Want to start reloading

[punkur67]

I want to start reloading .223 and .308 to try and keep ammo cost down. I have never reloaded or even know where to start. Any recomendations on beguiner equipment, books, info, or anything useful to get started. I know there is much to know about this art but dont want to go out and start buying stuff I dont need or that is junk and regret it.

[troysland]

Start with Lymanns Reloading manual, or other manual. Research the load recipes to find the powders and components that will suit your needs. Choosing a press will be fun with all the choices. Consider Dillon. I have a 550B.

[10fcp]

The ABC's of reloading is a good informative book. Most all reloading manuels will have instructions in the begining. I would suggest that you get several manuels, Sierrs,Hornady etc. As far as presses go a rock chucker supreme kit will work great. Hornady and Lee also have starter kits. Can't really go wrong with either although the scale in the Lee kit I hear is suspect. No matter what you go with a single stage press is one you'll get use out of.

[pepsi2451]

There is a lot of information available on the internet. You might check youtube, you should be able to find some good videos explaining the process. Definitely read a manual cover to cover before you start reloading though.

[Desert_Rat]

Consider this.When I first got into reloading everybody I talked to said start with a single stage press.It's less complicated,so I did.Now.a year later I regret it.I should have went with a Dillon 550 or 650.So now I'm looking into one of those.I got the Rockchucker supreme kit and it's a fine press and I've cranked out lots of ammo on it.If You are mechanically inclined in any way,go with a progressive press.They are not the Rube Goldberg machine that they appear to be.Also get at least two manuals for reference.I use the Lymans 49th and the Sierrra book that comes with the Rockchucker kit.

[Southpaw45]

Anybody who reloads alot of different calibers for many different types of shooting will have a single stage and a progressive loader on there bench. I recommend a single stage for beginners and then get a progressive once you get the basics down. You will need a single stage anyways and there not expensive. On my bench I got a Hornady Pacific 007 when I started out 22 years ago. A Redding T-7 turret single stage press and I just got the Dillon 650 about 4 years ago. Lots of data is available on line by powder manufacturers and having more than one reloading manual is helpful. If thats your rifle in your avatar, you are going to want to reload precision ammo for it with a single stage press...

[car15]

Where is the best place to buy reloading equipment? In particularly the Dillon 650.

[10fcp]

Order from Dillon. As far as supplies check out the various on line stores, Cabellas,Natchez and Mid south.

[CGK60]

just get one of those reloading kits, they should have everything you need to get started. I started about 15 years ago and never looked back.Will save you alot of money in the long run.

[mif_slim]

just get one of those reloading kits, they should have everything you need to get started. I started about 15 years ago and never looked back.Will save you alot of money in the long run.

I wouldnt say, "saving money", more like, "wise investment"

Say before you reloaded, you shot about 10 times per year, each trip about 100 rounds of....say, .223 (50 bucks).

When you get into reloading, you'll go to the range 10 times per year, but this time shooting 350 rounds per trip (50 bucks).

Truth is, you will shoot more, have more trigger time when you reload, but you wont be saving money because you will be spending time/money on better equipement and/or components to load more for the same price of buying factory rounds.


As for regreting about progressive so skip the single stage, if your like me, I got a single stage, then went to a progressive..started to think about how to shoot even more for the same amount of $, so I started to cast my own bullets. My progressive cant size cast bullets, so back to the single stage. Yup, single stage is the way to go. You'll need one sooner or later....might as well start right and get one. Its important to know how reloading functions before you even start to crank out tons of ammo...that or get a progressive without knowing anything and KABOOM the first time you test your ammo.

[Bedlam]

I just got started recently and got a great deal on a package deal through cheaper than dirt

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/52509-1.html

The big thing I have really noticed I want but didnt get yet is a digital scale. The magnetically stabilized arm is great and all I still hate having to wait 1 minute and a half to get an accurate reading and for loading precision rounds you may want to measure every charge which would be excruciating without a digital scale.

And as everyone has said get a reloading manual. I got the lee reloading manual along with all the lee stuff I purchased its not to bad as long as you dont mind him talking about how awesome all his products are but other then that there is a lot of good info.

[mif_slim]

NO TO CHEAPERTHANDIRT!! oh well, too late....

they did a price gouge skeem back during the ammo rush. some 600% increase or something like that..

"5.56 ammo for sale, use to be 5.78 per 20 rounds, now only 130.00 per 20 rounds! BUY NOW!"
- cheaper-than-dirt

[VacaDuck]

I just got started recently and got a great deal on a package deal through cheaper than dirt

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/52509-1.html

The big thing I have really noticed I want but didnt get yet is a digital scale. The magnetically stabilized arm is great and all I still hate having to wait 1 minute and a half to get an accurate reading and for loading precision rounds you may want to measure every charge which would be excruciating without a digital scale.

And as everyone has said get a reloading manual. I got the lee reloading manual along with all the lee stuff I purchased its not to bad as long as you dont mind him talking about how awesome all his products are but other then that there is a lot of good info.

I bought the same Lee kit from Cabelas for $104.99. Add Lee Pacesetter dies for about $23 per caliber and your good. I added a tumbler for another $50 and was good to go. So far, I like the kit. Everything is easy to use, of fairly good quality, and the quick change dies are nice.

You will also need to get a bullet puller. The RCBS impact puller is only $20 and works well to salvage the occasional mistake.

[Bedlam]

Oh and another quick tidbit on lee dies... The premium rifle days say "No lube required" They are dirty liars you can do it without lube if you dont mind welding your press to an abrams tank. A little lube is a must for their rifle dies even when they say it isnt required.

[kenworth1114]

If you get to Orange County you can reload with me to see the process in person, I have a single stage press and reload for revolvers and 8mm Mauser.