where to begin?

janesy

janesy

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hey guy, I'm playing with the idea of reloading. I searched and cruised the forum, but I am surprised by the lack of "where do I start?" threads.

I have read the ABC's of reloading. It really interests me, not for the quantities as I don't shoot as much as I'd like, but more for the brain exercise and the theory behind it all. I would basically be loading .204 Ruger to start with. Progressing to 308/30-06 and .35 Whelen. I've kept every piece of brass I have every fired, in hope some day of loading them myself.

I've been looking at a few different options, but I can't help but wonder whats the best starting point? Is the Lee anniversary kit a good place to start? What else will I need?
 
Yes - Its an excellent way to start. I bought one 15 years ago, and its still in use. Beyond the kit, you need dies and case length gages/cutters for each caliber. Finally, a set of vernier calipers is beneficial, and a hammer style bullet puller.
BTW - buying the Lee kit doesnt restrict you to using Lee dies, and you can upgrade individual components such as scales, etc as you see fit. (I havent...)
 
I bought a Redding Big Boss kit. Bought quite a few manuals for different bullet/powder selections.

In my case a friend came over and helped me get physically started. After I messed up some of his instructions after he left, I read the instructions that came with the dies, powder dispenser.

It seems very intimidating in the beginning but once you get into it, its quite simple. If you have any questions about what you think you just did, check it again. Use common sense.

I am very new to this. I literally know enough to make me dangerous.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them here. You can go to You Tube and search "reloading" and get some videos to watch.
 
Thanks guys. As far as the written theory, I completely understand the steps and principles, or the "How to" of it.

It's just the getting my act together and do it part. I'm sitting right in the middle. I don't want to do it for the accuracy, I don't shoot enough to see it's benefits. But I would certainly appreciate the inherent accuracy traits that come with it. And I'm not wanting to do it to save money. I really just want to shoot my own bullets. It seems I have learned the "outs" of the shooting sport, now I want to teach myself the "Ins"

Thanks for your replies guy. I think I may just take the plunge and go for it.

Without going for broke, Is there a powder that achieves decent performance in most applications(to start myself off with)? EI: To start off, Would H4895 work well in both my .204, and my .35 Whelen?
 
The Lee anniversary kit sounds like just what you need. Later on, once you've got the bug, you can upgrade as you need to.

FYI working up a load in my 204 was very difficult. However there was huge satisfaction once I achieved an excellent load. I settled on Benchmark powder and Sierra Blitzking 39 gr bullets.

It might be a real chore to find a powder that works well in several calibres. I'm no expert but I'm thinking Varget might do for the two you listed. I have used it in 204, 223, and 243 with success.
 
Easy do like I did

-Abc's Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide For Novice To Expert $17.24 from Amazon.ca
-Hodgdon 2010 reloading manual $7.94 at Lebaron
-Lee 50th Anniversary Press Kit from Reloaders.ca or higginson powders
-Set of dies for your Caliber from Reloaders.ca or higginson powders
- Trimer gauge for your Caliber from Reloaders.ca or higginson powders
-Digital Caliper from Canadian Tire

I reloaded my first bullet just under $350 including powder and bullets

Glad you already have the book , Contact reloaders.ca he will hook you up
Lee kit will go a long way it's the best press to start with
IMG_2372.jpg
 
I totally agree with volks_r_us, get the Lee 50th Kit, or Breech Lock kit (same kit with different priming tools), a set of dies and trim gauge for the calibre you want to do, a Reloading Manual, and a digitial or dial calipre to measure with. This (with new primers, powder, bullets and your used brass) is all you will need to reload reliable and accurate ammo, if you want to spend more in the future you sure can, but this will definately do for now. You can get all these reloading tools for .308 for under $125 plus shipping, and then a cheap Calipre at Canadian Tire. Even if you later find reloading is not for you, its easy to recoup the money spent.
 
I just went that route, anniversary press, cutters, dies, powder, etc., etc. plus membership to rifle range, precision shooting rest....good thing I'm not into benchrest shooting, lol.
I am impressed with the tools. The anniversary press has press mounted priming which I found quite good. I didn't think it would work well but it does. You kind of need to decide if you are going to full length or neck size only before you buy dies. For many Lee dies you can get the deluxe dies which have both types in the die set.
As for powders, you need to select your bullets first for both calibers, then check the books. The Hodgedon site has lots of load data by caliber too. Both Varget and H4895 are good for many weights of bullets in the .35 Whelen and the .204 with the H4895 being somewhat better in the .204. That's not to say it will be the most accurate, however. The trick will be finding the powder you decide on as well as primers.
Check out the ammomaster videos on you tube.
 
Using the old adage of "a picture is worth a thousand words" and something along that line I'd highly recommend is get someone knowledgeable to act as a mentor. A friend or shooting buddy to walk you through the process to start with.
 
So I'm doing a little more research and watching some videos. The Deluxe turret kit looks to be so much easier to use. It just looks easier in that you don't need to be swapping dies and powder dispensers, all you have to do is pull the lever once you are set up.

Is it really that easy? why would anyone use a breech press when for not much more $$ you can get the turret kit, am I missing something?

I see you can get three and four turrets, do all hunting bullets require crimping?
 
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