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mikeystew

mikeystew

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So i've been thinking lately about reloading. i just started collecting guns recently and im taking a real hit in ammo costs. i like to shoot a bit too much and the fact that my range is 5 mins away, and right between home and work doesn't help. i dont have a heck of alot of money to spend on my initial investment but where do i start? is there a good kit to start with? how do i even learn about the art of reloading? any pointers would be very much appreciated.
Mike
 
Grab a reloading manual, read it over and soak it all in. It will provide tons on useful information. I like the Lyman 49th edition, its pretty good.

Depending on your type of shooting (rifle vs pistol) you may opt for one press or another. I recently switched to a progressive press because I am tried on sititng in the basement for hours loading pistol ammo, but your case may be different.
 
Pick up a copy of "The ABC's Of Reloading". Amazon would be my first look (to buy one) or maybe your local Library will have a copy (ya never know).

If you are only loading Rifle rounds, I would advise you to buy a RCBS Rock Chuckler Supreme Kit. It comes with everything you need to get started (including a loading manual)

I do belive a site sponsor had one for sale a few months ago for $389 (ish). You could also order direct from RCBS.

There are some other types and kinds of Presses out there, some good, some cheap.... IMHO RCBS has the best starter kit out there, there are some cheaper, but RCBS kits have a LIFETIME warranty, and you will never have to replace anything from the kit.

What I am saying is you could buy a Lee kit (it will do the trick) but in a year or two or 3 you will be looking at it and saying "I shoulda bought the RCBS kit"

After that you will start hoarding Primers, Bullets, Powder, Brass and reloading manuals...... cause you'll never have enough!

Cheers!
 
Like Onagoth said. Go buy a reloading manual first. Read it from the front cover to the start of the data tables in the back. If you don't have a good grasp on the principals, read it again. Once you've absorbed everything, you'll be able to make an informed decision.

Here's your free tip. Pistol shooters tend to go through tons of ammo. Progressive presses let you load much faster than a single stage.
Rifle shooters use much less ammo and tend to go for the precision that single stage presses offer along with a lower price. That's not to say there aren't excellent progressive presses out there...they're just a pile more money.
 
This could be OT, but do you have an SKS (7.62 x 39)? You don't need to reload for it because 7.62 x 39 is cheaper than reloading.

Having said that, I suggest:
1. get a good reloading manual, or three. Read from cover to to cover and understand them.
2. see number one above.
3. decide on your budget (for the press) and get the press/dies/accessories that will fit in your budget.
4. the cheapest brand, Lee, offers some good presses and dies for the money and for my money, I would go with the Classic Cast Turret. It will do rifle and pistol ammo. It should last at least a lifetime IMO. A turret press costs between a single stage and a progressive. If you decide that reloading isn't for you or move up to a progressive, it is easy to unload that turret in the EE.
 
notsorichguy said:
If you are only loading Rifle rounds, I would advise you to buy a RCBS Rock Chuckler Supreme Kit. It comes with everything you need to get started (including a loading manual)
Click to expand...

How do you like the Rock Chucker Supreme kit for pistol ammo reloading? I'm looking at kits for 40/45 cal.
 
If all you are doing is pistol ammo, you could get by with a Lee kit, their kits start at $150.

I reload for both rifle and pistol.

I use my single stage presses for all of my Rifle reloading, I even hand weigh with a beam scale to the exact granual for all of my rifle loads. I want that ammo to be as close to perfect as I can get!

I also use my Single stage presses for pistol ammo as well, but usually just when doing load development. Once I find the load that the pistol likes I duplicate it on the progressive press for volume loading. I like my pistol ammo to be accurate, but I don't hold it to the same tolerances as my rifle ammo.

If you are looking for a progressive press, I would reccomend a Lee 1000. Cheap, decent enough and they are cheap.....

When I started relaoding I was at my fathers knee, into my teen years I used my dads equipment to reload. When I moved out I bought a used Pacific Press (made by Hornady) I paid $40 for it 18+yrs ago. After that I slowly started buying pieces here or there at Gunshows Etc. Before to long I had a decent set up. I had probably spent double the cost of a Rock Chuckler kit, buying this or that. If I had to "do it all again" I would have saved my money and bought a RCBS Kit, it is the press and equipment that I generally use as a benchmark for all other presses.

Just recently I finally picked up a Dillion (progressive press).... Once you start you can't stop, it's a never ending cycle of procurement, there is always something else to "try out".


Cheers!
 
Right now I'm looking at pistol ammo, but that could change down the road. I'm finding affordable .223 ammunition to be hard to find in decent quantities these days. Reloading that calibre seems porbably in the not too distant future. I highly doubt I'd reload .308 but I don't want to rule that out either. I've got no issue paying good money for good tools. Quality pays for itself. I've seen some good set-ups.
 
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