Reloading - how to start?

[Kubotasrking]

I got plenty to do to pickup another hobby, but looks like it makes sense to start reloading my own ammo. I am inclining to get the Lee Anniversary Kit to get started, anybody feels the need to talk me out of it?

You'll get alot of advice on this one, and I guess I'll chip in. Many of my friends own Dillon presses (sold mine)...and they are nice indeed (the price relfects it too). I currently have 2 RCBS presses (rockchucker and partner), a Lee shotgun press, and a Lee turret press. As a I said earlier, my (at the time) $700 Dillon was great, but my $79 Lee turret is the press I use to this day. A single stage press is slow and tedious...if you are loading big-game loads they are the ticket. Otherwise, go w/ semi-progressive/progressive.

If you want to reload, invest in dies and good components. Powder makes a bigger difference than you may think, and some bullets are better than others. Hornady & Speer are great....I'm sure many others are too. The folks who told you to read manuals are right on, my "bible" is published by Speer.

People talk about the strength of O presses, but unless you are reloading 338 Weatherby Mags, (or the like...) the Lee will do fine, I've reloaded many a 30.06 on my Lee. The RCBS Rockchucker is overkill for the average guy...Boeing may use them for some things....

Save your money and buy a Lee to see if you really like it. If you do, great! By then, you will know what you want, and can make the decision on whether to spend $1000 or not.

Best of luck in your decision.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Thank you guys. Since I am leaving for two weeks of vacation on Sunday - I am gonna pick up a book on reloading - nice reading for the leisure time

BTW we are going to travel west for the first time - Montana, Colorado and such. I expect it to be quite an experience for bohunk like me

 

[Captinjack]

The least expensive way to get started is to buy someone out who lost interest or died. They'll have the scales, presses, shell holders trimmers etc. that can add up fast. You'll probably also get some supplies.

Look in the papers or put out a "Wanted" notice in the paper, gun shops, all your buddies, sportsman's clubs etc.

 

[RobertN]

that's a good idea too. I see stuff occasionally in my area papers. Another place to check is craigslist

This is an amazing bunch of stuff available near Sacramento, Ca Reloading Equipment

The least expensive way to get started is to buy someone out who lost interest or died. They'll have the scales, presses, shell holders trimmers etc. that can add up fast. You'll probably also get some supplies.

Look in the papers or put out a "Wanted" notice in the paper, gun shops, all your buddies, sportsman's clubs etc.

 

[texbaylea]

Thank you guys. Since I am leaving for two weeks of vacation on Sunday - I am gonna pick up a book on reloading - nice reading for the leisure time

BTW we are going to travel west for the first time - Montana, Colorado and such. I expect it to be quite an experience for bohunk like me

Prokop

You are getting a lot of advice here but I thought that I would chime in. I have been handloading since the mid 50's. Have used and owned equipment made by all the major manufacturers. Some of my dies and small equipment disappeared after a move and I have been buying Lee replacements. I am impressed by the quality and features. I strongly recommend that you start with Lee and then if this is something you will continue doing, I guarantee you will wanting to get more and fancier equipment - just like tractors!!!!

Vernon

 

[gsganzer]

Prokop

I strongly recommend that you start with Lee and then if this is something you will continue doing, I guarantee you will wanting to get more and fancier equipment - just like tractors!!!!

Vernon

You'll find that opinions on reloading equipment is like opinions on tractor brand, oil brands etc. etc. They're all decent quality, but they all have slightly different tweaks. I'm partial to Dillon dies in a Dillon 650 progressive for handgun and Redding dies in a RCBS rockchucker for rifle cartridges. No particular reason, just personal preference. I've heard a lot of folks swear that a Forster Coax is the only way to go for a single stage press, but I haven't laid my hands on one.

 

[DieselPower]

Like many of the others here I have been handloading for years. My suggestion to anyone just starting out is to purchase the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme reloading kit. It has most everything you will need to get started minus the dies and loading manuals. It's one of the best bang for the buck kits around and the Rockchucker press is a very well built heavy press.

You didn't mention what you plan on handloading. Rifle, handgun, shotgun? How much do you think you will be loading? These are all things to consider when purchasing loading equipment. If you are only going to be doing 100 or so rounds a year then you really don't need the best money can buy. If however you plan on loading thousands of rounds a year invest in the best, you won't regret it.

 

[dmccarty]

There does seem to a pattern here and I will continue it.

I have a RCBS Rockchucker as well that I used mainly for 308 but also some 10mm. At one point I was seriously looking at the Dillon presses and was impressed. But since my free time has decreased to close to zero due to the land we bought it would be a waste of money since it would not get used. For the 308 I was loading match ammo so I was checking each power load on a scale. I never got to the point of weight each brass and bullet to segragate them into lots of similar weight.

With the powder I was using it was impossible to double charge the 308 and not notice since that made a mess. Only did it once or twice though.

I have a balance scale that I would calibrate at every use. Seems like the price on electric scales may have come down so you might want to go that route. Buy a decent power measure and trickler if you are being real consistent with your loads.

I have a two books on reloading that are not published by component company plus a couple of books from Hornday and Speer. Reading a few books is a good idea. Reloading aint hard but by reading a few books it simply reinforces the process and provides different viewpoints.

Again it gets down to what you are going to do, rfile or handgun. Match handloads versus just want to shoot a bunch.

Later,
Dan

 

[RobertN]

I reloaded some 38spl wadcutters using Bullseye I think; there was just a tiny little splash of powder in the case. For an experiment, I threw charges in to the same case till it filled noticeable; there were 8 or so charges The properly loaded rounds were accurate though, and that little bit of powder made a 1lb can last a long time.

For all of this though, it should not scare anyone off. Reloading is a lot of fun to do; I really enjoy tweaking the loads, adjusting a little powder here, a little seating depth there, etc.

I need to get back on my .308. I want to try some different powders(my "load" used 4064). I am happy with Federal match brass, and like the Sierra Game King 165gr BTHP for dual purpose hunt/target.

With the powder I was using it was impossible to double charge the 308 and not notice since that made a mess. Only did it once or twice though.

 

[dmccarty]

snip....
I need to get back on my .308. I want to try some different powders(my "load" used 4064). I am happy with Federal match brass, and like the Sierra Game King 165gr BTHP for dual purpose hunt/target.

The only handgun round I have reloaded was 10mm. That one would be very easy to charge multiple times. I think I was using Hodgen(sp) powder but I can't remember.

For the 308 I think I started with 4064 and then went to a Vhutovari(sp), I really messed up that name, which is a Finnish powder. I was very happy with it with either the Sierra Match/Game kings 168/165grains. I shot hundreds of rounds with the Match Kings. And made up a dozen or so rounds with the Game Kings for hunting. The Game Kings behaved just like the Match Kings at 100 yards. Maybe this year I'll get some time to hunt and see if the Game Kings can take a deer.

I am catching up on my chores caused by buying land and building a house. I'm hoping I can start enjoying the place more next year instead of just working on the place.

Later,
Dan