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Handgun Reloading 101
Being new to the Forum, I have been reading and posting all over. After visiting the “Ammo and Reloading” section I thought, with the price of supplies going up, up, up we should consider reloading more.
I started in 1989, to save a couple of dollars. At that time you could reload .38 special 148 grain Hollow base Wad cutters for 3 or 4 cents a round.
With the possibility of more oppressive and restrictive laws and the certainty of higher prices I think those who do not reload should consider it.
I’ve gathered a few beginner level kits and necessary components from various websites and compiled them here along with links to a number of suppliers. If you are interested in starting reloading as a hobby, or just to shoot cheap, click the links below for info and pricing.
The items below are the most basic, as you search you will find many other “must have” items. I promise you’ll get “Hooked”. Have Fun.
Pictured above (from lf to rt-Top bottom)
Lee Basic Reloading Kit, Lyman Reloading Kit, Lee Challenger Reloading Kit.
Next a RCBS Accessories Kit, and the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Reloading Guide. A Manual or Guide is a must have. There are many Reloading manuals out there with the formulas for darn near every round ever made, and a RCBS Reloading Kit.
These are all Single Stage Press Kits, (manual, one step at a time) for handgun this will usually mean four steps. These items are specifically for Handgun although some will reload small rifle calibers like.223 and .30 carbine as well as others.
Moving down there’s Large Pistol Primers, a 4-die set (handgun) each caliber has it’s own set. Some die sets will do double duty with proper adjustment. I have used 9mm dies to load .380, 44-40 dies for .40SW, .45 dies will do .45 ACP.45 LC, and .45 Auto Rim, and of course .38/. 357 will share the same set.
To the right of the die set we have Small Pistol primers. The reloading Manuals tell you which to use for a specific load/handgun. The other pictured items are Bullets, Powders and Brass, Primed and unprimed
With the right combination of these components you can assemble quality Ammo. You will find and be directed to the more expensive “Progressive Press”, a fine piece of equipment, fast and reliable for the most part. However if you are a newbie, I think single stage is best. Single stage is slower making you pay more attention to the loading process, the “walk before you crawl” school of thought.
I will not provide step-by-step instructions for the Reloading of Handgun Ammo here; this is info only for the curious. I will however tell you the FIRST step; Buy a Reloading Manual and read it.
I bought my first kit from Siegel’s in Oakland on Lay-Away and was given the Manual with my Down Payment. I was told to read until I paid it off ($125.00) so I wouldn’t “Blow myself up. I bought a RCBS Partner jr. kit and I still have and use it. I do one stage a day as time permits, on rainy days I can do 50 or so rounds in an hour. That gives me 100-200 rounds for the weekend shoot.
Go to your favorite Store, buy a Manual, give it a read, or search the “net” for “Reloading” there are links below.
After you get the fever and buy that “Dillon Progressive” you’ll be cranking out a 100+ complete rounds an hour, here are some Product Links
National Reloading Manufacturers Association
Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
(Rifle & Pistol)
Most of these Items will come with a Kit. You can mix brands and take advantage of product sales. Shop Around for the Best Deals!
Not included; Dies, Powder, Primers, Bullets and Brass
1.Reloading Manual: Accurate Arms, A-Square, Barnes, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lapua, Lee, Lyman, Nosler, Sierra, SPG, Speer and Vihtavouri.
2.Press: Single Stage, Turret or Progressive
3.Dies
4.Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them)
5.Case Tumbler: Media, Polish, Sifter, Bucket and Clear Lid
6.Loading Block (caliber specific)
7.Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
8.Case Neck Brush
9.Dial Calipers: Stainless Steel or Electronic
10.Case Trimmer
11.Deburring Tool
12.Primer Pocket Clean
13.Primer Tray
14.Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
15.Powder Scale
16.Powder Funnel
17.Powder Trickler
Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
(Rifle & Pistol)
Most of these Items will come with a Kit. You can mix brands and take advantage of product sales. Shop Around for the Best Deals!
Not included; Dies, Powder, Primers, Bullets and Brass
1.Reloading Manual: Accurate Arms, A-Square, Barnes, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lapua, Lee, Lyman, Nosler, Sierra, SPG, Speer and Vihtavouri.
2.Press: Single Stage, Turret or Progressive
3.Dies
4.Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them)
5.Case Tumbler: Media, Polish, Sifter, Bucket and Clear Lid
6.Loading Block (caliber specific)
7.Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
8.Case Neck Brush
9.Dial Calipers: Stainless Steel or Electronic
10.Case Trimmer
11.Deburring Tool
12.Primer Pocket Clean
13.Primer Tray
14.Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
15.Powder Scale
16.Powder Funnel
17.Powder Trickler
18.Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges)
19.Bullet Puller
20.Plastic Ammo boxes and labels
Being new to the Forum, I have been reading and posting all over. After visiting the “Ammo and Reloading” section I thought, with the price of supplies going up, up, up we should consider reloading more.
I started in 1989, to save a couple of dollars. At that time you could reload .38 special 148 grain Hollow base Wad cutters for 3 or 4 cents a round.
With the possibility of more oppressive and restrictive laws and the certainty of higher prices I think those who do not reload should consider it.
I’ve gathered a few beginner level kits and necessary components from various websites and compiled them here along with links to a number of suppliers. If you are interested in starting reloading as a hobby, or just to shoot cheap, click the links below for info and pricing.
The items below are the most basic, as you search you will find many other “must have” items. I promise you’ll get “Hooked”. Have Fun.
Pictured above (from lf to rt-Top bottom)
Lee Basic Reloading Kit, Lyman Reloading Kit, Lee Challenger Reloading Kit.
Next a RCBS Accessories Kit, and the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Reloading Guide. A Manual or Guide is a must have. There are many Reloading manuals out there with the formulas for darn near every round ever made, and a RCBS Reloading Kit.
These are all Single Stage Press Kits, (manual, one step at a time) for handgun this will usually mean four steps. These items are specifically for Handgun although some will reload small rifle calibers like.223 and .30 carbine as well as others.
Moving down there’s Large Pistol Primers, a 4-die set (handgun) each caliber has it’s own set. Some die sets will do double duty with proper adjustment. I have used 9mm dies to load .380, 44-40 dies for .40SW, .45 dies will do .45 ACP.45 LC, and .45 Auto Rim, and of course .38/. 357 will share the same set.
To the right of the die set we have Small Pistol primers. The reloading Manuals tell you which to use for a specific load/handgun. The other pictured items are Bullets, Powders and Brass, Primed and unprimed
With the right combination of these components you can assemble quality Ammo. You will find and be directed to the more expensive “Progressive Press”, a fine piece of equipment, fast and reliable for the most part. However if you are a newbie, I think single stage is best. Single stage is slower making you pay more attention to the loading process, the “walk before you crawl” school of thought.
I will not provide step-by-step instructions for the Reloading of Handgun Ammo here; this is info only for the curious. I will however tell you the FIRST step; Buy a Reloading Manual and read it.
I bought my first kit from Siegel’s in Oakland on Lay-Away and was given the Manual with my Down Payment. I was told to read until I paid it off ($125.00) so I wouldn’t “Blow myself up. I bought a RCBS Partner jr. kit and I still have and use it. I do one stage a day as time permits, on rainy days I can do 50 or so rounds in an hour. That gives me 100-200 rounds for the weekend shoot.
Go to your favorite Store, buy a Manual, give it a read, or search the “net” for “Reloading” there are links below.
After you get the fever and buy that “Dillon Progressive” you’ll be cranking out a 100+ complete rounds an hour, here are some Product Links
National Reloading Manufacturers Association
Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
(Rifle & Pistol)
Most of these Items will come with a Kit. You can mix brands and take advantage of product sales. Shop Around for the Best Deals!
Not included; Dies, Powder, Primers, Bullets and Brass
1.Reloading Manual: Accurate Arms, A-Square, Barnes, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lapua, Lee, Lyman, Nosler, Sierra, SPG, Speer and Vihtavouri.
2.Press: Single Stage, Turret or Progressive
3.Dies
4.Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them)
5.Case Tumbler: Media, Polish, Sifter, Bucket and Clear Lid
6.Loading Block (caliber specific)
7.Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
8.Case Neck Brush
9.Dial Calipers: Stainless Steel or Electronic
10.Case Trimmer
11.Deburring Tool
12.Primer Pocket Clean
13.Primer Tray
14.Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
15.Powder Scale
16.Powder Funnel
17.Powder Trickler
Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
(Rifle & Pistol)
Most of these Items will come with a Kit. You can mix brands and take advantage of product sales. Shop Around for the Best Deals!
Not included; Dies, Powder, Primers, Bullets and Brass
1.Reloading Manual: Accurate Arms, A-Square, Barnes, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lapua, Lee, Lyman, Nosler, Sierra, SPG, Speer and Vihtavouri.
2.Press: Single Stage, Turret or Progressive
3.Dies
4.Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them)
5.Case Tumbler: Media, Polish, Sifter, Bucket and Clear Lid
6.Loading Block (caliber specific)
7.Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
8.Case Neck Brush
9.Dial Calipers: Stainless Steel or Electronic
10.Case Trimmer
11.Deburring Tool
12.Primer Pocket Clean
13.Primer Tray
14.Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
15.Powder Scale
16.Powder Funnel
17.Powder Trickler
18.Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges)
19.Bullet Puller
20.Plastic Ammo boxes and labels
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