Newbie wants to start reloading. What would you recommend. I have 9 mm, .40 SW, .45 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .223 and 30-06. I shoot mainly .22 Bullsye but like to shoot my centrefire collection. At the range I am not likely to shoot over 100 rounds a session. What makes of reloading equipment are easiest to use. Do I need a progressive loader? My objective is to reduce the cost of ammo, have a new hobby reloading and produce comfortable loads for fun target shooting. Please give me the benefit of your wisdom and experience.
Adnice on reloading equipment wanted
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A Dillon 550 would do all of those rounds comfortably. As a bonus they have excellent reliability, customer support and are widely regarded in the industry and shooting community.
I like mine so much, I have one dedicated to rifle and one to pistol.
There are individuals however that will bad mouth them because of the slight premium in cash outlay at the start....they will be along shortly....
I like mine so much, I have one dedicated to rifle and one to pistol.
There are individuals however that will bad mouth them because of the slight premium in cash outlay at the start....they will be along shortly....
stormbringer
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- S.W. Ontario
Hornady LNL...
Do a search..
Best bang for your buck.
Do a search..
Best bang for your buck.
Lee turret press, best bang for the buck. - dan
If you are only shooting around 100 rounds you might consider a single stage or turret press. For a progressive, it take time to switch for each caliber, not to mention the expense of multiple shell plates, die holder etc....
I have a progressive that is set up for the calibers I shoot most. Low volume reloading, say a hundred at a time, is done on a singe stage press. It takes more time, but I don't have to reset my progressive, even though it is a Lee Loadmaster and easy/cheap to change.
And, the Loadmaster kit, including dies and a casefeeder, is $199 US
My next progressive will be a Hornady LNL.
I have a progressive that is set up for the calibers I shoot most. Low volume reloading, say a hundred at a time, is done on a singe stage press. It takes more time, but I don't have to reset my progressive, even though it is a Lee Loadmaster and easy/cheap to change.
And, the Loadmaster kit, including dies and a casefeeder, is $199 US
My next progressive will be a Hornady LNL.
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ok let's look at this closely- if you go with the lee turret, your shellholder comes with the dies and all you buy is the turret- the progressives require that you buy a different plate for each caliber, but that's not really as bad as it sounds-
1 9mm and 40 s&w share the same head, so the same shellholder
2- 45acp and 30-06, and for that matter , 308 win again same head, so same shellholder
3-38 special and 357- buy the 38 special dies and turn up a turn or so so for 357 mag-
4)44 special, magnum, and 45 colt- all share the same shellholder, and you use the 44 special dies for BOTH the 44 spec and the mag- same deal as 38/357 - you need 45 colt dies for the 45 colt
5) the 223- unfortunately, there are no special "tricks" for this one
if i were you i'd go with a turret seeing as you're only doing roughly 2 boxes a session
My biggest problem with my 550 was switching from small to large primers, in the fine tuning, etc. Occasionally I got it right immediately but at other times it was difficult in setting primer tube properly and getting the primers to be picked up in the cycle. Perhaps that was because of my clutsy way of doing some things. I solved that problem with the recent addition of a second 550, with each being dedicated to one primer size for pistol. Some might say it's going a bit overboard, but our currency has more purchasing power and, if you shop around, you might benefit from a 1-800 phone call. When one wants to re-sell a 550 on CGN, it's my observation they don't stay on the board for very long and they're gone.
Get as comfortable in reloading supplies as you can and always remember that a Brinks truck and a hearse don't travel in the same parade! Get whatever makes you feel good!
Don't miss the yard sale! Mule
Get as comfortable in reloading supplies as you can and always remember that a Brinks truck and a hearse don't travel in the same parade! Get whatever makes you feel good!
Don't miss the yard sale! Mule
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Look into an RCBS Beginner's kit. Comes with everything you need less dies and shell holder. About $500Cdn.
You're looking at a set of dies and a shell holder for each cartridge. Fortunately, the .38 and .357 use the same dies and sheel holder and the two .44's do too. Mind you, you'll have to set up the dies every time you change cartridge.
You're looking at a set of dies and a shell holder for each cartridge. Fortunately, the .38 and .357 use the same dies and sheel holder and the two .44's do too. Mind you, you'll have to set up the dies every time you change cartridge.
