New to TFL Forums. couple questions

V

vcm

Inactive
Hello everyone. I am new to this site. I have a couple questions and from what I have been reading a lot of you are quite knowledgeable about shooting and all that it entails.

Please, forgive my ignorance. I have been shooting guns since I was 8 yrs old but not long-range, precision type shooting. So, here goes...

I am in the process of buying several rifles of various calibers. mostly smaller, fast varmint type calibers. 17s, 204, 220, 6BR etc... to add to my collection (hoping my young son will enjoy shooting as much as I do once he is old enough) I want to get into doing my own reloads. any particular starting point to learn how to do this, how to actually start from scratch? any site that you recommend as a starting point?

And, can anyone give me any advice as to how best to choose a particular barrel for different rifles regarding length and twist? there seems to be an infinite number of choices. any advice is welcome. I am just about to begin my journey into long range shooting, bench shooting and would like to start out doing things the right way.

Thanks in advance for any help on these things. and please feel free to offer any advice that any of you think would be helpful or important.
thanks again

vcm
 
Welcome to the playpen! Big enough for bunches of folks! :)

I'll stick to the reloading deal. Some sixty-plus years at it. My personal preference for data is the Sierra manual. IMO, the best ballistics tables in the appendices. By and large, data is data, as far as powder charges.

Since I've done heaps, gobs and bunches of sub-MOA groups, I'm partial to their bullets, also.

Good used equipment is as good as brand new. I'm still using some '06 dies that were already used when my uncle gave them to me in 1950. :)

Craigs List, gun shows; guys are regularly upgrading and selling off the old stuff.

RCBS "O" presses are good, as are their dies. Any powder scale with the magnetic damper will do. Easy to calibrate; take a bullet of known weight and put it in the pan and look.

Case trimmer. Powder measure. I chamfer the inside of case mouths and clean the primer pockets. There's a little combination tool for that.

Micrometer caliper. Miscellaneous "thingummies": Wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, a little tapping hammer, allen wrenches, stuff like that.

A funnel to put over the case mouth for when you pour in the powder.

Oh: A Lee priming dealie. Makes life easy.

That's a start; others will undoubtedly chime in.

Browse a gun store that has a good line of reloading supplies. Look, feel and fondle. :)
 
There are plenty of good reloading manuals that can be picked up and explain all the tools needed and how they work. There are also videos on youtube by people like IraqVetteran8888 that show the process down to every step.

It's a learning experience. Start with one or two rifles and learn. Then expand.
 
I agree that Sierra's manual is great.

One issue that new reloader's often have is using the "reloading language;" both in print and spoken words. Here's two links to help:

The Firing Line's own glossary/appendix:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/faq.php?faq=acronyms_category#faq_firearms_acronyms

And this one from SAAMI:

http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/index.cfm

If you'll give some specific info regarding the types of targets you plan to shoot at (bullseye, metal plates, water jugs, whatever) and the ranges you'll shoot at along with the shooting position (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing, sitting at a bench holding the rifle, etc.) that'll help get you information relative to your objectives. Also, if you'll just shoot for fun or enter any competitive disciplines, too.

You might want to find out from the NRA web site who their rep is for your state, then contact him to find out what shooting clubs may interest you to join. Such organizations are a wealth of local information about all sorts of stuff. One of their members may live a few blocks from you and might help you along in the learning process.
 
Last edited:
thanks guys. I appreciate the advice. you know I am not sure yet as to the distances I will predominantly shoot. as far as the types of targets, not certain yet on that one either. we had some steel hanging targets custom made at my buddy's shipyard a couple of years ago but shot them to hell at shorter ranges of about 100 m. but since then I haven't had time to devote to any significant shooting. I am just about to jump into it more seriously. and one of the reasons i am acquiring so many different calibers is i am not sure as to what my preference will be. and i have to be honest in that i really like shooting a variety of calibers. I may gravitate toward a particular caliber or two after a while gaining more experience with various types but for now I want to experience a number of different types. and i really just flat out love to buy guns. all kinds of guns. i love collecting and really want to put together a great collection to hand down to my son one day (he is only months old...I started late! haha)

I am thinking I will likely lean toward metal targets but not sure Bart. I just want to get out there and throw some lead down range..I love shooting...at any type of target. but I like metal targets that move and sing to me when hit.

regarding ranges, once I am comfortable with the rifles I am buying, I want to give a go at the longer ranges (600-1000 m). But at the time my options are limited at those ranges. For the time being most of my shooting will be under 300 m. so that remains to be seen.

thanks again for the great advice. I will be visiting this site's forums regularly to learn more and probably ask you guys your opinion on a number of topics. hopefully i won't drive y'all crazy!! thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top