Learning to reload

I might add though some may frown at me, a good place to start equipment wise is the lee breech lock kit i got mine a number of years ago new for $99. Its got everything you need to get going and find out of its for you or you are achieving your desired results (minus dies). If all works out well it's best to save for a progressive if that's the direction you decide is for you. I still use all my lee stuff for precision bolt, never seen a reason to upgrade.
 
If you are loading pistol you should look at the Dillon equipment. Once you have tried the Dillon pistol dies you won't use anything else. I have a Dillon 550B that I bought about 30 years ago and have loaded everything from .22 hornet up to .378 Weatherby on it. Very good progressive unit and the best customer service in the business. I had a problem years ago with one of my powder charger bars and gave them a call. they sent me a complete charging set up with many items that I did not ask for express mail to my door with no charge. At the time I purchased the press in 1989 from Scottsdale Arizona over the phone it was 4 days delivery right to my door. I use it for my precision guns as well. .22 and 6mm PPC, .223, 30-378 and they are all sub MOA everyday. When I bought my .50 BMG I had to go to RCBS because Dillon does not offer the monster press that I needed. That being said it is pretty hard to beat a single stage RCBS rockchucker on any day when it come to quality.
 
Parts said:
Excellent point Ron, I'm looking to reload for the cost savings per round. Recycling my brass is fine with me, but not looking to cast my own projectiles.
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It's a slippery slope, though be warned. Started with a single stage rockchucker, and now have $2500 in gear and reloading supplies, that's not a lot at all either.
 
Read some books, watch some YouTube, if you can find a mentor awesome, most of all take your time and enjoy the learning curve and there is lots to learn. Enjoy... oh and keep ur wallet handy .....ur gonna need it!
 
Magellann said:
I found it best to have someone show you, you will learn some tips and tricks that are not written in any book.
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Both good a bad here...I have a buddy who I don't think should be reloading his own ammo. Some folks take shortcuts...just keep your eyes peeled and this is a good place to ask questions if you are unsure. Lost of very experienced folks here. You might get a few "sure, that's what I do" comments but if there is an equal or greater number of folks who say "not a good idea"...well, best to be conservative and not take any shortcuts until you have your own experience to make an informed decision from.
 
I started learning from this Youtube video - it's a little long but worth it. I then asked questions here, googling and read the ABC of reloading book in pdf.

 
I learned from the 'net, and a couple of books... and I haunted this sub-forum until my questions began to be answered.

Yes, you can do this on your own.
 
The internet is an excellent resource for learning.

You could call me "self taught" but I spent plenty of time watching multiple videos over and over again.
The video posted above is one of the better ones out there, but you can lookup videos by press type and calibre.

Watch them all repeatedly, look for the similarities.
Everybody has their own style but you'll begin to see what the most critical (and safe) methods are.
Take notes and research every part.

Other points to mention would be:

Start picking up brass at the range right now.
Pick up everything you shoot, and ask before picking up anybody else's (it's just etiquette) you can find out who else reloads at your range and someone to talk shop to.
The brass is the most expensive component of the whole cartridge, you'll be happy you have a bucketful when you begin.

Practice!
Make some dummy rounds, forget about powder and primers for the beginning.
Learn about each stage in detail by practicing your die setup.
Learn about belling, seating and crimping, you can always pull them after.

Get an appropriate caliber gauge to check every cartridge you produce.

Forget about how many rounds per minute you can produce right away, take your time.
Take as long as you need to make your first 10 if you have to.
Know how everything is supposed to look and feel when using your press.
Slow steady progress will result in and excellent homemade ammo you have 100% confidence in.
You'll be cranking out boxes before you know it.
 
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