Newbie, what do I need?

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NWTHunter

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I'd like more control over the cost and the quality of the ammunition I use, I'd like to start loading soon. I have no experience and no idea what I need in order to get started.

What do I need (equipment and supplies) to start loading for .243, .25-06, .270 Win, 7RM, and 338 Win Mag.?

I list the specific calibres because I know nothing about powder selection and because I've read that some of the calibres are no longer loaded to the performance they used to be (specifically the 7RM). I'd like the ability to get the most out of my guns.

I've been hanging on to spent cases, I don't know if used factory brass is okay or not, but I did not want to throw away something that might be useful. As well, what would I need in order to neck-up some of my 7RM for my 338, or neck down my .270 for my 25-06?

How about reloading for my shotguns (.410, 12 ga., 16 ga., and a future 20 ga.)?

Is it okay to store powder in the shed, or will temperature fluctuations affect it? Do I need to store the components separately, in locked containers and away from each other? Any and all information is appreciated.
 
Do you have a friend who is an experienced loader?
You could do worse than to buy a Lee Anniversary kit, with extra die sets for the calibers you want to load. Lee shotshell relading tools work fine. Read and understand the manual! Follow the recommendations!
Necking up or down is possible, but if you are starting out, it might be bestter not to reform cases.
 
if your near the gta area...i,ll show you and you can help me to make up a few rounds to get the feel of it:D
but if the 3 letters in your name are were your from,this will not work out this time...
try putting an ad in the get togeather forum,to get someone to show you the tricks of the trade..
cheers and good luck on your new venture
 
I would highly recommend you go and buy the Hornady Reloading Manual.... then read it and study the procedures in the front of the book.

After that you will be much more informed about the process and will be able to ask much more pertinent questions and make better decisions.
 
For metallic cartridges:
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit
RCBS Accessory Kit
Dies and shellholders for each calibe you want to reload

The Speer manual that comes with the kit will answer all your basic questions.


For shotgun, unless you are shooting a very large quantity, you are better off just buying a case of whatever Walmart (or your local discount store) has on sale.

By the time you buy a MEC 600 and the die sets for 4 gauges (around $225 US) you can buy a lot of shotgun shells.
 
Although you can get the RCBS Rockchucker in a kit with most of the other goodies you'll need, my preference for a single stage press is the Forster/Bonanza press. The RCBS and Hornady O-type designs are quite solid, but I find the Forster is just as solid, and the whole front area is wide open where you can do your work without having to reach around the frame of the press. Two other nice features are:

1. Dies don't need to be screwed into the press, they slide into a groove in the frame.
2. The shell holder is a set of spring loaded universal jaws, so that you don't have to buy a different shell holder for every calibre. (note, you do need different shell holders to use the priming system.)

One thing I don't like about the Forster is that the priming system is on the top of the press, right under the handle. In the worst case that a primer does go off, the blast would be straight up into your arm. For this reason, I do all of my priming with a Lee Autoprime hand priming tool. Works great.

Wholesale Sports (and probably others) sell the Forster. Just some food for thought.
 
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