I’m thinking about dipping my toes into the reloading world in the next year (starting with saving brass). Where’s the best place to start learning about the process and what equipment is required? I’ll be looking to reload 9mm, .38sp, .357 mag, .45, .223 & maybe 12 gauge. I’m not looking for accuracy so much as just bringing down the cost per round. Thanks in advance.
Where should a newbie start looking for info on reloading?
- Thread starter WRH
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Here is a good place to start. PM me if you have any questions. This will teach you everything to get started For under $100
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...started-reloading-with-the-Lee-Loader-Classic
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...started-reloading-with-the-Lee-Loader-Classic
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Well, you've already started asking in one of your potenetial sources of information - right here!
Well, now that you've asked: pick up a copy of either a Lyman (49th or 50th edition) or Lee reloading manual. Both (along with most other reloading manuals I've seen) have a substantial section on teh required tools and the process of reloading. The Lee manual is loaded with thinly veiled advertising for their products, even more so than the Lyman.
Both have load information using a variety of bullet manufacturer's products, as well as cast bullet reloading information.
There have also been several (dozens???) of "Where do I start with reloading...." threads here. A search might turn up everything you need.
Well, now that you've asked: pick up a copy of either a Lyman (49th or 50th edition) or Lee reloading manual. Both (along with most other reloading manuals I've seen) have a substantial section on teh required tools and the process of reloading. The Lee manual is loaded with thinly veiled advertising for their products, even more so than the Lyman.
Both have load information using a variety of bullet manufacturer's products, as well as cast bullet reloading information.
There have also been several (dozens???) of "Where do I start with reloading...." threads here. A search might turn up everything you need.
It depends....and there are as many answers as people. From your calibre selection, my guess is that the biggest savings would come from reloading .38spl and .357mag as the other calibres are commodity items with less financial incentives.
As far as equipment, something to measure, clean, prepare, load and inspect should do. How elaborate that gets depends on you and your budget.
Speaking only for myself, I started from zero as well and now load 7 different calibres using the same Lee turret press that I started with. Total investment for every single thing from day 1 is less than $2000 for well over 30K rounds reloaded so far vs. savings of $10K+ on .44mag alone For competition level usage, the cost of a top line progressive press can recouped pretty quickly but converting calibres can be fairly pricey and finicky. Obsessing over every single long range rifle round with a single stage press has its place but I can't see myself doing that for 9mm plinking ammo.
Determine which calibre costs the most to use and how much of it you shoot to determine what level of equipment to buy because the rest become will become easier to justify as add ons.
Dont just dip your toes, if you plan to load lots of pistol calibers and 223 go to a progressive. Dont waste your time with a single stage or turret press.
buy once cry once.
for precision match load then go to a single stage, as for shotgun, unless you shoot a lot just wait for Cabelas to have their sales.
You can get a Hornady LnL AP for $640 new or on the EE for around $500, maybe $500 for dies, a tumbler, and misc stuff. You can be basically set up for $1000
the bigger the caliber or more rare the cartridge the more the savings
still can save 30-40% on 9mm factory ammo
once the press is paid off, you will really see the savings.
then you will get the argument, "What is you reloading time worth?" Most of us reloaders consider it an Art to get the perfect load, it's just like a fly tying for a fly fisherman. It's just an extension to our sport.
find someone in your area that reloads, and ask questions, check out their setup. Quickest way to learn. YouTube doesn't stop to answer questions
buy once cry once.
for precision match load then go to a single stage, as for shotgun, unless you shoot a lot just wait for Cabelas to have their sales.
You can get a Hornady LnL AP for $640 new or on the EE for around $500, maybe $500 for dies, a tumbler, and misc stuff. You can be basically set up for $1000
the bigger the caliber or more rare the cartridge the more the savings
still can save 30-40% on 9mm factory ammo
once the press is paid off, you will really see the savings.
then you will get the argument, "What is you reloading time worth?" Most of us reloaders consider it an Art to get the perfect load, it's just like a fly tying for a fly fisherman. It's just an extension to our sport.
find someone in your area that reloads, and ask questions, check out their setup. Quickest way to learn. YouTube doesn't stop to answer questions
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Buy a Lyman reloading manual and start reading from the first page, then read it again.
Buy a single stage press kit and load one round at a time, reloading is not about speed its about making quality ammo that shoots better than factory ammo.
I'm still using the same RCBS Rockchucker press I bought in 1973 and have no desire to buy a progressive press.
Buy a single stage press kit and load one round at a time, reloading is not about speed its about making quality ammo that shoots better than factory ammo.
I'm still using the same RCBS Rockchucker press I bought in 1973 and have no desire to buy a progressive press.
Buy at least one big loading manual and read all the info in the education section.
Look at some How To You Tube videos.
Find a buddy who loads to help you set up.
Buy a decent single stage press and learn to load ammo, one step at a time. It is not as slow as you think.
Size a bucket of brass. Then prime a bucket of brass if you can't prime at the same time you size. Then drop powder 50 rounds at a time and then seat bullets.
Look at some How To You Tube videos.
Find a buddy who loads to help you set up.
Buy a decent single stage press and learn to load ammo, one step at a time. It is not as slow as you think.
Size a bucket of brass. Then prime a bucket of brass if you can't prime at the same time you size. Then drop powder 50 rounds at a time and then seat bullets.
Wisdom here. Unless you are shooting 9mm or 223 competitively 50 at a time is fine. The slowest part is measuring powder. I want a Chargemaster. That would be my recommendation to speed things up.
some good reloading manuals are a great place to start. as well forums and youtube and google are great resources. One of the things I always recommend is go to the local range and talk to people, its always nice to see reloading in person and have someone there when you get your own gear to walk you through it. Biggest piece of advice when it comes to reloading is don't ever guess or assume, If you are unsure ask, waiting an extra day is better then damaging your equipment or yourself
That being said, all the calibers you shoot I would say a good progressive press is the way to go, as for brand, Dillon, rcbs lee Hornady all have pros and cons. I think people can learn to reload just fine on a progressive vs a single stage. But that's just me, you will find people on both of the fence on that argument.
As for reloading in general, it can be cheap to stupid expensive. It all depends on the equipment you buy, I just always say don't cheap out on the scale or calipers. Time is a big thing, I bought a progressive because loading pistol on a rockchucker was taking forever. I knew a guy at the range I went to who bought a dillion 1050 all decked out, but was only shot about 2000 rounds a year. for him it was he loved reloading but due to work had very little time to get to the range and reload. He could do 2000 rounds in a few hrs of actual work, so he had more time of the year to shoot. Same time ive met retired guys who must spend weeks a year reloading as they manually measure everything, single stage press for everything etc. It is all really up to you.
Good thing is you can find allot of used equipment on the ee boards and in the end if you don't like it you can sell the stuff and recoup allot of money
That being said, all the calibers you shoot I would say a good progressive press is the way to go, as for brand, Dillon, rcbs lee Hornady all have pros and cons. I think people can learn to reload just fine on a progressive vs a single stage. But that's just me, you will find people on both of the fence on that argument.
As for reloading in general, it can be cheap to stupid expensive. It all depends on the equipment you buy, I just always say don't cheap out on the scale or calipers. Time is a big thing, I bought a progressive because loading pistol on a rockchucker was taking forever. I knew a guy at the range I went to who bought a dillion 1050 all decked out, but was only shot about 2000 rounds a year. for him it was he loved reloading but due to work had very little time to get to the range and reload. He could do 2000 rounds in a few hrs of actual work, so he had more time of the year to shoot. Same time ive met retired guys who must spend weeks a year reloading as they manually measure everything, single stage press for everything etc. It is all really up to you.
Good thing is you can find allot of used equipment on the ee boards and in the end if you don't like it you can sell the stuff and recoup allot of money
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Best advice - find someone at your gun club or a gun shop to walk you though reloading; setting up a machine and making the finished product.
Pay them for a couple hours of their time if need be.
No sense dicking around with a single stage - it will be good to learn on, but you'll want go progressive within a week if you want to do any amount of volume.
At the very least, a turret. (But don't assume (like I did...) the manufacturers of decent Turret presses make good progressives.)
Don't buy a cheap press - you'll only have to replace it later when you're done pulling you hair out. Think Dillon or Hornady.
Buy once, cry once.
Understand that everyone on the internet cheers what they've got; despite not having tried something else.
Pay them for a couple hours of their time if need be.
No sense dicking around with a single stage - it will be good to learn on, but you'll want go progressive within a week if you want to do any amount of volume.
At the very least, a turret. (But don't assume (like I did...) the manufacturers of decent Turret presses make good progressives.)
Don't buy a cheap press - you'll only have to replace it later when you're done pulling you hair out. Think Dillon or Hornady.
Buy once, cry once.
Understand that everyone on the internet cheers what they've got; despite not having tried something else.
Bigped51 said the most important thing although others brought it up as well. Read the first 100 or so pages of a current reloading manual. Read it again or read another one. Pick out the caliber you shoot the most of and find where to source bullets. That is by far the most expensive part, especially for a beginning reloader who really doesn't know what they want. You are not going to be buying huge quantities right off the get-go so there is no real savings by buying bulk to get free shipping. Shipping is expensive. Next up is sourcing gunpowder and primers. If you can't get these locally then they will have to be shipped and hazmat fees really make such items expensive in small quantities. Hopefully you can find bullets, primers and powder locally. Yes, getting all this (and more) is expensive to start up.
With that knowledge go out and buy a press, I would suggest the same as dirtybarry, a Lee Classic Turret Press. Get the kit version, it comes with the Lee manual so buy the Lyman or Sierra or Hornady in the initial learning phase (unless you buy the Turret kit based upon what I say here. While I am not thrilled with the Lee balance, you can replace it with something better down the road. For now it works. I do like the autodrum kit. It works very well considering it is measuring by volume. If it doesn't come with dies, you will need to buy them as well. Remember, start with one caliber, master it, then add others later by purchasing a new turret for about $15 and a new set of dies. The 4 die carbide Lee ultimate dies for straight wall cartridges when starting reloading are worth the few extra dollars. The Lee Turret is a simple press that can easily and very quickly be switched from one caliber to another. While not a progressive press, it is somewhat automated yet still retains the capability of operating as a single stage by removing the drive post in a matter of a few seconds. I too still have mine. I have lost count of the number of rounds of .357M .45ACP, and .44RM it has made. I still use it for all my straight wall cases like .45-70 and I still use it for the 30-30 although I used it for a long time to load a lot of .308, .223 and 300WM as well. There are a lot of presses, but the Lee Classic Turret Press has earned its valued spot in my reloading room many times over.
Other presses have come and gone. If you KNOW for certain that you are going to shoot a lot of handgun, then a progressive press might be useful. I would strongly suggest waiting until you know for sure. Most of them are finicky buggers for changing out calibers, it can take some time to do so and then re-tune the press for that caliber. They can require several expensive parts (so-called 'conversion kits' in Dillon speak) specific for each caliber. I eventually left my Dillon 650 set up for .357 all the time. While I had conversion kits for .44 and .45ACP, I found the process involved was just not worth it. One can get the Lee Turret to crank out around 200 to 250 quality rounds an hour while the Dillon 650 could do double that, but the half hour spent changing it over and then fine tuning it to work smoothly I found to be a pain. If you are making 2000 rounds of one type at a sitting then the Dillon might be the way to go at some point, but when you start out, you won't be.
Once you have the press, read the reloading manual and play with the parts. Take the dies apart and look at them. You will want to clean and oil them before first use anyway so you might as well know how they work. Put it all together, dial it in while operating it 'dry' (no powder, etc) to see how it all operates while reading the manual. Once you feel comfortable, fill it up with the goods and start making ammo.
Anyway, lots of good info in the replies above too. Choose something, but be sure to choose to read the manuals, watch some youtube videos, and come back to ask more specific questions, etc. Lots of good info that isn't covered in the manual and of course there is the personal learning curve with the different presses and accessories as well.
With that knowledge go out and buy a press, I would suggest the same as dirtybarry, a Lee Classic Turret Press. Get the kit version, it comes with the Lee manual so buy the Lyman or Sierra or Hornady in the initial learning phase (unless you buy the Turret kit based upon what I say here. While I am not thrilled with the Lee balance, you can replace it with something better down the road. For now it works. I do like the autodrum kit. It works very well considering it is measuring by volume. If it doesn't come with dies, you will need to buy them as well. Remember, start with one caliber, master it, then add others later by purchasing a new turret for about $15 and a new set of dies. The 4 die carbide Lee ultimate dies for straight wall cartridges when starting reloading are worth the few extra dollars. The Lee Turret is a simple press that can easily and very quickly be switched from one caliber to another. While not a progressive press, it is somewhat automated yet still retains the capability of operating as a single stage by removing the drive post in a matter of a few seconds. I too still have mine. I have lost count of the number of rounds of .357M .45ACP, and .44RM it has made. I still use it for all my straight wall cases like .45-70 and I still use it for the 30-30 although I used it for a long time to load a lot of .308, .223 and 300WM as well. There are a lot of presses, but the Lee Classic Turret Press has earned its valued spot in my reloading room many times over.
Other presses have come and gone. If you KNOW for certain that you are going to shoot a lot of handgun, then a progressive press might be useful. I would strongly suggest waiting until you know for sure. Most of them are finicky buggers for changing out calibers, it can take some time to do so and then re-tune the press for that caliber. They can require several expensive parts (so-called 'conversion kits' in Dillon speak) specific for each caliber. I eventually left my Dillon 650 set up for .357 all the time. While I had conversion kits for .44 and .45ACP, I found the process involved was just not worth it. One can get the Lee Turret to crank out around 200 to 250 quality rounds an hour while the Dillon 650 could do double that, but the half hour spent changing it over and then fine tuning it to work smoothly I found to be a pain. If you are making 2000 rounds of one type at a sitting then the Dillon might be the way to go at some point, but when you start out, you won't be.
Once you have the press, read the reloading manual and play with the parts. Take the dies apart and look at them. You will want to clean and oil them before first use anyway so you might as well know how they work. Put it all together, dial it in while operating it 'dry' (no powder, etc) to see how it all operates while reading the manual. Once you feel comfortable, fill it up with the goods and start making ammo.
Anyway, lots of good info in the replies above too. Choose something, but be sure to choose to read the manuals, watch some youtube videos, and come back to ask more specific questions, etc. Lots of good info that isn't covered in the manual and of course there is the personal learning curve with the different presses and accessories as well.
There isn't a darn thing wrong with going single stage. The piece of advice that I see offered up way to often for an answer to a question just like yours is... go big or go home. A newbie does not need to worry about multi turrets. That is for someone that wants to do a bunch of bulk reloading and on 1 caliber. They are too fussy to keep changing it around. I would suggest that you learn on single stage... and go cheap... go with Lee equipment. You're investing like $200 in a good Lee setup VS $600+ in RCBS and more yet for Hornady if you want to go progressive AND above all else... the single stage will still work forever on little batches
Pistol rounds are easy, so go for a progressive. If you're normally intelligent, there's no need to start with a single stage. Single stage are good for low volume of large rifle rounds, they're soul-sucking for something like 9mm.
Best advice yet, IMO.
