Reloading for dummies, or me, in this case
- Thread starter Dodosmike
- Start date
Not getting into accuracy or obsolete cartridges with hard to find ammo....Cost vs investment is really about how much you shoot. If you want to shoot more than about 200 rounds each of your 30-06 and 303 per year reloading might make sense. Lots of hunters take some sort of pride in only shooting a box or less of ammo per year, so if that's you it's not much point.
I've reloaded enough pistol ammo on a single stage press to drive myself crazy and I needed to switch to a progressive, but if you only shoot 50 rounds of 357 per month or so then a single stage is viable for that. I don't own a turret press but for someone that shoots a moderate amount, isn't worried too much about ultra precision but wants more speed than a single stage I could see that as a god option while using a powder thrower in one of the stations. Using a turret would make pistol loading less painful than a single stage and rifle loading pretty fast.
I've reloaded enough pistol ammo on a single stage press to drive myself crazy and I needed to switch to a progressive, but if you only shoot 50 rounds of 357 per month or so then a single stage is viable for that. I don't own a turret press but for someone that shoots a moderate amount, isn't worried too much about ultra precision but wants more speed than a single stage I could see that as a god option while using a powder thrower in one of the stations. Using a turret would make pistol loading less painful than a single stage and rifle loading pretty fast.
Depends what cartridges you shoot, how many a year, your definition of accuracy, what bullets you want to use, interest in competitions or not. Some common cartridges can be cheaper to buy loaded ammo or about the same, if you don't shoot a lot, just go buy loaded ammo. Most cartridges will take you about 2-3000 rds to break even, some more, some less.
I got into it because I wanted to use a bullet the factories didn't load, 3 yrs later, they did load it. It allowed me to shoot competitions later on, shoot oddball guns with oddball cartridges I never would have bought otherwise, and learn a heck of a pile of stuff about shooting, meet some cool people.
I got into it because I wanted to use a bullet the factories didn't load, 3 yrs later, they did load it. It allowed me to shoot competitions later on, shoot oddball guns with oddball cartridges I never would have bought otherwise, and learn a heck of a pile of stuff about shooting, meet some cool people.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
All the above posts!!! For sure if you buy quality used stuff, you can do so with money to spare for three or four cartridges - $1500 budget - a good compound leverage press like RCBS Rockchucker, then knock yourself out with gizmos - there are likely shelves full of them here that got used once or twice, but are not really needed. Is all about what YOU need - handgun versus centre fire rifle - 50 rounds per month /year versus 5,000 rounds? Can you get components? If you choke on $50 per box of 20 ammo, but only fire 4 or 5 rounds per year, then reloading not likely to go far for you. If you fancy to fire 100 rounds on weekend and have a couple spare weekday evenings, likely very basic stuff can work for you. Handloading is not free - it takes time - and as posted above, most time saving things cost more money to you. If you think that you will hand-load 20 round of centerfire for $5 or $8, those days are long passed ...
Honestly I don't know if you will benefit by starting to reload. If you plan to shoot more in the future or expand your caliber list then maybe a different story. The investment in time and component issues we have today, honestly I don't see much benefit. But it is a fun hobby, it takes up time, house space and money.
I started 20 years ago. If I was starting now I wouldn't bother just my opinion
I started 40 years ago. Equipment wasn’t expensive. Neither were components.
It was lots cheaper than buying factory ammunition.
And more accurate.
Plus it’s a hobby.
Not sure if I would start now at current price of everything.
It was lots cheaper than buying factory ammunition.
And more accurate.
Plus it’s a hobby.
Not sure if I would start now at current price of everything.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
A picture above of 100 x 22-250 cases that I did up yesterday - is new, out-of-the-bag Red label Winchester brass. It took me several hours to get to this stage - simply trimmed to length, and all case necks made round - is 14 cases that I found in that bag of 100 that would not chamber into my rifle due to neck deformities, or has folds / potential splits; probably 30 of them had some amount trimmed off by Lee Precision case trim gauge system. And none had a chamfer done on inside leading edge of the case mouth. I do not think any tool that I used, except the electric drill, were newer than 10 years old - most were more like 30 years old - for example, Herter brand dies, etc. Not so sure about starting today, if I would - but not liking to pay $50 for 20 factory made rounds either ... It would really, really help to find an experienced mentor who can guide you through the myriad of ad campaigns, including posters on websites, about the "latest and best" innovation, to arrive at a collection of things that you will actually need to make ammo that suits your needs.
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nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It's not rocket science. For most peoplekind a single stage and hand tools is all you need. Start shooting 1k rifle or serious pistol....soon to be kriptonite....think about upgrading.
Cabelas has the LEE Classic Cast Turret kit for $400, and the single stage Lee Anniversary Reloading kit for $250. Both these kits have got tens of thousands of new reloaders started and might be all you ever need.
Here is the most basic equipment list to get started:
1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (LEE dies come with shell holder)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. bullet puller, because you will need one eventually
11. load data / reloading manual
This setup can make excellent quality ammunition if yyou use it correctly, and is all that many shooters will ever need. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
I started out loading 9mm and 30-06 on a Lee turret press. I have other presses now too, but I'm still using the Lee turret press regularly 40 years later.
This is perfect advice.
I would add in that the brass cleaner is probably a necessity, dirty brass is harder to check for splits, and is harder on the press and your chamber.
As well, I defer to online reloading sites, such as hodgdon, as they often have more modern powder loads than the handbooks (it takes a while for them to catch up, and you don't want to buy a new one every year).
Also, a powder drop of some sort can help you make much more concise loads. Check each drop with the beam scale until you are comfortable with the process, then check every 20th round.
(The hammer style bullet puller is better than the collet style one, I have both and the collet fails and wrecks bullets a lot more than the ole hammer)
I cleaned brass with 0000 steel wool for some years before I got a tumbler.
Oh for sure that would work...but I think of the 000,000s of rounds I've done over the years and yikes
I use a wet tumbler, and have wanted to build a 5 gal pail version because it takes SO MANY loads to clean a range day's brass, and now that I'm on acreages and can shoot whenever, I'm filling pails each month now (and putting off the cleaning). I guess it depends on how many rounds we go through. My fingers ache just thinking of the steel wool...but I'll bet they looked fantastic
I'm guessing a guy who shoots 100,000s+ rounds wouldn't use a single stage press either.Oh for sure that would work...but I think of the 000,000s of rounds I've done over the years and yikes
I use a wet tumbler, and have wanted to build a 5 gal pail version because it takes SO MANY loads to clean a range day's brass, and now that I'm on acreages and can shoot whenever, I'm filling pails each month now (and putting off the cleaning). I guess it depends on how many rounds we go through. My fingers ache just thinking of the steel wool...but I'll bet they looked fantastic
But we all start some place.I'm guessing a guy who shoots 100,000s+ rounds wouldn't use a single stage press either.
I actually do! I have my grandfather's lee press on the bench, I use it for 6.5 creedmore, and anything I want really good accuracy out of. The progressive is great for mindlessly cranking out rounds, but the lee is a work horse, and is perfectly good at producing some extremely accurate rounds (plus the nostalgia of it). I was taught on the lee, and for sure, people can produce great quality rounds with it. In fact, I honestly think everyone should start on a single stage, so you get a really good feeling for what is involved.
9mm and .223 on the progressive is for 3 gun (which I certainly haven't been able to do for a while now), but trying to hit a golf ball at a mile, that takes a perfectly weighted, sized, trimmed and balanced round (and a fair bit of luck)
surprising how shiny brass can get with an immersion into the old NRA case cleaner formula. while not up to the standard of the pins/wet tumble it will produce very good results for very little cost.
https://www.1911forum.com/threads/washing-brass-in-nra-case-cleaner.429315/
Picked up an RCBS partner press kit on sale for $99 a few years ago when it was posted (wow it’s $300 now) …. Picking up bits and pieces when I find them on sale … picked up a couple dies on clearance. Getting there eventually.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I had bought an RCBS Partner Press kit some years ago - Cabela's.ca sale(?) - was $112.99 after taxes and mailed to me. I had an idea to set up a second press for de-priming - never did that. I passed that kit along to a local younger guy who is wanting to get started in reloading - he unpacked it from box - tells me there is no capacity to insert fresh primers - so need a separate priming tool? Also, need the correct shell holder for the press for the cartridge that you intend to load - they usually come in Lee die sets - not so with most other brands. As we discovered a few days ago, not going to get much done without a shell holder for the press, for that cartridge. And is different shell holder than used on the Lee Case gauge trim system, and different again from the various Lee Hand Held Priming tools, and might be a still different shell holder depending if you choose to use a lathe type case trimmer - those also need the correct pilot stud for that cartridge. So can get to be sort of a "horde" of "bits and pieces", if you reload for more than say, 5 cartridges ...
I started reloading with Lee Loader tool, then got a "JR (?)" single leverage RCBS press - I now use an RCBS compound leverage Rock Chucker - my impression was that the Partner Press was way lighter built then those others - although, I suspect is adequate for most hand reloading operations.
I started reloading with Lee Loader tool, then got a "JR (?)" single leverage RCBS press - I now use an RCBS compound leverage Rock Chucker - my impression was that the Partner Press was way lighter built then those others - although, I suspect is adequate for most hand reloading operations.
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Brass in a pillow case in the washing machine with laundry detergent worked. Then I got married and it didn't work after that.
A buddy used a sealed pail filled with his cleaning solution and brass. He tied it down in the truck box when he went for a drive, and the motion of the truck provided agitation. It worked.
OP - A lot of folks get into reloading and determine that its not for them. The reasons vary from lack of time, lack of mental capability, or changing life interests. When I got into it 30 years ago, I went out and bought the Lee kit, about 150$ at the time. It provided me with all the basics except dies and a few bits that are cartridge specific. I still use the same kit, and have made thousands of quality rounds. Yes, I have bought a few extras along the way (breech lock press, for convenience, still use the original press - eg one for sizing, one for seating, etc). However, the basic kit is capable of producing very high quality ammunition, certainly better than any factory fodder. And you dont need to get caught up with all the fancy gizmos - comparators, tumblers, turrets, runout gages, etc.
