Interested in reloading. What to get?

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CL2000

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Hello, I have been off and on interested in reloading for at least one or two of my guns. But now I'm a bit more sure that it's the right choice for me.

I have a 6.5x55 and a .300 wsm that Id like to reload for, as well as some others that I wouldn't mind getting into, but that can wait.
My reasons to want to reload are simple.
I want premium bullets for a better price.
I want cheap loads to spend at the range.
SO I'd need to develop two loads, one with the premium bullets for hunting, and one with cheap fmj or whatever to have fun with for each gun.

What would I need? Obviously I already have brass an can get more (by shooting what I got now) but what do you suggest for someone who wants to reload on the small scale?
What press? What scale? what items do I NEED and what do I not need?

Is this even doable with all the shortages now?
 
Still doable. Lee hand press with priming unit, die set, small powder trickler, electric scale, inertial bullet puller, case lube pad and lube and neck chamfering tool. All of that stuff can fit in a shoebox and should cost less than $300.
 
Even if you do find components, your first purchase (IMHO) should be a reloading manual or three. Worst case, you should be able to find something online outlining the hows and some of the whys of the various steps in the reloading process.

With more information about the process, you'll be set to make a better choice for all your reloding decisions (which press, cleaning primer pockest, neck size vs. full size, etc.). Don't sweat the details until you have an understanding of what needs to be done to reload shootable ammo. Once you get the basics down pat, you can fine tune things. If I were in your situation, I would start with the plinking loads in small batches until I had things sorted out.

Oh, one more thing: have you been keeping your brass?
 
The shortages in components will get better. I wouldn't hesitate to begin getting the gear together.

The biggest decision will be do you want to start with a kit or buy pieces individually. Pros and cons either way but there is no right/wrong answer. The first thing on your list is to get a rough understanding of the reloading process. A reloading manual will be a good place to start.

For a basic/starter reloading set up, you need this:

1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (LEE dies come with shell holder)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. bullet puller, because you will need one eventually

This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
 
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As OldDude says: Keep Your Brass.
If you can, I would also try to find a friend who is an experienced reloader for some mentoring and hands on tutoring.
There are nuances and "Lessons Learned - The Hard Way" an experienced reloader can pass on.
 
I have a bunch of gear that I haven't put up for sale yet, PM if interested (RCBS ingle stage with priming arm, 6.5x55 dies, powder measuring scoops, funnel). You'll want a scale and calliper for sure, and other items mentioned above
 
CL2000 said:
Hello, I have been off and on interested in reloading for at least one or two of my guns. But now I'm a bit more sure that it's the right choice for me.

I have a 6.5x55 and a .300 wsm that Id like to reload for, as well as some others that I wouldn't mind getting into, but that can wait.
My reasons to want to reload are simple.
I want premium bullets for a better price.
I want cheap loads to spend at the range.
SO I'd need to develop two loads, one with the premium bullets for hunting, and one with cheap fmj or whatever to have fun with for each gun.

What would I need? Obviously I already have brass an can get more (by shooting what I got now) but what do you suggest for someone who wants to reload on the small scale?
What press? What scale? what items do I NEED and what do I not need?

Is this even doable with all the shortages now?
Click to expand...

I am reloading for three Rifles in 6.5 x 55. I have been reloading lots of different stuff over the years and just retired a press I bought new almost 50 years ago. Treat yourself to a good press that will last you a life time; I bought a RCBS Rock-chucker and would buy it again. I have a Lee bench primer, and a set of RCBS dies, of which I only use the Sizing die for the first time around, I have a set of lee collet dies, and the brass seems to last forever, a Lee Perfect powder measure (most accurate I have ever used) an old Redding powder scale. That is all that you need. I use mostly Hodgedon's on line reloading data and Sierra's for my starting points on loads. Send me a PM on some tips for low cost range loads for fun and accuracy.

Good choice of calibers.
 
BlackPowderBurner said:
Still doable. Lee hand press with priming unit, die set, small powder trickler, electric scale, inertial bullet puller, case lube pad and lube and neck chamfering tool. All of that stuff can fit in a shoebox and should cost less than $300.
Click to expand...


And what to clean the used casings with? I see everything from tumblers to just soap and water
 
OldDude said:
Even if you do find components, your first purchase (IMHO) should be a reloading manual or three. Worst case, you should be able to find something online outlining the hows and some of the whys of the various steps in the reloading process.

With more information about the process, you'll be set to make a better choice for all your reloding decisions (which press, cleaning primer pockest, neck size vs. full size, etc.). Don't sweat the details until you have an understanding of what needs to be done to reload shootable ammo. Once you get the basics down pat, you can fine tune things. If I were in your situation, I would start with the plinking loads in small batches until I had things sorted out.

Oh, one more thing: have you been keeping your brass?
Click to expand...

the 6.5 would probably be the cheaper one to load for, smaller bullets, less powder, etc. does that sound about right to you?

And yes, I been saving brass of almost every gun that I can reload for. I think i even still have brass from one I dont own anymore.
 
jethunter said:
The shortages in components will get better. I wouldn't hesitate to begin getting the gear together.

The biggest decision will be do you want to start with a kit or buy pieces individually. Pros and cons either way but there is no right/wrong answer. The first thing on your list is to get a rough understanding of the reloading process. A reloading manual will be a good place to start.

For a basic/starter reloading set up, you need this:

1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (LEE dies come with shell holder)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. bullet puller, because you will need one eventually

This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
Click to expand...

That is a good point, if i was to start gathering the stuff and saw a powder or bullet or primer I liked in stock I could just pick it up. tbh i am not in much a rush, I didnt get a moose license this year.

I have to ask, any particular reason why a beam scale and not a electric?

What would you suggest to clean the brass than if not a machine?
 
The Cold Lake Kid said:
As OldDude says: Keep Your Brass.
If you can, I would also try to find a friend who is an experienced reloader for some mentoring and hands on tutoring.
There are nuances and "Lessons Learned - The Hard Way" an experienced reloader can pass on.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the only person that I know that reloads is my friends ex's dad. I cant help but laugh at how that conversation would start "hey, like three years ago your daughters ex said you reload ammo, can you give me pointers?"
 
dubious said:
I have a bunch of gear that I haven't put up for sale yet, PM if interested (RCBS ingle stage with priming arm, 6.5x55 dies, powder measuring scoops, funnel). You'll want a scale and calliper for sure, and other items mentioned above
Click to expand...

Unfortunately nows not the best time, I just bought a .410 and I'm trying to figure out what I need while I'm getting the savings back up.
 
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