Getting started reloading

S

saltbait

Regular
Rating - 100%
73   0   1
Location
Chester, Nova Scotia
Hey guys
Just purchased a few reloading manuals and trying to search the net for the best info to get me started safely.
Anyone have any manuals they suggest?
What about for equipment? Should I purchase piece by piece or go with a kit. The majority of my reloads will be for precision rifles so I will be going for quality over quantity.
If suggesting I go with a kit, what brand/kit is the best choice?

Thanks
Ben
 
I use RCBS equipment and dies , and have never had an issue . It would be best to buy the kit as it will save you some cash in the long run . There are quite a few youtube videos that can get you started....
 
You do not really need reloading books. Everything you will read in there is covered in length on youtube videos.

In regard with equipment it depends on time and budget.
Questions that should be answered at this point are:
Am I going into high/medium volume reloading in the future?
If no, you can go with most economical/basic version: Press, priming device if the press hasn't have any, dies, scale, caliber, shellholder, funnel and depending on brass you might need a trimmer.
And if time is not a problem you might wait and buy these items used when they show up here.
I budget is not a problem you might upgrade to a progressive press for faster loads, also add a powder dropper, trimmer, bullet puller, tumbler, chronny..... welcome in club
 
Last edited:
I bought most of my stuff used or on sale. If you're doing low volume, high precision loads you don't need a powder dispenser to get started. Lee sells powder dippers that'll get you close, then top up with a trickler. A good beam scale is a must.
A trimmer is also a must in my opinion, though I'm new at this myself. The RCBS one works well, though it's expensive to buy new.
The RCBS master kit sold by Prophet River gives you most of what you'll need, but doesn't include dies or a case trimmer.
You'll want a bullet puller eventually, it'll pay for itself in about 30 rounds.
I use the primer seater that came as part of the press, although many prefer a hand primer device.
You'll get lots of different opinions, we all have different likes and dislikes.
One of the most valuable things you can find is someone to mentor you through a few loads, especially an experienced precision loader.
 
I had started the same way as you, reload manuals.
Felt overwhelming at first.
Spent some time at another shooters house that was already set up and reloading, much easier to process.

If someone local in Nova Scotia, would offer you to spend 2 hours in their reload room with a note pad, it would make things way easier for you.
If you we're around here i'd offer it to you...
 
Some decent suggestions in the above posts:
Always have a selection of reloading manuals (Lyman is a good start for beginners. Latest one is the 50th edition). Other reloading books include Sierra, Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, Berger, Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition, Speer, etc.
Starter kits include most items you need to get going. You can add other items as you go. It also depends on how much your going to shoot.
Other items that I have found useful include:
Case Trimmer
Some form of Bullet Puller
Stuck Case Removal Kit
Digital Caliper
Decapping Dies Large & Small
Digital Scale (if getting into higher volume shooting)
Tumbler
RCBS Powder Trickler
RCBS Positive Ram Priming Unit
Spare parts for press (just my personal preference)
Magnifying glass
Light Sanding Block (I use to run case mouths over it if deburring tool leaves any burrs around case mouth)
Primer Pocket Cleaner
Nylon Case Neck Brushes (last longer than copper brushes)
Primer Pocket Reamer Large & Small (if shooting surplus ammo that has a primer crimp)
Flash Hole Deburring Tool

These items have been collected over sevaral decades of Reloading so you don't have to go and buy right away. These first four on my suggestion list I would hate to be without 'cause you will screw up.
As for which manufacturer to choose that's you choice. RCBS & Hornady are usually the mainstays. Lee is another choice. Redding has a good starter set up. I have had my RCBS single stage press for 35+ years. When it comes to dies I prefer Redding. They seem to have tighter tolerances that RCBS, Hornady, Lee, etc. They are a bit more pricey but I feel it's worth the added cost.
 
Like my LEE for the breachlock system.
If I change press, it's gotta have a quick die change system, makes single stage reloading much less of a pain
 
I use my Lee turret press like a single stage by disabling the mechanism. It make's changing operations and calibers very fast and simple.
 
Go with the RCBS kit. Has everything you'll need to get up and running. Can't go wrong with the rock chucker press. I prefer the Redding neck bushing dies, but you'll find your way with time. Best thing I've bought from Lee is their case trimmer, fast, easy and consistent. Hint, thats the key to piling rounds on top of each other is every round is the same as the last. All things being equal. Another key tool is a Hornady OAL gauge. It allows you to measure from the ogive of your selected bullet to the lands in your rifle. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Velocity's listed in the manuals are there for a reason. Don't push them. You aren't going to magically find a faster load. Its your fingers and face at stake. If you want to go faster, select a different cartridge. Speed really doesn't matter that much, consistency does. A Magneto speed chrono graph is invaluable as well. Lots of load info on the net now from the powder companies. Hodgdon has a great library. Nothing more satisfying than your hard work paying off. Have fun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom