Looking to get started in reloading - advice?

[WVBob]

As has been said before, get a book and read about what you need. RCBS makes a nice starter kit. Lee has a nice starter kit. All the books are good. I like Lyman because it has information on cast bullets.

Ask before you get a lot of things you think you need because you don't need a lot of them and you do need things you don't think about.

Loading blocks
deburring tool
Primer pocket cleaner
tumbler (corn or walnut, the big question)
case lube (I like wax)
Carbide sizer (YES)
Taper crimp or factory crimp
D press, C press.

All of this will come up before you start.

[BearTitan]

I have not been reloading long enough to tell you what you should do, so I'll just tell you what I did. First, I identified my need: large quantities (12K/year) of high quality pistol ammo in 9MM and .40 S&W. I borrowed some of the books, previously mentioned, from a friend and read them cover to cover. I talked with some of the guys that I know who reload and asked them their opinions. Then I compared the prices and features of the Dillon, Hornady, RCBS, and Lee presses. I purchased a Lee Loadmaster progressive press from Natchez for $200, including dies, added a crimp and post-size die, bought powder and primers, and have loaded 3,000 rounds in the last three months. Other than the occasional primer jamming the press or going into the case sideways, I have no copmplaints about my Loadmaster.

Good luck with your decision.

[00juice]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but i'm also looking to get into reloading. I will be reloading mostly .223 for my AR, and would like to reload atleast 1000 at a time. I may also do the occassional 30-06 for the garand and 9mm. Can anyone suggest a unit, and a place to pick one up at a good price. Thanks
00juice

[idpasharpshooter]

Originally Posted by 00juice

Sorry to hijack this thread, but i'm also looking to get into reloading. I will be reloading mostly .223 for my AR, and would like to reload atleast 1000 at a time. I may also do the occassional 30-06 for the garand and 9mm. Can anyone suggest a unit, and a place to pick one up at a good price. Thanks
00juice

i like the lee load master for the price you cant beat it i use it for 9mm and 38 spl primarily but it will do 223 fairly well i wouldn't recommend it for the 06 though

[G10mm]

Originally Posted by 00juice

Sorry to hijack this thread, but i'm also looking to get into reloading. I will be reloading mostly .223 for my AR, and would like to reload atleast 1000 at a time. I may also do the occassional 30-06 for the garand and 9mm. Can anyone suggest a unit, and a place to pick one up at a good price. Thanks
00juice

Dillon 650 will or the 550 will do the job for you . You can load 223 9mm and 30-06 with ether press . The 650 will do it faster then 550 will . But that will depond on your wallet in what you deside on .If you going too use Military brass you will need a swaging tool to get rid of the military primer crimp be for you load it .

[WVBob]

Start off with a Single Stage press kit. www.midwayusa.com has them. Lee or RCBS are good. With the kit you can get all the things you need to go with the press. Once you get into it, get the progressive reloader.

[heelerman]

Greetings all. From "The beautiful land of entrapment" New Mexico.
I am a long time shotshell reloader but green as wood on center fire.
I am going to but a Lee classic Turret loader. The reasons are threefold.
1, I have used a 20 ga loadall for years and after thousands of rounds it still works.
2, We just require utility grade ammunition here, 400yds is a long shot.
3, its simple and cheap
My question is , what do I need to buy along with it? Im told the Lee scale is not the best.
Do I need a powder scale and trickler.
I am trying to keep it as simple as possible. I am loading rifle and pistol.
Thanks

[WVBob]

Get the RCBS 5-0-5 scale. It's a good mid range scale. You will need some way to get the powder to the case. Lee makes one and RCBS has a large one that you can use for rifle and pistol. Have fun but be safe.

[JoeWilliams]

Originally Posted by heelerman

Greetings all. From "The beautiful land of entrapment" New Mexico.
I am a long time shotshell reloader but green as wood on center fire.
I am going to but a Lee classic Turret loader. The reasons are threefold.
1, I have used a 20 ga loadall for years and after thousands of rounds it still works.
2, We just require utility grade ammunition here, 400yds is a long shot.
3, its simple and cheap
My question is , what do I need to buy along with it? Im told the Lee scale is not the best.
Do I need a powder scale and trickler.
I am trying to keep it as simple as possible. I am loading rifle and pistol.
Thanks

You will need a scale. Lee's scale works fine for me, but I've got a "budget" setup. Can't comment on whether spending more gets you appreciably better quality. You can live without a powder trickler, but for truly precise loads you'll need one. A powder measure will make things go a lot quicker, and I'm glad to have my $20 Lee Perfect Powder Measure, but even simpler and cheaper is a set of Lee's powder dippers to go along with your scales and a trickler.