why isn't there a "what you need to start reloading" STICKY on this forum
- Thread starter aheppner
- Start date
It would be 100 pages long .. To much brand interference ...
Best to for newbies to read a bit and then decide what is in their budget .. That is what makes a non newbie .. Also they should check out you tube .. Not that all that is posted ( just like here ) is wise .... Search loading the caliber they are interested in, etc. .. Watch the examples .. Will give what they read here a foundation..
Best to for newbies to read a bit and then decide what is in their budget .. That is what makes a non newbie .. Also they should check out you tube .. Not that all that is posted ( just like here ) is wise .... Search loading the caliber they are interested in, etc. .. Watch the examples .. Will give what they read here a foundation..
Last edited:
Since Canada covers a large area, your address will probably not attract a mentor.
Find some one at your local club, check out local events, and listen to what others are using.
Make notes as to pro's and con's. In the end it will be your decision because you don't have to believe what they are telling you.
Hands on is a huge asset but watching an experienced handloader is invaluable.
I have stopped reloading for others but allow then to use some of my equipment while offering instruction.
Since you have not indicated what you would be reloading for at the start, my recommendation would be to go with a RCBS RockChucker kit. It comes with a book that will better prepare you at decision time. There are a number of books that offer different load information but the basics are well covered in all. About the third time you read through your first book, you wil be better prepared to ask the right questions.
Find some one at your local club, check out local events, and listen to what others are using.
Make notes as to pro's and con's. In the end it will be your decision because you don't have to believe what they are telling you.
Hands on is a huge asset but watching an experienced handloader is invaluable.
I have stopped reloading for others but allow then to use some of my equipment while offering instruction.
Since you have not indicated what you would be reloading for at the start, my recommendation would be to go with a RCBS RockChucker kit. It comes with a book that will better prepare you at decision time. There are a number of books that offer different load information but the basics are well covered in all. About the third time you read through your first book, you wil be better prepared to ask the right questions.
Last edited:
- Location
- Invermere, BC
Everyone reloads for different reasons. For myself I'm happy with the basics - beam scale, single stage press, powder trickler - I have a powder measure but I don't use it. I enjoy the process.This would drive other guys crazy, it being so slow. Or guys who are high volume shooters who just jump into Dillon 650's, it would be a giant waste of time to reload at the pace I do. We could have a sticky for what firearms to buy too but that would be pretty useless. Buy a reloading manual or three or five. You will end up with lots anyways, read, read and read some more until your blue in the face, then read some more. Then use the search fuction and search for information on the calibers you are looking to reload, read it all. Then when you think you have an idea and have questions ask them, even if they seem silly.
When I first got interested in reloading, the first thing I bought was a couple of manuals. There was an old how-to book put out by Outdoor Life publishing a few years back, written by John Wooters. No load data, but good info on set-up.
I think you would actually need 3 stickys, one for single stage, one for turret and one for progressives. These are also probably 3 reasons there is no sticky. There is no simple "what do I need to get started". It all depends on your needs and your budget. But here I'll start one: press, dies, powder scale and caliper. Those are the basics. Of course you can spend anywhere from $300 to $3000 on these "basics" plus all the helpfull "goodies". TC
I am just starting out. Have been reading, and youtubing for about 5-6 weeks, lots of questions and a one-on-one tutorial with my uncle that has been reloading for over 45 years. First....... single stage is fine for rifle reloading but if you are reloading pistol look to turret or progressive. After my research I have just ordered a Hornady Lock N' Load AP Progressive press and a .45acp 4 die set. The comes with the auto powder feeder and the auto priming system for just under $500 plus another $50 for the die set. In addition to this I ordered an inexpensive Hornady scale to help calibrate the powder drop and a few plastic .45ACP reusable cases. You should also have a digital calliper on hand as well as good lighting. Everything else you may want can be added as options later.
In the end it was a had decision between RCBS and Hornady, it came down to price and availability. I was leaning towards RCBS but the model I wanted was on back order and was slightly more expensive. I did read quite a bit about Dillon presses and most was positive, Lee presses mostly came with negative reviews but as always there is a few people who love them.
Good luck.
Steve
In the end it was a had decision between RCBS and Hornady, it came down to price and availability. I was leaning towards RCBS but the model I wanted was on back order and was slightly more expensive. I did read quite a bit about Dillon presses and most was positive, Lee presses mostly came with negative reviews but as always there is a few people who love them.
Good luck.
Steve
Kayser Sose
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Van Isle
Lyman's 49th Edition of its Guide for Reloaders (Reloading Guide? ...any gun shop worth it's salt will know at 'the 49th edition of the Lyman manual'...) has within it's pages an excellent summary of the process and what you need to get to do this thing properly. Fist couple chapters, if I recall correctly.
That and it's a conspiracy.... there are certainly MANY threads here regarding this question.
And here's two cents; a very affordable way to get started is to pick up a Lee starter kit; less than $200, has most everything you'll need.
And you'll need that Lyman book; maybe you should buy that, first?
That and it's a conspiracy.... there are certainly MANY threads here regarding this question.
And here's two cents; a very affordable way to get started is to pick up a Lee starter kit; less than $200, has most everything you'll need.
And you'll need that Lyman book; maybe you should buy that, first?
07blackwater
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Port Coquitlam, BC
Watch the ammosmith's videos on YouTube. He can be a little long winded at times but he's pretty thorough.
Like was said above, every loading manual has a how to in the beginning so read read read.
As well RCBS has a great guide to reloading on their website that will cover most of a newbie's questions.
Like was said above, every loading manual has a how to in the beginning so read read read.
As well RCBS has a great guide to reloading on their website that will cover most of a newbie's questions.
Once again, a request for advice. The first thing you need is a few decisions. "Why do I want to start reloading?" "What am I planning to re-load?" "How much am I going to shoot, and then need to reload?" "How much can I spend to get what I need to do what I want?"
Once definite answers exist, you can proceed much better. An ability to try numerous systems and methods is invaluable in finding out just what you like, need, and want.
Don't be fooled into thinking that you need to spend thousands of dollars to reload decent ammo. You don't. $50 can get you started. That's right, $50 for a Lee Loader in the cartridge of your choice (you have to chose the right cartridge, tho, lol). $25 for a pound of powder. $5 for 100 primers. Brass picked up, or saved from shooting, is free. You don't immediately have to clean it, trim it, uniform it, just reload it.
I started just that way. I knew reloaders, got to know them better. The club I joined had a VERY COMPLETE reloading room, and it had every color and style of equipment. I could melt wheel weights into ingots, melt ingots into bullets, size/lube/check those bullets using Lyman, RCBS, Lee, Pacific, or Herters equipment. I could sit at any color set up and load single stage or progressive at a red, blue, orange, or green piece of equipment. I shot stuff I didn't own. I was a lucky young man, and I knew it. In the end, economics drove my reloading. I could not afford to buy many guns or rifles to shoot thousands of rounds a year in competitions. I could, however, afford to buy enough components to allow me to be a better hunter with what I could afford to shoot. One rifle (.303Br), one single shot 20ga shotgun, one .22LR. A Lee Load All fit my shotgun needs perfectly, putting rabbits and grouse on the table. A Lee Loader in .303Br fit the rifle and git me a deer or two. And a couple of bricks a year kept me shooting varmints.
when I was much richer...I bought a second hand Lee Challenger Press and a second hand set of Lee dies. I heard lots about how superior the Rock Chucker was to Lee equipment, but never believed it. However, my wife did and convinced her family to pool money and get me one for Christmas one year. It doesn't work any nicer than my second hand Challenger. I have used it for years to pull bullets... That's right, permanently set up to pull bullets.
If you want to spend money, go ahead, I won't stop you, it's your money, but don't let people tell you that Lee gear makes inferior ammo, it doesn't. However, I drive a 1985 VW Golf with no fancy accessories and 650K kms on it and it suits me just fine, if I need something, I either buy it second hand and fix it up or I make it. Other people drive 80K, jacked up 4WD trucks that never go off-road and get replaced every two years. Which guy are you? Serviceable ammo for hunting and plinking at about 2000 rounds a year on a Lee Turret starter kit? Or ... You may need that $1500 Hornady Ammo Plant, a $500 RCBS chargemaster combo, 14 different powders, Norma and Lapua brass, $3 a round premium bullets just to turn out 200 rounds of .30-06 hunting ammo a year. Your call.
Once definite answers exist, you can proceed much better. An ability to try numerous systems and methods is invaluable in finding out just what you like, need, and want.
Don't be fooled into thinking that you need to spend thousands of dollars to reload decent ammo. You don't. $50 can get you started. That's right, $50 for a Lee Loader in the cartridge of your choice (you have to chose the right cartridge, tho, lol). $25 for a pound of powder. $5 for 100 primers. Brass picked up, or saved from shooting, is free. You don't immediately have to clean it, trim it, uniform it, just reload it.
I started just that way. I knew reloaders, got to know them better. The club I joined had a VERY COMPLETE reloading room, and it had every color and style of equipment. I could melt wheel weights into ingots, melt ingots into bullets, size/lube/check those bullets using Lyman, RCBS, Lee, Pacific, or Herters equipment. I could sit at any color set up and load single stage or progressive at a red, blue, orange, or green piece of equipment. I shot stuff I didn't own. I was a lucky young man, and I knew it. In the end, economics drove my reloading. I could not afford to buy many guns or rifles to shoot thousands of rounds a year in competitions. I could, however, afford to buy enough components to allow me to be a better hunter with what I could afford to shoot. One rifle (.303Br), one single shot 20ga shotgun, one .22LR. A Lee Load All fit my shotgun needs perfectly, putting rabbits and grouse on the table. A Lee Loader in .303Br fit the rifle and git me a deer or two. And a couple of bricks a year kept me shooting varmints.
when I was much richer...I bought a second hand Lee Challenger Press and a second hand set of Lee dies. I heard lots about how superior the Rock Chucker was to Lee equipment, but never believed it. However, my wife did and convinced her family to pool money and get me one for Christmas one year. It doesn't work any nicer than my second hand Challenger. I have used it for years to pull bullets... That's right, permanently set up to pull bullets.
If you want to spend money, go ahead, I won't stop you, it's your money, but don't let people tell you that Lee gear makes inferior ammo, it doesn't. However, I drive a 1985 VW Golf with no fancy accessories and 650K kms on it and it suits me just fine, if I need something, I either buy it second hand and fix it up or I make it. Other people drive 80K, jacked up 4WD trucks that never go off-road and get replaced every two years. Which guy are you? Serviceable ammo for hunting and plinking at about 2000 rounds a year on a Lee Turret starter kit? Or ... You may need that $1500 Hornady Ammo Plant, a $500 RCBS chargemaster combo, 14 different powders, Norma and Lapua brass, $3 a round premium bullets just to turn out 200 rounds of .30-06 hunting ammo a year. Your call.
You need a CH Rock Crusher press ($1,450), a Prometheus Gen II Powder Measure/Dispenser ($3,000), Custom Made dies per caliber ($500+ per set), K&M Priming tool with gauge ($125), Giraud power Trimmer ($440) plus $30 per caliber for conversion kits, Bench Source annealing machine ($530), A decent rotary tumbler with stainless pins ($300) and a decent media separator ($60), Oehler 35P Chronograph ($575), B&S, Mitutoyo or Starret calipers and micrometer for approx $300 each...etc...
You will also need various tools like headspace measuring devices, bullet comparators, concentricity gauges, deburring tools, case brushes, etc.... all costing from $20 to $300 per tool
Thats what $10,000.00 US plus tax, shipping, duty, etc... for your single stage setup, not including a bench or consumeables.
Now for the progressive setup....
Or just buy a Lee kit that fits your needs, Single stage, turret, or progressive, and with components be loading for a few hundred bucks....lol
You will also need various tools like headspace measuring devices, bullet comparators, concentricity gauges, deburring tools, case brushes, etc.... all costing from $20 to $300 per tool
Thats what $10,000.00 US plus tax, shipping, duty, etc... for your single stage setup, not including a bench or consumeables.
Now for the progressive setup....
Or just buy a Lee kit that fits your needs, Single stage, turret, or progressive, and with components be loading for a few hundred bucks....lol
