Reloading for beginners

[ykkid]

Buy once, cry once! Hornady, RCBS, have single stage starter kits of good gear, which you will need to supplement over time. ABC's of Reloading, the Lyman manual, and the Hornady manual are all essential reading.

It really ain't that dangerous, unless you simply can't play by the rules, and if you believe some guy you never met, using an alias on the internet is going to give you better advice than a company that exists to sell REPEAT customers more components. Go slow, pay attention, it is a great opportunity to learn more about internal and external ballistics, and actually create something useful.

 

[icedog]

I've been a hunter for many years, but did not start reloading until my early/mid 50s. I enjoy the solitude of my "gun room", and now reload for 12 or 15 different cartridges. My reloading bench is sometimes occupied by my sons, who use it to reload for themselves, or by friends who want to try their hands at building their own. I'm there to offer a bit of guidance if required, though I definitely do not consider myself an expert. It's always relaxing, satisfying, and interesting, and I recognize that there is far more to learn than I will ever know. My equipment is a mix of Lee and and RCBS (Rock Chucker press), all acquired as needed (wanted) it. I think the most important thing is just to get started. Your interest will either fade away, or it will continue to grow, and along with it, so will your collection of reloading tools and supplies.

 

[kevlar900rr]

If I had to do it over again I would search kijiji and find a used set up. Big fan of rcbs but have found good stuff with Redding ,Hornady and others.

 

[Static030]

I'm looking at getting into this over the winter. - looking at doing 9mm, 45, and 223. Tagged for interest - as soon as stores open today going to look for ABC's of Reloading.

 

[Trinimon]

I'm looking at getting into this over the winter. - looking at doing 9mm, 45, and 223. Tagged for interest - as soon as stores open today going to look for ABC's of Reloading.

You'll save some $$ on 9mm and 45 but .223 you'll probably break even or spend more than surplus ammo. Check Amazon.ca for the ABS's of Reloading.

 

[silverfoxdj]

It really depends on how much you intend to shoot. If you're thinking maybe 50-100 rounds/weekend, that's within range of a single stage press. Much more than that and I'd want to get a progressive. I use a single stage for .308, .303. 9mm, and .38 S&W. The most I can comfortably load in one session is about 50-75rds for rifle, and about double that for pistol.
For me, part of the attraction is that I can make better than factory ammo, tuned to my rifle, cheaper than I can buy it.

Well said..

 

[silverfoxdj]

Buy once, cry once! Hornady, RCBS, have single stage starter kits of good gear, which you will need to supplement over time. ABC's of Reloading, the Lyman manual, and the Hornady manual are all essential reading.

It really ain't that dangerous, unless you simply can't play by the rules, and if you believe some guy you never met, using an alias on the internet is going to give you better advice than a company that exists to sell REPEAT customers more components. Go slow, pay attention, it is a great opportunity to learn more about internal and external ballistics, and actually create something useful.

What's in the ABC's of reloading that's not in the Data books? There seems to be multiple authors of the ABC's as well.

 

[Magellann]

If I had to do it over again I would search kijiji and find a used set up. Big fan of rcbs but have found good stuff with Redding ,Hornady and others.

Ive seen one or two there for sale, Ive also seen a complete setup given away just for the taking.

 

[Alleycat]

I'll weigh in here,
Last winter I ended up with the cheapest press out there for free. A Lee realoader press. I had always wanted to try reloading and you know that little sucker of a press lasted just long enough for me to invest enough into reloading that I couldn't quite. When i snapped the little Lee press like a frozen Carrot I bought a Lee Classic cast and it's been working great.
For books id have to say ABC's of Reloading and Lee's Modern reloading 2nd edition (just have to get by the constant marketing of his equipment) are a great place to start. After that I picked up a Hornady, older Speer, Lyman, Barnes and Nosler manuals. I would have to say the Lyman is the best in regards to reloading information etc and the Nosler is the best in how the load data is laid out.
In addition there are some pretty smart dudes on here that are more than willing to help and have likely run into any issue or problem you will ever encounter at one time or another.
So far i have made some pretty decent .243 rounds and have turned a few .375 Win rounds into mini accordions....lol Man setting up a combo seating crimping die is a bugger.
Read read read, take your time and have fun.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Thanks for the tips

 

[white dog]

I have reloaded for over 30 years and have a Lee Loader, an RCBS Rockchucker and a Dillon 550b. Don't use the Lee Loader much but am happy with all of them. I have an old Ohaus magnetic beam scale that is in regular use. Since you are loading bottle neck cases you will need to trim them at some point. I have a Forester tool as well as some Lee trimmers. When you are lubing the cases for sizing don't get lube on the case shoulders which can result in grease dents. However these can be fire formed out.

If I was starting out I would probably get a Lee or RCBS kit with a single stage press. The only equipment I have heard complaints about are the Lee progressive presses. Apparently you really have to enjoy tinkering to get them to work smoothly.

In loading the 303 British, assuming the head space case is correct, it is best to neck size cartridges that have been fired in your rifle only. Cases will last longer and check for cartridge fit before fireing. Enfield chambers are sometimes oversize.