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Need reloader for beginner
Bushnell Boy
Member Posts: 247 ✭✭✭
I think I'm finally to the point were I am ready to start reloading. I have looked around a little for starter kits but I really don't know what to look for. I need one that will do handgun and rifle. I would like one that did shotgun to but I don't think they make one that does all three. I need some suggestions on where to start. I don't have the slightest clue about reloading. So any suggestions would be great.
In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
-Beck (1993)
In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
-Beck (1993)
Comments
Any of the current starter kits are good. I started out with the Lee Challenger press about 20 years ago. Still use it as my primary press for pistol and rifle cartridges.
For shot shell reloading you will need a shotshell press, MEC is probably the best place to start.
If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
pact or rcbs digital scale
rcbs stainless steel dial calipers
any case trimmer that fits your budget,..I use the rcbs with the power attachment.
primer pocket uniformer (I use sinclair with the drill attachemnts)
flash hole deburring tool (I use sinclair with the drill attachemnts)
priming tool that fits your budget (lee auto-prime is great for the $$)
For dies,...I use mostly Redding now, but the lee collet dies are gaining a big following also.
then get a book and readi it several times before you start. And NEVER substitute powders or exceed the loads in the manual, until you fully understand what is going on and what signs to look for.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?
In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
-Beck (1993)
Where ever you can get the best deal.
Something I found works really great when lubing my cases is Imperial sizing die wax. A little on the thumb and forefinger rubbed on the case before decaping and sizing.
I threw my lube pad away, too messy!
If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
It will hurt you, More than it will hurt me..
Life Member... N R A
American Legion, MECU, MWCA, SMSC, BSC, NASDS
Thanks for all the help!
now metallic cartridge,there you can save a ton of dough.:)
I to started with a Lee challenger.good beginner press.I don't like their powder measures,plastic and "cheap looking".not sure about their scale.you'll need both.
pistol dies don't need lube,rifle dies DO!can be a spray on or wipe on by hand..remove after loading,by wiping off.
I think the BEST manual is the Lyman.It covers reloading ,powder burn rates,all kinds of recipes using diff. powders,etc etc.If I only had one book that would be the one.period.
If your budget allows,start with the dillon at 500.Their products are super,and so is their assistance after the sale.
A Rock Chucker is overkill,IMHO,but you will get a lot of reccomendations to get one.Its a monster press and will last a lifetime..heckmost all of em will.
ONe thing i'll disagree on with the lyman book,they say to decap before tumbling.I see no reasont to do so,unlees youjust like picking media out of the primer hole.:(
ONe thing a lot of foks don't do is wear eye and ear protection when loading..hey folks,this is GUNPOWDER we're playing with.
Good luck,and ask all the questions ya want.
give CAS a try,it is a hoot!!
Dillion equipment is top of the line and ItGoBang's suggestion of the AT500 is a very good one as you can upgrade it later on to a progressive press or just use it as is. I am a big RCBS fan and always suggest that you go with their Rock Chucker press. I've used the same one for 20 years and even though I have a Dillion 650 progressive sitting out in the garage, I use the Rockchucker far more often as it can do nearly anything and do it well. Hornaday and Lyman both make good equipment and brands like Redding and Forster have strong followings as well as Ponsness/Warren and the old Hollywood press (altough these are more expensive units). I consider Lee to be at the very bottom end as far as quality equipment is concerned and I already know that I'll receive the same comments from the same guys who'll swear they've used Lee equipment for years and think its all great. These are my opinions and you'll just have to get out and take a look at a few different presses and make up your own mind. Reloading is a fun hobby, but you really won't save a huge amount of money if you are only shooting common calibers like 9mm as the current prices of factory foreign ammo in the common calibers is hard to beat. If you shoot less common ammo or do match shooting then reloading may pay off for you.
Mark T. Christian
midsouth shooters supply
sinclair
midway usa
www.grafs.com
I find the blue press to be an expensive catalog,..but the * the cover is always nice.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?
is certainly warranted.
If however your reason is the save money plinking, then I'd recommend that you take a close look at the costs of imported and surplus non-corrosive pistol and rifle ammunition and compare it to the combined cost of dies and other equiptment and components plus the time you will spend reloading these calibers.
I have given up reloading several calibers for this reason.
I don't know what calibers you plan on reloading so imported or surplus ammo may not be available for the guns you own. In which case,
reloading is a necessity unless you're willing to pay the high prices for commercial ammunition.The money you spend for reloading equipment, etc. will more than pay for itself after reloading just a few boxes of your own ammo.
One last WARNING - Reloading Is Addictive! Its a lot of fun and during the winter months you can stock up on ammo and shoot to your heart's content during the summer.
I'll repeat the warnings in the other posts - be careful, read books on reloading and never deviate from the recommended loads contained
in these reference books. And - don't allow yourself to be distracted while you're reloading - reloading requires your full concentration.
Good luck and have fun.
John