I have been shooting forever and finally have room to start into reloading my own ammo. This should be easy as I have a ..... .308 the cal that most people get bored with. My question is where do I start, and what equipment do I need to get started. How much money am I looking at to get going.
how to start into reloading ?
- Thread starter luftmech
- Start date
First buy a reloading manual, you will need at least one anyway. At the beginning of every manual, there is step-by-stp instructions, info on both basic and advanced reloading equipment and techniques, components, basicly everything.
Read it, then read it again, and then come back here and ask for help with any questions that arise.
Read it, then read it again, and then come back here and ask for help with any questions that arise.
I'll just add that the Lyman Manual is a pretty good one to start with. The cost depends on the kind of equipment you buy, but expect to pay about $200 - $500 to have all the basics. Lee stuff is popular with reloaders on a tight budget, but I like RCBS personally.
I second the Lyamn manual, it has one of the best step by steps out there. I have a mix of everything for reloading equipment (Lee, RCBS,Lyman,MEC).
The list of gear roughly goes:
1) Press: I am a fan of the RCBS Rockchucker for a begineers press
2) Dies: The Lee die set is a good place to start, I like the deluxe set with the neck szing die and the full length die both in it. I know there are most likely better dies out there, but they seem to work well and have been recommended to me by shooters that have a pile more gear (and talent) than I do and still go to them.
3) Scales: I have both a Lyman beam scale and a RCBS digital scale, but you do not need both. a powder measure is a nice oidea, but not required.
4) Powder trickler: I like the RCBS one
5) Case trimmer: To start with, you cannot beat the Lee setup that you buy for a specific cartridge. If you will also need a neck chamfer tool to dbur the cases after you are done
6) Calipers: Comes in handy for measuring cases and OAL
7) Primer seater: There are many on market. You can use the RCBS Rockchucker press to do it, but I use a Lee hand primer; I will most likely buy a RCBS one when this one craps out.
8) Loading block for holding the cases
9) Powder funnel
I am most likely missing items, but someone else can chime in.
You may want to take a look at the different kits that are out there. RCBS makes a kit called the Rockchucker Supremt Master Reloading Kit that has almost everything you need, and it is about $360.
The list of gear roughly goes:
1) Press: I am a fan of the RCBS Rockchucker for a begineers press
2) Dies: The Lee die set is a good place to start, I like the deluxe set with the neck szing die and the full length die both in it. I know there are most likely better dies out there, but they seem to work well and have been recommended to me by shooters that have a pile more gear (and talent) than I do and still go to them.
3) Scales: I have both a Lyman beam scale and a RCBS digital scale, but you do not need both. a powder measure is a nice oidea, but not required.
4) Powder trickler: I like the RCBS one
5) Case trimmer: To start with, you cannot beat the Lee setup that you buy for a specific cartridge. If you will also need a neck chamfer tool to dbur the cases after you are done
6) Calipers: Comes in handy for measuring cases and OAL
7) Primer seater: There are many on market. You can use the RCBS Rockchucker press to do it, but I use a Lee hand primer; I will most likely buy a RCBS one when this one craps out.
8) Loading block for holding the cases
9) Powder funnel
I am most likely missing items, but someone else can chime in.
You may want to take a look at the different kits that are out there. RCBS makes a kit called the Rockchucker Supremt Master Reloading Kit that has almost everything you need, and it is about $360.
Congratulations on your new pastime. Patience, research and due diligence for small details make it a hobby almost a passion. There is a lot of information on the web out there as well as many good mentors here. It’s a great feeling when the first handmade bullet goes down range.
Enjoy!
Driller
Enjoy!
Driller
$500 is a pretty reasonable estimate is you're going to reload rifle for more than one caliber.
Large caliber (ie. 50bmg), or High volume handgun, figure on $1000.
You can find some reasonable used stuff, but the best value maybe a starter kit like RCBS or Lee. Press, Scale, Lube, Manual, case trimmer, blocks ect. All you need to add is dies.
RCBS makes a rock chucker kit they sell for $389.
Large caliber (ie. 50bmg), or High volume handgun, figure on $1000.
You can find some reasonable used stuff, but the best value maybe a starter kit like RCBS or Lee. Press, Scale, Lube, Manual, case trimmer, blocks ect. All you need to add is dies.
RCBS makes a rock chucker kit they sell for $389.
"...$500 is a pretty reasonable estimate..." Yep. Saw a kit a few weeks back at that price. The kit gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. They come with a manual, but get a Lyman book too. It's more versatile.
The ABC's of Reloading is a good book to start with. The RCBS web site has a how-to as well.
Think 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064 and regular large rifle primers for the .308. Don't forget that you'll need a solid bench too. Said bench doesn't have to be huge, but don't buy one with a particle board/OSB top. Even a thick one will break on the first use. Trust me.
The ABC's of Reloading is a good book to start with. The RCBS web site has a how-to as well.
Think 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064 and regular large rifle primers for the .308. Don't forget that you'll need a solid bench too. Said bench doesn't have to be huge, but don't buy one with a particle board/OSB top. Even a thick one will break on the first use. Trust me.
Start with a single stage set up. It takes a little longer, but simplifies the operation, thus making it a little safer in my mind. There are always Lee or RCBS older units that pop up. They are also built pretty heavy and solid too.
