Anybody here reload there own ammo?
I'm going to get into reloading shotgun shells and ammo for my .45 Colt and .30/.30, each under the supervision of someone who has done it.

I used to do it about twice a week but kind of got out of it. There are a number of good manuals w/ acceptable specs available that make a good read prior to getting started. The ones I used were put out by Hornady and Speer. I really enjoyed doing it and ended up w/ some pretty accurate loads. The 45 loads were probably my fav as that is one of my favorite shooting handguns. Ye olde Combat Commander.

Dave my .45 is a .45 Long Colt not an ACP, did you load your own rounds for service as an officer or just enjoyment?

Enjoyment only. We carried 357's when I first started and then switched over to the Glock 40 S & W. I did reload the 357's as well but always relied on factory loads to save my hide at work:)

I did reload the 357's as well but always relied on factory loads to save my hide at work:)
I probably would have too!
I always wanted a .357, the day I went to look at one I ended up getting the .45 Colt instead. I just really liked the action on the Vaquero single action and he had it so I bought it.

I probably would have too!
I always wanted a .357, the day I went to look at one I ended up getting the .45 Colt instead. I just really liked the action on the Vaquero single action and he had it so I bought it.
I like the .357 for shooting wadcutters since the low recoil is forgiving if you shoot through 100+ rounds. Our .357 is annoying since it's a floating barrel meaning more weight in the front making it harder to steady the gun (it's more of a police revolver though). The other downside is that ours is a High Standard Sentinel Mk III which is no longer made and isn't very well known.

IThe 45 loads were probably my fav as that is one of my favorite shooting handguns. Ye olde Combat Commander.
Ditto on the .45 being a favorite to shoot. I've got all the goodies to reload .45 acp, but never got goin' because I reload 45-70 govt and didn't want to get the bullets mixed up. The size is different .451" for pistol and .458" for rifles.
I load .270 Win and .45-70 and have reloaded shotgun shells off and on for years. I want to load for .30-30 and .45 acp (and others)

Take your time, double check everything until you get comfortable with it. Then triple check everything. Pretty soon you'll be having nearly as much fun reloading as shooting.

Good Luck and have fun.

Carp a guy at work told me about a Lee reloader kit that is like $20 or so, I am going to order one in the next few weeks on his recommendation.

Bird..I have several close friends who have been doingit for a lifetime, as has Critters brother..so if you hit any snags, let me know I'll hook you up with one of the old timers..

I do it for .223 and .45 ACP... Its a lot of fun once you get into it...you may want to try and get a kit from various internet forum classified pages, when guy wants to get out of it it can sell pretty cheap.

I am running a single stage, still don't do it enough to justify a progressive press, it really not hard to do, just have to especially focus on a couple parts (especially with the small charges that go into pistol ammo--don't want a double charge!)

If you want to reload .45 Colt, try and look at some of the "cowboy action shooting" websites, they may have good data, I shoot lead bullets for practice in my pistol, if you find them cheap, they are the only way to go. I don't have to worry much about leading in 45 ACP, though (as slow as it is), you may not have the same luck with 45 Colt since it is fast enough to lead the barrel, so be sure and check that part out.

I don't do shotshells, so no help for you there, but if you have any questions on the pistol stuff don't hesitate to IM or email me (not that I am an expert, but might know where you can find the info you are looking for)

I have been reloading rifle and pistol rounds for about 15 years. Before you buy a press I suggest you get Lymanns 47th may be up to 48th edition reloading manual. It has alot of good info and can answer alot of your questions. It also has a large section of proven loads for every thing you can think of. The Lee anniversery kit is an inexpensive way to get started, it comes with a single stage press,powder measure and scale. These are all the basics you need to get started.

I have been reloading rifle and pistol rounds for about 15 years. Before you buy a press I suggest you get Lymanns 47th may be up to 48th edition reloading manual. It has alot of good info and can answer alot of your questions. It also has a large section of proven loads for every thing you can think of. The Lee anniversery kit is an inexpensive way to get started, it comes with a single stage press,powder measure and scale. These are all the basics you need to get started.

+1

Very important to have a reference book...I have not read it, but have always heard "The ABC's of Reloading" highly recommended by others. Don't think it has recipes/loads in it though, it is more technique/process intensive, I believe, so you would still need to get something like the Lyman's 47th manual Fat_Matt suggested.