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Sevensixtwo

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Hey CGN, i am new to the idea of repacking my brass. i am a perfectionist and probably OCD on some level.
what should i get if i want to reload 308 and 9mm cost effectively but still produce high quality cartridges?
i basically need everything except brass. so what do i need? a work bench, a press, some literature...
im all ears.
 
Perfect place to start is an RCBS master reloading kit or a Lyman Single stage kit. That will handle the basic tools. Then dies, and components and you are off to the races.

Wouldn't hurt to have an idea of what caliber you are reloading for and what kind of shooting you plan on doing.
 
Sevensixtwo said:
thanks i definitely stated 308 and 9mm. but thanks, how much would it cost to buy all the tools?
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It largely depends on just how much you are willing to spend and whether you want modern, up-to-date tools.

You can start out with a Lee Loader for $34.99. Or a Lee 50th Anniversary kit for $129.95. Or an RCBS Rockchucker Supreme master reloading kit for $474.95. Or a MEC 9000G Progressive press for $669.95 and up.

Or you could look around for used equipment. A friend of mine just got a (used) complete MEC shotgun loading setup for $75.
 
I reload both 9mm and .308win. I just started getting into reloading a couple of months ago and unfortunately, you'll be hard pressed to find a perfect medium between the two calibres. I'd ultimately recommend a good single stage press for .308 but wouldn't consider anything less than a mostly-progressive press for doing your 9mm (i.e. a Dillon 550 type setup is the minimum I'd bother with). Unless you don't shoot much 9mm, it will be pretty time consuming to load hundreds of cartridges on a single stage.

If shoot a lot of 9mm, then I'd go progressive and get whatever extras you need to also do .308 on the same press. The speed of the press will kind of be wasted on the .308 stuff, but it's not going to do any worse a job than a single stage press if you take the time to do proper case prep.

I'm currently rocking a Dillon XL650B for 9mm and am using a cheap Lee 50th anniversary press I picked up used locally for .308. Once the XL650 conversion kit comes in, I'll probably sell the Lee press and just use the 650 for everything. When I have more space, I'll plan to have both the XL650 and a nice solid single stage press in operation.
 
Any press will produce quality ammo. You could start with lee anniversary kit. has everything you need to get started except dies for relatively low cost.

The lee linkage used to break after extensive use when they were made of pot metal. I have broken a couple of them however they have switched to steel linkages and I have yet to break one of those. Lee dies will work.

Lee is the lowest cost and can produce very good ammo. Better than any factory ammo. However for considerably more money you can buy even better equipment which can produce slightly better ammo.

I see that you are in Gagetown. There is a large gunshop nearby in Mcadam, the gun dealer, which carries reloading supplies and equipment. Several site sponsors also carry just about everything that you require.
 
A Dillon 550b will do both calibers. I load 9mm and 7mm mag and 7mm-08
all on the 550b. the press from custom ammo in maple ridge ran me about $
500.00 than you need a shell plate for each caliber $55.00, one comes with the press.
 
Get a couple of reloading books on the subject, such as the books from Nosler, Speer, Hornady, or any of the powder suppliers. Get yourself familiar with the process before you try any loading on your own. For any questions you may have that you feel the books don't answer, use this forum, as most guys here are very knowledable and have had years of experience loading everything from handgun, rifle and shotgun cartridges.
 
when i started reloading (4 or 5 years ago), i got my dads old Speer manual 1970's vintage for a good read.

that little green book has so much good information in it (every step to the processes explained, pressure signs ect., i have yet to find a newer book as good as that one

i recommend buying a good reloading manual and reading it a few times, or buy a couple, the sierra book is good

if you don't have someone to show you the ins and outs that's the next best thing
 
So, you haven't loaded yet and are not sure even if you like it. May I suggest you get your feet wet by starting with a Lee kit. It will work, will help you learn, and will let you know if you want different stuff.
As for doing both, I would recommend a turret press from Lee. While not as fast as a progressive, it will help you learn the process better.
Take out the operating rod and use it as a single stage press. Load LOTS of .308 on it to get yourself where you need to be. Tehn you can put the rod back in and be relatively assured that you won't mess up your 9mm. Once you are proficient (read 1000 rounds loaded) you will know whether you wish to pursue this or scrap the whole idea. You will also know if and when you will need to upgrade.
I do not load for pistol, so it doesn't matter so much to me and I enjoy the entire process of single stage loading, so I don't begrudge the time it takes (I do most of it during the winter so that it is ready when shooting season starts) but my turret press is set up as a single stage to eliminate contant adjusting of dies.
I would suggest that you get a Classic Cast press if your budget allows for it. That being said, I have none and do not feel that they would load better ammo that the regular presses that Lee makes (I am going to buy a Classic Cast Turret press this year, but only because I want one).
I have loaded tens of thousands of rounds on Lee gear for close to 25 years and they have served me well for hunting and plinking. I have never had an issue that Lee did not solve to my satisfaction, even when I was the one at fault.
Enjoy, this is a great hobby.
 
The ABC’s of reloading should be your first purchase after reading that, Buying your equipment is a price point thing …figure out how much you want to spend to do the job …every reloading company makes kits that will fit your needs and dollar amount you want to spend …..
Then you will go out and spend too much money…lol every one else reloading does… and there is always something else you really really need ….Welcome to Reloading
 
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