Reloading thread
 

I have no experience with reloading. Would those knowledgeable about reloading shotgun, and pistol and rifle ammo be willing to share knowledge on reloading equipment, good brands etc.

Re: Reloading thread
 

Same here. I was curious as to what startup costs would be for a simple setup, to reload 223 or 45 acp.

Re: Reloading thread
 

I bough my equipment decades ago so don't know what it costs now but I suspect that a couple of hundred should get you a start. RCBS made a good kit. Lee also makes serviceable stuff but a little downgraded from RCBS. Though I'm long gone into hyperspecialized competition stuff, I still use a $12 Lee priming tool, it's as good as anything out there.

Get a reloading manual and read it, RCBS, Speer, Sierra, Lee are all good and others. Any of these manuals will have directions, warnings, charts, diagrams, all the info that you need.

You need, a manual, powder scales, a die set, a press, priming tool, brass and consumables. The above will get the job done, then there are 5 or 6 other tools that you will need eventually like a case trimmer, primer pocket cleaner but you can add that later.

You will need an area where you can set all of this up.

Re: Reloading thread
 

You really cannot go wrong as a beginner with Lee Reloading Equipment. Here is a kit that will get you started reloading handgun and rifle cartridges, no shotgun since it is specialized using different equipment.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/cata...TurretPressKit

I have been reloading for about 10 years -- started out with .357 magnum and .38 special (same dies used for each). Then moved on to 9mm .40 Smith & Wesson handgun. Do some .233 for AR15 precision rifle shooting too.

I like Hodgdon powers Tightgroup for handgun loads and Varget for rifle. Using just these two keeps component prices down.

I usually get most of my reloading components from http://www.midwayusa.com/ but other places too when they have deals. I figure, using good components, it costs me about half of what it would buying new factory ammo.

I am sure you have other questions so ask away�

Re: Reloading thread
 

Thanks for the help guys.

Re: Reloading thread
 

First, check out this link.....TONS of info......

http://www.reloadammo.com/reload.htm


Then get yourself a 'basic' press.....I use an RCBS "Rock Chucker", which is a simple, single stage press. If you decide you really like reloading, you can move on up to progressive loaders that can really crank out the rounds quick...

Here is the RCBS website, which also has a TON of good info on it......they are not the only name in reloading by any means, but that is the one I started with, and all my dies are for RCBS presses, so I stay with them.

http://www.rcbs.com/default.aspx

Get a catalog of their stuff....get a video on handgun loads and rifle loads.....study up, and go from there. Reloading is quite easy.....

Then go to http://www.midwayusa.com/

Since you most likely don't have ANY of the stuff now, you'll probably want to get a "kit" with a press, power measure/scale, and so on. Then you'll need a set of dies for the caliber(s) you want to load.....start with one set, and then work your way up.

You'll also need a reloading guide.....most of the bullet manufacturers sell one, my first one was the Sierra guide. That will tell you how much of what differrent type of powders, primers to use with what weight bullet. Lot of this info is availiable online from the different bullet makers.....I'd probably get one hard copy ( like the Sierra ) and then you can get info for different bullets from the manufacturer's site on line without having to purchase a shelf full of manuals.....

THEN you're off to the reloading store for primers, powder, and bullets. Primers and powder, you can often purchase local ( assuming you have a place that sells this ) cheaper than online, because there is a HAZMAT fee that goes with each shipment of primers/powder, AND they won't ship them together,so you pay the same fee TWICE.....bullets, brass, I usually can get cheaper online.

Great hobby....dang good "down the road" skill to have should things go to pot.....or what is more likely, the govt clamp down on ammo in the form of higher taxes or outright ban.

Nice thing about a LOT Of bullets, say like .30 caliber, is they will fit a WIDE variety of brass....30.30, .308, 30-06 and so on.....so having the bullets and dies for that caliber means you can load for weapons other than your own.....

I am not an expert on reloading by any means, and all mine is just self taught.....but it's not hard, I'll tell you that......

Re: Reloading thread
 

Lee use to sell a hand press too, real handy and compact.

Re: Reloading thread
 

This is the checklist I used when I started out using a single stage press (only holds one of the three hangun cartridge dies at a time). If you follow all these steps you will be making some high quality like new ammo reloads.

AMMUNITION RELOADING CHECKLIST

[ ] Sort Bass by Caliber and Manufacturer

[ ] Check Cases for Splits, Dents or Separations

[ ] Tumble for 15 minutes in Walnut Shell Media

[ ] Decap (remove spent primer) and Full Length Size (lube rifle brass)

[ ] Tumble for 15 minutes in Walnut Shell Media (to remove lube)

[ ] Check Case Length and Trim as Needed

[ ] Debur and Chamfer the Case Mouths Inside and Out

[ ] Expand Case Mouth (pistol only)

[ ] Tumble for 2 Hours in Corn Cob Media

[ ] Visually Inspect and Clean Primer Pockets

[ ] Hand Prime Brass and Place in Reloading Trays

[ ] Weigh and/or Measure Powder and Charge Cases (check scale zero)

[ ] Visually Inspect Powder Charge Inside of Each Case

[ ] Visually Inspect Powder Charge Inside of Each Case (yes again)

[ ] Seat Bullets and Check COL with Micrometer

[ ] Factory Crimp Cartridges Using Appropriate Die (die not included in set)

[ ] Wipe Cartridges Clean and Pack in Ammo Boxes or on Stripper Clips

Re: Reloading thread
 

Dillon is top of the line...Lee is good for the money, the Lee hand press is tiring and difficult for anything aproaching a decent volume. Get something that mounts on a bench...or get a midway reloading table, it is portable, compact and easy to mount a press on. I like the single stage press for generall reloading...good way to start....carbide dies for handgun ammo. remember straight walled cases are easier to learn on / with.
I have over 25 yeras in reloading...what do you want to know?

Re: Reloading thread
 

I stress, step one is to get and carefully read a reloading manual. This is a good one but there are others.

Re: Reloading thread
 

I have an RCBS Ammomaster I bought in the late 80s if memory serves, never a problem. Were I to buy today I would go RCBS, might consider a Dillon if compatable pricing.

Re: Reloading thread
 

I've been reloading the big three for years - shotgun, rifle and pistol and its not overly difficult. A single stage press (I have a rock chucker by RCBS) is great for starting out on rifle and pistol ammo. A MEC single stage works great for shotshells. Get a reloading manual and follow the loads listed exactly, this is paramount to safety and don't try to rush. Most of the manuals have a step by step section towards the front.

I've been away from it for a few years and am in the process of spooling backup to reload again with the ammo prices today. Got some major sticker shock on the cost of components, but they will never get any cheaper.

Take your time and be safe, shooting your own home rolled ammo is quite satisfying.

BP:smokin:

Re: Reloading thread
 

Re: Reloading thread
 

The most important thing I can tell you is to pay attention to what you are doing. Get a friend to show you if you have one that reloads.

Habits are very important. Like housekeeping habits: only have one kind of powder, primers, brass and bullets on the bench at a time. Visually inspect your work at each stage, especially powder charging and primer seating. With some handgun powders it is possible to put two charges in the case. I have personally seen one handgun explode, probably from double charged ammo. Yes, it exploded, blew the top off the cylinder of a revolver and blew the top strap off too. The cylinder piece bounced off the roof over the firing points and hit my friend in the head. Not my gun, not my ammo, we were watching from about 10 feet away and behind.

Pay attention. Work up to maximum loads gradually. Learn to inspect fired brass for pressure signs. Don't pick up range brass, it may have been left there for a reason (reloaded too many times). Safety first when reloading. No smoking or eating while reloading, lead ingestion is bad for you. If you pull the trigger and don't get a bang, stop and inspect for a blocked bore. The primer can force the bullet into the barrel far enough for you to be able to chamber another round and fire it. This will at a minimum destroy the barrel. Seen that too. Again, not my gun or ammo.

I have loaded and fired tens of thousands of rounds without difficulty....hell, I have loaded and fired tens of thousands of rounds of .45's. It is very satisfying, as someone above said. Remember, the objective is reliability, accuracy and cost savings. The cost savings enable you to practice more. The objective is NOT to see how hot you can load.

Pay attention.

End sermon.

Re: Reloading thread
 

Lee hand press -- portable enough and indispensable in the field to adjust loads on the fly. In my case it's mainly for getting maximum accuracy out of rifles and putting together specialized handgun loads.

Re: Reloading thread
 

I started out with .44 magnum since I wanted to shoot more and ammo wasn't cheap. Well It wasn't cheap for me, I didn't have much money to buy ammo for practice so I figured since I had some lead I'd cast my own bullets and just have to buy the primers and powder. Figured out for me it was around a nickel a shot after that, half or less than the cheapest .44 ammo I could find.

I'd say start first with a single stage, when you've more experience, then get a progressive press. Starting out with a single stage teaches you the basics at a pace that doesn't overwhelm. As I learned, I wrote down the steps in simple form and then printed up a sheet, laminated it and kept it close so I'd be sure to not forget a step and do everything in the proper order.

RCBS is a very good choice if you're serious and determined to make a real commitment. I like Redding better, but that's a personal thing. I have dies from Lee for pistols and some for rifle. The main dies I use for '06 and .308 are Redding, just about everything else is Lee. I have (my first press) a Lyman single stage hand press, which I've got mounted. It is perfect for decapping but I also use it for reloading rifle as I like a solid feel press. My Lee press is one of the older progressive presses. I use that for pistol.

I think a Rock Chucker, like others have recommended, should be all the press most reloaders would need. Even though I chose a different path, hind sight is closer to 2020 than foresight. I've now got a Redding progressive press on my wish list.

It'd be hard to say you could go wrong with any of the reloader kits out there for your first step into this adventure. Just buy it and go from there with all the other little goodies you need to make it all work. I tell you those first few rounds were the turning point for me. I forged on and have never been sorry. I know I'm no expert, you don't have to be to do an excellent job, just be careful and take your time learning the steps, follow them close, then you'll wonder what took you so long to get into it.

In battle, you don't stop to police your brass, in practice you can and will want to stop to pick it up. Fact is you'll also pick up other people's brass, just in case you decide to buy something that fires that caliber. The range will be a lot cleaner after you leave.:wink:

Re: Reloading thread
 

The following link has some interesting theories that I have been wanting to play with, maybe I'll find the time this summer. It makes for some interesting reading during the winter.

http://home.earthlink.net/~dannewber...ent/index.html

Re: Reloading thread
 

I shoot .22, .38, .45 in competition. 400-500 rounds a week between practice & match is a slow week. I reload .38 & .45. I have a Dillon Square Deal "B" which I bought new (many years ago) for about half of what they are selling them now. I've never had a problem with it.

This is your ammo. and possibly your lifeline. Don't go cheap.

I started out with an RCBS single station, but it was too slow for me. Good to learn on though.

Re: Reloading thread
 

This is the manual I use almost exclusively...It is a compilation of various manufacturers data and is very comprehensive.

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I offer that you buy a chronograph FIRST. Don't put it off.

Re: Reloading thread
 

I would suggest that a chrono would come a year or so down the line after things like a case tumbler, neck trimmer, primer pocket cleaner, etc.

Re: Reloading thread
 

I also own the Rockchucker and have for ten years. I've loaded thousand of rounds. VERY satisfying to 'roll your own' as it were.

It's not even about the cost to me, though having the ability to shoot my own ammo IS loads of fun.

You can pick up a reloaders kit that SHOULD have everything you need to get started for somewhere between $250 - $350.

You can't go wrong with the RCBS. I even dropped and broke the top to my powder dropper. I called RCBS and TRIED to order TWO of them. THEY REFUSED to take my money. But mailed me two RIGHT OUT. I got them within the week. How often do you hear of companies doing that?

Re: Reloading thread
 

And for the real dedicated reloader we have ---> the ultimate ammo !

Re: Reloading thread
 

thanks again for the info