Advice on reloading press kit for beginner

[Lineman North Florida]

I am wanting to buy a reloading press kit and start reloading my own ammunition, so I would like some advice and or recommendations on the best press kit to purchase for a beginner, and when I say beginner I mean I know virtually nothing about reloading. Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide. Charlie.

 

[EarPlug]

First question - Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun? What caliber's and how many rounds?

 

[Jstpssng]

They're almost as scarce as ammo right now, but it's a good time to start looking. I'm about as knowledgeable as you are, and just picked up a Lee set from Midwest Top 5 Reloading Kits for Beginners | Single Stage Press Kits | MidwayUSA, but have been told the RCBS would have been a better choice.

This Field and Stream article How to Get Started Reloading Today | Field & Stream gives a good overview on getting started.

 

[GaryM]

Buy a reloading manual. Hornady or Speer are good ones. There are others as well.

 

[CalG]

I have no objections with the Lee press. I think it cost about $80 ... "a few years ago".
I only reload two rifle rounds, so no need for "quick change over" or high volume. 40 rounds will wear me out at the range or field.

A quick look at Brownells suggests that equipment availability is suffering from the plandemic. (I like Midway better, but didn't check stock for you.

Get a simple bench mounted press, They are all good! and the dies for a single round. build from there.

 

[beckmurph]

I vote Dillon 550.
It is a progressive.
Easily set up.
Tool heads are easily changed.
I have had mine 25 years.
Lifetime warranty.

But, reloading supplies are very hard to find right now.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

First question - Rifle, Pistol or Shotgun? What caliber's and how many rounds?

I will want to reload rifle and pistol ammo, 243,270, 30-06, 6.5 creedmor, 38 special, 9mm and 40 caliber, I am not sure on how many rounds.

 

[MF RED in MT]

I am wanting to buy a reloading press kit and start reloading my own ammunition, so I would like some advice and or recommendations on the best press kit to purchase for a beginner, and when I say beginner I mean I know virtually nothing about reloading. Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide. Charlie.

First you'll have to make a decision whether you are going to reload using a single stage, turret, or progressive press for your needs.

Then I would suggest that you begin to watch a lot of different videos on reloading from the manufacturers/vendors websites and also you tube.

Be sure to read the comments on you tube about each video that can give you an indicator of the video's being good to poor.

Another site is AR15.com, armory, reloading, that has some information also that you can read.

If you explain in more detail in this thread as to what your goals are, I'm sure you will get good information here also.

Good luck,

KC

F.Y.I. I started reloading about 56 years ago with a RCBS RockChucker single stage press, using a beam scale, and casting my own lead bullets for .357 mag. & .44 Mag. Attention to detail of your reloading operation is critical throughout the complete process for "safety".

 

[k0ua]

I vote Dillon 550.
It is a progressive.
Easily set up.
Tool heads are easily changed.
I have had mine 25 years.
Lifetime warranty.

But, reloading supplies are very hard to find right now.

Another Dillon 550 owner and user here. Go big or go home

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...eload-some-ammo.html?highlight=load+some+ammo

 

[MF RED in MT]

I will want to reload rifle and pistol ammo, 243,270, 30-06, 6.5 creedmor, 38 special, 9mm and 40 caliber, I am not sure on how many rounds.

I would suggest beginning with 1 only of your pistol cartridges and sticking with it until you get proficient and comfortable with reloading.

KC

edit: like the 38 special, straight case and no need to lube for sizing, and using a powder similar to 2400 where a visual check is easy to see a good charge and almost impossible to get a hot charge just by looking at all of the cases sitting in a loading block with the powder in them using a good small flashlight.