Landric

Lets see:

.45 ACP, I have had great success with Hodgdon Titegroup

.357 Magnum, I like Alliant 2400

.38 Special, I like Hodgdon HS-6

Of course I also use AA#5, IMR Trail Boss, and Winchester 231. I don't have any now, but in the past I have also had success with Alliant Blue Dot, Hodgdon Universal, and Unique.

If I had to choose one powder for all my applications, I'd probably go with HS-6. There are just so many choices. I should add that I shoot almost exclusively lead bullets in handguns.

2400 is not an economical powder, but there is a lot of fun involved with touching off a heavy charge of 2400 with a 158 grain or heavier cast SWC in a SP101.

As for single stage presses, I have a Lee Classic Turret and a Dillon Square Deal B, but I have three single stages. So yeah, they are always useful.

__________________
-Landric

"The Engine could still smile...it seemed to scare them" -Felix

Majorlk

Whatever you do, buy yourself a couple of reloading manuals. the ones from Speer, Sierra and Hornady are excellent.

Also good are Hodgdon's online manual:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

and the downloadable Accurate manual:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/A...%20version.pdf

The Hodgdon's manual also includes data for IMR and Winchester powders.

The Accurate manual is a condensed version of their printed manual but is well worth having.

__________________
An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. - Robert A. Heinlein

llred

I will try to pick up another one today. I have Lyman's revolver and pistol manual right now, and it seems to have a variety of loads. I was just wondering what some of the personal choices were.

JerryM

If I needed to I could get by well with two handgun powders, AA2, and Universal Clays.
Those two would take care of my light and med to heavy loads for .45 ACP, 9MM, .38 Spl, and .357 Mag.

Although different cartridges cause powders to move slightly on the burn scale, AA2 is in the range of WW231, and Universal Clays in the range of Unique.

Regards,
Jerry

Majorlk

The Lyman is a good beginner's manual, but you will soon discover that the loads are very conservative, compared to most of the others. That's a good thing for beginners, but if you really get into reloading and load development, you'll want several manuals for reference.

I have also discovered that many popular loads in my 70's-era publications are now considered maximum or even excessive, since SAAMI derated many calibers from the pressures common back then.

Fortunately, with the exception of my new .40 S&W, all my load development is done and I can just stick to my "old favorites".

Welcome to the reloading world. It's a great part of shooting.

__________________
An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. - Robert A. Heinlein

BaserRonin

Ken Waters Pet Loads is the best loading book I have ever bought. I research new loads in tow or three manuals, then flip over to Ken Waters to compare notes before I come to a decision on where to start and what powders to use. It has been an excellent resource for me. His book is pricey though, and not a necessity.

But you are definitely going to want 2 books, from different makers, at the minimum. The loading data will be different in each book, and in each edition. Just know that you should always cross check the information before you start.

llred

I got a few supplies last night. Pretty disappointed with the Pearland Bass Pro Shop. I am going to go to the Katy one Sat. to get the dies I need. I did get some Unique and WW 231 powders, along with 1,000 CCI small and large pistol primers. That particular store didn't have much beyond that. As stated before going to the one in Katy Sat. I've called ahead and they confirmed they did have the dies, brass, and bullets. I am also going to get a tumbler to clean the brass I have collected over the past 3 mo.

Now for tonight's project.... build a bench.

BaserRonin

Finding 2 sleeves of primers is pretty good though. Good job there. Those three powders should give you a lot of play room too. Good luck on your dies and Tumbler purchase, it sounds like you are spending some cash right up front to get started, but the big initial purchases are almost complete at least.

Where are you putting your bench?

llred

Ive got a 4 bay shop I live in at my families farm. I am thinking about putting casters on the bottom so I can roll it into my room or into the shop as needed. I am thinking something 6X4 for starters.

thylordjj

Make sure you add pic's of the bench, in the reloading bench thread…So we can all admire it...