:dito: This.
Reloading is a very simple process once you have all the fundamentals. BUT there are just a lot of "moving parts" and steps to it. every caliber will have its own quirks and methods.
I tell any and every new reloader I have met to read, read and read again all of the starter basics of the process.
Once you are comfortable with the basics, and before you even touch a primer or powder, you master the case prep, and all of the exacts to get the foundation and fundamentals.
Next, you read and familiarize yourself with all of the powder charges and their respective abilities. Always stay within the book published charge ranges when getting started. remember, you're making little miniature explosives, NO messing around and guessing! you will get hurt, or worse, hurt someone else.
As for matching factory loads, its WAY over rated, and sometimes not the best for your rifle. Use your new reloading skills to make a "perfect" round for accuracy in YOUR gun. that's the fun in it, and you'll end up going that direction in the end anyway.
If you're hard set on matching off the shelf ammo, get a chrono, accurately measure and average a batch of factory ammo, then compare the same bullet weight to the charts with a specific powder and start working up loads until you find a charge weight that matches the speed.. but I will reinforce the fact that its probably not going to be as accurate on target as it could be.. Every powder has their "sweet spot" on their performance, and some are more forgiving depending on your application.
I will deviate from the standard norms and say, read up all over the internet about what others do, and are doing. there's a lot out there. but DO NOT take what someone on the internet says as "the word". but as a guideline if there's tremendous consensus..
Remember, Read as much as you can, and take each and every step in the process as a deliberate task, don't deviate or cut corners. get into good, correct habits first and everything will flow. and if you run into a hiccup along the way, youll be better able to troubleshoot an issue by backtracking your steps. and learn from mistakes..
Ive been reloading for about 24 years. and every time I get into a new-to-me caliber, i still make myself go thru all the same steps from the start so I keep my "issues" to a minimum and "learn" the new caliber. It has let me keep all 10 fingers so far!
I still read as much as I can for a few days about a new caliber to see any info, good or bad that i can store in my memory. quirks, issues and potential issues.. bullet choices and powder recommendations.. then I start loading at the lowest charge recommended by the book, bracketing up at lots of five, .2 grain increases up to about the middle to a little above the middle load recommendations. find my best group. then check for issues, pressure etc, then work a new batch higher charges up to closer to max, but never over.. find the best grouping on target, then thats my load.. sometimes, I will find a "perfect round" with different powders, just to have a backup. some powders burn dirty or cleaner, so I take those into consideration. some have much more recoil, some mild.. so theres a lot of experimenting you can do if you want to take it really far.
Reloading is a continual learning process no matter how long or often you do it.
