Reloading looks intimidating

[dalriaden]

My VA disability claim has been partially completed, and with the backdated check I've been looking into reloading, all I want to do for now is start with .45 acp so I can shoot more then once in a blue moon and get more proficient with my handguns. Ultimately I want to be able to do 45 acp and .223 when I'm able to afford an AR.

What's the cheapest most practical way to get started? I'm thinking $200 is no longer a realistic goal. What're your recommendations? Is it best to buy new or should I look on ebay for presses/dies etc as well?

[Clownpuncher]

My VA disability claim has been partially completed, and with the backdated check I've been looking into reloading, all I want to do for now is start with .45 acp so I can shoot more then once in a blue moon and get more proficient with my handguns. Ultimately I want to be able to do 45 acp and .223 when I'm able to afford an AR.

What's the cheapest most practical way to get started? I'm thinking $200 is no longer a realistic goal. What're your recommendations? Is it best to buy new or should I look on ebay for presses/dies etc as well?

$200 may be a little thin but it can be done. Look into the Lee Anniversary kit. It's a single stage and has pretty much everything you will need. Then all you would need is a book, a set of dies, calipers, and maybe a digital scale to back up the balance beam.

[gatesbox]

Lee Classic Turret Press..... plenty of folks will tell you to buy a 400-600 buck press, but the basic Lee Turret is great for beginners, and fits your budget with some room for dies and components.....

https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/rlpress2.html

[Dark Mod]

$200 may be a little thin but it can be done. Look into the Lee Anniversary kit. It's a single stage and has pretty much everything you will need. Then all you would need is a book, a set of dies, calipers, and maybe a digital scale to back up the balance beam.

+1, theres probably no better reloading value out there, all told you will need a few things in addition:

Tumbler: $30
Calipers: $15
Scale: $20
Dies: $30
book: $30
and components of course


Theres another route to go for about $50 more

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Home/October-Savings-Shooting-Gear%7C/pc/105625080/c/109756980/Smart-Reloader-Omega-800-Pro-Reloading-Kit/1224754.uts?destination=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D109756980%26WTz_l%3DHome%253Bcat111100680&WTz_l=Home%3Bcat111100680%3Bcat109756980

It comes with a tumbler, a usable scale, a trickler, and a couple other nifty doo-dads that are kinda cool (no powder measure). I have never used this stuff before so i cant vouch for the quality.

The Lee kit is top notch and the only thing thats worthless in the whole kit is the scale

[ojisan]

Sticky post:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=229221

[AdidasCJ]

Like you i was intimidated to get into reloading. BUT it is actually much easier then it looks. Once you make the jump into it, you will become addicted to it!

200.00 is a little low, BUT not to much more will be needed to get a basic set up going. If you already have brass it will save you money right out the gate.

I, as did a friend have started with a Lee Pro 1000. Him with the 45acp and myself with the 40 S&W. We got our for 159.99 shipped as it will include all that you need to get started with a turret setup minus a few things. Bullets, Primers, and Powder will cost a little more. BUT Primers are sold in 1000, bullets from 100-500pcs, and powder you can load ALOT of handgun rounds with one bottle.

I spent:
159.99 for the Turret Press Shipped (Gaf and sons)
20.99 on Winchester 231 Powder (Local gun shop)
30.99 on a Box of Winchester Small primers. (Local Gun Shop)
57.99 on a box of 500pc 180g bullets. (Turners Rancho Cuc.)
__________
269.69 Total as i had some brass.

Now i did invest in a digital caliper and digital scale. a MUST! Make sure your scale has .0grains as those .# can make a HUGE difference in a load. And the caliper is to ensure length is correct.

i paid 12.99 for the caliper (from harbor freight) and 19.99 for the scale. (Bass Pro Shop)

New total of 302.94

this is where i stand on an up and running 40 S&W Lee Pro 1000 Turret Kit. I still need my own tumbler so i dont have to keep using my buddies to clean my brass. Those will run anywhere from approx 50.00 - 150.00+.

Also if you have a work bench or someplace to already place your press, you will be ready to go. I didnt have a place to put mine so i did spend 50.00 on making my own table. but i dont count this as part of the "reloading" start up cost.

Here is a link to my thread.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=488398

the toughest part with setting up my kit was getting the powder grain where i wanted it, as well as the bullet depth set. But now that i have it set, i have a nice bullet load that works well for target shooting. I dont plan on messing with my loads to much. So once you get it set and are happy with a load, leave it alone and just have at it. I also have my current set marked so when and if i do change it, i can revert right back to it.

Also Read, Read, Read. Wealth of people on here that will shed insight as well as a google search. There are MANY charts and books with loads on them that will give you a break down of FPS, grain load, etc etc. They also break down by the different powders and bullets.

I too am looking into the .223 lee pro 1000 press when funds allow it. I will get with my buddy to copy down his load outs he is using to help you with what i can.

[Sub95]

Well when you get everything you might need and want a lesson, I am only 45 mins from you ( if you are in slo ) and i dont have a problem showing you how to re-load and if your missing a few things, i might have what you need for a lesson.

I think there is a place that sales primers and powder in slo, might pay a few dollars more but you wont have the hazmat fee of 20-25.

check craigslist every few hours if you can (sporting goods) and sometimes you get lucky and find a good press and extras for a good price.

[XDRoX]

$200 may be a little thin but it can be done. Look into the Lee Anniversary kit. It's a single stage and has pretty much everything you will need. Then all you would need is a book, a set of dies, calipers, and maybe a digital scale to back up the balance beam.

The LEE aniv kit is a great starter kit.

[ns3v3n]

Lee pro 1000 in .45acp is around $150, all you need is a scale and you're gtg for that caliber. you can change out some parts and you can do 223 I believe.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

lee challenger... http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/121...tage-press-kit

[stand125]

I know it will get a bunch of your crazy replies, but $30.00 shipped will get you a Lee Classic Loader in 45acp and $10.00 will get you a set of calipers at Harbor Freight ( I used a slide caliber at first which cost $2.00 ). You will not break any records for speed, you will load about 1 round every 45 seconds once you get good, but you will make excellent 45ACP ammo and it comes with a powder scoop and load chart. Here is an example

230gr lead bullet ( make sure to use .452 bullets with the kit )
red dot powder ( .7 LEE dipper included in kit )
minimum seat depth 1.19 inch

You don't need a tumbler at first, you can wipe down cases in a few seconds each, cowboys did not have tumblers. A book is nice to read, but the internet has all kinds of great info and if you go with the Lee classic loader it has great instructions. I have a tumbler, a single stage and a 4 stage turret press now. But I litteraly loaded a couple hundred rounds of extremely accurate 45 ACP and spent less than $32.00 for loading equipment, and still use the LEE classic loader for load development at the range and to show friends how simple the actual process is in it's most basic form.

So for that $200.00 you could buy the kit, calipers, 1lb of powder, couple boxes of primers, 250 or so bullets, some once fired brass and have plenty left over to put towards a press once you decide to go full blown into the hobby.

[bruceflinch]

Check Gunbroker & the other auction sights, CL, ebay, & CGN Marketplace for deals on accessories, presses, components. There are some bargains on some very good used merchandise.

[racinginthestreets]

First off, I think with $200 you could easily get yourself into a complete reloading setup to load .45acp. I would look to buy a good USED single stage press. Many will be in excellent condition and they last forever. Look for anything by Lee, RCBS, or an older Dillon or Hornady. Look in the paper for estate sales, pawn shops or Craigslist.

Second, the single stage press is much easier to come by used than a progressive press because many more experienced loaders will want the progressive type. The single stage press used will run you anywhere from $10-$50. Even if you need to add all the rest (i.e. manual, die set, digital scale, calipers, bullet puller, powder measure, case gauge, case tumbler, primer tray, one pound of powder, 200 bullets and brass) I still think you could do it all for $200. After reloading your first 200 .45acp cartridges you can decide if you wish to continue (and you will I guarantee it). Then it's just a matter of replenishing your supplies when you run out.

Finally, you can find many Calgunner's who will help you with any questions you may have (and you'll have a lot of them), but we all started that way. It sure is a big help to have dedicated websites that have members willing to share their experiences. You'll find that reloading usually turns into a hobby that's worth spending your time on. As for saving money, most don't really save anything, but we sure get to shoot a hell of a lot. I think one of the best advantages of reloading is you get to customize a perfect load for your specific weapon. The search for this perfect load is half the fun. Good luck with your search.

[IntoForever]

Sometimes this place has rebuilt presses for cheap. https://factorysales.com/

[fremont lapua]

I like the Dillon is more money but pays for itself over time. Any money you put into it will be recovered in the long run. I would go with a progressive or turret press for speed. If I had to do it over again I would not bother reloading auto loading pistol rounds unless used in revolver as is too difficult for me to recover all my own brass at most ranges. great to reload rifles though saves a lot of $$$$$ depending on caliber( some more then others).