Help me through my reloading journey! advice please!

Declared Bishop

Declared Bishop

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OK, so to preface:

I have a couple 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, and I plan to reload for them and develop a load that they like and will shoot consistently.

I saw Cabelas had some large rifle primers finally in stock, so I ran and grabbed some, except I got MAGNUMS! grrrr. Anyways, so I now have 400 large rifle magnum primers, and I don't know if I can use them. but As I am starting to see more and more places getting the LRP, I figure I might as well start figuring loads and equipment out.

So, I have zero experience, zero equipment. I have a few hundred rounds of Norma whitetail brass once fired, and 400 large rifle magnum primers.

Right now, I am just looking to develop a good hunting and target load. I am not really into long distance shooting or PRC, at least not yet, but maybe in the future.

I don't know if I can use magnum primers, but, who knows, maybe I can trade them out.

So, I need to slowly acquire everything I need. And how to develop a load and where to find load data.

so, whats my first move here?
 
You just need to back the load a little bit when using LRM primers.

Just check the buy and sale for a press and equipment. RCBS 505 or 1010 are good starter scales.
 
No worries on using mag primers, some like to use them with all ball powders in any cartridge for cleaner ignition.
Some standard primers from certain manufacturers are hotter then other manufacturers mag primers.
Just work up a load and you will be fine.
 
First move - buy a reloading manual. It will literally give you a full guide on what to do and, most importantly, recipe / load data (safe load data - what powder and amount for type of bullet).

The key is to start low and work up.

For equipment you'll want a single stage press, appropriate sizing die(s) (full length is my preferred option with a neck mandrel but thats probably something to think about down the road once you have found your legs) and seating die. You will need sizing lube of some kind (Dillon or One Shot have been what I have used but there are other good options)

Also think about how you want to clean the brass (tumbling in media / wet tumbling).

I have probably forgotten some things and others will fill in the gaps.
 
ok, so I figure that the first thing I will need is a press? right? everything revolves around the press.

Are there any budget ones out there that are good and wont need to be replaced in 3 months because I need something better?

or should I get something that cleans brass first?

Ideally I will luck into someone selling reloading supplies and will sell it to me for a song and dance lol
 
Rcbs rock chucker or Lee Classic Challenger / Cast ( looks like a D or a O) is a good press that you won't need to replace anytime soon.


You can get a case prep kit. To clean brass you can just use warm water, dish soap and some lemi shine, in a jar and dry it in the oven. You won't get Instagram worthy shine, but will be shootable.
 
The first thing you're going to need is money. Warm up that credit card...

You will need;
A good reloading manual
A press. Either a single stage or hand
Dies. Full length, seater and I like a separate crimp die.
Primer seating tool
Powder measure or scoops
Scale (in grains)
Powder funnel
Loading tray
Case lube
Chamfer/de-burring tool
Primer pocket cleaning tool
Calipers
Case length trimmer tool
Tumbler (wet or dry)

Did I forget anything??
I know it sounds like a lot but most if not all of these items can be found used on the EE or gunshows
Or you could get something like the Lee starter kit
 
Interesting your brought up a kit, Joe....

I was actually looking at the Lyman ultimate reloading kit at Cabelas for awhile now, but I don't know if it is worth getting it, or if it is junk, or if I am just going to spend a bunch upgrading stuff
 
FYI... Some presses have built in primer seating tools. Both my Lee presses do.

Powder scoop I use a DQ blizzard spoon.

Case trimmers they make ones for drills with a set length rod.
 
Declared Bishop said:
Interesting your brought up a kit, Joe....

I was actually looking at the Lyman ultimate reloading kit at Cabelas for awhile now, but I don't know if it is worth getting it, or if it is junk, or if I am just going to spend a bunch upgrading stuff
Click to expand...
Kits I find that you end up upgrading the scale, powder dispensers etc.

New Lyman stuff isn't as good as the older stuff.
 
Declared Bishop said:
Interesting your brought up a kit, Joe....

I was actually looking at the Lyman ultimate reloading kit at Cabelas for awhile now, but I don't know if it is worth getting it, or if it is junk, or if I am just going to spend a bunch upgrading stuff
Click to expand...
I bought the Lee kit 30 years ago and I'm still using it
I reload about 1000 rounds a year in 8 different calibers. The only thing I wore out was the Primer tool. I did upgrade to the Lyman case prep tool kit tho (hand tools, not the machine)
Depends on how much you plan to reload. Under 1000 rounds, stay with hand tools (cheaper and you get the tactile feel) over 1000, you may want to go Binford... LOL
 
Joe Amorosi said:
I bought the Lee kit 30 years ago and I'm still using it
I reload about 1000 rounds a year in 8 different calibers. The only thing I wore out was the Primer tool. I did upgrade to the Lyman case prep tool kit tho (hand tools, not the machine)
Depends on how much you plan to reload. Under 1000 rounds, stay with hand tools (cheaper and you get the tactile feel) over 1000, you may want to go Binford... LOL
Click to expand...

I mean, i am new to this, so to say I am going to load more or less than a thousand rounds, well, who knows.

I do like doing prep work and such though, so I know I will enjoy the reloading process, and I am really looking forward to it
 
Declared Bishop said:
I mean, i am new to this, so to say I am going to load more or less than a thousand rounds, well, who knows.

I do like doing prep work and such though, so I know I will enjoy the reloading process, and I am really looking forward to it
Click to expand...
I find it therapeutic
Reloding is kinda like painting your living room. 90% of the the work is in the prep. Loading the round is the Last step of Many...
Get a good set of calipers
 
Declared Bishop said:
I mean, i am new to this, so to say I am going to load more or less than a thousand rounds, well, who knows.

I do like doing prep work and such though, so I know I will enjoy the reloading process, and I am really looking forward to it
Click to expand...
Prep work is what I hate the most.

Run them thru the single stage press and universal deprimer, then clean primer pockets, then toss them in the wet tumbler. Then dry. So I dont dirty up my sizing die. Then run it thru the sizing die and determine if it needs to be trimmed. Then setup the trimmer. Then deburr and chamfer. Then back in the tumbler. Then dry again. Then can prime.
 
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