New to reloading and looking for some guidance

[Ramem7mm]

Reloading is a big rabbit hole with lots of opinions and you will need to form your own opinions based on your testing. Learn the basics and if you find something that works do it the same every time to be able to repeat the same results. Quality results are an outcome of repeatable consistency.

Panhandle Precision and Erik Cortina have a few youtube videos that can be super informative. Watch them a few times and take notes.

Get Mitutoyo digital calipers and some basic hand tools. Burstfire anealer with prep center might be a decent option too.

If you pay for quality components brass, powder, bullets, barrel, and so on, you will get better results. Buy once cry once type of situation.

 

[alexnelon]

Where’s the best place to buy powder/primers?

Primers are usually cheaper online when you can get free hazmat.

Powder is way better to get in person unless you're buying 24 pounds at a time. $80 for a pound of H4350 in person is way cheaper than $59 + $20 hazmat + $17 shipping from PV or Grafs.

 

[Chris in TN]

Powder and primers are *best* when bought together from someplace like Blue Collar Reloading or Powder Valley when you can find the powder you want and the primers you want, both in stock at the same time, and you're confident enough in what you need that you can buy powder in 8# jugs.

Don't hold your breath on that happening every time or even often and maybe never. Until then just buy primers on sale and powder wherever.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Doesn't that frankford case prep deally trim as well? If so i'm not seeing a reason to get a little crow trimmer.

Depends they make a model that does and a model that doesn't. I have the model that does..I recommend upgrading the cutting head. Add the primer pocket swager and your good on 556 forever...lol

 

[wind gypsy]

Primers are usually cheaper online when you can get free hazmat.

Powder is way better to get in person unless you're buying 24 pounds at a time. $80 for a pound of H4350 in person is way cheaper than $59 + $20 hazmat + $17 shipping from PV or Grafs.

Powder in a # or 2 is usually a bad buy. Never done that but would if hazmat was free or I was already buying other powder/primers.. But if you buy an 8#er its not hard to beat what you see on the shelf at least around me even with hazmat. Not uncommon to find 8# hodgdon powders for $330-350 online. I haven't seen that in stores recently.

 

[Firth]

You've already gotten some good advice on powder, but I'll had my 2 cents.

Another reason to get the 8 lb containers is consistency. Lot to lot variation often isn't much, but sometimes it is, and even when it's not much it still might be important. You just don't know until you test it. An 8 lb container makes it so you don't have to deal with that as often; although if you can get same lot 1 lb containers that also addresses the issue. You'd have a pretty good chance being able to get the same lot if you are buying multiples at once, not so good otherwise.

Anymore, I pretty much buy 8 lb containers, and keep a 1 lb container on hand. I fill up the 1 lb container from the 8 lb jug and then use the 1 lb container for reloading until it's gone then refill it. That way I don't have to open the 8 lb jug as often. I don't know how much difference it makes but years ago I read that opening them less helps keep the powder more consistent over time. The thinking is opening the jug allows the powder to off gas and allows air with different humidity in. I think I read it from John Barsness.

For a lot of years, I just bought 1 lb containers though. Back when you could stroll into a store and pick up what you wanted anytime. A couple pics that will bring back memories for some: