Want to try my hand at reloading...

[socoinfantry82d]

So I would like to start getting into reloading, I have been looking at some different setups but am overwhelmed with where to actually start. Any ideas? Thanks, and if anyone in Sonoma County reloads and wouldn't mind showing me a few basics please let me know.

[Fjold]

You need to tell us what type of reloading you are interested in doing.

Pistol, rifle, shotgun? Plinking ammo, match ammo, hunting ammo.

[socoinfantry82d]

Pistol (40,45,38,357, possibly 5.7x28mm) and Rifle (223/5.56, 308, 30-06, 30-30) mostly for plinking but would like some (30-06,30-30) for hunting

[MarkG35]

Get a good reloading book or several(I have a Lee and Lyman)

Start hunting for componets(POWDER!!) Primers and projectiles are pretty easy to get currently(this could change in a hurry!)

Figure out a press.

Alot will reccomend a single stage.

I started with a Lee Classic Turret press.(Works Great!)

If I did it again,I would probably start with a progressive.

Read and ask questions.

Good Luck,Have Fun and be safe

[Bastard]

to start I would avoid loading 40 & 5.7 (go ahead bash me for that)

as for a good place to start - if I had to start over again, I would get the RCBS RockChucker kit, yes it is a single stage but it will do everything that you need it to do & allow you to learn at a slower place than with the progressive that someone is getting ready to recommend.'


oh yes & get a manual... hell get two or three of them & read them.

also look in to the classes

[Fenr1r]

I'm glad I started on a single stage but 9 months later I am more than ready for a progressive which just arrived yesterday, a Hornady LNL AP. Although if I could do it again with what I know I wouldn't have started with such a higher end single stage because it wasn't cheap (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit). I would have started with something like a basic Lee press and upgraded to a progressive much sooner.

[socoinfantry82d]

Classes? Where can I look these up at? I was told 5.7 would be hard to start with. Thanks aging for the help guys anf please keep it coming!

[Bastard]

the classes or clubs or whatever we are calling them - they are listed in the reloading forum, they are by region & am unsure where they are or how close to you the nearest one is.

**check the stickies.

[1HitaQuita]

A single-stage press is a good place to start. BUT, within 3 months you'll be wanting to produce rounds at a much higher rate. I would recommend something like a Lee turret press (not progressive). Cheap & works great. You can go "green" or "blue", but "red" is the best bang for your buck!

[Divernhunter]

PM me if you want some help

[BigBronco]

Currently the closest reloading club chapters to you are in Sacramento and the Bay area. Classes have and may be held again in Scato and East bay. Contact Ferrum (Sacto) or Ivanimal (East Bay).

[CSACANNONEER]

A single-stage press is a good place to start. BUT, within 3 months you'll be wanting to produce rounds at a much higher rate. I would recommend something like a Lee turret press (not progressive). Cheap & works great. You can go "green" or "blue", but "red" is the best bang for your buck!

Red? You mean Lee? Hornady? Forster? or what? I'll agree that Forster is among the best but not cheap. Lots of people like Hornady over blue presses. Lee presses are just plain cheap. While they work, they tend to not be as smooth or nice as other manufacturers. The cost of a press ($30-$500) is not the biggest part of a reloader's start up expense. Everything else combined is going to cost more. So, get the press you want. Not the press that's cheapest.

Whether one starts with a SS or progressive, in the end, one should always have a decent single stage press on their bench. I started with a progressive and then realized that a good SS press is mandatory on my bench. Well, I have "a few" SS presses on my bench but, one would be enough for most people.

[shoebox56]

So I would like to start getting into reloading, I have been looking at some different setups but am overwhelmed with where to actually start. Any ideas? Thanks, and if anyone in Sonoma County reloads and wouldn't mind showing me a few basics please let me know.

Lee Classic Turret. Turn off the auto indexing & use as Single Stage. Later return to auto.

[1HitaQuita]

Red? You mean Lee? Hornady? Forster? or what?

That would be Lee

So, get the press you want. Not the press that's cheapest.

That's not always possible. I WANT a Ferrari, but my income doesn't allow it. His income may not allow a Dillon or RCBS, but most people can afford a Lee. I own 2 Lee presses (turret & progressive), but if I decide to buy another progressive I'll probably try a dillon.

[Citadelgrad87]

I'm glad I started on a single stage but 9 months later I am more than ready for a progressive which just arrived yesterday, a Hornady LNL AP. Although if I could do it again with what I know I wouldn't have started with such a higher end single stage because it wasn't cheap (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit). I would have started with something like a basic Lee press and upgraded to a progressive much sooner.

I have a very basic lee O press, aluminum, and upgraded to a dillon 550 when I was ready, but I find myself using it all the time, swaging, etc. I wish I had a better single state.

Potato, potahto.