How to start reloading??

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wherermykeys

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I'd like to start reloading but have no idea where to even start. I looked for some kind of FAQ but can't find any.

I know I should read one of the many reloading manuals out there and I will but in the meantime, I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

I'd like to reload 9mm, 45ACP and prob .223. Can someone give me a quick list of what equipment I need to buy? Also, where would be a good shop in the GTA to get this stuff from? Oh, I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible for now.

Thanks in advance!
 
wherermykeys said:
I'd like to start reloading but have no idea where to even start. I looked for some kind of FAQ but can't find any.

I know I should read one of the many reloading manuals out there and I will but in the meantime, I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

I'd like to reload 9mm, 45ACP and prob .223. Can someone give me a quick list of what equipment I need to buy? Also, where would be a good shop in the GTA to get this stuff from? Oh, I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible for now.

Thanks in advance!
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well i would say start with a good kit like an RCBS rock chucker kit, but if your on a budget the LEE kits are ok and cheap, keep in mind you will upgrade the more you get into reloading.
 
I got lucky and had everything given to me. The best thing to do would be to go see your local shop and talk with them. I did and got everything that I needed but didn't inherit. Its always good to build a relationship with a local shop. They will be able to help you out in a hurry when you need it most, and once they start to recognize you, things get cheaper :)

Once you have all the stuff, its a matter of just getting a bunch of rounds reloaded under your belt. The best advice given to me that has helped with the learning is get a routine and stick with it. Its fairly easy to actually reload, and if you have the manuals and you stick to them you can't go wrong.
 
Get a good couple of books...ABC's of Reloading and the Lyman book, which ever the latest edition happens to be, are both a good place to start.
 
I'd have to recommend Williams Arms in Port Perry, they're just up 12 from you and will have good advice along with pricing on equipment and books.
 
Buy a manual first - any of the ones put out by major manufacturers are good. Between reading them and watching You-Tube, you'll have a pretty good idea.

Starting out, I would not drop major $$ for equipment unless you are going through hundreds of rounds a day. Under $300 will get you started turning out perfectly fine ammo.
 
OK, thanks guys. I watched some Youtube videos last night. Don't know why I didn't do that earlier. I have a much better idea of what I need now. I'll be grabbing a manual today.
 
Read and look at Youtube. I suggest that you select carefully your equipment, don't go the cheap way. Most of the time, if you buy too cheap you will have to buy new kit less than a year after. Go for a good press right away (RCBS rock chucker) and a numeric balance.

Try to find someone that is reloading in your area and spend an evening there to be shown how to do it and the little tricks. I could do it if you don't mind traveling to QC...

Good luck

Mem
 
A lot of us "pre-internet" people educated ourselves by studying a reloading manual. That still works. Virtually all of them give a detailed step-by-step description of the process along with necessary safety caveats and descriptions of various propellants and load data. Any of the manuals from Lyman, Hornady,Sierra,Speer,and Nosler are a good start.
 
If you're going to be reloading pistol ammunition, I would consider a turret press to be the bare minimum, with a progressive being preferable. Take a good objective look at how much you plan on shooting and choose a press based on that; I don't think you want all of your spare time to be consumed by reloading.

The Lyman manual is probably the best manual in terms of covering a wide variety of components from various manufacturers, especially if you want cast bullet load data. Many other manuals from manufacturers like Sierra or Hornady tend to be oriented towards providing data for the bullets they manufacture. Hodgdon also has lots of data on their website for Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders.
 
Try to find someone who will teach you even if you start out by preparing the brass for them it's good experiance !!! by the way where do you live......lol
 
I just started reloading recently. I bought a variety of equipment. Starting off with the RCBS master kit from bass pro. They had a special awhile ago at 279 i think. From there, I upgraded the powder thrower and scale to 1 unit, Lyman DPS 1200 (electronic scale and powder measure).

I then have dies, and bought all components (bullets, brass, powder, primers).

I still dont know 100% what Im doing on the brass prep stage. I am taking empty cheap brass (not the stuff I'll be using to reload) and practising various stages with it, so see what die adjustments do etc. (I havent done any serious prep yet as I have 400 brass to reload first). But, I shot off 40 rounds with a friend last weekend with better accuracy than Federal Gold Medal Match shot out of his rifle so, success. And, nothing blew up :)

Read on 6mmbr, as well as mystic's site for info. Then watch youtube, then read more.

Ciao
 
I would suggest taking a serious look at Forster Co-Ax press and components. These are higher quality and less expensive than RCBS.
 
Similar post a week or so ago. For gawd's sake, don't rely on YouTube for information about how to begin reloading!! If you peruse YT on any topic about which you have personal knowledge, or even sound judgement, you will see any amount of stupidity, insanity, plain dumbness, and yes some gems. But, without experience and knowledge, it is tough to sort out the gems. This site has lots of absolutely insane advice, and these folks supposely know what they are doing.

Get a good current reloading manual. Read it. Read it again. Major reloading tool and component manufacturers have good websites, and some have DVD couses for sale. ABC of Reloading is a fine book, available at most shoot'em-up stores.

Reloading is safe, and relatively easy. Keep your brain turned on, the smokes, booze, pot, radio, TV, iPod ankle biters, gf's, and other distractions well away from your reloading, and don't never, ever, exceed maximum loads in a reliable manual, nor shoot someone else's reloads. Some idiots are known to dispose of their mistakes by offering to let you shoot them, sometimes even in their own guns. I said they were idiots.
 
hk33ka1 said:
I'd have to recommend Williams Arms in Port Perry, they're just up 12 from you and will have good advice along with pricing on equipment and books.
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+1 on Williams Arms....You`re so close to them it wouldn`t hurt to pop out there and ask questions....They`re the friendliest bunch of guys you`ll ever meet....
 
Get to know some one who loads and ask them to show you the ropes .It's how I got started. Generally reloaders are all known to each other , I fouund out in a short time that I met 4more people that reloaded.I was lucky , the guys that got me interested all used RCBS and that is what I bought. Started with the Rockchuker kit and moved on from there.
They also tell me that Redding makes some ausum stuff today. My advise is don't get into cheap starter sets.
 
ykkid said:
Similar post a week or so ago. For gawd's sake, don't rely on YouTube for information about how to begin reloading!!
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haha, don't worry, I won't be relying on youtube to teach me how to reload! I just wanted to get an idea of what was involved. I'm going to pick up the Lyman manual on my lunch break today.

What are the differences between these two kits and is this all the equipment I need to get started?

ca.wholesalesports.com/storefront/hunting/reloading/presses/breech-lock-challenger-reloading-kit/prod247145.html

ca.wholesalesports.com/storefront/hunting/reloading/presses/lee-50th-anniversary-kit/prod252150.html

I'll definitely be heading over to William's as well to see what they have.
 
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