how to reload

[stevosmith]

I never reloaded before but willing to start learning the process.

Is there any differences between getting a hand loader versus a auto loader, which is more pr?cised to avoid duds or dangerous situations?

What equipment brand name to stick to

I'll be starting with 9mm and 45acp for now.

not sure if this is double post the 1st one does seem to have took

[kevins750]

YouTube videos

Johnny's reloading bench
Ultimate reloader
Bolt action reloading

These guys will get you very acquainted with the process of reloading
And you can see various types of reloading equipment in action.

Lee reloading manual is a good source also.

[ar15barrels]

I never reloaded before but willing to start learning the process.

Is there any differences between getting a hand loader versus a auto loader, which is more pr?cised to avoid duds or dangerous situations?

What equipment brand name to stick to

I'll be starting with 9mm and 45acp for now.

not sure if this is double post the 1st one does seem to have took

Assuming you are talking about a single-stage press vs a multi-stage press, single stage are more precise but multi-stage presses load more volume.
Multi stage presses are more difficult to load a squib or a double charge when setup with proper powder checkers and mechanisms to stop you from double-charging a case.
If you load on a single stage and charge a tray of 50 cases at a time before seating any bullets, you can look at the whole batch and visually confirm powder charges look even and that none are missing or noticeably different than all the others.

RCBS is the king of single stage presses.
Dillon Precision is the king of multi stage presses.

You should get both.

Also, read my stickied threads on "getting started reloading" for equipment lists.

[newbie1234]

Field trip to Orange County : http://reloadoc.com/

[tabascoz28]

+1 for youtube. But also decide on what kind of reloading you're doing, Competition precise, self sufficiency or mass production to "save" money.

There's a video and machine for every level, quality and budget wise.

[G38xOC]

I purchased lyman reloading book and started reading and by watching some youtube videos actually helped lot . your gona have to experience it by hands to get the feel for it , but yea i say get yourself a manual and start reading . most will tell you start with single stage .

[Tripplet918]

I purchased lyman reloading book and started reading and by watching some youtube videos actually helped lot . your gona have to experience it by hands to get the feel for it , but yea i say get yourself a manual and start reading . most will tell you start with single stage .

I did this too. The Lyman book is great for basics including safety.

I started with a single stage and moved up to an ?auto leader? progressive.

What i saw from other people is that their learning curve was much steeper when they started with a progressive. Some didnt improve much even after a couple of years.

I found that starting with a single stage, I gained a lot of insight into each phase of reloading which made dealing with adjustments and issues with progressive easier. Ive seen guys produce 200 bad rounds before finding ouy something was wrong.

I moved from a single stage to a progressive in 3 months. I still dont regret buying my single stage and still find many uses for it.

Hope that helps.

[Divernhunter]

1st thing to do is buy a Lyman #50 Reloading Manual and READ it. That will answer 90%+ of your questions.
I do not recommend lee equipment. Get RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Redding. Get a single stage press to start with. It will be useful even if you later get a progressive.
I do not care for the turret type presses. It takes 30 seconds to change dies and you should batch process your brass. If you do not have 30 seconds maybe you should not attempt to get into reloading.
If you live near me and want to come over I can help you get started and show you a few tricks to loading ammo. I have helped a number of people.

[cz74]

Start by watching Johnny's reloading bench youtube videos for several weeks, he has a very long intro video he goes over a very comprehensive list of tools stuff (besides the press) and he demonstrates by loading several different pistol calibers and then rifle. He can be very verbose and digress, but good info for beginners. I wouldn't bother with "Gavin" from Ultimate reloader, he mostly shows off vendor products more than educating on reloading. Another good source when you get more experienced is "bolt action reloading" channel. Have fun!

[mofo1111]

Most people will say to start with a single stage. If you are mechanically inclined, read your progressive press instructions, watch youtube videos, read a good reloading manual(read ALL that applies), and take your time, you will figure it out. Come back to calguns with questions. It's really not that difficult. Progressive presses have some alert systems to warn of gross powder differences. A single stage will be good for bolt action precision rifle. If you want volume and have a semi-auto, a progressive might be your better option. Know you wants and your capabilities and apply to your decision on which is right for you.

[divingin]

Is there any differences between getting a hand loader versus a auto loader, which is more pr?cised to avoid duds or dangerous situations?

Clarification: A "handload" is a cartridge that has been loaded by the shooter. Same as a "reload", or in commercial terms, "remanufactured". All 3 are pretty much synonymous.

I suspect your question is geared towards a single stage press or a multi-stage (progressive) press. Then don't forget the semi-multi-stage turret press.

All can (and do) make good reliable ammo. Precision and "safe" ammo comes down to you, and the care you put into building your ammo. To rebut the first sentence in this paragraph, they all can make dangerous ammo as well.

[Imageview]

The ways you can screw up using different processes change, but all have risks. Establish a solid protocol to control that risk and it is fine no matter what process you use. Getting a manual and reading should answer many questions, and will still be a useful purchase afterwards. The ones I use most are Lyman or Hornady, but there are other choices. I found the ABCs of reloading quite good as well if I remember correctly.

[L4D]

I started with the LCT. No ragerts. It allowed me to use it as a single stage and then speed up using the turret/indexing once I have it all dialed in. I ended up buying the smaller single stage as an addition (for convenience). It really all depends on YOU. How much time and workspace you have? Dedicated bench? need it to be mobile? Volume of shooting?

My entire setup can be moved anywhere using a few clamps and the Lee mounting plates mounted on a piece of hardwood.

I'm glad that I took the time, made the investment and learned to reload. Reality is I actually dislike the whole process.

[rhodesengr]

I started with a single stage last year and recently moved up to a Dillon SQB. It is good to have both. Single stage press brand probably doesn't matter much. Which brand dies you choose will matter some. I bought the MEC press. It is a solid piece of gear. I have tried various brands of dies. I kind of settled on Lee 4-piece sets because the crimp is separate from the bullet seater.

With most single stage presses, you will also need a hand primer and a powder measure. I have the Franklin primer and the Lee powder measure. I do not recommend the Franklin "Universal" primer. Get the kind that needs actual case holders.

When I need to clean brass, I like to take the primers out before wet tumbling. So I use my single stage to size and de-cap. This gets the primer pockets nice and clean. Because they have already been sized once, they run through my Dillon with less force. Yes, it adds another step.

You will also need a small digital scale to check your powder drops.

[Cowboy T]

I did this too. The Lyman book is great for basics including safety.

I started with a single stage and moved up to an ?auto leader? progressive.

What i saw from other people is that their learning curve was much steeper when they started with a progressive. Some didnt improve much even after a couple of years.

I found that starting with a single stage, I gained a lot of insight into each phase of reloading which made dealing with adjustments and issues with progressive easier. Ive seen guys produce 200 bad rounds before finding ouy something was wrong.

I moved from a single stage to a progressive in 3 months. I still dont regret buying my single stage and still find many uses for it.

Hope that helps.

Couldn't agree more with this assessment. Learn to crawl before you try to be Carl Lewis or Usain Bolt. My single-stage experience saved me at least twice when switching to a progressive, and like Tripplet, I continue to have a single-stage on my bench even though most of my reloading is done progressively these days.

OP, If you want to learn the basics of reloading, I have free videos showing how to do it from a newbie's point of view. Check my sig for the Web site. It's essentially my way of helping the next person after so many people had helped me get started.