I appreciate your concern. Trust me...I plan to be EXTRA careful. My job is testing aircraft and I plan to use those same QA skills (plus some) while reloading.
I have ordered two books and two DVD's....and have someone helping me on the first go-around.
Short of wearing a body condom, I am covered pretty well.
SA Friday gave you some very good advise. Those that "are covered pretty well" when they start reloading often find out that they're not as covered as they thought. It is very easy to double charge with a 550 B. That's experience talking. My press is a 550 B. What you did in a past life does not prepare you to reload safely. Experience reloading does.
Quite a few competitive shooters load with Universal, even after they have the experience to use other powders safely. Personally, I started volume loading with Bullseye which, while not a bulky, is bulkier than the TiteGroup I currently use.
A couple of suggestions for you relative to reloading:
1. I suggest against using rifle primers, at least at first. Rifle primers tend to burn hotter and can increase pressure significantly. Those that use them generally didn't start with them. They started with pistol primers and worked their way up to the rifle primers.
2. Nobody can tell you just what formula is best for you. Different guns, even two as alike as possible, don't always like the same formula. Try a variety of powders, a variety of bullet types, weights and brands, and a variety of primers. Tune your powder and your powder to your gun. See what you, and your gun like best, then refine it until you have the best results possible.
3. Get a chronograph. Our sport is one of time, accuracy and power. It takes practice to shorten times and accuracy, but you have the ability to dial in the right power from the start, but you'll need a chronograph to do it. You'll want to understand what power factor you have and how it is affected by temperature.
4. Do not take anyone's word that any formula anywhere near the max recommended for the bullet and powder you choose, is right or even safe. Start low and work your way up to whatever you prefer. Watch for signs of pressure problems. Don't push it until you understand what those signs are.
Lee
Thank you all!
Re reading my earlier response - I realize that sounds a little bold. Not meant that way.
Trust me when i say I am apprehensive. I have been reading EVERYTHING and taking it all in. I will double check, triple check, etc, etc.
Chrony ordered!
Again, thanks for the advice and concern.
Hell, where do you all live? I am in Maryland...come help me!
BP
Quick question (please keep in mind that I have not received my manuals yet)....can i simply weigh my newly loaded rounds after I have finished to verify uniformity and to eliminate double loads?