Noob faq for reloading

Where you are matters.
There's no complete reloading FAQ that I've ever seen. Lots of good info here, so read as many of the other reloading FNG posts as you can.
"...wondering if there's a simple package deal..." If you mean equipment, start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading, then look into one of the 'Beginner's' kits from RCBS or Lee. They'll come with everything you need less dies and shell holder.
The RCBS kit will cost more, but you get a 'life of the kit'(even if you buy used) warrantee. Lee's is two years.
 
sunray said:
Where you are matters.
There's no complete reloading FAQ that I've ever seen. Lots of good info here, so read as many of the other reloading FNG posts as you can.
"...wondering if there's a simple package deal..." If you mean equipment, start with a copy of The ABC's of Reloading, then look into one of the 'Beginner's' kits from RCBS or Lee. They'll come with everything you need less dies and shell holder.
The RCBS kit will cost more, but you get a 'life of the kit'(even if you buy used) warrantee. Lee's is two years.
Click to expand...

Some time when you come to AB, drop in and I will let you load on my 30yr old Lee challenger press. Must have been lucky and got the only one in existence. I really dislike it when gear snobs post to a noob.
Lee's Warranty?? Good for life in my opinion and they have proven it. I was given a Lee Challenger Press 20yrs ago. It had a broken cam link on it (fairly common in that generation of their presses) so the guy was getting rid of it. I ran it for close to 20 years until the duct tape could no longer hold it together. I also bought a second-hand turret press from the same guy about 10 yrs ago, I never used it until I retired the Challenger. Then I set it up and was using a Lee Colet Sizing die on a .30-06 piece of brass. I made a slight error while using the press and lowered the handle without their being a piece of brass in the shellholder. When I tried to size the next round, I could not get the case to go fully into the die. Got pi$$ed then and REALLY shoved the handle down. Pretty much stood on it. I wound up crushing the mouth of the case into the shoulder, and snapping the turret out of the holder, breaking the top of the press as it does so.
I called Lee, they told me what I had done...raising the ram without a case, closes and locks the collet in place. It is the action of removing the case that unlocks it. They told me to send along the broken part, the crushed case, the turret and the die. I figured, what the heck, maybe they will replace the cam link from my Challenger so I included it in the box with a note. They sent me back all of my new parts without question. They also checked the die to make sure that I had not done any damage.
Best thing...I now have a steel cam link on my Challenger and it is Back in Action!! And I bought NONE of those brand new...

Oh, and BTW, Sunray, I do have a Rock Chucker that I use for pulling milsurp FMJ, forming wildcat cases, and swaging crimp out of military primer pockets. It is just to much press for most of my applications so I just don't bother with it. It stays set up on the right hand end of my bench.
 
Pick up a couple reloading manuals.Lyman is a good one with fairly easy to understand techniques.

The more books the better, leave one by the toilet also. ;)

This forum is great for those obscure questions or ones you just can't seem to find the answers too else where.

I have been loading for only about 4 years now but the knowledge that I have acquired from some of the seasoned loaders on this forum is priceless and you won't find it in manuals.It has helped me greatly and advance my techniques.

There is a lot of trial and error to be had and most members here graciously will share the good and the bad that works for them.

Good luck!
 
I bought an RCBS Rockchucker and a beginner's kit decades ago. The press is still churning them out and I'm still using most of the stuff that came with the kit - very satisfied.

Sunray's suggestion to buy and read The ABCs of Reloading is a good one. Even more important (probably worth doing before you get the equipment) is to buy and read a good reloading manual. Every major component manufacturer sells them and they're a fountain of good info. Stick to the book data until you get a feel for what you are doing.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys, gives me somewhere to start. I'll check out the ABCs of Reloading and RCBS products.

What I'd like to do is start reloading .308 winchester for the purpose of saving money target shooting.
 
Yep, the ABC's is a good book, as are the Lyman,Hornady and Sierra manuals.You'll eventually buy them all. Unless it's going to be a hardship, stick with Hornady, Rcbs and Redding equipment. I have used Lee gear in the past, and now avoid it like a hand grenade dipped in AIDS. Good luck.
 
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