Reloading - Getting Started

[DJDace]

As my priorities and interests have shifted regarding my recreational and competitive shooting, reloading has become a serious issue for me. With my focus being on shooting in CAS/SASS competitions, that means I will be going through ALOT of .45LC ammunition. Well, factory ammo in that caliber is far from inexpensive.

I'd like to be able to custom tailor a load I can use in both my SA Revolvers as well as my Lever Action Rifle and to keep the costs as low as possible.

I was looking at a Dillon 550B, but other than that I am completely clueless as to what other components I will need. I'm sure once I get the setup together I will be able to learn how best to utilize them and seeing as how I am only focusing on one caliber for now it should be easy enough to get a handle on.

So, all you experienced reloaders out there, any recommendations and advice? I'd really like to be able to get a shopping list together so I can start looking around for where best to purchase everything and arrange a space in my garage to get setup.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to help.

[wildcard]

Without getting into specifics, you'll need:

A press: Probably a progressive for your needs
Dies: Decap/ sizing, expander, seating
Tumbler and media: To clean your brass
Trimmer: To trim the length of your brass as it expands
Powder dispenser
Workbench
Bullets
Powder
Brass
Primers
Loading tray
Case lube
Primer pocket cleaner

Should be good to go with that..

[Timberwolf]

Get carbide dies and forget the lube; and get a good loading manuel.

[DJDace]

Thanks guys, I will start putting a shopping list together and pick up a good reloading manual.

[PistolPete75]

lyman's is a well rounded reloading manual. i've used it for both pistol and rifle calibers.

[wildcard]

Get carbide dies and forget the lube; and get a good loading manuel.

Yeah.. I tried going that route.. but I still prefer some lube on my .44 Mag brass even when using carbide dies.. takes more time but everything feels smoother and requires less force.

[Cazach]

Items above plus a good quality powder scale, gauges and/or other measuring equipment (calipers, etc.) and multiple resources for load data (manuals).

[wildcard]

Items above plus a good quality powder scale, gauges and/or other measuring equipment (calipers, etc.) and multiple resources for load data (manuals).

Knew I forgot something.. a scale and caliper are musts..

[C.G.]

lyman's is a well rounded reloading manual. i've used it for both pistol and rifle calibers.

+1 on Lyman's.

[Timberwolf]

If you're going to "buy once cry once" dump the scale and powder dispenser and get a Chargemaster.

[eguns-com]

If you're going to "buy once cry once" dump the scale and powder dispenser and get a Chargemaster.

And spend a lot more time loading than shooting

A properly set powder dispenser works fine for 99% of the cases. And is much faster.

Chad

[PLINK]

If you go with Dillon I recommend buying from Brian Enos. http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html

His service is top notch.

He also has EZ packages for the people who don't really know what they need. http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550.html

Also check out his Dillon FAQ.

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html

And check out "Which Dillon?"

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

I have a Dillon 550B. I reload .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I shoot 2 USPSA matches a month which is about 500 rounds including some practice time. I am perfectly happy with my press for the amount of shooting I do. Auto indexing, case feeder and a bullet feeder would be nice but definately not needed.

[Timberwolf]

And spend a lot more time loading than shooting

A properly set powder dispenser works fine for 99% of the cases. And is much faster.

Chad

You surely are not going to tell me you can dump and wiegh more charges in a minute with your dispenser and beam scale than I can with a Chargemaster.

[eguns-com]

You surely are not going to tell me you can dump and wiegh more charges in a minute with your dispenser and beam scale than I can with a Chargemaster.

Who is weighing each charge? Most people set the powder measure to a certain charge and then just fill the case with the powder from the powder measure. That is much faster than using your chargemaster. And the OP was talking about a Dillon RL550B and when using that press, that is what you usually do. You adjust the powder measure using your scale, and then just use it. And you can load 400+ cases (every step) in an hour. Do THAT with your chargemaster!

Chad

[eguns-com]

If you go with Dillon I recommend buying from Brian Enos. http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.html

His service is top notch.

He also has EZ packages for the people who don't really know what they need. http://www.brianenos.com/store/dillon.ez.550.html

Also check out his Dillon FAQ.

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html

And check out "Which Dillon?"

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html

I have a Dillon 550B. I reload .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I shoot 2 USPSA matches a month which is about 500 rounds including some practice time. I am perfectly happy with my press for the amount of shooting I do. Auto indexing, case feeder and a bullet feeder would be nice but definately not needed.

I will probably get you the stuff cheaper than brianenos.com and I am a calguns site supporter.

eguns.com

Selling Dillon since 1996. (And for 1/2 the keywords I beat brianenos.com in Google).

I'll talk to you on the phone (or by PM or email or a combo of all) for as long as you need and discuss your needs and goals with you to make sure you get what you need/want.

thanks
Chad