When you started

[erik_26]

I am just about ready to dive in and start reloading.

Before I do, I am hoping to learn from you.


When you were ready to start, just before/during/after did you realize you were missing something (equipment, supplies...etc)? Did you grossly miscalculate anything(time needed, money, supplies, equipment....etc)? Did you face obstacles you never considered? What did you over look?


Please share so that I might learn from you and not make the same mistake.

[hayaku]

when i started backed in the late 80's, i bought a rock chucker kit that had almost everything in it. i had to get a set of calipers and a tumbler. i grossly underestimated the amount of work and that "50 rounds per hour" was not written or spoken about back then.. it was just "its a single stage press so you need to plan your work" statement...

but now with the internet, forums, and tons more people willing to share their knowledge and experience, its easy to figure out what you need to get, see actual loading sessions, and even go to someone's house to reload first on their equipment to understand the whole process and difference in equipment and components...

[bill_k_lopez]

Just started recently - grossly misjudged how little free time I have with a wife, a dog, a 3 year old and a 2 year old to afford the luxury of being alone in the garage reloading.

But when I do......its like being in heaven.

[EL_NinO619]

You will realize you will spend a lot of money on useless crap, be careful on what you buy. A lot of it is marketing gimmicks to get your cash. Also save a Little extra money and buy quality stuff, really figure out what you need and how much you really shoot, and what you want to achieve. As I was once told at a fish store, Its a lot cheaper to buy a 100 gallon tank than buy a 10g, then a 50g, than a 60g and as the hobby grows a 100 gallon. So really buy the book ABC's of reloading, really research presses, at least a couple weeks, take a good honest inventory on how much you really shoot.

What you will need to start.

Single Stage or Progressive
Dies of Caliber loading for
tumbler, trimmer & Lube pad (for rifle), case gauge
A good scale, RCBS 505, or Dillon Eliminator
A good caliper, I like the Frankford Arsenal one for Cheap but good.
A good Manuel, Speer, Lyman, Hornady
Safety Glasses always, and try to get some hands on from a old timer.

Oh ya the thing I underestimated the most, How addicting it becomes and always wanting to advance the art, Casting, development, etc..

[Shooter88]

Just started recently - grossly misjudged how little free time I have with a wife, a dog, a 3 year old and a 2 year old to afford the luxury of being alone in the garage reloading.

But when I do......its like being in heaven.

Yes. My wife has actually gotten pissed off at me before because when I go out there, its hours before I come back in.

OP, I sat down with my father in law and he taught me how to do it on his setup. This was good because sometimes (at least for me) reading instructions out of a reloading manual or online get confusing. Here I was able to let hands on experiance teach me.

I got the RCBS Rock Chucker set. It comes with almost everything you need to get started. I've been reloading for about 2 years now. Beware though, its very addicting.

[BigBronco]

I was taught by a guy I knew from work. He was a great mentor and even taught me to hunt and load shot shells. I was a younger pup at the time. He gave he his gear to get started. A rock chucker kit. I have loaded for over 30 years and have quite the bench however I feel as there is always something more I could use for the bench. My daughters man bought his first gun a .40 XD. Now it seems I need stuff to load that caliber. I just bought mold to cast .44 now I need a sizing die also. I especially need more time to spend at the bench. It just never ends.

[Divernhunter]

I started when I was in Jr High School and money was the issue. Now I am retired and money is the issue again. I do have a large amount of supplies stockpiled and much equipment now so that helps. The best book I found is the Lyman manual.
For testing buy small amounts of powder/bullets etc. Then buy in quanity and you will save such as 8lb jugs of powder and large lots of bullets/primers.
Buy quality equipment that costs more and you will be better off in the long run.
I have found that I can use mag primers in all loads and even get better accuracy, especially in pistol loads. Thus requiring fewer primer purchases.
Make a reloading table big enough for more than one press as you will probably get more than one in time.

Understand at the end of any given year you will have NOT saved any money. However you will have shot more and enjoyed another gun related hobby.

[WReyth]

I've been handloading my own .308 cartridges for the past couple of years. One thing that I was glad I picked up early that wasn't in the kit was a powder trickle, since I measure each powder charge. A steady hand can get by with tapping in a few granules in a time, but a turn of the knob is more convenient.

[freonr22]

imho, the lee scale is garbage. the possum hollow trimmer is awesome.

[rsrocket1]

If money is an issue and if you aren't in a hurry, you find that you can often get something done with little or no expenditure of cash. For instance, a rifle case can be used as a powder trickler by putting powder in it and twisting it as you pour it out. You can get as little as one granule at a time to come out. An empty case with a piece of brass rod soldered to it can be cut and used as a powder scoop to get you into the ballpark.

Things that can't be substituted are an accurate scale which can measure at least 0.1 grain and calipers that can measure down to 0.001" or better.

The $10 Harbor Freight digital calipers are "good enough" and the Lee scale is perfectly accurate if you have the eyes hands and patience to use it properly (I do now, maybe not forever).

The thing you can't cut corners on is being careful and being safe. So many accidents and kabooms can be traced to someone getting distracted while loading or tying to hurry up a load the night before going out to shoot.

Good luck and come back if/when you have questions. Lots of knowledgeable and friendly reloaders here.

[fabguy]

I find myself without alot of time also, another thing is money because although I save on buying commercial ammo I find myself buying/ stockpiling supplies. My wife has even called me a hoarder once . She said "REALLY, you need 16 lbs more of powder" lol, but then again she is also the one who tells me to go reload when life stresses me out because it relaxes me and gets my mind off the world while concentrating on reloading.
Watch the promo gimicks out there because they have gotten me a time or two. I would also recommend buying good equipment as have a few other members and I started with a single stage and about 1-1/2 - 2 yrs later bought a progressive. I am happy with both because I still use both.
Most of all, read as much on here as possible and ask ALOT of questions because the guys here are the masters IMO and they helped me out alot. I bought the ABC's of reloading and that book is priceless. I have met/talked to quite a few members from here and they have all been great guys and alot of help.
just my. 02

[Fishslayer]

imho, the lee scale is garbage. the possum hollow trimmer is awesome.

It's accurate & it works. Therefore, NOT garbage. It's not all that bad once you get used to it and understand how it works.

I AM grateful to my wife for the b'day gift of a Lyman 1500 tho.

[stand125]

What are you planning on loading at first? If you want to get your little toe wet without taking a swim then get a $28.00 LEE Classic loader in the caliber you want to start with, a $2.00 Slide caliper at the hardware store and a $2.00 mallet. besides powder, primers, bullets and brass you will have everything to load quality ammo at less than $35.00 total investment for hardware and you will have an absolute blast learning to reload at the very basic level.

[One78Shovel]

Couple of small things that can make for a long day.

Understand your scale. If you are using a balance type, non- electronic, know your increments and how to zero it.

Take weight measurements every 50 rounds. Especially if you are using a powder measure on say a Dillon 550. They are pretty accurate on most powders other than flake type, but better safe then sorry.

Make sure you are sorting your brass correctly. Easy to try and load a 380 case while going through a 9mm batch.

Learn the feel when you seat a primer. Once again, this is if using a progressive press. Very easy to have a primer not make the trip from the tube.

And lastly, have a broom handy to sweep up all the punched primers that go to the floor instead of the primer catch bucket.

-178S

[Clownpuncher]

Everything I read said that calipers were "optional"

But everything I read said to pay attention to your OAL. Calipers aren't optional.