What do you recommend for a beginner?
- Thread starter KZippos
- Start date
KZippos: If your budget will allow it, X-reload currently has the Lee Breech Lock Press, 50th Anniversary Kit on sale, for $234.99. This inexpensive kit has nearly everything you need to get started in reloading. Dies, primers, bullets and powder, will need to be purchased separately. Likewise, a few additional accessories, ie: case gauge and trimmer, chamfering tool, etc. These small bits can be added on, as required.
Most reloaders will end up swapping out one piece of gear for another, as their needs change. But for now, a simple kit like the Lee should serve well.
Lee Precision has a sound reputation for good quality reloading gear, at affordable prices. Can't go wrong, with this brand. Likewise: RCBS, Lyman and Hornady, to name a few. So be sure to shop around. But, the Lee kit is the best buy, so far.
Also, a good caliper, whether digital or manual, dial type, is essential in creating good handloads. Relatively inexpensive.
Next: A reloading manual or two are always good to have. The newly published: Lyman 51st Edition Reloading Handbook, has an entire section devoted to how to reload, from start to finish. Highly detailed and informative. There are other good manuals available, including the one from Lee.
Note: This subject was brought up only recently. If you go back a couple of weeks or so, you should find some previous posts on this forum, detailing how to get started. Including various resources. Worth a look.
There are other online resources too. But, this will offer some guideline into getting started.
Feel free to ask plenty of questions. There are some highly experienced reloaders on this forum, that can answer any you might have.
The Lee Loader is often a very inexpensive, but good way, to get into reloading. However, the loader is limited to some degree. Since you're loading for a BLR, you'd want a press capable of full length case resizing. The Lee Challenger press will certainly deliver.
In the end, you're likely looking at somewhere between $300-$400 to get up and running. A big hit up front. But, most of your stuff will last for many years. So when thought of in the long term, a good investment.
Another option is to buy used. You might get a good deal on a used, but good quality press, for example.
Hope this helps:
Al
Edit: ps: The Lee Safety Scale, is the weak point in the kit. Though very sensitive and accurate, when set up, it can be very fussy, at times. Which can prove frustrating, especially to a beginner.
So, like Jethunter, I also suggest purchasing a separate beam scale. An excellent choice: RCBS 505....or, its greater capacity companion: RCBS 1010.
Very easy to use, accurate, durable scales, that will last your lifetime, with proper care. A solid investment.
By the way: Lee reloading dies include a shell holder, as part of the set.
Most reloaders will end up swapping out one piece of gear for another, as their needs change. But for now, a simple kit like the Lee should serve well.
Lee Precision has a sound reputation for good quality reloading gear, at affordable prices. Can't go wrong, with this brand. Likewise: RCBS, Lyman and Hornady, to name a few. So be sure to shop around. But, the Lee kit is the best buy, so far.
Also, a good caliper, whether digital or manual, dial type, is essential in creating good handloads. Relatively inexpensive.
Next: A reloading manual or two are always good to have. The newly published: Lyman 51st Edition Reloading Handbook, has an entire section devoted to how to reload, from start to finish. Highly detailed and informative. There are other good manuals available, including the one from Lee.
Note: This subject was brought up only recently. If you go back a couple of weeks or so, you should find some previous posts on this forum, detailing how to get started. Including various resources. Worth a look.
There are other online resources too. But, this will offer some guideline into getting started.
Feel free to ask plenty of questions. There are some highly experienced reloaders on this forum, that can answer any you might have.
The Lee Loader is often a very inexpensive, but good way, to get into reloading. However, the loader is limited to some degree. Since you're loading for a BLR, you'd want a press capable of full length case resizing. The Lee Challenger press will certainly deliver.
In the end, you're likely looking at somewhere between $300-$400 to get up and running. A big hit up front. But, most of your stuff will last for many years. So when thought of in the long term, a good investment.
Another option is to buy used. You might get a good deal on a used, but good quality press, for example.
Hope this helps:
Al
Edit: ps: The Lee Safety Scale, is the weak point in the kit. Though very sensitive and accurate, when set up, it can be very fussy, at times. Which can prove frustrating, especially to a beginner.
So, like Jethunter, I also suggest purchasing a separate beam scale. An excellent choice: RCBS 505....or, its greater capacity companion: RCBS 1010.
Very easy to use, accurate, durable scales, that will last your lifetime, with proper care. A solid investment.
By the way: Lee reloading dies include a shell holder, as part of the set.
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https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/what-needed-to-start-reloading.1744815/
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:
1. Press (single stage) O frame (cast iron is better than aluminum)
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets. (avoid the Lee Safety Scale)
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (some die sets come with shell holder, some don't)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. bullet puller not essential as startup tool, but you will need one eventually
This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:
1. Press (single stage) O frame (cast iron is better than aluminum)
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets. (avoid the Lee Safety Scale)
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (some die sets come with shell holder, some don't)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. bullet puller not essential as startup tool, but you will need one eventually
This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.
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Sloped Roof Specialist
Regular
Have a look on the Equipment Exchange for bits and pieces too. There’s also another web based service that rhymes with fun fite that’s worth looking in for used gear.
Reloading is great, I love it, but it can be a very very deep and very very expensive rabbit hole. Opinions on reloading are also like anii… everyone has one.
I’ve been watching the vortex nation and hornady podcasts lately, and find their info is really well balanced and solid. There’s lots of great advice on here too, just beware of anyone who says ALWAYS or NEVER.
Also, ALWAYS be safe… eye ware when you’re working with powder or primers. Always watch for over pressure signs when you’re testing (know what they are). Beware of compressed loads.
Also, again, ALWAYS have fun. It’s part science, part art. Enjoy it.
Cheerio.
SRS
Reloading is great, I love it, but it can be a very very deep and very very expensive rabbit hole. Opinions on reloading are also like anii… everyone has one.
I’ve been watching the vortex nation and hornady podcasts lately, and find their info is really well balanced and solid. There’s lots of great advice on here too, just beware of anyone who says ALWAYS or NEVER.
Also, ALWAYS be safe… eye ware when you’re working with powder or primers. Always watch for over pressure signs when you’re testing (know what they are). Beware of compressed loads.
Also, again, ALWAYS have fun. It’s part science, part art. Enjoy it.
Cheerio.
SRS
Thanks for all the responses with great info!
The Lee loader kit seems like it may be my entry point. The price is reasonable and seems you get a good “bang” for your buck. I’ll probably browse around for a great deal on a used kit but will likely just buy this.
Just out of curiosity, is the comment about needing full length resizing in a BLR because it’s picky with cartridges?
The Lee loader kit seems like it may be my entry point. The price is reasonable and seems you get a good “bang” for your buck. I’ll probably browse around for a great deal on a used kit but will likely just buy this.
Just out of curiosity, is the comment about needing full length resizing in a BLR because it’s picky with cartridges?
I don't know about the BLR being particularly picky, but...
Chambering loaded cartridges and extracting fired cases in lever guns (& pumps & semi-autos) is generally not as robust or positive as a bolt action rifle. Most people have found that complete full length sizing works best for lever / semi / pump actions. You should full length resize.
There are also specialty sizing dies made called "small base dies" that size the case body down more than regular full length sizing die does, specifically made for lever guns, semi-autos, pumps that are having problems chambering or extracting.
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