doc187 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 (edited) I just ordered a dillon sdb and am getting my bench set up. I'd like to get the powder, cases, and bullets so I can get started as soon as the press arrives. I'm interested in 147 grain but am open to starting with 124 if it's easier. Can anyone direct me to a good resource for selecting a load? Edited February 12, 2015 by doc187 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dauntedfuture Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 1. Do some search on the forums and consult a few load data sites. 2. See what powder you can find or order 3. Refine your search online on this or other sites. There is LOTS and LOTS already written on this topic and no need to repeat, just search the forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razorfish Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 First, find some powder. HP-38 would be a good choice and it seems to be somewhat available these days. There are numerous other choices for powder in 9mm. Next, visit the powder manufacturers website for load info. If you want to load 147 grain bullets then that's what I'd do. 9mm brass is relatively easy to obtain so no issues there. For primers, I'd stick with either CCI or Winchester Small Pistol Primers. If you can swing it, I'd recommend purchasing or borrowing a Chronograph so you'll know exactly what your ammo is doing in your gun. I would recommend you purchase a reloading manual and read, read, read. Go slow and be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Best thing you could do is find a mentor in your area, but make sure you bring something to the table, don't be a mooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 good resource for selecting a load? Whatja goin' to be doin' with the load? What gun are you using? Any experience with reloading, yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codemonkey001 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I currently use 4.4gr W231/HP38 with Montana Gold 124gr jhp, OAL of 1.130-1.135. My MP5 clone,Zev G17,and M&P Shield eat it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronicTwitch Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Best thing you could do is find a mentor in your area, but make sure you bring something to the table, don't be a mooch +1, enjoyment of the same hobby is usually enough but a six pack of beers goes a long ways too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Where are you located? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc187 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Thanks guys. I'm getting exited to start. Today I set up my new work bench in the garage. I have a coworker who's been reloading for many years. As was said, I didn't want to seem like a mooch. Not much I can offer this guy, he owns a gun shop and range. I'll pick his brain a little though. I'm in central IL a little south if Springfield. Can anyone recommend a good reloading manual? I'll start with finding some powder and go from there. I've got tons of brass since I have a range on my land and shoot a lot but it's dirty so I'll probably buy some to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I have a coworker who's been reloading for many years. As was said, I didn't want to seem like a mooch. Not much I can offer this guy, he owns a gun shop and range. Surely there's some value you can provide: process the brass, pull the handle, case gauge, make sandwiches, give foot rubs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooke Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I have a coworker who's been reloading for many years. As was said, I didn't want to seem like a mooch. Not much I can offer this guy, he owns a gun shop and range. Surely there's some value you can provide: process the brass, pull the handle, case gauge, make sandwiches, give foot rubs he Agree!!! Ask the guy if under his supervision you can load some ammo on his equipment. You provide the raw material (cases, powder, primers, bullets) unless he prefers to use his and let you pay for the supplies you use. That might be the case because he doesn't want to change his setup to match another set of supplies. That can be time consuming to change and change back to his normal setup. It's important that you read and learn as much as possible before you get a "lesson". Nobody wants to sign up to teach you from scratch when you could have shortened the process and refined your needs. I find that multiple manuals are informative because they all include some basic info plus none of them cover all the possible loads. Unless you have already established some basic loads for yourself, you will need to do some load development until you home in on favorites. I caution you to learn as much as possible on your own before proceeding. Frankly darn few people want to be assaulted with a million questions that you could have resolved in advance. Since this guy is apparently in business you might consider buying your equipment through him even if it costs a little more. After all you are asking him for information. You might also try some of the sportsman's big box stores. They often hold classes on various subjects to spur future sales. They are not comprehensive IMHO but they will get you started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenLivingston Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Buy: Tumbler to clean brass Scale with check weights case gauge Calipers to measure various lengths Bullet Puller to fix mistakes Primer flip cup RELOADING MANUAL(s) Lyman 49th is good A light you can angle down into press to make it easier to visually confirm powder charge A chrono is good if you can afford. For selecting the load, as others have said, go to the powder MFG site, and cross reference with a manual. Start low and load small sample lots. Use the samples to determine things like function and feel and refine from there. Plunk test to assure you have an OAL that will work in the intended chambers before loading. Make some sample dummy rounds to verify they will cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Buy: Tumbler to clean brass Scale with check weights case gauge Calipers to measure various lengths Bullet Puller to fix mistakes Primer flip cup RELOADING MANUAL(s) Lyman 49th is good A light you can angle down into press to make it easier to visually confirm powder charge A chrono is good if you can afford. For selecting the load, as others have said, go to the powder MFG site, and cross reference with a manual. Start low and load small sample lots. Use the samples to determine things like function and feel and refine from there. Plunk test to assure you have an OAL that will work in the intended chambers before loading. Make some sample dummy rounds to verify they will cycle. Excellent post, Ken. And, welcome to BE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc187 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Buy: Tumbler to clean brass Scale with check weights case gauge Calipers to measure various lengths Bullet Puller to fix mistakes Primer flip cup RELOADING MANUAL(s) Lyman 49th is good A light you can angle down into press to make it easier to visually confirm powder charge A chrono is good if you can afford. For selecting the load, as others have said, go to the powder MFG site, and cross reference with a manual. Start low and load small sample lots. Use the samples to determine things like function and feel and refine from there. Plunk test to assure you have an OAL that will work in the intended chambers before loading. Make some sample dummy rounds to verify they will cycle. Excellent post, Ken. And, welcome to BE. Thanks for the detailed response. I have most of that and am ordering the Lyman 49th. The chrono will be the next big purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOldTimer Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Doc 187: The Lyman 49th won't give you an over-abundance of specific load data for the 9mm, but it is pretty good on the basics of reloading. It'll give you a foundation to build on. OT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody6477 Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 (edited) Codemonkey: You said you were using 4.4gr with 124 JHP at 1.13 - What kind of PF are you getting with that? I'm loading 4.1gr of HP38 under Precision Delta 124 FMJ at 1.14 and getting ~ 131. Edited March 5, 2015 by cody6477 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 You can get a Pro Chrono on Amazon for around $100.00. IMHO the best low priced chrono. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TANFARM Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I load only 147 9 mm on my Dillon 650. I would strongly suggest finding an NRA metallic reloading class and attending before you get to far along. I took the class before I started getting serious and it was the best thing ever....many, many questions answered..Its part of why we are members. Ditto on borrowing a chrono after you reach that point. Reloading is a great hobby. I'm not convinced there is that much of a financial gain , but the ability to completely control my loads are worth every moment....my2 cents worth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeeCZ Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) I personally would not buy bullets until I found powder. I found some AA7 when I started a little over a year ago so I started with 147gr Xtreme bullets. Edited March 6, 2015 by JLeeCZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codemonkey001 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Codemonkey: You said you were using 4.4gr with 124 JHP at 1.13 - What kind of PF are you getting with that? I'm loading 4.1gr of HP38 under Precision Delta 124 FMJ at 1.14 and getting ~ 131. I honestly do not know. I don't have access to a private range anymore and shoot solely at an indoor range now and can't set up my chrono. I haven't seen any signs of high pressure. primers look good, brass is fine, and ejection is normal out of my guns. it's a load that functions great in my MP5 suppressed and unsuppressed, and it's still light enough that in my Zev glock, i don't have issues with recoil. oh, accuracy is good too. one day, i do intend to chrono all my loads again, i just have to find a range that will let me setup my chrono. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cody6477 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Thanks. Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 (edited) Whatever you end up loading, be sure to chamber check the rounds in the gun you plan on running them in. For my 9mm Glocks, I user Bayou Bullets 124TC on top of 4 grains of TiteGroup at 1.125" OAL. Edited March 6, 2015 by 9x45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain037 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Doc, just remember one thing above all else. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience on this forum. Every load that you see is safe in the weapon of the poster, but, not necessarily in yours. Check the load before you try in a published manual and go from there. Be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalNoMore Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I just ordered a dillon sdb and am getting my bench set up. I'd like to get the powder, cases, and bullets so I can get started as soon as the press arrives. I'm interested in 147 grain but am open to starting with 124 if it's easier. Can anyone direct me to a good resource for selecting a load? Hi Doc, I just started re-loading myself. I also started with 9mm for my Glock 17 and 26. What type of gun are you going to re-load for? If it is a Glock I can give some specifics. Check out Xtreme/Freedom for the 147 tips. Good pricing and fast delivery. Let me know if I can help. Good luck and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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