Starting reloading

Ced1942

Ced1942

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
49   0   0
Hi everyone,

I was considering getting into reloading since im shooting many old caliber that are harder to find and obviously expensive given they are not common. I dont really want to buy a 2000$ dollar turret press since i am not really interested in quantities. I plan on reloading small quantities of many caliber (8mm mauser,8x56r, 6.5 carcano, .303 brit, 30-06 etc). Id like to know opinion on what to start with, maybe a good bible first to learn what ill need.
I also saw the Hornardy lock n load single press starter kit on Cabelas for 500$, would it be a good package to begin? Or should i search the EE for a used press? Let me know your opinion

Thanks
Ced
 
Very loaded question, differ from person to person. but here is my advice

For reloading manuals see if you can get a few, there is a very good one abc or 123 of reloading, i cant remember. As for the equipment, its up to you. Personally I would get pieces individually instead of a kit, that way you can get what you want. For instance I love the forster tirimmer but hate the RCBS and hornady, I got the Rock chucker kit for a great price but never touch the trimmer or hand primmer. As for used vs new, if you can get used in could condition for cheep why not. The only thing I would never buy used is a scale, unless you can confirm accuracy (you never know who dropped what). in your case as you are reloading a bunch of different calibers, I like the idea of the Horandy Lock n load press as it makes changing calibers/dies sooo much easier. the $500 for it seems expensive, check out some site sponsors I'm sure its cheaper. and if you have time to wait, hold on for a sale.

Hope this gives you some help.
 
I started small with all used gear, just to (1) see if I would enjoy it (2) see if it improved my shooting (3) see if it saved me any money.
I enjoyed it so I sold the old crap and bought new crap. My shooting never improved. The perception of saving money by reloading is just that....perceived.
Buy what you can afford, it all works.
Honestly, this question gets asked VERY often and the opinions number in the dozens....
You could quite easily use the 'search' function in this very forum.....and save some of us old timers from typing the same responses over and over again
 
If you check out Amazon and Ebay for deals you can usually find a sale where you can pick up a Hornady Progressive for the same price as the single stage at a place like Cabelas.

Often (like Amazon) there is a deal on shipping and/or extras included like shell plates, holders and some dealers in the US sell with dies sets included etc.

Buying a used progressive is a roll of the dice but a single stage should be ok as there is not much the prior owner(s) could have done to that.

Find that most that start with reloading and a single stage will move on to a progressive although the single stage is then still useful for dedicated operations
like decapping or work you want to focus more specific attention on the single steps for.
 
Most of the major manufacturers that offer reloading products offer single stage press reloading kits. To each his own as per choice, cost, etc. I have RCBS single stage press that I've had for 35+yrs. Redding has excellent quality products. I find their tolerances a bit tighter with regard to their dies.
As for reloading manuals, Lyman is always excellent. The ABC's of Reloading has good info as well.
Youtube videos can be a good reference as well. Friends who reload can be a wealth of info.
 
Milanczar said:
True words.

You end up making more with reloading so you end up spending more ! :)
Click to expand...

I dont expect to save 1$ a round but the few saving are nice. But i want to reload because im tired that my intown store dont carry anything but softpoint in .303 brit and 30-06. Any other caliber is an absolute rip off cause they have to make special order (ended up with 20 round of 8mm mauser SP for 50$!) so by reloading i can keep shooting other than those 2 caliber.

An other question a seller on the EE gave me die with my rifle, are those universal? Can i fit lee die on a hornady press and vice-versa?

As for starting small i wanted to try those lee handloader to try but they dont make interesting caliber. After saw the lee handpress but most review said that its fine for pistol round but not so mutch for rifle round.

What i like about the hornady kit is that its comming with almost everything. Which i really like cause otherwise i dont know where to start, there is so mutch thing you need, can't just buy a press and start loading...
 
Bassmaster said:
. The perception of saving money by reloading is just that....perceived.
Click to expand...

Milanczar said:
True words.

You end up making more with reloading so you end up spending more ! :)
Click to expand...
Disagree
Depends on how much your going to shoot. I shoot heavy cal's. One being a 450 Rigby. I can make 50 rounds for what it would cost me for 10 factory rounds. It's all relative. You can buy cheap 9mm, 45ACP, etc and it will probably cost less.
 
8x68 said:
Disagree
Depends on how much your going to shoot. I shoot heavy cal's. One being a 450 Rigby. I can make 50 rounds for what it would cost me for 10 factory rounds. It's all relative. You can buy cheap 9mm, 45ACP, etc and it will probably cost less.
Click to expand...

I agree with your sentiment. I reload for all my guns, but for some guns the savings are substantial and for some antiques there is no other choice except reload. When I can reload a round for $1.60 but otherwise that same commercial round is $5 or even $10 I consider that a win.
 
Reload=More Ammo=More Ammo Shot=Want to Shoot More=More $ spent

If you are able to resist and not shoot more as it is more available (ie cost lower) and not start up the slippery slope of doing more way more shooting so you
end up spending more on reloading as you are shooting beyond the savings is the trick.

With some people like me its like having candy or cake around. It doesn't last. ;)
 
Milanczar said:
Reload=More Ammo=More Ammo Shot=Want to Shoot More=More $ spent

If you are able to resist and not shoot more as it is more available (ie cost lower) and not start up the slippery slope of doing more way more shooting so you
end up spending more on reloading as you are shooting beyond the savings is the trick.

With some people like me its like having candy or cake around. It doesn't last. ;)
Click to expand...

If i want to shoot more, ill bring the mosin. Surplus crate are as cheap as it get haha
 
A turret press might be a good option
Not as slow as a single stage, easy to learn for someone just getting into reloading, doesn’t cost much and easy to swap calibers
 
Ced1942 said:
Hi everyone,

I was considering getting into reloading since im shooting many old caliber that are harder to find and obviously expensive given they are not common. I dont really want to buy a 2000$ dollar turret press since i am not really interested in quantities. I plan on reloading small quantities of many caliber (8mm mauser,8x56r, 6.5 carcano, .303 brit, 30-06 etc). Id like to know opinion on what to start with, maybe a good bible first to learn what ill need.
I also saw the Hornardy lock n load single press starter kit on Cabelas for 500$, would it be a good package to begin? Or should i search the EE for a used press? Let me know your opinion

Thanks
Ced
Click to expand...

Depending on how many quantities you plan on making, I started out with the simple Lee Classic Loaders. Everything done by hand, $40 for each caliber loader. I bought a hand primer and a scale, and off I went. .303, .243 and .308. Very cheap and simple thing to do, but only if you dont plan on making hundreds at a time, and if the brass you are reloading is from, and for, the same rifle (they neck size only).
 
.... There's nothing wrong with buying some of the equipment used. Not the scales, unless you have the means to verify it's accuracy. .... Manuals can often be picked up used and most leading Manufacturers offer free downloadable "recipes". (Powder and bullets) .... Sometimes, and it'll vary depending on your area, but Garage Sales sometimes have used Presses etc. and then there are the notice boards at Fish and Game Clubs ( if any ) in your area. Gun/Antique shows are another source! Dies can be bought here on CGN, although it might take awhile to pick up specific calibers. ..... Personally, my preference as to "Brand," is RCBS and their Warranty and parts availability, and more importantly, customer service is excellent! ....... David K
 
Paul_1982 said:
Depending on how many quantities you plan on making, I started out with the simple Lee Classic Loaders. Everything done by hand, $40 for each caliber loader. I bought a hand primer and a scale, and off I went. .303, .243 and .308. Very cheap and simple thing to do, but only if you dont plan on making hundreds at a time, and if the brass you are reloading is from, and for, the same rifle (they neck size only).
Click to expand...

That is exactly what i wanted to do, but the caliber i mainly want to reload does not exist or ls not made anymore in those little kit. Id have bought one instantly for 8mm mauser, 6.5 carcano or 8x56r. They make 3 caliber i have first 7.62x54r, why reload it cost nothing. Then .303 and 30-06, i can ger some at the local CT or walmart for around 25$ a box of 20 which i find resonable.
 
David K said:
.... There's nothing wrong with buying some of the equipment used. Not the scales, unless you have the means to verify it's accuracy. .... Manuals can often be picked up used and most leading Manufacturers offer free downloadable "recipes". (Powder and bullets) .... Sometimes, and it'll vary depending on your area, but Garage Sales sometimes have used Presses etc. and then there are the notice boards at Fish and Game Clubs ( if any ) in your area. Gun/Antique shows are another source! Dies can be bought here on CGN, although it might take awhile to pick up specific calibers. ..... Personally, my preference as to "Brand," is RCBS and their Warranty and parts availability, and more importantly, customer service is excellent! ....... David K
Click to expand...

Forget anything local for me as the closest big urban center is 800km away. Internet ftw. Any dealer i should look up for RCBS product? Found some Lee, hornardy and lynnman but i did not come accross this brand
 
Ced1942 said:
Forget anything local for me as the closest big urban center is 800km away. Internet ftw. Any dealer i should look up for RCBS product? Found some Lee, hornardy and lynnman but i did not come accross this brand
Click to expand...
..... Regrettably, I can't offer any constructive suggestions that would be helpful for a local purchase. The furthest east I've been in Canada was Regina, which doesn't help you. So back to Online shopping for you! The good news is that RCBS is possibly the biggest supplier/manufacturer of Reloading equipment, so that should open up some options, although not likely to help when it comes to buying used, but there is always CGNs' Equipment Exchange! ..... Good luck with your search! ..... David K
 
Shop around. Look for retailers that offer free shipping, or if you spend "x" the shipping is free. Reloading kits are heavy.
As mentioned you can find decent used stuff around as well. Don't forget though if it has to be shipped it won't be cheap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom