First Foray into Reloading

[BlackRam]

My reloading mentor advises all he teaches on reloading to acquire the Speer Reloading manual #13, as it has one of the best how to sections for reloading and setting up your equipment, and the reloading process of any reloading manual out there.

 

[708fan]

Seeing as I already have a turret press, would you recommend I part with the turret press and find a single stage instead? Isn't a turret just an easily swappable single-stage press? I have a Loader for .303 but I don't want to get one for 9mm since I will likely be reloading range brass rather than just my own, and I've read that Lee Loaders don't resize the case, just the neck. Is that correct or have I misunderstood?

Correct, just the neck. I’ve no experience with turret presses.

 

[bibatoad]

Seeing as I already have a turret press, would you recommend I part with the turret press and find a single stage instead? Isn't a turret just an easily swappable single-stage press? I have a Loader for .303 but I don't want to get one for 9mm since I will likely be reloading range brass rather than just my own, and I've read that Lee Loaders don't resize the case, just the neck. Is that correct or have I misunderstood?

The turret press can be used similar to a single stage, the Lyman is manually indexed so it would be fine for beginners, not a bad choice. And yes Lee loaders neck size the brass only and is very slow, for handgun it would be a poor choice. If you have once fired (in your rifle only) bottle neck cartridges the the basic Lee loader works fine. Handloading is an enjoyable hobby in itself and ads another dimension to shooting, learn as you go and have fun.

 

[TwinMustang]

Yup, getting a charge master lite was prob the best thing I ever did
The case prep center was another one

I just looked up the chargemaster. Holy cow. $540 for just the powder system?? That seems unreasonably expensive for what it is.

I think I'll stick with the Lyman scale for now

 

[Smokinyotes]

If some of you guys think a chargemaster is good you should try a V4 auto trickler.

 

[Cocked&Locked]

My reloading mentor advises all he teaches on reloading to acquire the Speer Reloading manual #13, as it has one of the best how to sections for reloading and setting up your equipment, and the reloading process of any reloading manual out there.

The key to successful, safe reloading is this:

Have good reading comprehension.
Too many people don't, and for those, reloading is a dangerous activity that they will be unsuccessful at.

Read through several reloading manuals, and read the instructions that come with a set of dies.

 

[Deathrawt]

I just looked up the chargemaster. Holy cow. $540 for just the powder system?? That seems unreasonably expensive for what it is.

I think I'll stick with the Lyman scale for now

There is two different chargemasters
The reg one is more expensive then the lite
I’ve seen used ones in the EE for 250 ish for the more expensive normal charge master so not a bad deal
The lite one that I have does everything that I need it to do

 

[dan belisle]

Seeing as I already have a turret press, would you recommend I part with the turret press and find a single stage instead? Isn't a turret just an easily swappable single-stage press? I have a Loader for .303 but I don't want to get one for 9mm since I will likely be reloading range brass rather than just my own, and I've read that Lee Loaders don't resize the case, just the neck. Is that correct or have I misunderstood?

Your Lyman turret press will be fine. You can use each position the same as a single stage, and it gives you more versatility later on. - dan

 

[I Dont Care About You]

I plan to take .223 Rem brass and trim/neck it down for the job.

Shortening brass is a lot different from trimming. You will find that chopping down brass is a giant PIA.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

Shortening brass is a lot different from trimming. You will find that chopping down brass is a giant PIA.

I beg to disagree with you, fine sir. I've dome it for a few calibers, and if you're trying to find an oddball caliber it may be the only option. But for .223 to 300 blackout, it's fairly straightforward.