What do I need to start reloading
- Thread starter henry22mag
- Start date
I started reloading 308 with lee 50th kit, die set, and length gauge, you will need a sturdy bench to attach the press. The lee 50th is a single stage press, meaning you will have to change out die for each process.
You can find lots of info on CGN, lee site & youtube on reloading.
press is around $130
die set around $35
length guage $8
Hornady 7th Edition reloading book $30
Then you will need the brass,primers,powder and projectile, if you can find powder and primers local its better otherwise you will have to pay a surcharge on shipping.
Start simple. Leave the micrometer and other gadgets until you really need them. Eventually you will want them but not to start. Start with a simple press and a set of dies. Powder scale is a must as is some type of case trimmer. Get imperial sizing die wax. I started with the little Lee case trimmer and still use it. Trim after every 2nd load and you will never have to worry about actual case measurement. Chamfer and deburr the case mouth after trimming. Lee makes a great tool for this. I use the Lyman low drag model and it is better but much more expensive as well.
Things like a powder trickler are not needed. I bought the lee powder dipper set and use them to throw a very near weight charge and trickle up with the dipper as well. These simple tools have served me very well for many many years.
Things like a powder trickler are not needed. I bought the lee powder dipper set and use them to throw a very near weight charge and trickle up with the dipper as well. These simple tools have served me very well for many many years.
ipscgraz
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Where are you...if you are completely on the outside of this you might want to spend a couple hours with someone who is loading some rifle ammo to get an overview of the processes & some of the traps.
First, you need a book or two. As is always recommended "The ABC's of Reloading" should be on everyone's shelf. I like Lee's "Modern Reloading", some don't. I also have more than 10 others and use them regularly. No such thing as too many references. Plenty of articles on the internet.
Find a mentor if you can. It will help immensely.
IMHO, there is no better way to start reloading than with the Lee stuff. Buy the Challenger Reloading Kit. It comes with all the tools you need to start reloading. You will have to add a die set and a case trimmer pilot.
Use the dipper that comes with the die set, throw a charge from it slightly under and just tap it with a finger to trickle out a few kernels at a time until you get what you want. I would not advise using the powder measure at first. Get used to loading slowly, carefully, and without missing a step. You can add to your gear as you go, but for now, right out of the box, you can make commercial quality ammo for far less than you can buy it.
Find a mentor if you can. It will help immensely.
IMHO, there is no better way to start reloading than with the Lee stuff. Buy the Challenger Reloading Kit. It comes with all the tools you need to start reloading. You will have to add a die set and a case trimmer pilot.
Use the dipper that comes with the die set, throw a charge from it slightly under and just tap it with a finger to trickle out a few kernels at a time until you get what you want. I would not advise using the powder measure at first. Get used to loading slowly, carefully, and without missing a step. You can add to your gear as you go, but for now, right out of the box, you can make commercial quality ammo for far less than you can buy it.
All you need is:
Lee 50th Anniversary Kit
Lee Deluxe Die set
6" vernier gauge - Princess Auto $20 or so
Lee case trimmer (and only after your case reaches the maximum length, measured by the vernier. That may be 5 or more loadings)
1" micrometer (not digital) that reads to the 0.0001" is a nice to have. $20 at Princess Auto
STP makes an excellent sizing lube, but you don't need it unless you full length size. The Lee collet neck sizer does not require lube.
To what end ?
Not being facetious henry. Usual reasons for getting into the "black art" are to feed a high volume toy like an AR or pistol, or to build some uber-accurate ammo for a tack driving rifle. A 30 30 doesn't fit the usual profile for the "I need to reload" crowd. Not that it has to, mind you, I'm just sayin ,,
.I expect that for the price of even a modest reloading setup you could buy enough 30 30 to keep you hunting quite awhile.
Eventually, you'll need more stuff. Cases, for instance, must at some point be trimmed. Its a safety issue. Reloading paraphernalia purchases tend to be a slippery slope and could make an initial saving of 100 bucks on a press seem counterproductive in short order. Your idea seems sorta temporary to me. I'd be inclined to suggest you get a kit that includes a bench mounted press and some dies or else not bother, but thats just me and my ignorance of the loader you're considering is pretty much total.
Im just looking into starting to reload and found this in a google search, seemed extremly helpfull
http://imakeprojects.com/Projects/how-to-reload-rifle-ammunition/
the way he is doing it seems very inexpensive. i picked up a set of dies today.
and am going to make a decision on a press next week.
I live in a small basement suite so, the hand held one shown above looks very tempting.
Im not looking at massproducing ammo and cranking out a ton at a time. but to kill time and save money i think its the way im going to go. i think im going to use the supplied dipper and base my powder bassed off of it, i have been shooting 150 grain since i got my .308 and am going to be sticking with 150. supplied dipper is 2.8 so IMR3031.
seems simple enough, i ahve been doing alot of reading on reloading and am open to extra sugestions.
I wrote out the list he has at the bottom as my shopping list, ads up to just under 150.00
Then primers bullets powder extra after that.
I have cases from factory ammo so im not looking to buy them yet.
Thanks
Dave
http://imakeprojects.com/Projects/how-to-reload-rifle-ammunition/
the way he is doing it seems very inexpensive. i picked up a set of dies today.
and am going to make a decision on a press next week.
I live in a small basement suite so, the hand held one shown above looks very tempting.
Im not looking at massproducing ammo and cranking out a ton at a time. but to kill time and save money i think its the way im going to go. i think im going to use the supplied dipper and base my powder bassed off of it, i have been shooting 150 grain since i got my .308 and am going to be sticking with 150. supplied dipper is 2.8 so IMR3031.
seems simple enough, i ahve been doing alot of reading on reloading and am open to extra sugestions.
I wrote out the list he has at the bottom as my shopping list, ads up to just under 150.00
Then primers bullets powder extra after that.
I have cases from factory ammo so im not looking to buy them yet.
Thanks
Dave
I personally think that a lee loader is a great place to start. You can make very good ammo on a LL, and you'll learn the basics.
I started loading with Lee Loader for 30-06. I still use it occasionally. Go for it, you can't go wrong.
I remember when I was starting out the best advice was being with people that reloaded. I learned very quickly that the best thing is to make some wise investments.Don't go cheap on equipment if you stay with reloading you'll regreat it later.
really? Man I wish I was made of money, then I could puff up, be snobby, and spout the same drivel.
I started with a Lee Loader. Got it for my .303 because I was broke-assed so that I could shoot more. It worked fine for quite a few years. Still use it for that same rifle. Never regretted it yet. Joined a gun club, had to sacrifice hard to make the dues payments, but it was worth it. SURROUNDED by reloaders and lots of them had, wait for it...LEE STUFF!!
Next purchase, second-hand Lee Challenger press and used dies for .303. Still going today, used almost every time i am reloading. Still used the dippers and got acceptable accuracy. second hand scale (Lyman in grams) was next.
When it seemed like I was going to do this, I got a Rockchucker for Christmas from my family (wife, parents, in-laws). Know what I use it for? Forming cases and pulling bullets. EVERYTHING else is done on one of the 2 Lee Challengers or the Lee Turret Press. In the 30years I have been doing this, I don't regret one purchase!! And I have LOTS of Lee equipment on my bench.
OP, go ahead and load your .30-30 with a Lee Loader, but spend a dollar on a couple of other items as well. You will need a primer pocket cleaner; a case length trimmer, collet, and gauge; a decent scale is a must (I have not been able to dip consistent loads ever. Pick up a Lyman Pro 500 ($65) or an RCBS RC130 ($62). These are minimums.); a loading block (I made one out of a piece of 1/2" styrofoam 25yrs ago and still use it today, $0); a powder funnel. That is all you need for equipment to get going.
Check out Lee Factory Sales in Wisconsin. Theyre next to the Lee Factory and have the best prices.
Lee 50th Kit $82
30/30 Dies $23
Case Length Gauge 30/30 $4
Lee Manual $14
Calipres at Canadian Tire $15-20
or Lee Loader in 30/30 $22
Grab 100 Large Rifle Primers, some .308" 30/30 (flat nose) bullets and a pound of H4895 and you're set to load
Lee 50th Kit $82
30/30 Dies $23
Case Length Gauge 30/30 $4
Lee Manual $14
Calipres at Canadian Tire $15-20
or Lee Loader in 30/30 $22
Grab 100 Large Rifle Primers, some .308" 30/30 (flat nose) bullets and a pound of H4895 and you're set to load
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
I know it's probably been mentioned, but a good reloading manual (or 2) for reference is a good thing.
