New guy to get into reloading

[fly boy]

I have wanted to do this for some time now, but need a mentor. I have a buddy that is willing to help, but I need to start getting all the equipment.

My question to you is....

Is there something ALL reloaders can agree on for equipment? I know there is a lot of personal preferance with it, but is there something that everyone has that is the same, or relatively similar? Brand of equipment, books, etc.?

Secondly... can I get away with everything I need to reload for $300 or less?

Thanks

**EDIT**

The $300 was just tools... Dies, press, scale, calipers etc. Did not include actual bullet parts for build
Single reloader - best bang for the buck?


I will be maily using it to reload hunting rounds and some recreational rounds for .308, 7mm, 6.8 SPC II. I will eventually get into reloading .45, but I want to start with long range expensive rounds first. $45 a box of 20 rounds is starting to get rediculous!

I was just looking for a specific brand of Calipers, or scales that people use. Or a brass tumbler/cleaner that everyone enjoys.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Read the abc of reloading before purchasing a thing.

[fly boy]

Read the abc of reloading before purchasing a thing.


That is the 1 advice I have gotten from every single person... READ, READ, READ!!! I have been reading basic stuff from a few different sources, I know about the ballistic coaficience and things like that... Now I am going to start getting into the science of it, and put it all to work. That's why I was curious about equipment... Like is a Chronograph truely a NEEDED tool?

[Great-Kazoo]

Besides the books i would suggest you acquire primers, bullets, & powder (components) before you buy a press. Unless you have a place to get say 3-5K minimum components you might be out of luck. You think loaded ammo is hard to find (in qty) reloading items are a very close second.

[4gunfun]

If you are talking about getting all the reloading tools and all the reloading supplies (primers, powder,bullets and brass) for $300 here is the list.
1 lb of powder $25-$30
say 300 primers $15
few pieces of brass $50
Bullets cheap (lead) $50
dies $35
bullet puller $20
calipers $30
cheap Lee challenger reloading kit $130
$365 To get started loading one caliber. If u have the brass Maybe $300 ish on the very cheap

[XC700116]

It can be done on the cheap, but there's something to be said for "buy once, cry once" especially when concerning your press and scale. Personally I wouldn't considder starting up without having about $700 that I'm ready to spend on the basic tools. It all depends on what you are looking for out of your reloading. Accuracy, and if so to what degree, just saving money on plinking ammo, etc. Those things need to be identified before you buy your equipment, then buy the equipment to match the target reasons for reloading.

[Zombie Steve]

The reason people are telling you to read, read, read is because the software is more important than the hardware. You can make good ammo on the cheapest press, but if you don't know what you're doing, a Dillon 1050 isn't going to help you.

So... on to the hardware - what are you shooting? Are you the kinda guy that shoots 30,000 rounds of 9mm a year in competition and not much else, or are you spread out over a dozen calibers and shoot 250 each a year?

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with a RCBS Rockchucker. Learn on that, and even though you might move up to a turret or progressive later on, you'll still always have a use for a single stage press. I'd say if you're tooling up budget is $300, you are most likely going to be let down and not enjoy your new hobby very much. It doesn't take much in savings to break even on your gear. Even if it's a year out, the rest of your life is gravy.

[Cthulhu]

Dillion.

[Great-Kazoo]

If you are talking about getting all the reloading tools and all the reloading supplies (primers, powder,bullets and brass) for $300 here is the list.
1 lb of powder $25-$30
say 300 primers $15
few pieces of brass $50
Bullets cheap (lead) $50
dies $35
bullet puller $20
calipers $30
cheap Lee challenger reloading kit $130
$365 To get started loading one caliber. If u have the brass Maybe $300 ish on the very cheap

Maybe before. Now 300 primers for $15. not happening. If you find them in 100ct most likely it's wally world. Their shelves wiped so clean, 3 aisles away are spotless.
Brass he should have, if picked up after shooting. Bullets again unless a local source has them on hand, most if not all on line vendors are OOS.
While the ideas are good, the components are gone. Single stage on CL can be had with dies for under $200. Just a matter o fpatience. BUT be prepared to jump on a good deal, as it will be gone before you decide to buy it.
Here's a good deal.
http://denver.craigslist.org/spo/3564938629.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/spo/3576128870.html

[dwalker460]

Sportsmans will often have that Lee Challenger kit for $139.00, no need to buy from that guy selling for $180.

Primers are the toughest bit, but Bass Pro will have them out by the 100 once or twice a week, although s of yesterday they were totally empty. They might be keeping them behind the counter now though.
Sportsmans has primers usually behind the counter, you have to ask for them, and they only come in boxes of 1000.

Powder is still somewhat available.

Projectiles, even for hunting or odd calibers, are not always in stock. I have been buying in bulk from online sources when they come availble and smallest quantity I have gotten is 500

Dies are hard right now if you are wanting to load 9mm, 223, or 45acp. I have been seeing 45 more often, and Sprotsmans did have 3 sets of 9mm dies in stock last time I was there, but those things disappear amazingly quickly. Expect to pay at least $45 plus tax if you can find them.

If you want to start reloading, try and find someone with the equipment that might show you how and let you use it on a weekend or something and start finding components. Then buy equipment as it comes available.

DO NOT go out and spend a ton of money on something you are trying out, especially in this market.

[TRnCO]

Like is a Chronograph truely a NEEDED tool? No, UNLESS you're planning on finding the very edge of the upper pressure limits of the round/s that you're loading for or planning on loading for long range shooting where you will need to know the fps to figure out bullet drop on charts.
If you load for accuracy and stay well within published lower and upper limits of powder for each given load, you don't really need a chorny.

[ray1970]

A chronograph is also useful for determining which load yields the least deviation in velocity which should yield the the best accuracy. Not a necessary tool but a handy tool to have at times.

[fly boy]

Sorry all for the obvious lack of miss info. I have updated my first post with some more general info.

[Zombie Steve]

Read your edit... I'm back to the Rockchucker kit. $319. You'll still need die sets, calipers and consumables.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/646599/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-single-stage-press-master-kit

I started with this kit and still use all of it except for the powder measure (wound up buying an electronic dispenser).

Despite popular opinion, loading on a single stage won't kill you. As I said before, you might get a progressive later for pistol rounds if you're doing a good amount of volume, but I will always load precision rifle and hunting loads on a single stage. It won't take any time at all to build up a stash of handloads.

[fly boy]

Should I consider digital equipment such as Dig. Calipers and scale?

[ray1970]

Should I consider digital equipment such as Dig. Calipers and scale?

The digital stuff is nice but I'm smart enough to use the old manual stuff just fine. I do have an electronic scale though and really like the simplicity of use.

[Zombie Steve]

A $30 set of dial calipers will serve you just fine. There are nice digital calipers, but not in that price range.

And as far as a chronograph goes, I'll stop just short of calling it absolutely necessary. It will very much help your understanding of what's happening with your loads, but you don't necessarily need one. I went for about a year without and did just fine. When I got one, some loads were doing what I thought, others were quite a bit off from where I thought I was.

[Hoser]

Should I consider digital equipment such as Dig. Calipers and scale?

Digital calipers are nice, but not mandatory.

I use beam scales more than digital.

A good Chrono will help down the road, but not mandatory for a new reloader. Invest in good equipment elsewhere with those $$$.

[Great-Kazoo]

Sorry all for the obvious lack of miss info. I have updated my first post with some more general info.

Having more info for what you want, a single stage will do just fine. Some stuff i do on a single stage, others 1 pull= 1 round.

[fly boy]

I have a nice pair of Calipers right now and actually know how to read them [Abused] I work with both digital and non digital tools, but didn't know how accurate you have to be with reloading.... we have to be withen .001 with measurements. So I was more concerned with a digital scale.

Also, I think for right now, a single reloader would work.

So the new edit: Single reloader - best bang for the buck?

[sellersm]

Nothing wrong with the Lee Cast single stage press. Look around your area for a used Rockchucker or something similar, might be available and save some $$$ (not guaranteed though, in this craziness). If you look at the Lee, be sure it's the Cast model, not the cheaper aluminum one.

I might even suggest a Lee Classic Cast turret, but it's more $$. Kempf's gun shop (online) has a nice kit for sale that includes most things you need to start.

[Lurch]

Nothing wrong with the Lee Cast single stage press. Look around your area for a used Rockchucker or something similar, might be available and save some $$$ (not guaranteed though, in this craziness). If you look at the Lee, be sure it's the Cast model, not the cheaper aluminum one.

I might even suggest a Lee Classic Cast turret, but it's more $$. Kempf's gun shop (online) has a nice kit for sale that includes most things you need to start.

I picked up a Lee Turret couldn't be happier.

[NightCat]

I'm glad someone else posted this because I've been considering it as well, researching and reading and surprisingly YouTube has a lot of great info...the Guy's name is Neutered10mm I think...awesome video's on reloading.

I'm also at the same point of trying to find exactly what equipment I want to buy....as in the car world, we say, Buy Nice or Buy Twice.

Just trying to find out exactly how nice I need...I'm personally looking into a Hornady Lock'N'Load Progressive Press, but for ease of expense I'll most likely purchase a single stage.

[ray1970]

I have some good info for you but I will have to post once I get home tonight. Posting from my phone sucks.

[NightCat]

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD00CAD0A73E18B66

[Hoser]

Just trying to find out exactly how nice I need...I'm personally looking into a Hornady Lock'N'Load Progressive Press, but for ease of expense I'll most likely purchase a single stage.

Get a good solid single stage like a RCBS Rockchucker or Redding Big Boss. When you decide to get a progressive, get a Dillon.

[vossman]

Hoser nailed it.

[XC700116]

Again, I agree with Hoser on this, personally for single stage I like the forster Co-ax, it's a spendy single stage though. The die swapping is much nicer on it and it offers a bit more leverage than the others with the same effort at the handle, but also requires that you use forster die lock rings although the ones that come with Hornady dies will work fine in it as well. Either of the others he mentioned are rock solid units as well.

Here's a link to it. http://www.forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=24822&catid=19938

Cabela's sells it for $289.99

Also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFRG0GnviCs

[Hoser]

for single stage I like the forster Co-ax, it's a spendy single stage though.

Excellent choice. I put mine on a Dillon strong mount.

http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac105/puebloshooter/Reloading%20Stuff/DSC03285.jpg

[Zombie Steve]

Co-ax is a nifty press. Takes a little getting used to the handle in the center, but if you haven't reloaded before....


I really like it with the short handle that's sold aftermarket.

[XC700116]

Excellent choice. I put mine on a Dillon strong mount.



I need to do that with mine, I've currently got it bolted to an old table in my office, but the table is going to be too small when my new Dillon 650 comes in. So I'm looking for a used countertop and cabinets, to build a new "loading bench" across the long wall of the room. Somewhat similar to your setup on a MUCH smaller and less awesome scale :D

[XC700116]

Co-ax is a nifty press. Takes a little getting used to the handle in the center, but if you haven't reloaded before....


I really like it with the short handle that's sold aftermarket.


Yeah, the shorter handle is nice when you're not running FL sizing on big cases. I made my own from a scrap piece of tubing I had in the garage.

[Great-Kazoo]

I need to do that with mine, I've currently got it bolted to an old table in my office, but the table is going to be too small when my new Dillon 650 comes in. So I'm looking for a used countertop and cabinets, to build a new "loading bench" across the long wall of the room. Somewhat similar to your setup on a MUCH smaller and less awesome scale :D

You get that from Elk Bomb? I'm 5 weeks out on another 550;(

[XC700116]

You get that from Elk Bomb? I'm 5 weeks out on another 550;(

Yeah, I had Doug order it a week and a half ago, 5-6 weeks left from what I can tell. Doug said they told him 4-6 but I'm not holding my breath, they've even posted 6-8 on the website now.

[USAFGopherMike]

I've been doing some homework on reloading. Mostly .40, but eventually I'd like to be able to load some rifle rounds. I watched a few vids on youtube and progressive seems to be the way to go. Love that 550b, just have to find one that won't break the bank.

[Great-Kazoo]

I've been doing some homework on reloading. Mostly .40, but eventually I'd like to be able to load some rifle rounds. I watched a few vids on youtube and progressive seems to be the way to go. Love that 550b, just have to find one that won't break the bank.

If you start saving today, by the time any dillon becomes available, you should have the cash on hand. I'd concentrate more on components than a machine at this time. W/out the components you might as well own a gun with No Ammo. Everyone has an opinion regarding what powder for what round. Go to these web sites to see load data. This way IF you come across powder (1lb or 8lb keg) you can grab it. Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
Just a start, Plus they also have LD for handgun. here are a few links.

http://hodgdon.com/ (hogdon, IMR & Winchester powders)
http://www.ramshot.com/load-data/
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/
http://www.alliantpowder.com/

[XC700116]

I'd have to agree with Jim on that, if you buy components as you find them, you won't lose any $$ on them, especially if un-opened, you can always sell them for what you paid as long as you buy wisely. For price comparison, you can look at Powder Valley's website to get a general feel of a realistically good price on stuff.