Finally looking to start reloading..

[Bobby Ricigliano]

So I've been around guns my whole life, but never, ever gave a second thought about reloading my own ammo. I'd like to have a small, basic set-up to reload 9mm, .45ACP, and .223/5.56. These are really the only calibers I shoot besides surplus Russian ammo and rimfire, so I am keeping it simple.

What is a good basic set-up that can handle those calibers and not take up too much space in the garage? I'd prefer to get something of decent quality so I won't outgrow it. How do you safely store gunpowder? What is a die? I have no clue at this point. I just see levers and hoppers, scales and stuff and it doesn't make any sense to me..

ANY TIPS OR ADVICE are appreciated. I don't have anything at all so I am really starting from square #1 and I don't want to blow myself or my guns up.

THANKS CG,

Bobby Ricky

[bandook]

What's your budget?

[CSACANNONEER]

Go take a class at the reloading store at Angeles. You'll learn more in a few hours there than you will in months of surfing the net. If you don't want to start there, shoot me a PM and I'll show you how I do things. However, I am not a certified reloading instructor.

[bruceflinch]

Did you read the sticky at the top of this Forum?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Yes, I read the OP's initial post going back to '08 and some, not all of the replies.

[Bill Steele]

I would buy a Lyman's 49th or Lee Second Edition reloading book and read it through. At that point you will know what to do, what a die is for and how to stay out of trouble.

I would then buy a Lee Classic Turret kit (with the Autodisk Pro upgrade option) from Kempf's Gun Shop (online), some calipers, a bullet puller, something to trim your .223 cases, primers, powder and bullets and you should be good to go. Along with the kit, you will need the dies for the calibers you didn't select when you bought the kit.

Good luck, have fun.

[baih777]

Fieldtime in OC is suppose to have a free class once a month. Might see you there. I have been looking into this also. Alot of brands.

[skibuff]

RCBS has the best customer service and warranty of any company in any industry. A Master reloader kit with some dies and you are good to go.

Reloading is not the most exciting thing on the planet but you can shoot twice as much for the same cost.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I really appreciate all the suggestions. I will take a class at whichever location is closest to me. Regards to all who responded.

[Rangem4]

I enjoy the learning curve. I began re-loading a few months back with the RCBS Rockchucker. I spent about $800 for all the basics, you know trimmer, tumbler and dies for 30-06, 45acp. The powder, primers, cases and bullets are not included in that figure.
I have made some mitakes and have learned from them. The main thing is be safe and watch your loads very carefully. Have fun!

[ExtremeX]

I too enjoy the learning curve. I went with an RCBS Pro 2000 Auto index press for my first press for both pistol and rifle ammo. 9mm, .45, .223, .308

I would budget about $1000 for all the basics.

It’s a labor of love… and while I had the inclination to save money reloading, it seems like the wrong reasons to start reloading. I am more fascinated with the process and the variables I have control over during the reloading process.

[Fyathyrio]

The ABCs of Reloading is a pretty good book to explain the process in detail, and is a handy reference down the road also. While it doesn't contain the various "recipes" that a reloading manual has, it does go further in depth on the various aspects of reloading then the load books do. Should be $20 or less and may be on the shelf at your nearest big box book store.

[blockfort]

I got a Lee challenger single stage kit for a little over $100, and two sets of dies (9 and 45). I already had calipers. I got a cheap digital scale recently and like it much better than a mechanical balance. I use picked-up brass. I buy the consumables: bullets, powder, and primers from Angeles Reloading store.

I can load about 100 rounds an hour if I tried, but I don't push it.

I never took a class or bought a book. I learned by watching a lot of videos on youtube, and have not made any major mistakes or had any major problems. Probably the worst I've done is to make a test batch of 15 rounds and forgot to visually check for double charges, so I had to pull them ad re-load, nothing was lost.

I'm loading at the low end of power to shoot in IDPA, so I'm not worried about blowing my gun up, but if you're loading for max power, be careful about approaching high pressures.

the powerfactor show's youtube channel has a two or three part series on reloading, but there are hundreds of videos out there.

[bruce381]

the "process" is the same regardless of what machine you buy so focus on whats happening also watch some you tube vidios on reloading search dillion or RCBS or Lee

[Colt562]

So I've been around guns my whole life, but never, ever gave a second thought about reloading my own ammo. I'd like to have a small, basic set-up to reload 9mm, .45ACP, and .223/5.56. These are really the only calibers I shoot besides surplus Russian ammo and rimfire, so I am keeping it simple.

What is a good basic set-up that can handle those calibers and not take up too much space in the garage? I'd prefer to get something of decent quality so I won't outgrow it. How do you safely store gunpowder? What is a die? I have no clue at this point. I just see levers and hoppers, scales and stuff and it doesn't make any sense to me..

ANY TIPS OR ADVICE are appreciated. I don't have anything at all so I am really starting from square #1 and I don't want to blow myself or my guns up.

THANKS CG,

Bobby Ricky

Some people bash lee precision, but I can really figure out why now, the quality of the products are amazing, the price is amazing, and they stand behind there products. I just got the lee breech lock challenger kit, from ebay, today. For first thoughts I love it. Comes with stuff that most other kits dont come with. Although i thought this was all i needed to start, im sadly mistaken. After I purchased that, i have to purchase dies for 9mm, brass, powder, bullets, primers, calipers, digital scale. Im probably about 300-400 dollars into my setup and still need a tumbler, 45 dies, 308 dies, and all the rest of the components