Interested in reloading

[giantsfan]

Ok..I know less than nothing about reloading. I've never done it nor have I ever seen anyone do it.

That said, I'm always up for a challenge and I'm hooked on .40 cal. I want to know what it would cost to set myself up with a complete setup to reload .40, 9mm, .38 and .357 caliber handgun loads.

I just got my CCW and I'll need to practice regularly. Reloading my own cartridges seems the most cost effective way to remain current with my weapons.

What's the best route for me to go? I'm not looking to spend big bucks but want an adequate setup that will be sufficient for my needs. Not looking to mass reload to sell to others or anything like that.

Your help is appreciated! Thanks!

[gemoose23]

I'd say find a class for metallic reloading, NRA instructors, sportsman warehouse, or Bass Pro shops has classes.

Or if you are near sacramento i'd be willing to show you my steps and setup.

[skibuff]

RCBS has some good intro info on their site showing all the equipment you will need.
RCBS also has the best customer service and warrenty on their equipment. Dillon is great stuff also just a little more $$$

Midway sells some master reloading kits that have about 80% of everything you need.

I'm sure I'll get flamed but you get what you pay for with LEE.

[skibuff]

I'd say find a class for metallic reloading, NRA instructors, sportsman warehouse, or Bass Pro shops has classes.

Or if you are near sacramento i'd be willing to show you my steps and setup.

+1

Yea your in Rocklin Sportsman does free reloading classes from time to time.

[fullspeed1]

Youtube is your friend, or take a look at some of Randall's older stickies on this forum.

[theduece]

Buy a book, read it. Read it again. Read the stickies at the top. Reread them.

As for cost, you can find a setup for any and all budgets. Lee on the low end of the spectrum(price wise) dillon on the other.

[lpspinner]

As for cost, you can find a setup for any and all budgets. Lee on the low end of the spectrum(price wise) dillon on the other.

And both regardless of what you pay will still give you a product that goes bang as long as you do your part.

[skibuff]

And both regardless of what you pay will still give you a product that goes bang as long as you do your part.

the problem with the Lee is your press is what will go bang

[morrow]

Although this guy isn't perfect, a good starting process is watching the vids at www.ultimatereloader.com

[bruceflinch]

Ok..I know less than nothing about reloading. I've never done it nor have I ever seen anyone do it.

Not looking to sell to others or anything like that.Your help is appreciated! Thanks!

You can't legally do that w/o a license anyway.

Good Luck!

[tandmsimmons]

Reloading

I've had a Dillon 550 since the 80's. It's easy to use and change calibers. I reload 44,357,38,10mm,32-20,45acp,45lc and more all on the same machine. The advantage of the Dillon 550 is that you can set up the tool head that holds the dies with a die set for each caliber. This allows for consistant reloads with the same crimp and seating load after load, year after year. If you add a powder system to each die/tool head set up it gets even easier. Setting up may me expensive but with ammo prices you cannot afford not to reload.
I reload because I can set up accurat target loads and get repeatable performance. You don't need full power factory loads to shoot paper! My 45ACP costs me about fourteen cents a round using lead semi wad cutters, cci primers and 231 powder at todays prices. Cases last forever unless you use too much powder. There are hundreds of sources for reloading data.
With a good progressive reloader you can easily and safely reload 500 rounds in an hour while drinking a beer or two.
Check out Dillion Precision

[johnny1290]

I reload because I can set up accurat target loads and get repeatable performance. You don't need full power factory loads to shoot paper! ... Cases last forever unless you use too much powder. There are hundreds of sources for reloading data.
With a good progressive reloader you can easily and safely reload 500 rounds in an hour while drinking a beer or two.
Check out Dillion Precision

I bought a Lee pro 1000 9mm as my first press. Add a scale and some harbor freight $10 calipers and you're set for around $200.

Brass is around $35/k delivered.

I still haven't bought a tumbler after reloading 7 or 8k rounds. My brass is a little dirty but makes it easier to identify at the range and it fires just fine. I'll lose it before it'll crack or anything on me.

I figure I amortized the cost of the machine and brass(compared to gun show reloads)after reloading about 5k rounds.

I like to shoot weekly, and I can't even imagine the expense and hassle of buying new ammo.

Oh, I quoted the above because I discovered that full power loads aren't that much fun for me to shoot. I'm more accurate, and find it more enjoyable, to shoot 3.8 grains of WSF with a 124 grain bullet.

I doubt I could purchase commercial ammo loaded like that. It's super accurate (probably meaning I flinch less ) and the cases are easy to find, too.

I got into reloading to 'save money' and discovered I *really* like doing it. My stash of thousands of rounds is testimony that it's fun.

I also didn't imagine I'd want to tailor my ammo. I just wanted something that shot like factory made ammo. Then after shooting lots of that I made up some lower power rounds for a female friend of mine and realized I liked them more and shot better with them.

It's kinda cool to shoot exactly what you like.

[Cowboy T]

the problem with the Lee is your press is what will go bang

Come on, let's be nice. I haven't seen a Lee press explode when making ammo. I have, however, seen people blow up Dillon presses. :-) "It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian." Likewise with reloading gear; it ain't so much the gear, it's the reloader.

To the OP: the recommendations about reading reloading manuals, then reading them again, are very good. You should do this. Then, for your first reloading gear, I personally would start relatively inexpensively to see if you like it. If you find that you do, and that your shooting needs require it, you can always get beefier gear. Most people I know don't start out driving an 18-wheeler (there may be a few, but they're *few*). Learn to crawl before you walk. Reloading is a very safe hobby, as long as you pay attention to what you're doing, and as long as you follow the rules. Do that, and you're golden. Don't do that, it doesn't matter whose name's on that press; you may get a KABOOM.

[Bill Steele]

Come on, let's be nice. I haven't seen a Lee press explode when making ammo. I have, however, seen people blow up Dillon presses. :-) "It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian." Likewise with reloading gear; it ain't so much the gear, it's the reloader.

To the OP: the recommendations about reading reloading manuals, then reading them again, are very good. You should do this. Then, for your first reloading gear, I personally would start relatively inexpensively to see if you like it. If you find that you do, and that your shooting needs require it, you can always get beefier gear. Most people I know don't start out driving an 18-wheeler (there may be a few, but they're *few*). Learn to crawl before you walk. Reloading is a very safe hobby, as long as you pay attention to what you're doing, and as long as you follow the rules. Do that, and you're golden. Don't do that, it doesn't matter whose name's on that press; you may get a KABOOM.

Excellent advice.

If you start with an inexpensive single stage press, you won't have a lot into it if you decide it isn't for you. If you get going and really enjoy loading, you will always have a use for your single stage press, even if you go out and get a top of the line progressive.

Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition and Lyman's 49th are both excellent manuals to get. If you buy one and read it through you won't regret buying the book and will likely know how you want to start.

[lpspinner]

the problem with the Lee is your press is what will go bang

I started with a Lee Challenger single stage and a Lee Pro 1000 about 20+ years ago. I still have those same presses without any issues. I now also have 4 Dillon 550's. I love my Dillons, but I have had more warranty work done on the Dillon and absolutely none on the Lee (in or out of warranty).

I don't know what you are doing with your Lee to have one blow up? I seriously would like to know.

So as we say in the IT world......"The problem exist between the keyboard and chair."