Thinking about starting to reload

[toro1]

I am thinking about starting to reload and would start with 30-40 Krag, then move to 30-06 and 45ACP. Would this be a good start with for my purposes?

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B008M5TSCG

I am still not sure I understand the end to end processcompletely but it looks like I would need to buy a tumbler and the dies in addition to the kit that is on amazon. I have some more questions;
In looking at the kit, it looks like it has a volumetric measurement system, but also has a scale. Are both needed?
Are there any deficiencies in this kit specific to the calibers I am planning to load for.
Is there a better starter kit that I should consider for the calibers I am considering.

I am planning to educate my self further before buying anything, but this kit looked like a good place to start the discussion.

TIA for any insight.

[Citadelgrad87]

The first advice youre going to get is buy and read a reloading manual. They are very informative.

Yes, if youre going to use a non electronic powder dispenser, you need a volumetric poweder drop and a scale to check the drops accuracy.

Kits are good for some, others will tell you youre going to spend more because you wont like everything in the kit. There are stickies listinng good starting equipment.

[6.5Grendelfan]

I would recommend starting with the .45. Straight walled cases are easier to get started.

[gixxnrocket]

+1 to what 6.5 said, tackle the .45acp first.

There is more case and prep work when reloading rifle cartridges. Additionally, there is more equipment if you plan on trimming, maintaining concentricity or annealing.

[Divernhunter]

Get the Lyman #49 or 50 reloading manual and read it. It will answer most of your questions. Actually more like all the questions people have and come here to ask when they start.

Unless you have a bunch of 30-40 brass you will need to start with a different cartridge. The brass is a bit hard to find. Pistol is easier for some but you can start with rifle loading. Just keep it basic at first. Too many try to over think it and do the more intensive reloading at first. Your ammo will shoot just fine without doing the more extensive procedures.
Yes you need the scale. The powder measure is a good start also.
The RCBS kits are very good. Lee kits and products work and are lesser quality. Your money and your choice.
Use RCBS SPRAY lube and not a pad type for your rifle brass.
A vibrator type case cleaner and separator are good to have.

You do not state where you are located but if near me you are welcome to come over and I can show you how to load and some tips/tricks. If you want to talk PM me I have been reloading for many years and have several single stage presses and one Dillon 650.

Good luck and remember you will never save a cent reloading. You will just shoot more. It is a great hobby to go along with shooting/hunting.

[bubbala]

yes take out the book and only the book and read the first part, then read it again. you can teach yourself but the process will go much faster and SAFER with some guidance.
b.t.w. i actually prefer the primer on that press to hand primers,although a little fussy to set up.

[kcheung2]

I am thinking about starting to reload and would start with 30-40 Krag, then move to 30-06 and 45ACP. Would this be a good start with for my purposes?

...snip...

I am still not sure I understand the end to end processcompletely but it looks like I would need to buy a tumbler and the dies in addition to the kit that is on amazon. I have some more questions;
In looking at the kit, it looks like it has a volumetric measurement system, but also has a scale. Are both needed?
Are there any deficiencies in this kit specific to the calibers I am planning to load for.
Is there a better starter kit that I should consider for the calibers I am considering.

I am planning to educate my self further before buying anything, but this kit looked like a good place to start the discussion.

TIA for any insight.

YES! You get it! Most people start out planning to load 9mm or 223 because it's what they shoot the most but your decision makes more sense. Load the rarer, more expensive calibers first. Reloading rare calibers can drop the price by half, but only a few cents for 9mm.

I'll be the contrarian & say it's perfectly fine to start with 30-40 Krag. You'll have to buy new brass because you won't find spent cases on the range. That will eliminate most of the trimming/annealing/case prep mentioned. Just clean (optional), size, & load according to the manual. The suggestion to buy some reloading manuals is always a good one.

I started with 8mm Mauser, and then moved to 308, 30-06 etc and then eventually on to pistol calibers. I still find rifle cartridges easier to reload than pistol. I do agree that extensive case prep isn't always necessary, especially trimming and certainly annealing. The fact is that military chambers are pretty generous, so slightly longer-than-spec brass will still fit. I don't know anyone with an annealing machine & I doubt many reloaders here do either. All it does is extend case life a bit, but for my needs the cases I load can either be found on the ground or I can buy it from Marketplace sellers. When my brass starts to need extensive trimming, I'd rather toss it & start anew.

I started with a RCBS single stage kit but I don't see anything wrong with the Lee turret kit you linked. It's possible to buy everything a la carte, but I preferred a kit when I started because I didn't know all the little tools I would need. If you do a lot of reading & are methodical, it's very possible to end up with your own "kit" with better tools. Yes you'll still need to buy dies & shell holders for the specific calibers you plan to load. And count on buying other tools down the road.

[milotrain]

.30-40 Krag is very satisfying to reload because the rifles that ran it use oversized chambers typically, but you'll need to find brass. It's going pretty hot on gunbroker right now, but even at about $1.50 a case it's likely worth it.

[toro1]

Thanks to all for the input so far and the comments already make me realize there are many things I need to understand. As with most things knowledge up front is best and the reason I started with asking about the kits is they usually come with a book. My thought was (and perhaps it was wrong) if I could find the right kit I would be able to get the book with it and then educate myself before trying anything. The feedback so far sounds like get the book first and then if you buy a kit you'll have 2 books which is probably OK. Another thing I am considering is taking a class. I think there used to be some classes in the Ventura area so I'll see if they are done anymore.

As for the reason I would like to start with the 30-40, it is not only expensive, but also tough to find as it is made seasonally. I have ~40 spent cases from shooting and another ~200 new rounds and if I can just reuse my existing cases I should be good for a while. In the past when I have done the cost trade off on the other calibers I shoot, I just never saw the payback in those calibers. If I start with the 30-40, the equipment cost can easily be justified and then the other cals would make more sense.

It sounds like starting with a straight case round might be a good first step so maybe I should plan on the 45ACP first although I also have 30 carbine I could start with. I have ~500 once fired cases of each so I could start with either.

Divernhunter,
I am well south of you so cannot take you up on your offer, but appreciate you making it.

[silaic7]

same here... just started reloading.

one piece of advice... do not rush.

A good old friend of mine gave me his Dillon XL650 and I jumped on it right away as soon as I have all the components ready. I thought as soon as I have all the brass, powder and bullets I can reload right away. But it's not!
You should learn all the functions and mechanics of each stages. Clean your brass the right way... etc. I started with . 45acp and did not know that the brass I bought online has SMALL PISTOL primer and I'm trying to load LARGE pistol primer knowing that .45acp uses LARGE pistol primer. I ended up with tons of jamming, primer not seating, powder spilled all over the place. Primers everywhere. All measurements incorrect. I spent all day reloading only 20 bullets :-( ... Got tired and stopped doing it. Know how to measure correctly. Read the book. Watch youtube. If you can attend a class much better.

[rm1911]

YES! You get it! Most people start out planning to load 9mm or 223 because it's what they shoot the most but your decision makes more sense. Load the rarer, more expensive calibers first. Reloading rare calibers can drop the price by half, but only a few cents for 9mm.



I'll be the contrarian & say it's perfectly fine to start with 30-40 Krag. You'll have to buy new brass because you won't find spent cases on the range. That will eliminate most of the trimming/annealing/case prep mentioned. Just clean (optional), size, & load according to the manual. The suggestion to buy some reloading manuals is always a good one.



I started with 8mm Mauser, and then moved to 308, 30-06 etc and then eventually on to pistol calibers. I still find rifle cartridges easier to reload than pistol. I do agree that extensive case prep isn't always necessary, especially trimming and certainly annealing. The fact is that military chambers are pretty generous, so slightly longer-than-spec brass will still fit. I don't know anyone with an annealing machine & I doubt many reloaders here do either. All it does is extend case life a bit, but for my needs the cases I load can either be found on the ground or I can buy it from Marketplace sellers. When my brass starts to need extensive trimming, I'd rather toss it & start anew.



I started with a RCBS single stage kit but I don't see anything wrong with the Lee turret kit you linked. It's possible to buy everything a la carte, but I preferred a kit when I started because I didn't know all the little tools I would need. If you do a lot of reading & are methodical, it's very possible to end up with your own "kit" with better tools. Yes you'll still need to buy dies & shell holders for the specific calibers you plan to load. And count on buying other tools down the road.

Starting with 30-40 is perfectly fine. In fact it might be the only way to shoot it. And I'd recommend trail boss. Make shooting that thing super fun.

However new brass will need trimming and other prep. Annealing? Eh, probably not. And if you keep loads light, either with trail boss or a 6-7gr charge of bullseye or unique and a cast bullet, brass will last many trigger squeezes.

[stilly]

I am thinking about starting to reload and would start with 30-40 Krag, then move to 30-06 and 45ACP. Would this be a good start with for my purposes?

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B008M5TSCG

I am still not sure I understand the end to end processcompletely but it looks like I would need to buy a tumbler and the dies in addition to the kit that is on amazon. I have some more questions;
In looking at the kit, it looks like it has a volumetric measurement system, but also has a scale. Are both needed?
Are there any deficiencies in this kit specific to the calibers I am planning to load for.
Is there a better starter kit that I should consider for the calibers I am considering.

I am planning to educate my self further before buying anything, but this kit looked like a good place to start the discussion.

TIA for any insight.

That is a very good kit to start with. That is an EXCELLENT kit to start with. Add in the Book of Lyman 49th or 50th edition and you have almost all of your questions answered on reloading- All you gotta do is read them and the read very easy, not like John Steinbeck, but more like Alex Steel with any of her books from the Midnight Press... <== I mean, uhhh, from what I have been told.