfit!!! Or dressed like a French Maid. HOO-hah!!!
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
No offense to anyone here but I'd rather see Maxine Waters in a loincloth before any of you guys here, sequins or no sequins.
I looked at Zorba's web page and was impressed by that beautiful woman he linked to who can bend backwards and touch her ankles. HER, I'd like to see in a loincloth. Or in a nurse's outfit!!! Or dressed like a French Maid. HOO-hah!!!
And just think, Zorba gets to hang out with such ladies ALL THE TIME!
Because of this, the forum eventually developed our "best barrel break-in" procedure. As you've already been informed, it involves chipmunks, fire, a loin cloth and a full moon.
It's been a while since I've read the entire thing, so I forget if you have to circle the fire clockwise or counter-clockwise while juggling the chipmunks though.
There is also some difference of opinion as to whether you wear the loincloth or the chipmunks do.....and whether or not the loincloth has to be on fire or not......if so, I think that would greatly shorten the length of the ritual.
And just wait until you run across one of our threads where we are discussing tactical throw cats......
Well, as a theatrical costumer, my main question would have to be whether it's suitable for the chipmunks' loincloths to have sequins?
Oh Lord NO! That would be weird!
Well, you can't blame a bling junkie for trying!
PS -- I guarantee you don't want to see ME in a loincloth!
Because of this, the forum eventually developed our "best barrel break-in" procedure. As you've already been informed, it involves chipmunks, fire, a loin cloth and a full moon.
It's been a while since I've read the entire thing, so I forget if you have to circle the fire clockwise or counter-clockwise while juggling the chipmunks though.
There is also some difference of opinion as to whether you wear the loincloth or the chipmunks do.....and whether or not the loincloth has to be on fire or not......if so, I think that would greatly shorten the length of the ritual.
And just wait until you run across one of our threads where we are discussing tactical throw cats......
Well, as a theatrical costumer, my main question would have to be whether it's suitable for the chipmunks' loincloths to have sequins?
Oh Lord NO! That would be weird!
Well, you can't blame a bling junkie for trying!
PS -- I guarantee you don't want to see ME in a loincloth!
Or anybody else around here for that matter...
Why!?!?!? I look great in mine...
Keep telling yourself that Brother...
Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
Yes, a bit depraved. I read Zorba's webpage, very informative about belly dance and well written and links to some beautiful women. I think it's great he felt the NEED to dance and followed that need. I accept and appreciate that, but don't understand it since I don't have a dance in my persona, never have, don't even like music that much. I only danced as a way to meet women who did like to dance. It's all a mystery to me.
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
Yes, a bit depraved. I read Zorba's webpage, very informative about belly dance and well written and links to some beautiful women. I think it's great he felt the NEED to dance and followed that need. I accept and appreciate that, but don't understand it since I don't have a dance in my persona, never have, don't even like music that much. I only danced as a way to meet women who did like to dance. It's all a mystery to me.
Yes, I have enjoyed reading Zorba's writing as well.
I think there is one important commonality between dancing and shooting, especially when one sets out to do either well, and that's muscle memory. I hear both shooters and dancers talk about muscle memory a lot. We all use muscle memory all the time. For me, any task that involves doing the same thing many times -- like canning two dozen jars of something or even sewing these face masks -- involves muscle memory. One of the most impressive examples I've seen of muscle memory was when I was out in the woods with a couple of guys who were cutting firewood. One man lined up twenty fourteen-inch blocks and split them one after another in about ten seconds. I was struck by how much like dancing this was.
Yes, a bit depraved. I read Zorba's webpage, very informative about belly dance and well written and links to some beautiful women. I think it's great he felt the NEED to dance and followed that need. I accept and appreciate that, but don't understand it since I don't have a dance in my persona, never have, don't even like music that much. I only danced as a way to meet women who did like to dance. It's all a mystery to me.
Ah! Gene, you COMPLETELY "get it"!
-Zorba, "The Veiled Male"
"If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
Yes, a bit depraved. I read Zorba's webpage, very informative about belly dance and well written and links to some beautiful women. I think it's great he felt the NEED to dance and followed that need. I accept and appreciate that, but don't understand it since I don't have a dance in my persona, never have, don't even like music that much. I only danced as a way to meet women who did like to dance. It's all a mystery to me.
I look good in the mirror. I don't know what others are seeing...
Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience -- Mark Twain How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
I look good in the mirror. I don't know what others are seeing...
Where'd you get that mirror? I want one!
My aunt Grimhilde. The townsfolk didn't like her much, they called her The Evil Queen... never understood why?
Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience -- Mark Twain How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
anything that is not clear or confuses you just ask the guys in here, they are great in helping serious newbies
Thanks! Yes, indeed, everyone here has been very helpful.
What has surprised me the most is how I have been overthinking specifically the amount of case damage that is acceptable. My experience at working with metal has been in fabricating gold dental crowns where the tiniest flaw in a critical area can render the crown unusable. In the videos I've been watching, the tolerances are much more lenient. I'm glad that I'm overthinking in the right direction -- the safety direction.
With your attention to detail, you'll be making quality reloads in no time. That book will certainly make the whole process a great deal less scary. In time, you won't remember what you were confused or concerned about.
Later, you'll add other manuals to increase and expand your reference materials and knowledge.
👍
Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience -- Mark Twain How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
With your attention to detail, you'll be making quality reloads in no time. That book will certainly make the whole process a great deal less scary. In time, you won't remember what you were confused or concerned about.
Later, you'll add other manuals to increase and expand your reference materials and knowledge.
👍
Thanks! My reloading library will certainly expand as I learn more.
Okay, first question. Are factory tolerances generally considered to be adequate to allow me to shoot factory loads straight out of the box, or should I be in the habit of inspecting rounds closely before considering firing them? Do factory tolerances differ much from one factory to another? Are there any factories that have red flags associated with them?
Generally, you can shoot safely out of the box, although its good practice to briefly eyeball each round as you load it. Every once in a blue moon, something sub-optimal will slip through - especially with .22 rimfire.
-Zorba, "The Veiled Male"
"If you get it and didn't work for it, someone else worked for it and didn't get it..."
Here's the kind of detail my eye sees. This flaw, mostly a scratch with a very slight depression, is a thing that would have gotten one of my dental crowns rejected.
As far as brand quality....yes, there can be a slight differences, but among the major mfgrs the difference is often a personal bias rather than a verifiable fact. As to safety....never heard of a problem with any of them.
As Zorb pointed out.....22 rimfire is the most common chambering to fail and "failure to fire" is the most common complaint. This has happened to me maybe 2 dozen times in 55 years and untold thousands of 22 RF rounds.....which is an incredibly good percentage.
If you encounter a FTF, proceed as follows: 1) Keep your muzzle pointed downrange. 2) Slowly count to 10. 3) After counting 10, with the ejection port pointed away from you or any bystanders, eject the round onto the ground...not into your hand. 4) Give it another 10 count before you pick it up. At this point it's pretty safe to properly dispose of the dud.
FWIW, this is pretty rare with new factory center-fire ammo. I've had it happen 2-3 times with CF handgun rounds, but I've never encountered it with a CF rifle round. Usually, with the exception of 22RF, FTF is a platform malfunction, not an ammo issue.
Mike
"Walking away seems to be a lost art form." N454casull
Replies
Mike
N454casull
I looked at Zorba's web page and was impressed by that beautiful woman he linked to who can bend backwards and touch her ankles. HER, I'd like to see in a loincloth. Or in a nurse's outfit!!! Or dressed like a French Maid. HOO-hah!!!
Why you'd want to see her dressed in anything is beyond me.
I think you're a bit depraved.
Mike
N454casull
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
Mike
ETA: Factory ammo tolerances are tighter than your platforms chamber tolerance. They've got to be, or half the ammo wouldn't fit in half the firearms.
N454casull
As Zorb pointed out.....22 rimfire is the most common chambering to fail and "failure to fire" is the most common complaint. This has happened to me maybe 2 dozen times in 55 years and untold thousands of 22 RF rounds.....which is an incredibly good percentage.
If you encounter a FTF, proceed as follows:
1) Keep your muzzle pointed downrange.
2) Slowly count to 10.
3) After counting 10, with the ejection port pointed away from you or any bystanders, eject the round onto the ground...not into your hand.
4) Give it another 10 count before you pick it up. At this point it's pretty safe to properly dispose of the dud.
FWIW, this is pretty rare with new factory center-fire ammo. I've had it happen 2-3 times with CF handgun rounds, but I've never encountered it with a CF rifle round. Usually, with the exception of 22RF, FTF is a platform malfunction, not an ammo issue.
Mike
N454casull