I've been looking at getting into reloading sometime, and with all the shooting I've been doing with my 40 s&w pistols and the 223 it is just not economical to keep shooting at this pace I've been saving all my brass and picking up some here and there to feed the beasts. I'm looking for a setup that is economical and versatile enough to allow me to load larger or smaller depending on future purchases. I have no idea what I need so advice and a list to get me started and a list of things that would be nice but not essential for startup.
Getting Started...help/advice wanted
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superd222
CGN frequent flyer
The first essential is a reloading manual.
Read it cover to cover. Buy a second then read it too.
My top picks are the Speer manual and the Lyman manual.
Then you'll understand what equipment suits your needs and the principles of reloading to back up your decisions.
This small investment in time and a couple of books will pay dividends later.
Good luck!
Read it cover to cover. Buy a second then read it too.
My top picks are the Speer manual and the Lyman manual.
Then you'll understand what equipment suits your needs and the principles of reloading to back up your decisions.
This small investment in time and a couple of books will pay dividends later.
Good luck!
Gunner4life
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver BC
Prophet River is offering a complete RCBS Rockchucker Kit for only $250, it has all the basic stuff you need to get started minus the dies, shellholders and components.
Thanks guys, I've been doing alot of reading online and going through the forum as well which is certainly helping but still unsure of where to start. I definitly dont want to just jump into this without having the most knowledge that I can. I've been talking with some of the guys at my range about wanting to get into it as well and a couple were happy to let me watch/load with them and help me when I'm finally ready to give it a go for myself.
I've got a projectile question. Do most of you guys buy your projectile or cast your own. And if you do purchase where do you buy? What can one expect to pay? Benefits of casting your own? Cons of casting your own if any? Alternative casting materials to lead?
I've got a projectile question. Do most of you guys buy your projectile or cast your own. And if you do purchase where do you buy? What can one expect to pay? Benefits of casting your own? Cons of casting your own if any? Alternative casting materials to lead?
I wanted to load two different rounds .45 Colt and .45ACP so I went with a four hole turret with powder dispensers. To change from one to another take the turret out and put the other one in... change the cartridge holder and maybe the primer feed and anvil and start loading.
I bought a low end Lee Turret press and so far haven't had any problems except that one of the bolts was over tightened at the factory so it was way stiff to operate when I first got it...loosened the bolt and now it is good to go.
There are probably better presses on the market but the Lee stuff is relatively cheap which is why I got it.
When you go to buy get a quote from Budget Shooter Supply a site sponsor up at the top of the page. Great prices and service.
I cast my own bullets and round balls from pure lead and hard lead and this saves me about 18-20 cents each, I do this in a well ventilated garage.
I bought a low end Lee Turret press and so far haven't had any problems except that one of the bolts was over tightened at the factory so it was way stiff to operate when I first got it...loosened the bolt and now it is good to go.
There are probably better presses on the market but the Lee stuff is relatively cheap which is why I got it.
When you go to buy get a quote from Budget Shooter Supply a site sponsor up at the top of the page. Great prices and service.
I cast my own bullets and round balls from pure lead and hard lead and this saves me about 18-20 cents each, I do this in a well ventilated garage.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
After purchasing a couple of manuals and reading the how to procedures of the reloading process, my suggestion would be to get a friend or shooting associate to act as a mentor. Reading about the ins & outs of reloading is a great first step but the guidance and hands on experience of a mentor will fill in a lot of blank spots and is an equally important part of the learning curve. Good luck and welcome to the club 
.
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Gunner4life
Regular
- Location
- Vancouver BC
Depending on what calibers you are loading for, casting might not be an option. For 223 you're pretty much stuck with having to use jacketed bullets for a variety of reasons.
I would check with Henry at Budget Shooter Supply up top, I get most of my components from him. Shipping is reasonable (but I live an hour's drive away in Vancouver) and he has great customer service on all this he has control over.
I would check with Henry at Budget Shooter Supply up top, I get most of my components from him. Shipping is reasonable (but I live an hour's drive away in Vancouver) and he has great customer service on all this he has control over.
The tools you need;
A press or press kit , The Lee press kit will cost about $130.00 and works well, includes a scale,powder dispenser,funal,primer pocket cleaner,mouth deburing tool and lube.
Dies; Lee 3 die sets that include a collet die are the way to go. the collet die only neck sizes and doesn't stretch the case. There sets include the shell holder.
Case length trimming; Again Lee makes a case holder and cutter for $7.00 and case length gauge for $6.00. easy setup and quick.
Scales; most kits include a beam scale but for the cost pick up a digital as they save time loading. $60.00 will get a decent one.
Load manuals; $40.00, I get most of my info off the net.
Warning; Before you start reloading finish any project that you have started as it may be a while before you get back to it.
A press or press kit , The Lee press kit will cost about $130.00 and works well, includes a scale,powder dispenser,funal,primer pocket cleaner,mouth deburing tool and lube.
Dies; Lee 3 die sets that include a collet die are the way to go. the collet die only neck sizes and doesn't stretch the case. There sets include the shell holder.
Case length trimming; Again Lee makes a case holder and cutter for $7.00 and case length gauge for $6.00. easy setup and quick.
Scales; most kits include a beam scale but for the cost pick up a digital as they save time loading. $60.00 will get a decent one.
Load manuals; $40.00, I get most of my info off the net.
Warning; Before you start reloading finish any project that you have started as it may be a while before you get back to it.
