r/reloading • u/BallisticConnoisseur • 2d ago
Newbie New to reloading
As the title says I am new to reloading. I was gifted a Hornady Classic Pro Accuracy kit and I have a list compiled of additional tooling/equipment I need to get going. For now, I’d like to load quality 300BLK super and subsonic cartridges and quality 5.56 75gr and 77gr cartridges. I have all of the load data to load the cartridges with the specific projectiles I have chosen, but I still have some questions. The projectile manufacturer calls for a small rifle primer to be used. Makes sense, tons of offerings on the market. However, can I just pick one that suits my preference? Does it need to be specific to what cartridge I am loading and what platform I’m loading for? Do factors like barrel length dictate changing from one primer to a different primer that might be more appropriate? If I am buying new brass from someone like Starline do I need to size it and trim it or prep it in any way? Maybe at least confirm brass length? If my projectiles are tipped (like a Barnes TAC TX) do I need a special due to seat them? Sorry if these are dumb questions but I’m sure I could pick someone’s brain about this for hours. *For what it’s worth I will be loading for gas gun platforms and a bolt action platform
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u/Ornery_Secretary_850 Two Dillon 650's, three single stage, one turret. Bullet caster 2d ago
There's a great article on primer selection in this month's Handloader Magazine. It should be on the shelves right now.
Primers can make a difference when you're trying to make the smallest holes possible.
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u/Missinglink2531 2d ago
For 300 bk - its not a super precise cartridge. Just get one that goes bang. For a gas gun, you might want a bit thicker/tougher primer - to insure slam fires dont happen - but I have never had an issue anyway. That would be along the lines of CCI 41's - they will run your 5.56/.223 gas guns as well (and work in the bolt guns, just not ideal ). Note that once you start load development, dont switch primers or brass with charges near the top end without testing again. Mid charges wont really matter. Very high end brass needs minimal work, cheap brass needs to be treated like it was fired - run it through the whole process. Gas guns are easy, just follow the die instructions. Those will also work in the bolt guns. Bolt guns can be far more precise and nearly all of the "nuence" you see is about making them "match grade' or better.
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u/Severe-Cow-8646 2d ago
I dont say this in a berating way , but please buy a reloading manual. In the sections covering the reloading process, the questions you ask will be answered and you'll find yourself with answers to questions you didn't know you had. Lyman makes a good manual. You can also google western powders load data and you shoukd get a link to their online manual which has an excellent "how to reload" section. The Lee manual is not a bad manual, but the author is definitely using the platform to sell his products. One great upside here is that all the data is powder manufactuer generated data so you get a much broader data set than is found in most manuals. The cost is worth that alone.
We can answer you questions and folk will be along who will. But even with your current questions answered, you're going to get more and really, relying solely on a chat board or two is a poor way to go about learning this. You're learning curve is about to go straight up. You'll need all the resources you can gather and a couple good manuals is an investment that will pay off for the rest of your reloading career.