Reloading????

[Vitals]

So I have been wanting to get a reloading set up for a while now. I shoot a fair amount of trap, rifle range, and now I'm about to attempt to feed my new 10mm which comes at a high price tag. I am utterly clueless as to what it takes to reload. I've been told a good set up, powder and materials not included, should go for roughly $200. I have several questions....and pleas chime in with all input.

*How difficult is it to learn the process of reloading?
*What are the risks associated with loading your own rounds, especially at first being inexperienced?
*Is reloading something that I can easily do in my apartment?
*How easy or difficult is it to reload ammunition to the level of factory loads?
*What price range for an entire set up would I be looking at to get started?
*Will I be able to use the same equipment for rifle and handgun ammunition? I know shotgun ammo needs different equipment.

All input is greatly appreciated and whatever questions you could answer will help me immensely

[khw9mm]

Not too difficult to reload. But you gotta read the manual and when you're done, read it again. Best to find someone locally and show you how it's done or have them look over what you're doing to make sure it's all good.

[Full Clip]

*How difficult is it to learn the process of reloading?
Easy to learn, difficult to master.
*What are the risks associated with loading your own rounds, especially at first being inexperienced?
It's no more "risky" than pumping your own gas.
*Is reloading something that I can easily do in my apartment?
Yes.
*How easy or difficult is it to reload ammunition to the level of factory loads?
Easy if you have a supply of time and patience to work up the right load for your gun.
*What price range for an entire set up would I be looking at to get started?
Somewhere between $200 and $2,000.
*Will I be able to use the same equipment for rifle and handgun ammunition? I know shotgun ammo needs different equipment.
There is plenty of crossover if you keep to a simple press setup.

[Colt562]

*How difficult is it to learn the process of reloading?
Not very, just read manuals, look on here, and watch youtube videos
*What are the risks associated with loading your own rounds, especially at first being inexperienced?
of course with anything firearms related, there is danger if you arnt being careful. Take your time, wear safety glasses.
*Is reloading something that I can easily do in my apartment?
Yes you can easily reload in your apartment, if you want something that will take up as much room as a book, look into the lee hand press, a kit is like 40 bucks and you can find all the other stuff you need (ill list below)
*How easy or difficult is it to reload ammunition to the level of factory loads?
You can even exceed factory loads and make them to your personal liking, if you dont like to much recoil you can use different components
*What price range for an entire set up would I be looking at to get started?
overall price would be about 200-250, I have spend around 350 but that includes all the components, and some extras
*Will I be able to use the same equipment for rifle and handgun ammunition? I know shotgun ammo needs different equipment.
Yes you will, I would suggest a single stage press

I too am also new to reloading, but know some stuff.

Now some stuff that I purchased....

I went ahead and got the lee challanger breech lock kit, it came with the press, powder funnel, powder scale, perfect powder measure, hand priming unit, Breech lock, deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner, chamfering tool, and some others, I also purcased a manual, digital scale, calipers (a must), 3 die set for handgun, 2 die set for rifle, reloading tray.

I can fit all of this inside a small cabinet. I still need to purchase a tumbler


Hope this helps

[Colt562]

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

take a look at this

[Dark Mod]

*How difficult is it to learn the process of reloading?
Not difficult at all, if you can follow simple directions step by step you will be fine.

*What are the risks associated with loading your own rounds, especially at first being inexperienced?
Your biggest risks are going to be double charge or no charge. If you accidentally double charge a case it will probably Kaboom, similarly, if you squib a round and fire one after without paying attention it can cause a kaboom.

Kabooms are rare but dangerous, though not normally life threatening.

*Is reloading something that I can easily do in my apartment?
Definatley, you can mount your press to a sawhorse and keep it in the closet when not in use.

*How easy or difficult is it to reload ammunition to the level of factory loads?
Factory level quality will come very early, basically once you work out all the kinks in your process, your loads will be just as good as factory loads. With a little more effort they can be significantly better, with alot more effort they will be slightly better than that even.

*What price range for an entire set up would I be looking at to get started?
Id start with something cheap, no one knows if its gonna be their kind of thing, so why throw a huge investment at it in the beginning? the Lee 50th anniversary kit is a great starting point, and you can get rolling for less than $200.

*Will I be able to use the same equipment for rifle and handgun ammunition? I know shotgun ammo needs different equipment.
For the most part yes, if you start with a single stage you will be able do both. Some Progressives (SDB) wont produce rifle rounds.

There are alot of advantages to starting with a single stage press: its more versatile, easier to learn the processes on, cheap, precise, and super usefull in alot of other ways.
Im constantly using mine for odd jobs, as well as producing most rifle cartridges and .500 S&W

If you buy a cheap kit first you will continue to use it throughout most of your loading carreer, regardless of what bigger and better things you move on to.

[Divernhunter]

Buy the Lyman #49 Reloading Manual and read it. It will answer most all your questions and will show you how to do each step and why. It is also a good source of load data.
I cannot add anything to what others have said about your questions. I reloaded in a dorm room when I was in college so you do not need much space. You can get a cheap set-up or buy higher priced(and better warr and quality) stuff. Any of it will reload for you. Buy a single stage press kit and no matter what else you get it will get used. I started with the RCBS Rockchucker kit and now have 2 Dillon, a Hornady for my 50bmg and 2 RCBS presses. The Rockchucker I originally bought and a Jr which I use to set bullets and size pistol brass.
OH ----If you think you will"save money". Forget it. I have been loading since the 1960's and at the end of each year I have never saved a cent of "out-of-pocket expenses". You will shoot more and that will eat up any savings. Plus you will need to start buying bulk to "save money" and thus also shoot more.
It is a hobby in itself. Some find it not what they like and most enjoy it. I started reloading so I could shoot more. I now sometimes think I shoot so I can reload more and try different loads. Once you get a chrono you will find lots of reasons to load up test rounds and go shoot them over the chrono and for accuracy.

Buy the Lyman #49 book and read it. Then read it again. It will take good care of you.

You can make reloading as simple or as complex/difficult as you want.

[HermanH]

AS others have said, a single stage press is a good way to learn everything you'll ever need to know about reloading cartridges. I just purchased a Hornandy Progressive (LNL) press but I didn't remove my RCBS single stage because I know I"m going to be using it for other purposes (thinking about making it my primer swager press now). It will also be used for experimental, limited numbers loads for testing.

I had my RCBS since around 1978 or 1979 and have loaded thousands of rounds through it. But it has it's limitation in terms of speed. I'm now at that point in my life where I want to produce like 500 rounds in a session instead of taking 3 or 4 days to get the same number. But it just works when I need it so it's never leaving my bench.

[Dutch Henry]

Bought an RCBS "JR" press in 1967 and I still use it. It is still as tight as new and I've loaded many thousands of rounds with it. Never had a need for anything else. Buy the best equipment you can afford and with a little care it will last you a lifetime.

[Cowboy T]

I'd like to provide a different perspective. Nothing wrong with RCBS, Dillon, Hornady, etc. gear. Fine gear. But that's Rolls Royce / Mercedes gear.

I think for the OP, the "Honda Accord" press would be a fine way to get started. That'd be the Lee Challenger Breech-Lock Press. You don't end up dropping wads of cash right off, and so if you end up not liking rollin' your own, it didn't cost you much. Since it's inexpensive (but very functional), the used market is thriving right now for reloading presses.

Something to consider.

[BlackDrop50]

I wanted to spend around $300-400 and ended up spending around $1100.

Now I spend more time reloading than shooting.


Be warned this happens to most serious reloaders. Do you have time and patience to load? You have to shoot a lot to get your money back. Do I recommend it...yes if you are a serious shooter.