Reloading for Dummies?

[RogerOrange]

I want to get into reloading.
Starter kits are usually a waist of money, I want to start the right way.

Any recommendations for books or other learning materials?

[baranski]

Take an NRA course at your local club.

[stilly]

Modern reloading by Richard Lee or Lyman 49th or 50th edition.

Read at least ONE of them first, then decide what you want to reload, then you shop for equipment and consumables...

OR- Read at least ONE of those two books after you decide what you want to reload, then while you are reading, you can picture how your calibers will be reloaded as you are reading about the process. THEN you can maybe better decide on which equipment to get...

Reading the books is the easiest thing you can do to help insure you keep your fingers and can reload a long time.

Starter kits are sometimes a waste of money if the reloader does not have a plan or does not know what to get and buys duplicates of everything. I think the BEST kit I ever saw was an RCBS kit, but even though it had a decent book, good scale, single stage press, powder dropper, hand primers, and some other items, it ALSO included a LUBE pan and I think one more item which were not needed. BUT, nonetheless, it was a very good kit, too bad it did not have a Lee Classic Turret press with it. Oh well, nothing is perfect I guess...

[gixxnrocket]

I wouldn't necessarily say starter kits are a waste. After switching exclusively to progressive press over the past years I'm now going back to my single stage presses.

1. buy the lyman reloading book and read the first half 2x and see if this is really something you want to do. Factory ammo is cheap compared to the time you'll spend at the bench. (depending on how much you value your time.)

2. Think about what you plan on reloading. Pistol vs Rifle Plinking vs Precision. The equipment, work required, and patience levels vary depending on what you are trying to accomplish.

3. not required but recommended take a reloading class and make sure this hobby will not drive you insane. Some of us get a sick pleasure out of reclusing from the family for a few hours and doing repetitive tasks.

4. Make sure before you buy anything other than your first reloading manual you have space, a SOLID work bench and a place that you will not have any distractions.

5. Check out the stickies in this parent thread. There is lots of good equipment information. If you are looking to make precision ammo I'd recommend checking out TiborasaurusRex's channel on Youtube, specifically his "Sniper 101" playlist. He gives a thorough overview of internal and external ballistics. (as well as some reloading videos.) His reloading videos are not the greatest but understanding the ballistics will help you grasp the result of your work behind the press.

[RogerOrange]

Thanks for all your advice, at least I know what book to order.

My goal is to get precision ammo and save cost once the ammo ban goes into effect...

[liber]

There's are reloading classes that a group in Ventura holds.

Check this thread for more info:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...816190&page=18 (last page intentional)

I'm not sure if they charge for the reloading classes or not, but if so it would probably be worth the money, IMO. Your timing is good as it looks like they're trying to put something together now.

[elpaisa1]

Checkout ultimate reloader on YouTube

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

[Enfield47]

+1 on the Lyman reloading manual. A lot of people also like the ABCs of reloading too.

I went with the Lee classic cast turret kit and have been very satisfied. I reload pistol to 30-06 on it with out any issues. There are many great presses and kits to choose from but read up on reloading first and make sure it's right for you.

[God Bless America]

Thanks for all your advice, at least I know what book to order.

My goal is to get precision ammo and save cost once the ammo ban goes into effect...

Haha. Good one!

You won't save money. You will just shoot more.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[RogerOrange]

I hear you, one has to make a lot of ammo just to make up for the investment made in reloading equipment...

The math will change once we cant mail order ammo to our doorsteps...

[AGGRO]

Buy used, you will save a lot.

[Air]

Haha. Good one!

You won't save money. You will just shoot more.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Precisely. You will be spending the same, if not more. But you WILL shoot more. You will start thinking in terms of individual components instead of buying boxes or cases of factory ammo.

Give you an idea, I have bought exactly 3 boxes of factory ammunition in the last 10 years...roughly.

[Mayor McRifle]

I want to get into reloading.
Starter kits are usually a waist of money, I want to start the right way.

Any recommendations for books or other learning materials?

+1 on the Lyman reloading manual. A lot of people also like the ABCs of reloading too.

I agree that both of those books would be great, OP. But I would also recommend that you watch this DVD a few times: http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Accesso...ading-DVD.aspx

[BigBronco]

Thanks for all your advice, at least I know what book to order.

My goal is to get precision ammo and save cost once the ammo ban goes into effect...

Sounds like you will be loading for bottle necked rifle. If precision is your end goal a single stage is the way you want to go. Keep in mind for precision case prep is extremely important. As said earlier look to buy Second hand. You can throw a lot of $$$ down the rabbit hole of precision reloading.
For the most part you will need (for precision) several tools not found in any kit.

[sofbak]

+1 on the Lyman reloading manual. A lot of people also like the ABCs of reloading too.

I went with the Lee classic cast turret kit and have been very satisfied. I reload pistol to 30-06 on it with out any issues. There are many great presses and kits to choose from but read up on reloading first and make sure it's right for you.

Seems that I read in the Lee Manual or somewhere that the .30-06 cartridge was too long for the LCT-not enough deck height or stroke length. Did I dream that?

I use one for pistol cartridges, but have held off on the .30 bottle necks cuz I didn't want to add another press...... How are you doing .30-06 on an LCT?