Newbie thinking about reloading

hey Dutch, I have been reloading for 20+ years and my recommendation would be to start with a single stage setup. It lets you focus on each step of the process. There are starter kits available(midwayusa.com); minus the dies of course. I have two progressives for pistol ammo and two single stages for rifle ammo.
542543

Hello,

I am planning on getting started in reloading very soon. I have been wanting to do that for a few years now, but whenever I had thought that I had enough money to get one piece, then something happened and I had to use the money for that. Then my dad who is retired promised to by me a reloading kit for Christmas the one year so we both could get started together. We would learn together, a father & son thing to do, now that he has trouble walking and does not hunt very much any more. But again something came up and he could not get it for me, then he said for my Birthday, but again something came up. But now I have some gift cards that I can use to offset the cost of the equipment. I have been thinking either of the 2 Lee single stage kits or a RCBS single stage Press kit. With either of those 3 anyone getting into reloading will have almost everything needed to get started except dies, powder, brass, lead, and primers. There may be just a few odds and ends that you may have to get depending on which kit one goes with. But generally you have most of what you need to get started.

What I suggest for those wanting to get started like myself, is to go with one of the singe stage press kits either by Lee or RCBS, or if you can afford it one of the other brands. Then get the other odds and ends that you need to get started and that do not come in the kits. Read a reloading manual and then have fun and be safe!! Remember to keep meticulous notes of all of your reloading data so you do not forget it!!

Dutchs

Congrats on thinking about reloading.
I have been reloading for 15 years, and I can assure you, it's very satisfying.

Take your time, experiment, but above all get advice, on some of the required techniques, you will have to do.

Reloading is a continual thinking and re-checking process, in which to get the best results, everything you do will be down to 1/2 a thou of an inch, and weight measurement will be basically down to the very last granular of powder.

It's not that hard, just need to take your time and be exact

If I can help, just drop me an email at [email protected]

Cheers mate
Bucky

Was checking on prices of Loading Blocks.......I thought, simple to make.
Just for grins whipped up one out of a piece of wood I had laying around. Used a Forstner bit to fit the .308 cases, layed out the hole pattern and drilled the holes on a drill press. Blocks like this will be used for case prep. Will make others, different dimensions for charging and seating bullets. Even painted it RED.... If you can save a few bucks why not !!! This one is just a prototype and will refine before making full sets for the .308, .223, .357, and probley others.

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the advice. What I was thinking of doing for the loading blocks after seeing the home-made ones mentioned above, was make a few of them for the different calibers/cartridges I ant to reload. I was not going to worry about how many holes were in each one. I was going to use either a 2x6 or a 2x4, cut it to a length of about 6 or 8 inches maybe even a little as 4 inches. Then drill the holes. I was thinking of between 10 holes and 20 holes. 10 holes gives me a halve box and 20 a full box. Then after making the blocks I was either going to paint them or shellac them to give them a nice color or bring out the wood grain.

I like the idea of having a 5 hole loading block for a test load.

Also what I was thinking of was having some way of labeling the loading blocks for the calibers/cartridges that they accept. Either by painting them each a different color, painting the caliber/Cartridge on them or using something like a Dremel tool to engrave the caliber/cartridge on them and then painting the engraved area a different color than the loading block. but that will have to wait until dad and I can get to his work bench with the drill press on it. lol

I've been dropping powder and stuffing lead for over 45yrs. It all depends on number of rounds you consume and whether a fella has a good supply of brass or ready access. I load MO Bullet LC Small Ball for high-count range trips. Cost up front is the biggie with a press from $30 Lee to ~$100 Lee Classic Turret on to well over a $1000 for a Blue monster ammo factory. Rifle dies, $20 to as much as a fella wants to spend for each caliber. For pistols...you can't beat the Lee Carbide 4-die sets. Carbide by any company eliminates case lube. One thing that I whole-heartedly believe in is the Lee Factory Crimp die for all rounds EXCEPT fine-tuned high-power gnat shooting loads for BR competitions, and then you might want a neck size only die. Oh the choices to be had and selections made.

As for the 9mm LCs, component cost 11.3 cents per round (not including brass) or $5.65 per box of 50. You can't match that ANYWHERE unless you make 'em at home. With larger calibers and jacketed bullets the price increases exponentially with the weight of the projectiles and their "touted" features. I also have the luxury of buying direct from Sierra in Sedalia at the outlet store. I had my bride stop by today on her shopping trip to town and retrieve two pounds of 60grHPs for the AR loads. I found these the most accurate in my and a family member's M4s, so I just keep stuffing them for a 'rainy day'. Bullet count this lot equaled 323 pieces. Sierra's policy is to always give a little extra, but still only charge for the number of pounds you request. Sweet deal that is walk-in only, no phone or net orders. I wt check each batch by random sample and find these within .2gr+ - and diameters perfect at 0.224 on my Mitutoyo caliper. Cost was a mear $28.17 w/tax...what would you pay for 3 boxes of the same bullet at your favorite supplier?

Anywho the decision is up to you, but I'm sure most of the guys that post here and elsewhere can tell you with a little experimentation, you can turn an "OKay" rifle into a shooter with the correct recipe. It's the search that compells many of us to load, load and load some more! IT's ADDICTING and in some cases more $$$ than just buying factory fodder Read up, decide and good luck with whatever you decide.