Want To Reload!

[Yugo]

I have $5k to spend on everything reloading.

Ammo:
Shotgun
9mm
45mm
.556
.223
30-30
308

Can we compile a list of what I will need besides bullets/casings

list of:
powders
presses
scales
dies
and what ever else is needed shy of the skillz and the space needed to do the work.

[superdave50]

Check out Randall's lists here. Also start with a couple loading manuals. They have good "how to" info and general info as well

[TKM]

Dillon 1050 and a personal trainer.

[RandyD]

Call Dillon and order a 650 and the dies and they will have it at your door in a few days. You need a few other items, primer flipper tray, powder scale, case trimmer, a case cleaner and a few other options in preparing your cases. Check out Dillon's site. https://www.dillonprecision.com/case...pment_8_8.html

[zouaveherb]

Buy a bunch of different reloading manuals. 4 or 5 or more. Lyman, Sierra, Speer, Hornady, Berger, whatever. Ignore the load data sections and read the rest of the manuals' sections about the mechanics and physics behind how ammo and reloading works. Now that you have an idea of what you want, now go shopping.

[agarc92]

Buy it now for free shipping

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/books-amp-videos/books/reloading-books-amp-manuals/50th-edition-reloading-handbook-softcover-sku539000028-87860-190151.aspx

[17+1]

One of my supervisors at an internship I had in college was really into guns. I used to go over to his place and help process brass, charge cases, seat bullets. Then I read a manual he let me borrow which i read front to back for the most part.

The point is if you understand the process, you don’t need someone to put together a list for you. I highly recommend trying your hand at it before you blow 5 grand on equipment, just to be sure you’re into it. It’s definitely not for everyone.

Nothing against calguns or Internet forums, but sometimes you should go get hands on first, then come here and ask more pointed questions, if that makes sense.

[RiskyBusiness]

Well said!

[phdo]

Google, YouTube and I learned to reload in three months. It's not that hard. It's just meticulous and tedious.


This.

[Whiterabbit]

One of my supervisors at an internship I had in college was really into guns. I used to go over to his place and help process brass, charge cases, seat bullets. Then I read a manual he let me borrow which i read front to back for the most part.

The point is if you understand the process, you don’t need someone to put together a list for you. I highly recommend trying your hand at it before you blow 5 grand on equipment, just to be sure you’re into it. It’s definitely not for everyone.

Nothing against calguns or Internet forums, but sometimes you should go get hands on first, then come here and ask more pointed questions, if that makes sense.

This. Sadly, you (OP) are too far from me. My shop is always open (at my convenience of course) for anyone to come and play at reloading. Bring your brass, dies, and consumables and use any of my gear. I’m always dinking around in my shop on something. Take away your own loaded ammo and some press time, free. Help figure out what you want. But I’m sure there are locals to you who are the same way. Just gotta find ‘em.

[trackcage]

Lack of info, but I'll try to help get you started.

First of all, need a different press to reload shotgun and metallic cartridges (pistol/rifle). I have a Dillon 550 and a MEC 600jr. You can definitely look at different press models and decide what works best for you. Given the number of calibers you mention, I'd suggest a 550 over a 650 for a few reasons. #1, caliber changes are less expensive and quicker to change out on a 550. #2, You manually index the shell to the next station, so for precision rifle rounds you can run the press as a single stage press if you want to. The 650, while a great machine, automatically moves the shell to the next station, but that part alone doesn't feel like it's slowing me down when using the 550. I reload quite a bit and don't feel like I'd need to upgrade from the good ol' 550. Some others might disagree here, but remember you can make a lot of bad ammo in a hurry with a progressive press, so starting out I don't see a need for more than what a 550 offers. Others will say start on a single stage, but that would get frustrating in a hurry given the amount it looks like you plan to load. Run the 550 as a single stage starting out if you really feel it necessary. I never did.

For shotgun, it depends on what gauge you plan to load. Some machines are better suited to switch gauges, others don't have the ability to change gauge at all. I went with the MEC 600jr (a single stage) because I don't reload nearly as many shells as I do metallic. I can still load over 100-150 rounds an hour so not slow by any means. Also, shotgun requires you follow recipes a bit more closely in terms of what hulls and wads you use. And then there cost. If you're reloading 12 or 20 gauge, you don't save a ton (this is true of 9mm as well) unless you really buy components in bulk. I don't mind doing so, but it means you have quite a bit of $$ tied up in components. Doesn't sound like a problem with your budget, but as others said, if you don't enjoy it... doesn't make sense. It's a hobby in itself so know that going in. You don't save money, you just shoot more. That's fine by me.

Powders, while some can 'do it all' you will find that many calibers require different powders. Not so much a requirement, as much as they preform better with different powders depending on what you're after. An example is that 357 magnum likes a slower burning powder, and more of it, than 9mm and 45. Most reloaders have a ton of different powders on hand and you will find you may like to experiment. Again, just stocking more components.

Primers, you'd need small pistol, large pistol, and either small or large rifle, depending on caliber. Also shotshell primers. Buying in bulk helps here too due to hazardous material charges.

Shotgun shells - some are better than others in terms of number of reloads and available load data. I like remington gun clubs, but others have their favorites. Do some research.

We haven't even touched on brass preparation for rifle rounds (what has kept me from taking the plunge) so know that there is work to get the brass ready to load that isn't needed for pistol rounds.

I'm not trying to turn you off, just know there is a lot more that goes into it than a budget and a 'what's best' question. You really need to play around and see what you like, and what you're gun likes. Then test it over a chronograph.

For the record, I reload 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 40, 10mm, 44mag, 45acp, 12ga. Maybe others I'm forgetting. I have probably 6 or 8 different powders for different loads or circumstances. Enjoy the reloading journey.

[hambam105]

I knew I needed Dillion Assistance even before I got hooked on practical pistol shooting. And since every Dillion Die-Hard that I know still has a reliable single stage reloading press nearby, I'd say take it a little slow. At first anyway.

Where does someone suddenly just come up with 5 Gs? Life must be good.

[alexisjohnson]

Put your money aside for 1 month and read everything you can on the internet about reloading. Buy 2 or 3 reloading manuals and read them.

Then either buy a single stage (which most seem to recommend) or buy a progressive machine. I personally started on a Dillon 550 but if i could go back, i would have purchased the 650 and called it a day.

The main thing is reading as much as you can and watching all the youtube videos you can find.

When you start, start slow and dblcheck your work.

[RiskyBusiness]

I learned off the free Lyman reloading manual that's a free pdf if you Google it. Then dozens of hours on YT watching reloading done step by step. Johnnys reloading bench has a large video selection and he explains things fairly easily.

[Yugo]

Thats very kind thank you for the offer!

Lack of info, but I'll try to help get you started.

First of all, need a different press to reload shotgun and metallic cartridges (pistol/rifle). I have a Dillon 550 and a MEC 600jr. You can definitely look at different press models and decide what works best for you. Given the number of calibers you mention, I'd suggest a 550 over a 650 for a few reasons. #1, caliber changes are less expensive and quicker to change out on a 550. #2, You manually index the shell to the next station, so for precision rifle rounds you can run the press as a single stage press if you want to. The 650, while a great machine, automatically moves the shell to the next station, but that part alone doesn't feel like it's slowing me down when using the 550. I reload quite a bit and don't feel like I'd need to upgrade from the good ol' 550. Some others might disagree here, but remember you can make a lot of bad ammo in a hurry with a progressive press, so starting out I don't see a need for more than what a 550 offers. Others will say start on a single stage, but that would get frustrating in a hurry given the amount it looks like you plan to load. Run the 550 as a single stage starting out if you really feel it necessary. I never did.

For shotgun, it depends on what gauge you plan to load. Some machines are better suited to switch gauges, others don't have the ability to change gauge at all. I went with the MEC 600jr (a single stage) because I don't reload nearly as many shells as I do metallic. I can still load over 100-150 rounds an hour so not slow by any means. Also, shotgun requires you follow recipes a bit more closely in terms of what hulls and wads you use. And then there cost. If you're reloading 12 or 20 gauge, you don't save a ton (this is true of 9mm as well) unless you really buy components in bulk. I don't mind doing so, but it means you have quite a bit of $$ tied up in components. Doesn't sound like a problem with your budget, but as others said, if you don't enjoy it... doesn't make sense. It's a hobby in itself so know that going in. You don't save money, you just shoot more. That's fine by me.

Powders, while some can 'do it all' you will find that many calibers require different powders. Not so much a requirement, as much as they preform better with different powders depending on what you're after. An example is that 357 magnum likes a slower burning powder, and more of it, than 9mm and 45. Most reloaders have a ton of different powders on hand and you will find you may like to experiment. Again, just stocking more components.

Primers, you'd need small pistol, large pistol, and either small or large rifle, depending on caliber. Also shotshell primers. Buying in bulk helps here too due to hazardous material charges.

Shotgun shells - some are better than others in terms of number of reloads and available load data. I like remington gun clubs, but others have their favorites. Do some research.

We haven't even touched on brass preparation for rifle rounds (what has kept me from taking the plunge) so know that there is work to get the brass ready to load that isn't needed for pistol rounds.

I'm not trying to turn you off, just know there is a lot more that goes into it than a budget and a 'what's best' question. You really need to play around and see what you like, and what you're gun likes. Then test it over a chronograph.

For the record, I reload 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 40, 10mm, 44mag, 45acp, 12ga. Maybe others I'm forgetting. I have probably 6 or 8 different powders for different loads or circumstances. Enjoy the reloading journey.

I learned off the free Lyman reloading manual that's a free pdf if you Google it. Then dozens of hours on YT watching reloading done step by step. Johnnys reloading bench has a large video selection and he explains things fairly easily.

Thank you for every ones input. I will start with youtube and work my way up.