Starting?

Alberta Bigbore

Alberta Bigbore

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Edmonton, Alberta
i have no clue on reloading what so ever. i was wondering what it would cost a person to start out reloading. If i did decide to start, i wouldnt want the most expensive gear, but i dont want the cheapest.

Just a ball park figure?


Bigbore
 
Do what I did, get the RCBS starter kit plus the other necessary bit like dies and shell holders for the calibre you are reloading!
 
Bigbore, it may not hurt to find someone in your neck of the woods who would show you the ropes, then you'd know for sure if that's what you want to do. I wouldn't say you need to go top of the line and get a full Redding setup because of the high cost, but I wouldn't cheap out either.
I bought the RCBS rock chucker kit 11 years ago, when it was $400 and have never regretted it. If you can get over to a sportshop to have a look at the various types it is a huge help. You will see a big difference in the quality before making your choice.

Think of it like buying a Tasco scope for your top of the line rifle. Go cheap and your enjoyment may not be that great and it may fall apart on you or you just plain wish you'd put out a little more money for alot better product.

I'm sure there's someone up there willing to help you out. If you are the same "Bigbore" member from albertagame.com you know how some of the boys are trading pizza for reloading sessions. Everyone wins.

Cheers,
Noel
 
Giving the cost of ammo today and depending on how much you will shoot, reloading may not be a wise economic and time investment decision.

However, if you do plan to shoot high quantities of ammo and quite frequently, give it a serious look and at look at good equipment.

Buy some books, research the manufactures sites on the internet, visit stores and talk to folks, like you're doing here. :)
 
no matter what you buy........once you make your first batch of reload,s.. you will not care how much you spend;) ..
its a bad addiction..... but a good one;)
 
Alway keep in mind, you get the quality that you pay for! I purchased an RCBS beginners kit in 1986 and have loaded conservatively 100,000 plus rounds on it in 15 different calibers. RCBS even replaced parts for free after I had been using the press for 18 years. Surf the web, see what is available kit form from RCBS, Lyman, Lee, etc then check your Wholesale Sports catalog for the current price. A kit will generally include a good manual on how to reload and suggested safe loads in various calibers.
 
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Fall Guy said:
Giving the cost of ammo today and depending on how much you will shoot, reloading may not be a wise economic and time investment decision.
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If you're the kind of guy who buys one box of bullets, shoots 5 at the range to verify your zero then goes hunting, then reloading is not for you. Most reloads for centerfire rifle rounds are about 1/3rd the price of factory. So if you spend $18 on factory ammo, you'll save $12 be reloading. So in the space of 10-15 boxes of ammo you've paid for your equipment. It pays even quicker for the bigger stuff - a 378 weatherby shooter can probably save the cost of his equipment in 3 boxes of ammo.
 
I recently purchased the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit for under $400 at Russells. The kit comes with good stuff to start with, not stuff to get you by until you can afford something better. It comes with a Speer Reloading Manual, 5-0-5 scale, Uniflow Powder Measure, Hand Priming tool, hex key set, case loading block, case lube kit, deburring tool, and a powder funnel.

I also purchased new RCBS dies for the 7mm RM about $40, Shell holder $7, a powder trickler $15. Don't forget about a good set of calipers. I bought an electronic one at Canadian Tire for $25-30. Then I realized that I needed somewhere to mount the press, so I bought a folding wall mount workbench at Canadian Tire $60. Then I needed to find a place to store everything, so I got a plasic cupboard that can lock (you don't want metal because it can spark) $60.

Now I am all set to start reloading. The only problem is that my 7mm has a HOWA action. I found out from other members on this site that there was a recall on the bolt (Thank God fpr CGN or there could have been a serious accident!). Now my rig is out of comission until the bolt comes back.

I have started assembling reloading stuff for my 22-250 and plan on starting some loads soon! The pockets are only so deep! LOL!

The above list should get you started nicely. Then you will want the electronic powder scale and dispenser, the electric case trimmer, a tumbler for cleaning brass, and so on, and so on, and so on...................................!
 
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If you're the kind of guy who buys one box of bullets, shoots 5 at the range to verify your zero then goes hunting, then reloading is not for you
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..............Hopefully your not like the above statement. Ethical hunters practice and do not make "once a year" range visits to check their zero. Reloading isn't a question of economics to me. Its all about finding the perfect load for that particuliar gun, which can be very expensive after one tries 3 or 4 different powders, 3 or 4 different primers, cases as well as bullets.
 
If it is rifle you are going to reload you just can't go wrong with RCBS Rock Chucker, as good a single stage press as you can buy. When you are ready and if you intend to load large amounts of handgun ammo then start and end thinking about Dillon. It is the best equipemnt out there and their warranty is the standard that set the industry . They have been known to replace presses that have been lost in a house fire for free!

Take Care
 
Just a ball park figure?
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.......seems everybody is evading your actual question.

Lee Anniversary press: 130.00
Dies: 30.00 - 45.00
Powder 25.00 - 35.00 per lb
Primers 4.00 per 100
Bullets 23.00 - 45.00 per 100
Cases 30.00 - 45.00 per 50
............before you buy your powder ask questions here. There is some calibers that are no brainers when it comes to buying powders. IE: .44 mag - H110, .30-06 or .308 shoots well with H414 and Varget. Things of that nature. You don't want to buy 35.00 worth of powder and find out it isn't the best choice for your particuliar caliber.

..............i shoot 1/4" groups @ 50 yards with a .45-70 using H322. When i tried H4198, which is supposed to be great for .45-70, my guide gun wasn't close to being accurate. So i have had 35 dollars worth of powder sitting on my shelf for nothing as i don't shoot anything i can use it for. Sometimes reloading and load development can be very frustrating.
 
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