Reloading kit for beginners

[catalin693]

Cant go worng with a dillion 550. easy to use and caliber versitile. Worth the extra money if you plan on reloading for the long run.

[bootcamp]

Hey Chris,

Have you reloaded before?

1000 rounds per month is about ~250 rounds reloaded once a week. That is do-able with a single stage or turret.
You will see your occasional user who complained that he was asked to start with a single stage and regretted that advice and wish he went straight to a progressive.....next thing you see him start a thread about a double charge and blowing up his gun.

Rounds per hour should NOT be something you want to accomplish when learning. Attention to detail and learning should be your primary objective until you have mastered and become comfortable with it.

What's 1000 rounds per hour if JUST ONE of those rounds is a neglected double charge. Your hand, your pistol, etc.

[mif_slim]

You can load about 50 rounds per 15 minutes on a single stage. I did it on a lee hand press.

[XDRoX]

You can load about 50 rounds per 15 minutes on a single stage. I did it on a lee hand press.

50 rounds per 15 minutes on a single stage press? You're kidding right. You should make a video on youtube, that's some serious speed.

I use a RCBS uniflow and I load about 50 rounds an hour. If I haul *** I do about 50 rounds in 45 minutes.

[Bug Splat]

You can load about 50 rounds per 15 minutes on a single stage. I did it on a lee hand press.

What? I feel like I smoke on my single stage and even then I can't do more that 50 pistol rounds in 35 min and thats with having the brass pre-primed. How are you moving that fast?

I always advise people to start on a single stage. Speed should never be an issue when first starting. Mistakes WILL be made at some point even with a single stage but you have a much better chance of catching it. Jumping right into a progressive is a lot to take in all at once. I know my head was filled to the brim with questions and uncertainty when I started and I was just using one die at a time. I can't even imagine having to watch 4 or more.

I'm getting a Loadmaster myself. I have outgrown my little O-press. I can load on that thing in my sleep (not advised). I love to tinker as a hobby itself so the Loadmaster is a nice fit for me. I'm the kind of guy who will spend hours or even days making something that I could buy in any store for $5-10. Its not about the money its the fun of working and building.

[XDRoX]

What? I feel like I smoke on my single stage and even then I can't do more that 50 pistol rounds in 35 min and thats with having the brass pre-primed. How are you moving that fast?

I'm thinking that must have been a typo or gross exaggeration. I was trying to be polite, but 50 in 15 minutes isn't possible IMO.

[WileyWilly]

50 in 15 minutes is quite possible providing the brass is already preped and primed. I do this all the time.
WW

[XDRoX]

50 in 15 minutes is quite possible providing the brass is already preped and primed. I do this all the time.
WW

That is more believable. But when someone says they can reload 50 rounds in 15 minutes this is not what I think of. Especially not good advice to a newbie considering different types of presses.

[bayarea1911]

Hey Chris,

Have you reloaded before?

1000 rounds per month is about ~250 rounds reloaded once a week. That is do-able with a single stage or turret.
You will see your occasional user who complained that he was asked to start with a single stage and regretted that advice and wish he went straight to a progressive.....next thing you see him start a thread about a double charge and blowing up his gun.

Rounds per hour should NOT be something you want to accomplish when learning. Attention to detail and learning should be your primary objective until you have mastered and become comfortable with it.

What's 1000 rounds per hour if JUST ONE of those rounds is a neglected double charge. Your hand, your pistol, etc.

thank you for your response this was exactly the kind of thing i was looking for. i dont mind taking my time and loading one at a time as long as im able to learn how to make SAFE, reliable, accurate rounds. the nice thing also is that if i decide to step up to a progressive in the future then i can still use this to reload large caliber rifle if needed. also would be nice to have something to pass down eventually.

lee classic turret it is, thank you guys!

now what books are MUST haves??

[Low-Pressure]

now what books are MUST haves??

Lymans 49th Edition Reloading Handbook
ABC's of reloading

[XDRoX]

thank you for your response this was exactly the kind of thing i was looking for. i dont mind taking my time and loading one at a time as long as im able to learn how to make SAFE, reliable, accurate rounds. the nice thing also is that if i decide to step up to a progressive in the future then i can still use this to reload large caliber rifle if needed. also would be nice to have something to pass down eventually.

lee classic turret it is, thank you guys!

now what books are MUST haves??

Good choice!

[bayarea1911]

what am i missing here? do i have everything to attach the powder measure to the press, same with the primer loader (sorry if im using the wrong terms)?

see updated list....

[bayarea1911]

[bayarea1911]

so the total for everything looks to be about $350 still less then the dillon press alone

[bootcamp]

Everything looks good. Maybe see if there is RCBS dies available. They are slightly better and won't scathe or scratch your brass as easily.

Also see if there is an RCBS powder scale. I have the Lee Powder scale for sale in my thread in the ammo section. $10 if you want, but personally I would get an RCBS scale 5-0-5 is nice.

Everything else is solid. Get a speer manual. It's tailored for beginners and experts. Most importantly, it lists the min. and max loads within safe pressure limits. Other books will venture above those "safe" pressure limits.