reloading equipment advice sought by a noob
- Thread starter the11
- Start date
Prowl gunshows /gunshops to get GOOD quality old equipment (that never "wears out") for a fraction of what you'd pay for the expensive but poorly made CRAP that is sold in "kits" today to the unsuspecting first time reloaders. If you don't know anything about reloading - get someone you know who DOES know reloading and CAN offer advice on the selection of good used equipment and advice in getting set up and started into reloading. Its NOT rocket science but there ARE some basic safety and quality issues that MUST be recognized and followed to produce the expected results ... SAFELY!!! First on that list is SAFETY GLASSES! Good luck and enjoy ...
I will probably go single stage, at least at first. I don't mind taking my time. Slow and steady, and all that. I want to reload .303 British with cast projectiles. And I want to be able to make hunting rounds for my K31 out of GP11. And to reload some 7mm Rem mag and .308.
And as for safety, I plan on making sure my lit cigarettes are kept either in my mouth, or in an ashtray on a side table next to my loading bench, instead of on the bench itself.
On a serious note your doing the right thing. Research is important. The first thing you should buy or borrow is a few reloading manuals or books about reloading. Learn as much as you can. You will be able to make better choices when it comes to reloading.
Rickster66
Regular
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec
reloading volume is usually a factor in the big decision of single stage vs progressive (multiple stages at one pull). I'm a new reloader and use my classic single stage Lee for both pistol (9mm and .45 ACP) and rifle (.223/.300/.308/.30-06). I reload about 1000 rounds a month (60% pistol and 40% rifle). The lee anniversary kit are a great starter set to get you going. There are some tricks to speed up the process and also some additional tools like hand primers and auto and automated-powder measure/chargers that drop powder the same time the necks are bellmouthed to make the process more efficient. I don't have any experience with the other press makers and am sure they'll all do as well or even better.
A trick an old reloader taught me was to only use the loading trays once you start charging with powder. Size the brass, toss it into a tupperware, prime the brass, toss it into a tupperware. Moving a case from hole to hole before it has powder was a waste of my time he pointed out. He was right, cut my reloading time in half. After the bullet is seated and crimped it gets tossed into the tupperware. This works for me and my practice ammo. YMMV.
Do I wish I had a progressive multi-stage setup? Yes! Can I live with what I have for now? Absolutely.
A trick an old reloader taught me was to only use the loading trays once you start charging with powder. Size the brass, toss it into a tupperware, prime the brass, toss it into a tupperware. Moving a case from hole to hole before it has powder was a waste of my time he pointed out. He was right, cut my reloading time in half. After the bullet is seated and crimped it gets tossed into the tupperware. This works for me and my practice ammo. YMMV.
Do I wish I had a progressive multi-stage setup? Yes! Can I live with what I have for now? Absolutely.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is a reloading manual.... I don't know if the kit includes one, but they're like potato chips: you can't have just one.
Seriously, you need a couple of manuals. I've heard good things about the ABC's of reloading, and found lots of information in the Lyman, Sierra, Hornady and Lee (in no particular order).
Seriously, you need a couple of manuals. I've heard good things about the ABC's of reloading, and found lots of information in the Lyman, Sierra, Hornady and Lee (in no particular order).
Armored Metal
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- The People's Republik of Kébekistan
My tumbler and my case trimmer are from Lyman. I also use their green corncob media.
- Location
- West Quebec
The acessories seem to be okay but the press and more expensive items seem to get panned by reviewers
Armored Metal
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- The People's Republik of Kébekistan
And yes, manuals are a must. I find the Lyman to have the best explanations, the LEE the most pistol recipes and the Hornady is my go-to for my rifle cartriges.
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I had mentioned to buy manuals, maybe I should have bolded it
Regarding manuals, there's also an art in terms of referencing them. I've recently been using Hornady 9mm 124gr RN FMJ projectiles with Hodgdon HS-6. It was important that I referenced my Hornady manual first, as it tells me to use a 5.6gr charge to meet IPSC power factor for Production. Hornady says the max charge with this specific projectile and powder should be 5.9gr. However, if I had used what Lyman and Lee were telling me, I would have used a 6.1gr charge as a starting point, meaning I would be way over pressure if I had chosen 6.5 or 6.6gr in order to meet power factor (based on the book and not a chronograph).
This is why it's good to have multiple references as they can fill in some very important blanks.
Regarding manuals, there's also an art in terms of referencing them. I've recently been using Hornady 9mm 124gr RN FMJ projectiles with Hodgdon HS-6. It was important that I referenced my Hornady manual first, as it tells me to use a 5.6gr charge to meet IPSC power factor for Production. Hornady says the max charge with this specific projectile and powder should be 5.9gr. However, if I had used what Lyman and Lee were telling me, I would have used a 6.1gr charge as a starting point, meaning I would be way over pressure if I had chosen 6.5 or 6.6gr in order to meet power factor (based on the book and not a chronograph).
This is why it's good to have multiple references as they can fill in some very important blanks.
