Thinking of reloading.

Haha, it’s regional. At my local crappy tire I bought 5 boxes of 6mm and two bags of brass and they still have 20 boxes of stock (I can see) if anyone needs 6mm factories msg me.
 
Read, read & read more. As far as loads go most are now available online. i.e. Nosler & so on. Be able & prepared to go to a range, field or to test your loads. Learning how to identify a hot or dangerous load is a must. Stock up on supplies through EE here or wherever you can find them. When or if you find a deal stock up. I have a very nice, safe load for a 270 but I only shoot 150 grain. Years ago I was able to get most of my RCBS reloading supplies for 50 cents on the dollar so keep your eyes open. I highly recommend a hand primer vs the press. Feeling how much pressure it takes to load the primer is important especially when or if primer pockets get loose. I as well recommend RCBS or hornady. Buy once cry once. At one time I tried lee dies & for me not a chance in hell ever again. When you load be extra diligent that all of your cases have powder in them. Just one without powder can make for a terrible day. In fact when I am done loading I weigh every round as a triple check. It is an addicting hobby. Enjoy!!!!!
 
Reloading is very rewarding. I wish I had taken it up earlier in life.

Before I bought any reloading equipment, I read two reloading manuals: Lee, and Lyman. I read everything related to rifle. (I skipped over the pistol stuff, and the lead bullet casting info since I was only interested in rifle and reloading jacketed bullets). There are of course many other good manuals and books. There is no substitute for the old school advice of "Read the Manuals".

I am glad I read manuals from different companies, because different companies have different opinions, and of course they feature their own gear. It helps tune one's filter for detecting bias.

I also watched a ton of YouTube reloading videos, and I mean a TON. In these you see the good, the bad and the ugly. Fully reading the reloading manuals helps develop an objective filter for judging how useful or credible a YT video is.

After my background research, I rejected the idea of buying one of the manufacture's starter kits. I already knew that kits are missing some things I want or need, and have things I don't need or want. I think it was the right choice to pick and chose individual equipment pieces.

Best wishes for your reloading!
 
bearhunter said:
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Present conditions are not conducive to getting into reloading, without some difficulty in aquiring desired components.
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It's all relative - My local shop has a more than adequate supply of powder and bullets for the OP's application, for example. It's not as good as we would wish it to be, but it's certainly good enough.
 
Biologist said:
Reloading is very rewarding. I wish I had taken it up earlier in life.

Before I bought any reloading equipment, I read two reloading manuals: Lee, and Lyman. I read everything related to rifle. (I skipped over the pistol stuff, and the lead bullet casting info since I was only interested in rifle and reloading jacketed bullets). There are of course many other good manuals and books. There is no substitute for the old school advice of "Read the Manuals".

I am glad I read manuals from different companies, because different companies have different opinions, and of course they feature their own gear. It helps tune one's filter for detecting bias.

I also watched a ton of YouTube reloading videos, and I mean a TON. In these you see the good, the bad and the ugly. Fully reading the reloading manuals helps develop an objective filter for judging how useful or credible a YT video is.

After my background research, I rejected the idea of buying one of the manufacture's starter kits. I already knew that kits are missing some things I want or need, and have things I don't need or want. I think it was the right choice to pick and chose individual equipment pieces.

Best wishes for your reloading!
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That's funny - I had pretty much the same experience, but came to the opposite conclusion: Unless they have money burning a hole in their pocket, I generally advise new reloaders to get a kit (the cheaper the better, frankly) and start CAREFUL, CONSERVATIVE reloading as soon as they're confident with the basics. The experience is invaluable in giving you context for choosing "keeper" equipment as you progress. And having duplicate equipment is always nice in case of breakdowns, loading with a friend or kid, etc..

Different strokes for different folks, and the OP sounds like he knows himself well enough to judge where he lands on the spectrum.


I have to echo your point though, that reading different manuals was the single most useful thing I did early on, for sure.
 
Search the EE for reloading people may be wanted to sell some of their equipment. I was like you about 6 years ago, I started with a single stage Lee Press (still use it) even though once I got familiar with what I was doing purchased a Forster Co-Ax press. Lee dies are good enough - I exclusively use a beam scale (Ohaus and an RCBS 10-10) I do not trust the digital ones (too much drift) even though I bought my share in the last 6 years. Read reloading manuals and do not rely on what works with someone's rifle (it may not work for yours) I start at the lowest powder charge published (Lyman 50th) if I can get two shots (or three) MOA or better I do not waste any more time - I do shoot the same reloads another day for consistency. I am glad your thinking about reloading it is something that takes patience but it brings great satisfaction having an accurate round for your particular rifle.
 
alpining said:
That's funny - I had pretty much the same experience, but came to the opposite conclusion: Unless they have money burning a hole in their pocket, I generally advise new reloaders to get a kit (the cheaper the better, frankly) and start CAREFUL, CONSERVATIVE reloading as soon as they're confident with the basics. The experience is invaluable in giving you context for choosing "keeper" equipment as you progress. And having duplicate equipment is always nice in case of breakdowns, loading with a friend or kid, etc..

Different strokes for different folks, and the OP sounds like he knows himself well enough to judge where he lands on the spectrum.


I have to echo your point though, that reading different manuals was the single most useful thing I did early on, for sure.
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The problem is, I have never reloaded before. Best bet would be, buy used and start small. 6mm I can find brass and bullets online and maybe a couple gun stores near me.
There is one guy near me that is on here that I could probably get help from so I'm lucky there.
 
IvoB said:
Search the EE for reloading people may be wanted to sell some of their equipment. I was like you about 6 years ago, I started with a single stage Lee Press (still use it) even though once I got familiar with what I was doing purchased a Forster Co-Ax press. Lee dies are good enough - I exclusively use a beam scale (Ohaus and an RCBS 10-10) I do not trust the digital ones (too much drift) even though I bought my share in the last 6 years. Read reloading manuals and do not rely on what works with someone's rifle (it may not work for yours) I start at the lowest powder charge published (Lyman 50th) if I can get two shots (or three) MOA or better I do not waste any more time - I do shoot the same reloads another day for consistency. I am glad your thinking about reloading it is something that takes patience but it brings great satisfaction having an accurate round for your particular rifle.
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Thanks. Yes, Ill be looking on EE and Icollector, and ####### to find the tools locally if possible. I have a savage 110 and reading, it looks to be a accurate rifle. Just have to ajust the iron sights. Another one I have coming in is a 788 in 308. That is a accurate rifle.
 
MilitaryCollectorMark said:
Hey all! Noob here. What is good advice for starting reloading? What are the supplies you need? What would be like to have and must have? I have a 270 and want reduced recoil loads. My dad is thinking of buying a rilfe in 6mm remington and doing reloading also.


Any help would be most appreciated!
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PM your email, I can share few gigs of reloading resources.

Cheers,
 
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