First off, don't have a cow! We don't want to disturb the anal retentives! Some might think that this is tongue in cheek. Others will say it's more like a pitchfork in the butt. Regardless, this is a simple collection of thoughts about...
Reloading and the Internets!
Copyright 2010 � Stephen Redgwell
It starts with a simple inquiry, �What do I need to start?�
What follows rarely helps. It's usually a collection of confusing or nonsensical advice that doesn't actually answer the question.
Each of the first four or five posters will suggest a different equipment manufacturer. It�s important to sound like you have a preference and know your stuff. It�s also important to mention a brand name that has not been posted yet.
Then someone says something nasty about Lee Precision.
A couple of people will recommend a progressive press. For the people that do not reload, this is a multi-station unit that performs several reloading steps with each pull of the handle. One station de-primes and resizes the case, the next re-primes, the third adds powder, another seats a bullet, etc. It's more difficult to use and requires that you monitor several operations at the same time. It is more involved than a single stage press.
Well, that�s great, but the original poster doesn�t know anything about the subject. Why are they recommending a more complex piece of machinery to someone that's never used any kind of press at all? Oh wait; they�ll have an opinion about that too.
Then someone praises Lee Precision.
Some guys will go into great detail about how many cartridges they reload for, how long they�ve been reloading and the guaranteed best techniques to use. They love to describe in numbing detail about micing cases, how huge the difference was changing the powder load by 0.2 of a grain, altering the bullet seating depth or the importance of chamber casts. Huh? The original poster is a newbie! To quote Winnie the Pooh, �Oh, bother!� None of this helps. It�s just Internets diarrhea.
Then someone says something nasty about Lee Precision.
A couple of posts with pictures will appear. These are usually target photos showing a couple of three or five shot groups, complete with notations about the powder used, date and group size. Again, they don�t help the original poster one iota. He�s still in the dark about basic equipment, and is starting to get discouraged. Everybody says how great reloading is, how small their groups are and what the best technique is. The question still remains, what does he need to start?
Then someone praises Lee Precision.
Just when you�re thinking that it might be over, the horror continues. Someone will post that they disagree with something that another guy posted earlier. It�s usually about technique. Honestly though, it�s nothing to fret over. They�re just having a �this versus that� discussion which, if you�re smart, you�ll ignore. This happens all the time, and in case you hadn�t noticed, they aren�t helping either.
After a couple of pages, the discussion degenerates into a few small fights about equipment, with silly arguments about why you should believe them and not the other guy. Meh�it�s the Internets.
If you want to know more about reloading, the first thing to learn is not to post anything on the Internet saying that you�re a newbie and want to learn more about reloading. (Whew! A run on sentence! Read it a couple of more times.)
Buy a manual that describes the basic process and go with their recommendations. They are in the reloading business and have been doing this for a while.
Find a mentor that lives near you to help with your setup. If you have to listen to someone go on endlessly about the subject, it�s best to get it from one person, not a group of unknown posters.
If there is no one that lives nearby, private mail someone you feel you can trust.
Employ the K.I.S.S. principle - Keep It Simple Stupid. Even if you own 100 firearms, pick one cartridge and learn on that. Stick with one that�s easy to find cases and bullets for, like 223 Rem or 308 Win for example.
Although you do not know much about reloading, ignore the prejudices of others. Buy the basic dies and tools regardless of who made them. Start with a clean slate and form your own opinions based on what you learn with the help of your mentor. Reloading is a hobby that you grow into. No matter what people say, you will buy more and different equipment than what you start with. It�s a voyage of discovery.
After you�ve been reloading for a while, come back and tell us about your journey. Even if you�re curious about something, don�t pose any questions in an open forum! I guarantee that your post will generate a ton of free advice without the need to ask anything.
In no time at all, you�ll be absorbed into the reloading collective and will be dispensing your own unsolicited advice. Welcome!
Reloading and the Internets!
Copyright 2010 � Stephen Redgwell
It starts with a simple inquiry, �What do I need to start?�
What follows rarely helps. It's usually a collection of confusing or nonsensical advice that doesn't actually answer the question.
Each of the first four or five posters will suggest a different equipment manufacturer. It�s important to sound like you have a preference and know your stuff. It�s also important to mention a brand name that has not been posted yet.
Then someone says something nasty about Lee Precision.
A couple of people will recommend a progressive press. For the people that do not reload, this is a multi-station unit that performs several reloading steps with each pull of the handle. One station de-primes and resizes the case, the next re-primes, the third adds powder, another seats a bullet, etc. It's more difficult to use and requires that you monitor several operations at the same time. It is more involved than a single stage press.
Well, that�s great, but the original poster doesn�t know anything about the subject. Why are they recommending a more complex piece of machinery to someone that's never used any kind of press at all? Oh wait; they�ll have an opinion about that too.
Then someone praises Lee Precision.
Some guys will go into great detail about how many cartridges they reload for, how long they�ve been reloading and the guaranteed best techniques to use. They love to describe in numbing detail about micing cases, how huge the difference was changing the powder load by 0.2 of a grain, altering the bullet seating depth or the importance of chamber casts. Huh? The original poster is a newbie! To quote Winnie the Pooh, �Oh, bother!� None of this helps. It�s just Internets diarrhea.
Then someone says something nasty about Lee Precision.
A couple of posts with pictures will appear. These are usually target photos showing a couple of three or five shot groups, complete with notations about the powder used, date and group size. Again, they don�t help the original poster one iota. He�s still in the dark about basic equipment, and is starting to get discouraged. Everybody says how great reloading is, how small their groups are and what the best technique is. The question still remains, what does he need to start?
Then someone praises Lee Precision.
Just when you�re thinking that it might be over, the horror continues. Someone will post that they disagree with something that another guy posted earlier. It�s usually about technique. Honestly though, it�s nothing to fret over. They�re just having a �this versus that� discussion which, if you�re smart, you�ll ignore. This happens all the time, and in case you hadn�t noticed, they aren�t helping either.
After a couple of pages, the discussion degenerates into a few small fights about equipment, with silly arguments about why you should believe them and not the other guy. Meh�it�s the Internets.
If you want to know more about reloading, the first thing to learn is not to post anything on the Internet saying that you�re a newbie and want to learn more about reloading. (Whew! A run on sentence! Read it a couple of more times.)
Buy a manual that describes the basic process and go with their recommendations. They are in the reloading business and have been doing this for a while.
Find a mentor that lives near you to help with your setup. If you have to listen to someone go on endlessly about the subject, it�s best to get it from one person, not a group of unknown posters.
If there is no one that lives nearby, private mail someone you feel you can trust.
Employ the K.I.S.S. principle - Keep It Simple Stupid. Even if you own 100 firearms, pick one cartridge and learn on that. Stick with one that�s easy to find cases and bullets for, like 223 Rem or 308 Win for example.
Although you do not know much about reloading, ignore the prejudices of others. Buy the basic dies and tools regardless of who made them. Start with a clean slate and form your own opinions based on what you learn with the help of your mentor. Reloading is a hobby that you grow into. No matter what people say, you will buy more and different equipment than what you start with. It�s a voyage of discovery.
After you�ve been reloading for a while, come back and tell us about your journey. Even if you�re curious about something, don�t pose any questions in an open forum! I guarantee that your post will generate a ton of free advice without the need to ask anything.
In no time at all, you�ll be absorbed into the reloading collective and will be dispensing your own unsolicited advice. Welcome!