Reloading Guide?

[DocD]

Is there a quick start guide on here or online to help me get started in reloading?

I am considering getting into reloading, like most, due to high cost of ammo. Is it tough and only for the diehards?

Thanks for any direction. I don't mind reading and studying. I just need a push in the right direction.

 

[Younggun]

Reloading is not difficult and definitely not "just for diehards".

Get a good reloading manual, Speer, Sierra, hornady, any will work. You will probably have a couple of them at least by the time your done.

Read through them, they will explain the process and reasons for doing thing. Might wanna read them a couple times before you start loading rounds.

Then ask any other questions you might have. Don't guess at things if your not sure.

Do you plan to load for rifle or pistol.

There are a lot of different presses out there and some are better than others. Loading for pistol on a single stage sucks and it's hard to get precision rifle rounds out of a progressive.

So, what are you planning to reload.


Also, primers are tough to find right now.

 

[DocD]

Pistol ammo would definitely be my first priority with the ability later to load rifle rounds. But initially I would be looking to concentrate on loading .40 and .45 rounds.

Thanks for the advice. I feel a little overwhelmed but I am very interested.

How much of an investment (roughly) am I looking at to get started on let's say being able to load those two calibers?

 

[Gramps]

Google and YouTube are your friends. Lots of basic info can be gleaned from a few videos. As YG noted, get at least two if not more reloading manuals, read them and read them again.

 

[Gramps]

Pistol ammo would definitely be my first priority with the ability later to load rifle rounds. But initially I would be looking to concentrate on loading .40 and .45 rounds.

Thanks for the advice. I feel a little overwhelmed but I am very interested.

How much of an investment (roughly) am I looking at to get started on let's say being able to load those two calibers?

Starting with the Lee Classic Turret kit from Midway, for me it was about $500 including dies, powder, primer, and bullets.

 

[Charlie]

The "best" way to get into reloading is to get a mentor you can trust and have that person lead you through the steps. Manuals are great and the internet is also good, but....................remember, it's the internet. I will not use any data except from a manual or a powder manufacturer. Stick to the basics and find an experienced friend.

I recommend new "hand loaders" get a single stage (or maybe a turret) press. Move on to a progressive at a later time. With that said, I one knew they would only be loading for handguns or shotguns and many, many, rounds (competition, etc.), a progressive would make more sense initially. I've loaded thousands of rounds with a single stage press over the years.

 

[DocD]

Ahhh great advice by everyone. I do appreciate it. I do have one friend who is into reloading and I can definitely read. I'm assuming these manuals can be found on Amazon or wherever. Thanks!

 

[Vaquero]

The "best" way to get into reloading is to get a mentor you can trust and have that person lead you through the steps. Manuals are great and the internet is also good, but....................remember, it's the internet. I will not use any data except from a manual or a powder manufacturer. Stick to the basics and find an experienced friend.

Yep.. where are you?

 

[Charlie]

Ahhh great advice by everyone. I do appreciate it. I do have one friend who is into reloading and I can definitely read. I'm assuming these manuals can be found on Amazon or wherever. Thanks!

Bookstore, net, manufacturers, reloading suppliers (Natchezz, Midway, Graf's, etc.)

 

[Army 1911]

I think the NRA has classes on reloading and some stores do as well.
ABCs of modern reloading is a good book
Lyman's reloading manual is a good start as well.

Some folks will say start with a single stage press other a turret. I say start with what you will end up with eventually, which is a progressive of some sort. Buy once, cry once.

Besides press and dies you will need
a caliper either digital or dial
Scale, either digital or beam analog (the beam is best for everything because it is not affected by low batteries, flourescent lights etc.
boxes for ammo
a tumbler and separator for cleaning brass
Brass cleaner/polish
cleaning media corn cob/lizard litter
a sturdy bench larger than what you think you need
manuals
powder
primers
brass
safety glasses
Good light at the press.

That should get you started. You can get el cheapo digital calipers almost anywhere or you can go to pawn shops and find high end calipers for less than half retail. I paid $40 for a dial Browne and Sharpe set. Retails over $100 at the time.

 

[Younggun]

How much do you have to invest?

My goal was cheap ammo at a descent pace so I got a lee pro 1000 progressive.

Not as smooth as a Dillan or Hornady but it paid for itself very quickly and I've been pleased with its performance.

I would say get the best equipment your budget can handle but don't stress to much if you don't have the cash for an $800 press.

A turret can load pistol rounds at a moderate pace and can still turn out some descent quality rifle rounds.

Decide exactly what you want out of it before you buy.

 

[Younggun]

I think the NRA has classes on reloading and some stores do as well.
ABCs of modern reloading is a good book
Lyman's reloading manual is a good start as well.

Some folks will say start with a single stage press other a turret. I say start with what you will end up with eventually, which is a progressive of some sort. Buy once, cry once.

Besides press and dies you will need
a caliper either digital or dial
Scale, either digital or beam analog (the beam is best for everything because it is not affected by low batteries, flourescent lights etc.
boxes for ammo
a tumbler and separator for cleaning brass
Brass cleaner/polish
cleaning media corn cob/lizard litter
a sturdy bench larger than what you think you need
manuals
powder
primers
brass
safety glasses
Good light at the press.

That should get you started. You can get el cheapo digital calipers almost anywhere or you can go to pawn shops and find high end calipers for less than half retail. I paid $40 for a dial Browne and Sharpe set. Retails over $100 at the time.

Add a bullet puller to the list also. I prefer the kinetic kind that look like a hammer. You will screw one up from time to time.

 

[Charlie]

Remember the saying.............. "You want it fast, cheap, or done right?" Pick any two (and only two).

 

[Paul5388]

I would suggest a mentor. That way you get one on one instruction, you'll get hands on experience and you'll get to use equipment that will allow you to make a better choice on your purchase.

I have a single stage, a turret and a progressive, but I use the turret the most. It's a good compromise for speed and still allows better control over the whole process.

 

[GeePee]

RCBS has a wealth of information on their website.

 

[DocD]

RCBS has a wealth of information on their website.

Ahhh, good resource. Thanks.

 

[darstcreek]

First thing Buy a copy of the ABCs of reloading (rifle and pistol) unless you are reloading shotgun .. Read it then read it again any press , lyman , rcbs , pacific, texan , redding , lee , any dies will do you good , thing to think about single stage or progessive , powder drop or wiegh each load ect . i have been loading since 83 , good luck ,,,, used is as good as new ...

 

[Army 1911]

First thing Buy a copy of the ABCs of reloading (rifle and pistol) unless you are reloading shotgun .. Read it then read it again any press , lyman , rcbs , pacific, texan , redding , lee , any dies will do you good , thing to think about single stage or progessive , powder drop or wiegh each load ect . i have been loading since 83 , good luck ,,,, used is as good as new ...

Does Texan still make presses? I had a Texan turret press in the 60s and really liked it.

 

[Army 1911]

First thing Buy a copy of the ABCs of reloading (rifle and pistol) unless you are reloading shotgun .. Read it then read it again any press , lyman , rcbs , pacific, texan , redding , lee , any dies will do you good , thing to think about single stage or progessive , powder drop or wiegh each load ect . i have been loading since 83 , good luck ,,,, used is as good as new ...

I would love to find a mint Texan 7 station press. Had one in the 60s. They are tank strong. List price with auto primer feed was $94.50. I got mine through a distributor who repped them, Zebco, and about 30 other outdoor related companies. Paid him $65.00 for it.

 

[Paul5388]

From what I remember, the Texan was made in the Dallas area, but has been out of business for years and no one bought them out.