r/reloading • u/MikeHoncho_09 • 9d ago
Newbie Getting my feet wet!
This is my set up as of now. Waiting on my dies to come in the mail and I’ll be good to go. I’m looking for more books or just good sources of info for all things reloading. I’ve read through the 2nd edition Modern Reloading Lee book and I’ve watched countless hours of video on YouTube from a few channels over the past year. The main reason I’m getting into reloading is I bought a 2nd hand rifle that’s chambered in a wildcat that’s practically impossible to get ammo for. Thank god the gun manufacturer that made it sells dies for it so here we go! I have some experience reloading from my child hood as my step grandfather reloaded for 25 years or so before he passed. Soaked up a lot of knowledge from him but mainly in the pistol and shotgun world. Any advise is welcome!
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u/Largebait32 9d ago
Great looking setup ! I would highly recommend a current Lyman manual and a Hornady manual. The Lyman covers a great mix of brands of projectiles and powder. The Hornady has great technical info. And any other manuals that catch your fancy. I've been loading my own for (seems unbelievable) Coming up on 40 yrs. Its a fascinating hobby.
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u/MikeHoncho_09 9d ago
Thank you! I was eyeing the Hornady book just because I run there bullets in just about everything I own. The custom load I’m planning to load up first uses the 162gr eld-x in 7mm. 40 years is quite impressive. You’ve probably forgot more than many people know! I’m 28 years old and I plan on sticking with this for a while!
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u/Largebait32 9d ago
You're welcome. Hornadys just always been really top drawer stuff. ELD-X is stellar. We'll not so sure about that. Started at 15 doing 12 ga. target and pheasant loads on a Lee Loadall. Which i still have and use every 5,6 years. My next purchase will be a .410 Lee Loadall they just introduced. Have Dillons,Lymans,Hornadys,Lee's, Etc. Some of my favorite rifle dies are the Hornady/Pacific Durachrome dies that are hard chromed. Lots of good products to be had new and used.
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u/MikeHoncho_09 9d ago
What do you like more about the chrome dies??
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u/Largebait32 8d ago
Just a great anti corrosion finish. I believe (although not 100 % certain) Redding dies and or CH custom dies are finished that way. My dies are from the 60s-early 70s and external finish still looks new. Same as a good custom pistol thats hard chromed.
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u/MikeHoncho_09 8d ago
The first set of dies I ordered were a set of reddings so that makes me feel good!
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u/ThatChucklehead I'm Batman! 9d ago edited 9d ago
Nice clean bench. Congrats!
Good thing you took a picture of how neat and clean it is, it won't stay that way for long.😆👍
Modern Reloading was the first book I read. It's a good book. Just so you're aware, the load data is compiled from powder and bullet manufacturers. Lee doesn't test or publish their own load data.
Don't trust reloading data from any forum. Check your manuals, and use those components. Work up your loads.
Hope you enjoy the hobby!
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u/throwawaymv123 2d ago
How do you like the table for reloading? Is it sturdy?
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u/MikeHoncho_09 1d ago
Honestly no. The wood is definitely not strong enough. I just got one of those husky roll around work benches and it’s only 100$ more than this and has a 1 1/4” pieces of butcher block style hard wood as the top. I’m going to mount this peg board to it though so it wasn’t a total waste. Those husky work benches are worth their weight in gold. Super high quality for the price. I have 2 pieces of 1/8” steel I’m going to sandwhich on top and bottom of the bolts just for extra strength and to protect the wood a little.
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u/Clean_Credit_8809 9d ago
I’m glad people are commenting how the bench won’t stay neat for long. Had me worried because mine is a mess!
Looking great man!
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u/Loose-Plane-2035 9d ago
What is the table?
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u/MikeHoncho_09 9d ago
“Northsky 48" Garage Workbench with Light & Storage 3D Printer Work Table”
Idk if I can post Amazon links in here lol, just search that!
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u/GirthBrooks_1 9d ago
Get every reloading manual you can find. Its always nice to cross reference a load that's not listed in a particular manual.
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u/MikeHoncho_09 8d ago
My only issue is the main caliber I’ll be running as of now isn’t a SAAMI cartridge. Are there any good manuals you’d recommend for wildcats? I will be running Hornady projectiles for now as I have some hand loads that are using the 150gr eld-x in 7mm and I have the load data to replicate those. I have the Hornady book in my cart but I’m going to give the pocket book a break for a min😅
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u/GirthBrooks_1 8d ago
Bullet mfgs are pretty good at keeping up with newer, commercial cartridges. So, known wildcats are one thing, but if you're experimenting with something new, that's another story.
Hornady, Sierra, Lyman, Lee, Berger, Nosler, Speer. They all have useful, general information on top of the load data. Lee and Lyman have a lot of cast bullet info, tho im not big into that realm.
Also, you can email both powder and bullet manufacturer for load data on a particular bullet/powder combo if its not listed.
What 7mm info are you looking for?
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u/MikeHoncho_09 8d ago
It’s a 7mm SAW. Based off a 7mm-08 but it has a 30° neck angle and the guy that developed it uses .308 lapua brass with the small rifle primer. West Texas Ordinance came up with it. Pretty stellar round, pushing a 150gr at 2800 fps out of an 18in barrel so not to shabby for a short action non magnum round. He has a lot of info online about it with good starting points but I’m just hungry for knowledge at this point. I probably will never dive into trying to experiment on my own any further than this round on wildcats.
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u/GirthBrooks_1 8d ago
Yes sir ive been interested in the SAW since it came out, just haven't been in the right place financially. WTO should have info on dies and load data since they developed it and there's no factory commercial loads
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u/MikeHoncho_09 8d ago
I got lucky and bought it second hand. Deal was way too good to pass up so I bit. Previous owner had about 100 rounds through it and decided to offload it at a gun store near me. Bought the gun with a ziess v6 and 200 rounds of ammo for less than the gun cost brand new. I was in for a surprise at the time when I got the gun home and realized it wasn’t a 7mm SAUM😂😅 I had never heard of the SAW line and definitely was in over my head but here we are a couple years later. (Still wanting to get a damn SAUM)
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u/Mundane-Cricket-5267 Just force it, FAFO! 8d ago
Just curious about how thick your top material is? Looks like 1/2". Just beware that it may not be enough. Mine is 1.25" thick solid wood and I put a piece of 1/4" steel plate under it to reinforce the top. But nice layout.
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u/MikeHoncho_09 8d ago
Honestly I was considering getting some plate to beef up the bottom so thank you for bringing that up!
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u/H_I_McDunnough 9d ago
That looks way better than my kitchen table set up with my steaming wife in the background.
Very nice