new guy to reloading

[TheVarmintEliminator]

im new to reloading and was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction in terms of what equipment i need to buy and all of that good stuff... thanks in advance

[theGinsue]

Before you get into reloading, realize that the investment required for the equipment will negate any savings over purchasing factory ammunition; at least in the short term. If you are getting into reloading to save money, reconsider your decision.

For equipment - first off, you need a couple of Reloading Manuals from reputable sources (I use 6 different manuals). Start off with a general manual such as Lymans. This can tell you the in’s & out’s of reloading. The second manual should be from the manufacturer of the propellent you intend to use. They’ve already done the work to determine the minimum and maximum powder loads you should use. NEVER go below or above the min and max loads listed unless you really know what you are doing. I personally NEVER go outside of these limits.

Per the Lyman 47th Edition Reloading Handbook, there are two lists of items. The first list is the essential items. The second list is the useful and effective additional items. Many who have been reloading for some time will tell you that a few of the items on the essential list are optional and that some of the items on the useful list are essential. I use all of the items from both lists. There are many manufacturers of reloading equipment/dies such as RCBS, Lee, Dillon, Redding. Everyne has a favorite. I like RCBS.

Here are the lists from Lymans 47th Edit.:
Essential Items

Primary data and instructional source (reloading manual)
Secondary data referenc (often from propellant manufacturer)
Reloading press
Shell holder (specific to your caliber)
Reloading die set (for handgun loads, use carbide dies)
Case neck brush
Case lubricant (not required when using a carbide die)
Case lubricant pad
Priming unit
Priming tray
Powder scale (graduated in grains avoirdupois)
Powder trickler
Powder funnel (aluminum funnels don’t have issues with static)
Two loading blocks
Dial indicating caliper (graduated in 0.001” increments..I prefer digital)
Case trimmer with pilot
Deburring tool
Cartridge headspace and length guage
Chamber headspace guageUseful and Effective Items

Powder measure and stand
Primer pocket cleaner
Case cleaning equipment
Primer catcher
Scale weight check set (should come with your scale)
Bullet puller
Remote priming
Turret press
Progressive press
Stuck case remover (if you didn’t lube the case well enough, you WILL need this)
Case neck turning equipment
Flash hole uniformer
Primer pocket reamer/uniformer

[sniper7]

First off welcome to the board!

It depends on a lot of things. Do you want to spend a lot of money at first or a little? Do you want to load a sit ton of ammo or not so much. What kind of shooting do you do? competition, just for fun, a little of both? How much do you shoot per year?

If you want to load a ton and you are going to shoot a lot each year or you really want to build a massive surplus of your own reloads at home then go for a progressive press. A lot of people say go blue...at in Dillon. Very highly recommended by a lot of people. This is the more costly way initially but with bulk reloading and supplies and years of reloading it makes up for it.

If you are just reloading for fun and not shooting a lot but want to save plenty of money over time, get a single stage press. you can be into a whole kit for about $100 without dies with the Lee press. I have one of these and love it. You take your time, each load is done right, you watch every step and things going more or less really smooth. This is the cheaper way to do things.

Some guys say stay away from Lee dies, some guys love them...myself included. I only have Lee dies and reload 4 different calibers at the moment. They do an exception job, easy to read instructions, good customer service and overall a good quality product and just so happen to be the cheapest of them all commerically available.

Then there is Hornady, RCBS and Dillon that can be found and they are more expensive but you also only buy dies once so it is your call.

Powder, primers, bullets are all kinda hard to find right now but you can develop your stash over time. Buy in bulk and make a big order if ordering online to maximize your savings. Ask others if they want to order with you to save on Hazmat, shipping etc.

Think about how much you might shoot and buy a big bulk order of bullets primers powder and save yourself the hassles later on. if you don't have the cash then just build it up over time and save for a big order, or visit sportsmans warehouse or gander mountain to pick up stuff as needed.

Buy yourself a book and read it, learn how to reload and the precautions to take, how to develop a load for YOUR gun, not take a load that works for somebody else and expect the same results.

Take your time, work your way into it and make sure you think safety first and you will enjoy it, maybe even more than the shooting itself.

[gnihcraes]

Funny - reading that, I'm missing a lot of equipment! Maybe I'm doing something wrong? (joking)

[GunTroll]

Just go Black powder! Equipment is minimal. Smokeless is a fad anyways! No, no, All above info is outstanding and should beneficial. Be safe and follow guidelines to the "T". Don't go making a powder gumbo.

[TheVarmintEliminator]

Wow guys thanks for all the info it really helped. but i think i have decided on either the RCBS RC Supreme Master Reloading Kit or the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Reloading Kit. it seems like its would be allot cheaper to get a kit but im having problems deciding on which one would do the best job for me.

[gnihcraes]

If you decide on the Lee equipment, get the Classic Cast, I think that is what it's called. I never did really like my challenger - aluminum and steel parts didn't work well together. Never did seem very smooth to me.

Kc

[GunTroll]

I like my RCBS but since I have bought the same kit you are thinking of all my accesories have been from Redding. I like the Redding dies better than RCBS and Hornady. Never know untill once you buy and try.

[theGinsue]

Just so you are aware, online is probably your best bet for picking up supplies these days. I went looking for a 9mm carbide die set today - no such luck. I have one local place left to check out before I go the online route. It seems like the ammo crunch has spurred a lot of folks int othe reloading frame of mind.

[gnihcraes]

You are correct. I myself was reloading 10 years ago, but got out due to prices being cheap on ammo and I didn't like my Lee equipment. Got back in recently with a used RCBS rock chucker and love it, much better quality. Midway is an extremely fast ship to colorado - ordered some dies from them a little while ago and they arrived in 2 days I think. (basic shipping)

kc.

[SigsRule]

I started reloading 39 years ago because I was a poor 2nd Lt. After a move to Highlands Ranch a few years ago, I haven't bothered to get back into it and started buying ammo in bulk. Recently ammo prices have me stockpiling brass again and I'll probably start reloading again shortly.

I started with a Lee loader then graduated to a RCBS Rockchucker which satisfied me for about 30 plus years. Then I got the bug for a progressive and now have a Dillon YL. Even with the Dillon, I've found it useful to have the RCBS.