I am just getting into reloading and was wondering if you guys could help me choose which round to start with. I have .308, .223, 45-70, .45 acp, .300wm, 375h&h or 44-40 to choose from. Which would be easiest for a beginner to start on? I've got the lee 50th anniversary setup and a couple other things and planning on getting a better powder measure. Thanks.
Which round to start with?
- Thread starter colin456
- Start date
I started with my most expensive round to buy factory for, but whichever one you can get powder and bullets for would be the best. Powder seems to be coming back but at a much slower rate, bullets on the other hand are easier to find but the cost is going through the roof
I would pick either the one that is most expensive to buy loaded ammo for or the one that you shoot the most. The basics are the same for all of them except for 45 ACP because you can get a 45 ACP carbide sizer die so you don't have to lube the cases, which I highly recommend.
- Location
- West Quebec
45 ACP then 223 would be my choices
I am new too like you. I started with what I have the least in my ammo case, which was 45ACP & 40S&W. then 9mm. in general, straight walled pistol ones should be easy and all the same in terms of the things we have to know. then it's the weird ones, like 357sig if you want to do that, then rifle ones due to the extra equipments, steps/cares you have to put into.
If I were you I would start with the 308.
There is a vast difference in reloading, between the 45ACP and a 308 Winchester, so learn on a typical rifle cartridge.
Brass and bullets are very common and there is quite a choice of powder that will work fine. After you get a 308 figured out you should have no problem going to any other bottle neck rifle calibre.
If, someday you will be loading your 300 W. and 375 H & H, you will need a mighty strong press, that is very long, so think hard when you are buying your first press.
There is a vast difference in reloading, between the 45ACP and a 308 Winchester, so learn on a typical rifle cartridge.
Brass and bullets are very common and there is quite a choice of powder that will work fine. After you get a 308 figured out you should have no problem going to any other bottle neck rifle calibre.
If, someday you will be loading your 300 W. and 375 H & H, you will need a mighty strong press, that is very long, so think hard when you are buying your first press.
I full length size and reload 375 H&H with my Lee breech lock hand press without problems...The press that comes with the Lee anniversary kit is more than up to the task. If not, you are most certainly doing something wrong.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
^^^^Unfortunately all to true. If i was you i would not think about the pistols without a progressive...to frustrating. Go with the round you shoot most and therefore will save the most cash loading. Some of those are fun rounds, some precision. Look at it as a fun to start, be careful, and once you get into it ....go for precision.
Whichever cartridge you shoot most. Other than the .44-40(that is rumoured to be somewhat persnickety to load due the thin case walls), none of those are terribly challenging.
Slightly different learning curve for bottle necked rifle cases, like there's no flaring the case mouths on 'em but rocket science it ain't. Read the manual.
Slightly different learning curve for bottle necked rifle cases, like there's no flaring the case mouths on 'em but rocket science it ain't. Read the manual.
Do the one you shoot most is good advice. You can pick any one of them, Just follow standard loading procedures and check and double check every step. You're going to have to jump in with both feet sooner or later if you want to reload for all of them.
I just started on .44-40 recently. I case lube ALL my brass regardless of what dies I'm using. Even with the short handgun cases I like how it eases up the load on the lever so I can feel more of what is going on and there's no sticky jerk when the lever travel is reversed. This likely caused the .44-40 brass to be a non issue for sizing and loading. But do give it enough flare that it easily swallows the end of the bullet or bad things WILL happen I'm sure. Don't go overboard through or you'll overwork the brass. Just sneak up on a big enough flare that the base of the bullets fits down a few thou into the flare and it doesn't feel like it's perched on the edge.
Having said this it's intended for later. I would not suggest you start with the .44-40. I'd go with the .45acp if you can find bullets and powder. Then either the .223 or .308 for rifle rounds. And you'll need a case trimmer for the shouldered rounds if you don't have one already.
Having said this it's intended for later. I would not suggest you start with the .44-40. I'd go with the .45acp if you can find bullets and powder. Then either the .223 or .308 for rifle rounds. And you'll need a case trimmer for the shouldered rounds if you don't have one already.
