What needed to start reloading

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county51

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what would be a full list of items needed to do basic reloading.
Guns I would be reloading are 7MM, 8MM Mauser, 7.62X39
I am not reloading a lot so just the minimal equipment and supplies list would help me save some money till I know more about reloading and do it more often

Thank you in advance
 
Yes, buy a manual and read the education section.

Reloading is a series of steps, and a single stage press allows you to do one step at a time, to the entire box/pail of brass.

You Tube can show you how to do each step.

Making good quality ammo that is perfect for plinking and hunting is not as complicated as those who are into precision shooting would lead you to believe.

Do you have a buddy who reloads? That would be the easy way to set up your bench and learn each of the steps.

Someone in Calgary can offer to help you get started.

Here is how I lube my brass. Fast and effective:

 
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county51 said:
what would be a full list of items needed to do basic reloading.
Guns I would be reloading are 7MM, 8MM Mauser, 7.62X39
I am not reloading a lot so just the minimal equipment and supplies list would help me save some money till I know more about reloading and do it more often

Thank you in advance
Click to expand...

This is the most minimal equipment needed.

PM me if you have any questions


https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...Loader-Classic
 
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:

1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (LEE dies come with shell holder)
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, because 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.

Edit: a bullet puller will be needed, might as well get it at the same time.
 
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Excellent advice from all above posts.
What I would add is the following
Definitely a stuck case remover
Magnifying glass
Sanding block. I use the light grit sponge version that painters use to run the case mouth rim over after chamfering if it feels a bit rough.
Positive Ram Priming Unit
Primer Pocket Reamer (since your going to reload 7.62x39, & 8mm. Brass may have military crimps)
Tumbler of some kind.
Electronic scale eventually
Don't fret about getting everything at once. Build on what you need.
 
jethunter said:
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:

1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge
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)

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.
Click to expand...

this is exactly what i need to know thank
 
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just remember, information is god when it comes to reloading, do your research, this is very important. never take load data from anyone unfamiliar, and even then be highly skeptical. i would also reccomend going to gun shows and buying all the books you can. also. checkout youtube, these guys are my favorite. Iraqveteran8888 - JIUJITSU2000 and never be afraid to pull a bullet. lol.
 
A competent mentor is a great place to start, provided their experience in reloading is in the same field you're interested in.
A friend of mine walked me through the basics of rifle reloading, I've since built on that foundation.
I'm about to pay that forward with another newbie.
Take your time and think about each step from start to finish. Avoid distractions!
 
Reloading isn't terribly complicated, it just seems like it when you 're starting. Read manuals and watch videos, but you won't really understand it completely until you do it yourself. Get a press, a die set, and pick up range brass, deprime it, seat a bullet.

Gun Digest made some online videos that are worth seeing.

episode-01-basics-reloading
episode-2-tools
episode-3-case-resizing
episode-4-primers
episode 5 Powders
episode-6-bullets
episode 7 specialty brass
episode-8-troubleshooting
episode 9 Primer Assembly
hepisode 10 cartridge assembly


hHickok45 Reloading Basics
 
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Armored Metal said:
The first things to get are two books to understand the process of reloading. Get the ABC's of reloading and a reloading manual from any of the big companies. I prefer Hornady, Lee and Lyman.

After that, you can start figuring out what equipement you want.
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I have heard this as well, iam looking at getting into reloading myself, and I've been told several times that's books and reading are the first step
 
Ironheart said:
I have heard this as well, iam looking at getting into reloading myself, and I've been told several times that's books and reading are the first step
Click to expand...

You listened well. Some really good replies in this thread. I found the Lyman Reloading manual the easiest read myself.
Don't be overwhelmed with all that you read. It may seem a lot but it is a pretty straight forward process. As mentioned above AVOID DISTRACTIONS! One can of powder on the loading desk at a time with lid closed. Ask me how I know. Got some explosive rose bushes out back!
If you run into problems there is lots of help on the 'net.
 
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My advice would be before you throw a bunch of money on the counter is to find a buddy who already reloads, and watch the process. Some kits are not bad but they have items you may never use, and there are items that are not included. For going with a press to load full size rifle its best to get the biggest press you can afford. You can never have too much press, but a small press is a burden if you ever choose to load any magnum cases.

Slightly off the topic, before you spend your hard earned cash to buy 8mm brass or cartridges, you can easily reshape 30.06 brass and trim them to 8mm. Everyone has a pile of 30.06 brass collecting dust and it takes only seconds to reshape and trim them to 8x57
 
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fiddler said:
My advice would be before you throw a bunch of money on the counter is to find a buddy who already reloads, and watch the process. Some kits are not bad but they have items you may never use, and there are items that are not included. For going with a press to load full size rifle its best to get the biggest press you can afford. You can never have too much press, but a small press is a burden if you ever choose to load any magnum cases.

Slightly off the topic, before you spend your hard earned cash to buy 8mm brass or cartridges, you can easily reshape 30.06 brass and trim them to 8mm. Everyone has a pile of 30.06 brass collecting dust and it takes only seconds to reshape and trim them to 8x57
Click to expand...
Solid advice regarding kits. I pieced my gear together.. some is new, some is used, some is home-made.
I don't use a powder measure for loading rifle, for example. Instead I paid $15 for the Lee powder scoop set and dump the contents of the scoop directly into a scale pan, then trickle up to the desired charge weight.
It's a bit slower but I'm taking my time anyway.
A loading block is easily made from a scrap end of 2x4.
I spent the money saved on those two items on a used case trimmer that I did need.
 
Chilly807 said:
Solid advice regarding kits. I pieced my gear together.. some is new, some is used, some is home-made.
I don't use a powder measure for loading rifle, for example. Instead I paid $15 for the Lee powder scoop set and dump the contents of the scoop directly into a scale pan, then trickle up to the desired charge weight.
It's a bit slower but I'm taking my time anyway.
A loading block is easily made from a scrap end of 2x4.
I spent the money saved on those two items on a used case trimmer that I did need.
Click to expand...


I agree with this. I also like the Lee powder scoop set and use it the same way you do. I have powder measures but the scoops serve a purpose and for that price you can't go wrong. I still use scoops directly for some ammo and it's good enough for a lot of shooting.

I like the LEE presses but the Lee safety scale doesn't impress me. I probably wouldn't buy a Lee reloading kit for that reason alone unless it was a exceptional deal. That said, there are some good deals around on the EE and if I were starting out I'd watch for somebody with gear for sale close enough to do a face2face deal and save the shipping charges.
 
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jethunter said:
I agree with this. I also like the Lee powder scoop set and use it the same way you do. I have powder measures but the scoops serve a purpose and for that price you can't go wrong. I still use scoops directly for some ammo and it's good enough for a lot of shooting.

I like the LEE presses but the Lee safety scale doesn't impress me. I probably wouldn't buy a Lee reloading kit for that reason alone unless it was a exceptional deal. That said, there are some good deals around on the EE and if I were starting out I'd watch for somebody with gear for sale close enough to do a face2face deal and save the shipping charges.
Click to expand...

It seems like we agree on more than a few things. I don't care for the Lee scale either. I have an RCBS 5-0-5 that gets used regularly, plus a 5-0-2 for backup. I like the 505 better, though I suspect they're both equally accurate. I'm not a fan of electronic scales either, but I'm an old guy so that shouldn't surprise anybody.
My reloading gear is a mix and match of RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Forster, and others. Each company has their strengths and weaknesses.
 
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