wanting to get in to reloading

aaronfisher

aaronfisher

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i got tonnes of brass and im thinking about getting into reloading what is all the gear im goin to need the cal's i have are .270 30-06 .300 win mag and .303
 
I'm a newb reloader (matter of fact, I haven't even received my XL650 yet. But so far, it's cost me roughly $2,800. Including the following;

Dillon XL-650 and some Dillon optionals like strong-arm etc)
Extra quick-change whatchamacallit for changing calibres
Dies for .40 (included with XL 650)
Lyman Pro-Tumbler 2500 c/w Auto-Flo
Electronic powderweight scale
Bullet separator hammer
1000 bullets/ea of 9mm, 38/357, .40 & .45
100 hollow-point bullets/ea of the above as well
2 lbs HP-38 powder
10 lbs of corn media
3000 small pistol primers
1000 large pistol primers
A new set of carbide dies for .45 and a used non-carbide set for 38/357 Mag

And with all the above and $2700, I didn't even have any empty casings to reload. My buddy Druker has supplied me with 1000 empties for each calibre....
 
We need some sort of a "sticky" thread for all the people thinking of starting to reload. It comes up nearly every day and I can see why people are looking for a way to sort it all out.

Heres a couple of recent threads to get you started.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306924

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304838

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303417

PS: You can get started for under $100 if you want to build up to it slowly too. It can cost way more than $3000 if you want it too....I guess....if you work at it.

PPS: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308783
 
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Don't let the big dollars scare you off however, reloading for rifle cals. is best done with a single stage press. I would suggest the RCBS Rockchucker kit for around $400.00 and die sets for each cal. you will reload. It comes with a manual(Speer I think), and you should maybe pick up Lymans newest manual, and as you go along, esp. the reading part, you can pick up other stuff as you go, but this will get you started.
 
I'm also starting out and I'm also a very basic individual. I'm figuring I'm starting out at $250 for my first 100 rifle bulletts. This is before tax and delivery on some items. I am also not including gas. If I was a basic individual with "skills" I reckon I could do it cheaper.

Peter,
this question has nothing to do with this post. From reading your other posts I know you have a great sense of humour. Are you originally from Quebec?
 
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I agree. But if there's one thing that kills me, it's going out and buying stuff that I'll find obsolete within a coupla uses. I know me. When I get into something, I go full-bore. So getting myself a single-stage press and what-not would have me frustrated within a 100 rounds.
I agree however, that a guy who intends to fire off only a coupla hundred rounds a year would be crazy to invest $3k on reloading equipment. Hell, I think I'm nuts and I shoot 150 rounds/week.


Warren; Yup. As my not-so-great frenchy friends often say (and this is a translation), I was conceived between two waves and dumped on the shores of Quebec :D

Oh, and thanks for the compliment on my "alleged" sense of humour. Not everyone gets me. I'm so misunderstood. Only my mommy really understands.....;)
 
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You can buy a lee loader for each caliber for $25. That's the absolute cheapest way to get into reloading.

Personally, I prefered to buy a single stage press with all the goodies, but went with Lee. I do not regret that decision no matter how much better quality the RCBS rockchucker is. For the 200-300 meter ranges i shoot, Lee makes quality rounds!

With that said, I wish I could have afforded the rock chucker because it is a nicer and somewhat smoother press.

Anyways, if you want a break down of all the stuff required feel free to pm me. I'll talk your ear offa bout all the things you can buy or should avoid :D But I just priced out a new lee setup for a co-worker and (without the tumbler) you can get started for about $250.

There are 1000 threads on this subject, so go back a page or two and do some reading .. its all there :) It's not a bad idea to find someone local to also help come over and go over your equipment and help you set it up once you get everything.
 
peter2772000 said:
I'm a newb reloader (matter of fact, I haven't even received my XL650 yet. But so far, it's cost me roughly $2,800. Including the following;

Dillon XL-650 and some Dillon optionals like strong-arm etc)
Extra quick-change whatchamacallit for changing calibres
Dies for .40 (included with XL 650)
Lyman Pro-Tumbler 2500 c/w Auto-Flo
Electronic powderweight scale
Bullet separator hammer
1000 bullets/ea of 9mm, 38/357, .40 & .45
100 hollow-point bullets/ea of the above as well
2 lbs HP-38 powder
10 lbs of corn media
3000 small pistol primers
1000 large pistol primers
A new set of carbide dies for .45 and a used non-carbide set for 38/357 Mag

And with all the above and $2700, I didn't even have any empty casings to reload. My buddy Druker has supplied me with 1000 empties for each calibre....
Click to expand...

while they ARE expenditures, you can't count primers, cases, media, powder and bullets as part of your investment- those are CONSUMABLES- JUST LIKE FOOD, OR GAS IN THE CAR-and if you stick with those steel dies for the 38/357, you're going to have to get lube as well- count about 10 bucks more for that- dump them asap and get some carbide, if only for the conveince ot not having to lube- sooner or later, you'll run a dry case, then have to take it to pieces to get that case out-
 
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just to give you an idea, i load 9mm, 45, 44 mag- each on DEDICATED PRESSES- the autos cost today 201 and change- the revolver 330- it's a loadmaster- that's 700 bucks retail for 3 dedicated presses- i also have a 223( another 200) and a dillon 550- no idea what that retails for now- 2 scales- 1 beam and 1 electronic- the beam was 75 bucks and the electronic was 30 us- e-bay- add about 125 for the lyman tumbler- same as yours- i figure i've got about 2k invested - coming up on 40 years- but i've also got 6 presses and i don't have to change calibers- just dump in and go
 
i just bought and set up the lee challenger kit everyhting looks like very good quality and the dies work great so far i just gotta figure out the powder measure tomorow;)

i would reccomend the lee kit to start i paid $149 and it has everyhting i need except dies and powders:D
 
Bobby Ironsights said:
SWEET JEEBUS!

I load .38 special, .357 magnum, 9mm luger, .45 automatic, 7.62x54r, and 12 gauge and 10 gauge shotshells.

All my equipment in total, hasn't cost $200

You sir; are living LARGE.
Click to expand...

As I've mentioned before, when I go, I go full-fledged. I abhor buying beginner's stuff, then better stuff, then semi-pro stuff before finally breaking down and getting what I should have gotten to begin with. I've been there many times before when I was younger. I HATE that feeling and it ends up costing way more in the end.
But yeah, I agree. I do tend to "live large" at times. Larger than my bank account appreciates at times :D
 
peter2772000 said:
I'm a newb reloader (matter of fact, I haven't even received my XL650 yet. But so far, it's cost me roughly $2,800. Including the following;

Dillon XL-650 and some Dillon optionals like strong-arm etc)
Extra quick-change whatchamacallit for changing calibres
Dies for .40 (included with XL 650)
Lyman Pro-Tumbler 2500 c/w Auto-Flo
Electronic powderweight scale
Bullet separator hammer
1000 bullets/ea of 9mm, 38/357, .40 & .45
100 hollow-point bullets/ea of the above as well
2 lbs HP-38 powder
10 lbs of corn media
3000 small pistol primers
1000 large pistol primers
A new set of carbide dies for .45 and a used non-carbide set for 38/357 Mag

And with all the above and $2700, I didn't even have any empty casings to reload. My buddy Druker has supplied me with 1000 empties for each calibre....
Click to expand...



you must have one sweet relaoding setup:cool:


i got everyhting to relaod 9mm for $200 i went with the lee single stage press and it workes great id recconend (like most people recconended to me) that you start on a single stage way easier to get set up and get into the hang of it....

i got into it mostly to save money but now i don't think ill save a penny since im hooked on reloading after one night of reloading and already have a huge shopping list of more junk to buy for other calibers:cool:....
 
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