How to start?

[Clickjack]

[hermosabeach]

Pistol is easier than rifle due to the shoulder...

My suggestion - used singe stage press- look for a widow selling her late husband's set up....

.44 or .357/38 is your sweet spot as the ammo costs soo much as it's a low volume round.

watch videos
get some load books. the 1/2 half of a load book is on reloading.
Get a singl stage press
lee priming door
power scale
calibers
and you can do a lot

Some places that sell reloading gear also offer clases

[hermosabeach]

http://reloadingclass.com/

[hermosabeach]

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/spo/d/rcbs/6823977158.html

RCBS JR Reloading Press $50 Never used.
die sets.
RCBS 223 with shell holder $20
RCBS 44 mag with shell holder $30
RCBS 45 acp $25
Dillon 9mm $30

[hermosabeach]

why a single stage- it's easy

Also when you have charged all your brass with powder- 25 in a loading block, you can look down to verify you do not have any double charges

[JackEllis]

It's not terribly difficult. Just make sure you eliminate outside distractions when you're charging cases and don't be in a hurry. Using a single stage press helps with the "don't be in a hurry" part.

['ol shooter]

The FIRST thing I would buy, and did buy 41 years ago is The ABC's of reloading and the Lee book, then take a reloading class if you can locate one convenient to you.
I had to pretty much go by the books I bought along the way, then along came sites on the internet, with some good info and a lot of so-so and outright bad.
I am still using my Rock Chucker, bought new in 1978.
Loading a lot of ammo is a bit tedious on a single stage press, but I have plenty of time and I get a better job. I have a lot of loading books now and all have good info in them.

[Divernhunter]

1st buy and read the Lyman #50 Reloading manual. It will answer 90% of your questions and it has some good data in it. Then get Carbide type dies so you do not need to lube the pistol brass. Then do not forget to get the correct shell holders for your dies. If you get lee junk you get a sloppy shell holder with the dies. But then you will need to get real locking rings like the Hornady ones and you will have the cost of a better set of dies invested in cheaply made dies with a company that does not stand behind their product. Last buy a reloading Kit such as one from RCBS.
If you batch process your brass it takes 30 seconds to change the dies in the press so no need/benefit with a turret press. Use a Hand primer and prime brass while watching TV. For rifle brass I do the flash holes, chamfer the necks and take care of primer pockets while watching TV. I trim outside if needed.

[Red9]

Quite a spread of calibers.
44 will need large pp, or large mpp, primers.
45 lc is large pp.
357 is small pp or mag depending on powder and loads.
308 is large rp and could also be magnum depending on powder.
Powders will vary as which is best for what you shoot. I.e. full magnum loads vs mild.
308 needs rifle powder.
Maybe start with .38? Then work up to magnum levels? Imho messing around with 44/357 for a beginner can be challenging. 38 is very forgiving.
Rifle brass has a lot of prep time. How patient are you?
As others stated read up on the subject. Buy a nice used Dillon 550 and be done with it.

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[the_tunaman]

Non-Sheep Firearms is starting some classes this Saturday, and likely going to do so monthly for a while... located in Norco.

[golfish]

why a single stage- it's easy

Also when you have charged all your brass with powder- 25 in a loading block, you can look down to verify you do not have any double charges

I think this is the best advice. I have kids and grandkids, I don't want them getting hurt because of something I did. I can go out in the garage and load up 50 rounds in an hour or two, listen to the radio and enjoy myself. I like my single stage press.

[JagerDog]

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...823977158.html



RCBS JR Reloading Press $50 Never used.
die sets.
RCBS 223 with shell holder $20
RCBS 44 mag with shell holder $30
RCBS 45 acp $25
Dillon 9mm $30

Something like this is a great way to go.

Gonna be some peripheral stuff like a scale, funnel, primer flipper, calipers, etc. If the seller is just getting out of reloading or estate sale vs. upgrading, they may well have some of these peripherals as well.

Not really a fan of the bundled kits. They tend to cheap out on the peripherals. Seems like a good price, but find yourself upgrading some these. A powder measure will remove the most tedious part of pistol loading.

The Calguns marketplace is a good place to shop for both kit and consumables. as well. I hear Phillips is good for local consumables down your way. The big box stores are kinda pricey for primers and powders. Many of us save by buying volume online to amortize the hazmat shipping, but gotta spend a fair chunk of change to make that worthwhile.

A couple good books referenced above. Buy at least one before buying any kit. Read it thoroughly. If you can find a mentor that can pay dividends.

Single stage is plenty for your goals. Don't fall for the get a 550 buy once cry once BS. Even if you eventually want to greatly increase your volume, you'll most likely have use for the single stage.

[Clickjack]

So I’d love a Dillion. But I don’t think it would be the best place to start. I don’t want to invest a 1000 bucks (their quote for everything I’d need) and not know what I’m doing. Plus I have 2500 .45 acp at the moment. and 9mm is cheap for now. It’s the magnums / 44 special / 45 long colt That’s got me wanting to reload.

Point me to a good single stage press brand / model?
Dies? Other stuff I need?

I think I’m gonna take that reloading class and go from there.

[Red9]

There is a 550 for sale on calguns for 400. Set up for 9 and I think 223 down south.
Thats a steal.
I opted for a 550 first, then got a single stage for rifle. I sold the single stage. I ran the 550 as a single stage a few hundred rounds. Then went full bore progressive after that. I only mention a Dillon, as many have said buy once cry once. I lnow 3 others who went 550 after using mine.

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[DueceMcGurk]

Lots of good advice here. Pick the caliber you shoot most and focus on it. Multiple powders, projectiles, primers, cases, dies, setups are the bane of a new reloader.

I started with a Lee Classic Turret and 45 ACP and never looked back. Paid for itself in the first six months. Life long hobby -- priceless. :-)