Alright so what do i need to start reloading?

[.Ben]

so im planning to start reloading soon and wondering what tools i need....could anyone make a list of the tools i need and should have (which i will aquire as well)?? i plan to reload pistol calibers and some rifle calibers (.300 mag. .303 britsh etc)

i think i am leaning towards just a basic single stage press thinking of the hornady lock and load classic kit? anyone have any opions on a good starter press?


thanks a millions, Ben

 

[realpolaris]

I am in the same boat. I am looking to begin reloading, i found a book which has proved very useful. "the abc of reloading" I just finished reading it and find it explained a lot of the aspects of reloading in addition to the equipment required. amazon has it at a reasonable.

 

[Scott_N]

I have no experience with the Hornady kit, but another one to look at is the RCBS Rockchucker kit. While there are a few odds and ends that you will want to pick up eventually, it comes with everything you need to get started except for the dies and shell holder for each caliber you plan on reloading. I got a sale flyer from Wholesale Sports the other day, they are on sale for $369 right now. The reason that I recommend RCBS is that their stuff is top notch, and their customer service should you ever need it is second to none.

 

[msg.drew]

If your goal is to spend lots of money to impress your friends then check out the RCBS or a Hornady they are both very expensive. You can get the same type of kit from lee which is just as good for nearly 1/3 the cost.

I had been using hornady .223 new diemention dies for a long time 6 years and they continually broke jammed etc and needed parts they broke so frequently that I ordered 10 pins and 10 expanders... this weekend after sizing a few the last straw finally happened I pulled those dies out and went to my stock room and grab a set of deluxe dies from lee. I had loaded nearly 100,000 pistol rounds on lee dies without haveing to adjust them or do anything to them over the last few years once they where setup.

Hornady design for these small caliber expanders is poor and after about 1000 rounds they tend to crack and fall apart this wont happen with lee because there design is better and much stronger.

I am not biased I have used all the products out there I sell all the products mentioned and I still like lee when it comes to single stage presss and dies.

 

[TheTooner]

....could anyone make a list of the tools i need and should have ...?? Ben

Yes. Several manufacturers have made such lists, which are the contents of their complete kits for getting started. Add up the price of each component in a Lee or RCBS kit (other brands too, probably, but I haven't checked them all) and you will find the kits are really very good value for money. But the first tool you should buy is one of the several good books that have been published to give novices an overview and help you figure out which specific questions to ask.


A basic Lee kit is the cheapest, and can last a lifetime. I don't bother to argue with fans of other brands who say their favourite is "better", as the criteria can be subjective, (and my criteria is firstly, good enough and then, cheapest.) The Lee kit is more than adequate. If it bothers you to have the cheapest, or for any other reason you may prefer it, get the RCBS kit. If cash is critical, get Lee now, and like many of us you may find you like it and never feel the need to "upgrade," but if you ever want to replace it with something else later, you will find some cash-strapped novice reloader will be glad to buy your old reloading tools.