I would like to start reloading
- Thread starter funkymonkey
- Start date
Reasonable is a very vague term... I sell the Dillon line of products and I believe I have reasonable prices.. But the products themselves aren't the cheapest..
You will need a tumber, press (single stage or progressive), a scale and a set of calipers.. These can be had very cheap (digital calipers @ princess auto or canadian tire, there are some companies on the net selling digital reloading scales at insane prices)
Then you will need your consumables (Brass, powder, primers and projectiles)..
You will need a tumber, press (single stage or progressive), a scale and a set of calipers.. These can be had very cheap (digital calipers @ princess auto or canadian tire, there are some companies on the net selling digital reloading scales at insane prices)
Then you will need your consumables (Brass, powder, primers and projectiles)..
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Also a good manual, one of the bullet manufactures such as Sierra or Speer etc. are quite universal.
A less expensive alternative to tumbling and wiping cases is to use Birchwood Casey's cartridge brass cleaner solution, it makes many reusable cleaning batches. Put your cases in the heated solution for about 15 minutes, drain, rinse with hot water, then let air dry (1 to 2 days) or oven dry at not more than 70 C for an hour or so depending if they are bottle neck or straight wall cases.
As you progress you will find that a volumetric powder measure, (a scale is a gravimetric measure, which is a necessity), is a real boon to productivity for both rifle and pistol charging.
If you are going to reload pistol ammo, tungsten carbide sizing dies are the only way to roll, as the cases do NOT have to be lubricated and then the lube removed.
Do NOT waste your money and buy the cheapest tooling going......remember you are purchasing TOOLING, the quality brands such as RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady will last you a lifetime, and be a joy to use. Junk will piss you off every time you use it, and you will ultimately go and buy something decent that you should have bought in the first place. I have preached this many times on this site.
A less expensive alternative to tumbling and wiping cases is to use Birchwood Casey's cartridge brass cleaner solution, it makes many reusable cleaning batches. Put your cases in the heated solution for about 15 minutes, drain, rinse with hot water, then let air dry (1 to 2 days) or oven dry at not more than 70 C for an hour or so depending if they are bottle neck or straight wall cases.
As you progress you will find that a volumetric powder measure, (a scale is a gravimetric measure, which is a necessity), is a real boon to productivity for both rifle and pistol charging.
If you are going to reload pistol ammo, tungsten carbide sizing dies are the only way to roll, as the cases do NOT have to be lubricated and then the lube removed.
Do NOT waste your money and buy the cheapest tooling going......remember you are purchasing TOOLING, the quality brands such as RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady will last you a lifetime, and be a joy to use. Junk will piss you off every time you use it, and you will ultimately go and buy something decent that you should have bought in the first place. I have preached this many times on this site.
Have a look at this link. I wrote this book in the Uk about 20 years ago for handloaders there. It needs a little updating in terms of equipment and component availability but it should get you started on the right road.
If you load your own ALWAYS load safe!!
http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/programs/core/downloads/reloading.pdf
If you load your own ALWAYS load safe!!
http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/programs/core/downloads/reloading.pdf
I got started in reloading a couple of years ago. I found that the best way to get started was to reload with an experienced person under supervision.
That way you get a good idea of the process and the equiptment required.
Also the textbooks seem to make more sense after you have had some `hands on'
just my 2c.
That way you get a good idea of the process and the equiptment required.
Also the textbooks seem to make more sense after you have had some `hands on'
just my 2c.
There must be a few dozen threads on this,try a search using "starting reloading"
There are two schools of thought on equipment,Lee and RCBS.
If you are a mechanical and enjoy engineering genius,it's Lee
If you are cheap,it's Lee
If you like the feel of quality, it's RCBS
Your rifles on the other hand ,won't know the difference,and if you reach that stage with rifles,you won't use either,neither is good enough.
There are two schools of thought on equipment,Lee and RCBS.
If you are a mechanical and enjoy engineering genius,it's Lee
If you are cheap,it's Lee
If you like the feel of quality, it's RCBS
Your rifles on the other hand ,won't know the difference,and if you reach that stage with rifles,you won't use either,neither is good enough.
If you're looking at a progressive press...Dillon is the way to go...
If you're going to be shooting pistol...progrssive is the way to go...
Prices are very good right now for American made products becuase of the strong Can $
Cheers
If you're going to be shooting pistol...progrssive is the way to go...
Prices are very good right now for American made products becuase of the strong Can $
Cheers
- Location
- Near Coldwater, Ont
If you are on a tight budget, keep an eye on the equipment exchange forums. I have been buying a piece here and there, gradually getting the stuff I need to start reloading. My wife recently bought me the rest of what I need, but she's making me wait till Christmas.
Bear ,you have me mixed up with someone rich.For years I looked at reloading equipment,even the RCBS "begginer" was out of my reach.But with two sons shooting I went for the Lee Aniversary kit,for under $200 including dies and guage,I was reloading.
I'm not shooting benchrest,just hunting rifles,but when the holes all touch or come very close to touching,I think that's good.Expensive equipment is not going to shrink the group size,a more powerful scope would help,but I know a better trigger man would.There's the limit.The Benchrest Boys have their own style of equipment.
I'm not shooting benchrest,just hunting rifles,but when the holes all touch or come very close to touching,I think that's good.Expensive equipment is not going to shrink the group size,a more powerful scope would help,but I know a better trigger man would.There's the limit.The Benchrest Boys have their own style of equipment.
Bear,you forgot Lymans.
When I asked about the "other presses besides RCBS" ,a fellow replied that he had bought and tried Lymans,Hornady, and RCBS, to get one without run-out.Of the three he tested, Lymans was the best.But he felt since thay are all made to +/-.005",it was more the luck of the draw than the paint colour.BTW in the end,he ended up with a Co-Ax.
You might want to add Redding,they are very well made as well.
When I asked about the "other presses besides RCBS" ,a fellow replied that he had bought and tried Lymans,Hornady, and RCBS, to get one without run-out.Of the three he tested, Lymans was the best.But he felt since thay are all made to +/-.005",it was more the luck of the draw than the paint colour.BTW in the end,he ended up with a Co-Ax.
You might want to add Redding,they are very well made as well.
