Thinking about reloading.

[Den60]

Would likely be just for handgun ammunition. I don't hunt and wouldn't consider an AR type of rifle with all the stupid rules here in California regulating them. So have some questions:

1. What would be a good system to start with? Any comments about start up costs are welcome.
2. Single stage or progressive?
3. Any brands of equipment to steer clear of?

I have already looked at some videos as well as purchased a book on reloading just to get an idea of what is involved, what type of equipment I would need. I have seen some starter kits that come with pretty much everything to start with but I tend to shy away from stuff like that. Would prefer something I can build upon rather than something that I would be looking to replace.

[edgerly779]

Single stage c or h press and it is rewarding. No worries about internet ammo.
Stock up on components. Primers, powder, projectiles, shot etc. Rcbs is top of the line for single stage.

[sixoclockhold]

Do you have free time? Is money not an issue?

I've loaded about 10,000 rounds cheapo lee single stage. Bought everything individually and maybe $250 with the likes of a tumbler and some dies. The lee auto primer is awesome. Buy a scale, calipers and powder pour, puller. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/118...der-funnel-pan Highly recommend.

I never bought a book, just read on the internet. Still have all my fingers.

I shot 100 .357, 25 38's and 100 9mm yesterday. They cost me about .13-.14 cents each with plated xtreme and expensive primers I bought in the dry days.

Is it worth it? Sure is when I load my rifle rounds.....over 4 years under my belt and it's paid for itself. No matter what if you go to the range it's gonna cost.

[edgerly779]

Lyman no 6 reloading guide. Oldie but a goodie.

[wpod]

I recently began reloading on a turret press. I started off in single stage mode and can now make 200 rounds/hour of 9mm.
I reload 9mm, .38spl/.357mag, .44spl/.44mag, and most recently .223.
I am also "horse-trading" for a shotshell reloading press.
I stay within the specs of the manuals, pay attention to what I'm doing, and enjoy "zoning-in" on the routine.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[cavemanlrrp]

For mostly hand gun and a new loader I would look at a turret. You can use it single stage until your comfortable and then round and round when you are ready to speed up production. It's like having 2+ presses in 1.

I have a Lee Classic Cast Turret. Handiest press on my bench.

Look at some YouTube's.

Best
caveman

[sixoclockhold]

And then there is Logcabinlooms way:

[Divernhunter]

What cartridges do you plan to load for? That is an important question.
If you are near me I would be glad to help you and show you some tips etc.
The kits are often a real good place to start. If you get a quality kit.

[davek8s]

I started out with a single stage Lee anniversary kit. I bought a digital scale and calipers to top it off.

At the time I was only loading 38, 9 and 45 on my Lee. Single stage takes a while, but you learn a lot. I upgraded to a Dillon for pistol ammo now, but I still load 223 on my Lee.

If you have the time to invest I would recommend reloading.

[Den60]

What cartridges do you plan to load for? That is an important question.
If you are near me I would be glad to help you and show you some tips etc.
The kits are often a real good place to start. If you get a quality kit.

All my pistols are 9MM. Want to get a .357 at some point. I keep with 9MM for my semi-autos just so when I buy ammo it is interchangable. I can see myself at some point getting a 1911. I seem to have the bug about buying handguns. I buy them even when I'm not shopping for them.

[Den60]

Do you have free time? Is money not an issue?

I've loaded about 10,000 rounds cheapo lee single stage. Bought everything individually and maybe $250 with the likes of a tumbler and some dies. The lee auto primer is awesome. Buy a scale, calipers and powder pour, puller. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/118...der-funnel-pan Highly recommend.

I never bought a book, just read on the internet. Still have all my fingers.

I shot 100 .357, 25 38's and 100 9mm yesterday. They cost me about .13-.14 cents each with plated xtreme and expensive primers I bought in the dry days.

Is it worth it? Sure is when I load my rifle rounds.....over 4 years under my belt and it's paid for itself. No matter what if you go to the range it's gonna cost.

That is why I am considering a progressive reloader, time is important to me and I've heard that with a single you can do maybe 100/hr. I shoot that in about 15 minutes. I wouldn't say money is an issue but just getting into it I am not likely to want to spend a ton.

[Den60]

I started out with a single stage Lee anniversary kit. I bought a digital scale and calipers to top it off.

At the time I was only loading 38, 9 and 45 on my Lee. Single stage takes a while, but you learn a lot. I upgraded to a Dillon for pistol ammo now, but I still load 223 on my Lee.

If you have the time to invest I would recommend reloading.

That is what I don't like about complete starter kits. Would want a digital scale at the very least. I'd rather put together a system myself.

[Calguns77]

That is why I am considering a progressive reloader, time is important to me and I've heard that with a single you can do maybe 100/hr. I shoot that in about 15 minutes. I wouldn't say money is an issue but just getting into it I am not likely to want to spend a ton.

Then get a progressive like a dillon 550 imho. The manual indexing on the 550 will keep you from getting overwhelmed while you're first learning but is still substantially faster than a single stage or turret press. A dillon square deal would also be a great choice if you want auto indexing and dont plan on reloading rifle.

You can either handle each piece of brass after tumbling once - progressive, or 3-4 times - single stage.

[wbunning]

If you don't shoot more than 2-300 rounds/month, then a single stage setup is adequate. Find yourself a LEE or RCBS single stage press starting kit, whichever your wallet best fits, add a Lyman manual, a good dial caliper, a tumbler, some components and start. AFTER you read the manual. If you shoot more than that, start with the single stage anyway. You'll always have use for it and you can add a progressive or turret press later if you feel the need.

[MrElectric03]

You will eventually want a progressive but I'd start on a single stage. It really is beneficial to have both for prep and other stuff. My advice would be start with a single stage(rockchucker, Redding, new hornady iron looks promising) then when you step up to a progressive the Dillon xl650 is about $600 and you can add the casefeed later.