Reloading Question

[Bill Steele]

thanks for the info shure wish i would have been saving my brass anyone recomend a good brand of equipment to start up with cheep but not crap you know....

I would recommend getting a Lee Classic Turret. You can use it like a single stage press until you get comfortable and then switch to auto index mode and put out 150 rounds an hour. Make sure you get the Lee Auto Disk Pro powder drop (not the regular Auto Disk).

Also I would recommend Lymans 49th or Lee 2nd Edition reloading guide. It will explain most of the steps and get you comfortable about what is important and not important and also provide many loads for you to try.

The least expensive place to buy Lee gear I have found is:https://factorysales.com/html/company.html

Good luck have fun.

[john16443]

Bill hit the nail on the head. He's a kit that is priced a little better than factory sales, and includes the Lee second edition AND the pro auto measure.

http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2...essive+Presses $199.99 plus shipping

In addition to this kit, buy either a Lee carbide 45ACP 4 die set, or the equivalent 3 die set plus a taper crimp die. Here are some links.

4 die set: http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2...t+%284+dies%29

3 die set: http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2...ide+3+Die+Sets

Taper Crimp die: http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2...Category_Code=

Add a bullet puller - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/215...vc=sugv1716704

Add a brass tumbler: http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2...Category_Code= Buy a bag of media to get you started as well.

Add a $10 Harbor Freight digital caliper or get a dial caliper on ebay for under $20. Make sure it measures to 0.001" increments.

Buy some bullets. To start, you may want to stay with jacketed bullets, but I've found that using these bullets works very well for 45ACP at a slightly lower costs www.precisionbullets.com

Loading lead bullets will be cheaper than any other type.

You will also have to get some powder and primers, may want to find some locally before ordering in bulk on-line. Presuming you've been saving your brass, you'll need large pistol primers, and start with a 1 pound container of Winchester W231 or Hodgdon HP38 powder for loading 45 ACP.

Options that should be considered to make things easier for you in the future are:

digital scale - http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh...ords=gemini+20

Hornady 8th edition reloading manual, and if you decided to load lead bullets, the Lyman 49th reloading manual.

[Horton Fenty]

Not a big fan of reloading kits myself. You get more bang for your buck if you do some product research and cherry pick your equipment. With a kit there might be things you don't use, or that you might upgrade later and never use again. Don't limit yourself to one brand. Start out buying only what you need. A press, dies, scale, caliper, etc. Get the Lyman book as your first reloading manual. They use components from everyone and have data for lead. Gives you lots more beginning option than say what you will have if you just buy one book from Hornady, Nosler, Speer, or Sierra.

Start with lead. No issues with 1911's and lead. People will point out the additional smoke and crud you get shooting lead. Pick the right bullet, powder, and load the thing to the right levels and you'll never notice the smoke. I've been buying Dardas bullets. Nice lube and they offer 100 count if you just want to try something out. 231/HP-38 like other said is a great 45 ACP powder, readily available and cheap. If you want something cleaner try Vihtavuori N320, it's locally available for me and all I'll buy anymore.

[gau17]

You won't save a cent. You'll end up spending a little more and shooting a lot more.

It's like a drug. You will end up upgrading to bigger and better equipment. It a hobby within itself.

[NiteQwill]

You will not save a dime. Seriously.

Why? Because you will shoot more.

If you ARE interested in seeing how much you save (or break even), check out the excel spreadsheet I included below.

http://www.sk8ng.com/dusty/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ReloadingWithPics.xls