New to Relaoding

[D-Rock]

I would like to get into reloading but I really do not know where to start. What books or manuals do you reccomend to a newbie that can lay out proper procedures, required equipment, reccomended loads etc. I would be reloading mostly for milsurp with 8mm mauser and 7.62x54 being my main concern.

 

[ColdOne]

Check out the rcbs site, they have a walk through to reloading. You can buy load books from most resellers. Normally you want the book published by the manufacturer of whatever bullet you are loading.

 

[HKMark23]

Looks to me like you'll need a copy of "Any Shot You Want" by A-square if you want one manual that gives data on both the calibers you're interested in. Try:

http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi/7581.html

Like ColdOne said, RCBS has excellent beginner instructions posted on their web site. They, and others, offer "starter" packages that will provide all you'll need to,,well,,get started.

 

[Scott_N]

Any of the bullet manufacturer manuals will have good, easy to follow information on reloading. The Lyman manual also has a lot of good, general information and they give data for a variety of bullet makers, not just one.

 

[senior]

Lyman makes a very good reloading book with well pictured descriptions of all the processes.

 

[gth]

The Lee book is very well laid out and understandable for beginners. Once you get past some of his rantings the information supplied really helps.

 

[OneBarfly]

Below is my opinion:

With all the cheap surplus 7.62x54 around, it hardly makes sense reloading, unless you wish to cobble together some hunting loads or reload for greater accuracy. Reloading for 8mm Mauser and most other calibers make sense.

You should get at least two reloading manuals. I like the Lyman for certain, any other is a good addition. (i.e.: Speer)

You will need a single-stage press. A cheapee RCBS Partner Press is fine, but the more robust Rock Chucker will last a lifetime and you would likely not regret owning one, even if you upgrade to a progressive press at some later point.

In addition to the manuals and components (i.e.: bullets, brass, primers, powder) and press, a first-time basic set-up should include at least the following pieces of basic equipment:
Dies + shell holder.
Caliper for measuring case length and over-all cartridge length.
Lee case length trimer:the cheap "by caliber" type that you can attach to a drill.
Case lube + pad
Powder Weigh scale

Later, and a very nice "to add bits" include:
Powder measure
Hand-type primer seater
Vibratory Case cleaner

Cheers and good luck

 

[prosper]

Get a couple of load manuals.

I highly recommend the Hodgdon full annual edition, the Hornady and Nosler manuals.

Speer and Lee are also OK, and list a lot of powders.

 

[eliteboris]

Lee has good priced products, and good instructions. I have a few manuals that I cross check with each other on certain loads. You can also get individual caliber manuals that are copies of all the manuals on that certain caliber.

 

[acrashb]

And, as usual, http://www.reload-nrma.com/