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New to reloading

Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
edited April 2008 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I've been shooting on a limited basis for years and now getting into reloading. I have a turret press, die sets for both size ammo I will be loading, and a scale (all a gift). Were can I get a good book with illistrations, and a source of reference to begin the process. I'm mechanically inclinded but have even seen someone reload before. If there is a total beginning I'm starting there.

thanks for the help
Oh and I'll be loading ACP.45 and ruger .480 if that helps.
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Comments

  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    I'm just starting into pistol ammo reloading...How does one determine the number of times brass can be reloaded? Standard powder charges...Nothing 'hot' or 'wildcat'.

    Thanks
    Mike
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    i am thinking of starting to reload. I dont know what i will need i found this and am planning on getting it what else will i need?

    http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25237/catid/1/Dillon_Square_Deal___039_B__039_

    thanks for your time
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    Thinking of getting into reloading my own cartridges and doing some research on GB, but no idea where to start. I have 7.62x54r, and if I end up liking it will want to be able to branch out to different calibers. Any tips on where to start? Books to read? Suggested starter kits. Thanks
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    I have been given a complete reloading setup in .45ACP. Now all I need is pointed in the right direction in getting bullets. Just looking for some can shooting plinker rounds made of lead. 225 grain would be about where I would think I need to be. If not feel free to educate me. I have a source of brass and primers are easy to find.

    Thanks for any help for a newbie trying his hand at cutting costs to continue to shoot.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    retired, plenty of time, small farm, 25 & 100 yd range, small shop,
    use lee challanger for basic, & lee c frame to seat bullets. hand dip each case, use hp38 powder for 5 handgun cal. use h4895 for 3 mil surplus cal. keep it simple stupid! also cast lead bullets for same. do any other reloaders follow a routine like this?
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    I am molding my own lead bullets, There is a grooved ring all the way around the base. Is there something that should fill it? The lead is already lubed and sized. Have seen some lead bullets with a waxy type substance in this groove before.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    How do you know how to adjust the dies? There is a collar adjustment on most, what is the proper way to set these up and adjust them correctly?
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    Get a good reloading manual before buying anything. I don't recommend starting with that or any progressive press until you get all the basics of reloading down. Also wouldn't buy one that expensive until I new for sure I was going to enjoy and benefit from reloading. I would start out with a solid single stage press like a Lee Classic Cast or an RCBS Rock Chucker. If you want a little faster production but easier to use than a progressive I would check out the Lee Classic 4-turret press. The manual will state everything you will need to properly reload.
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  • flyingtorpedoflyingtorpedo Member Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Start out with a single stage press and move to the progressive after you know what you are doing. I wouldn't spend that much before I knew I really liked reloading. First things first, read, read, and read some more. There are lots of old threads about this, you can do a search and read them. If you don't know of anyone to teach you then get 2 or 3 books and read them. I'd get more than one because while similar, no two are the same. I was happy with my ABC's of Reloading and the Lyman 48th handbook. I thought they went together well. You don't have to get those two as any reloading manual will have a section on how to and what you need. You can go to a book store and look at some reloading books to see if you think you would like it. It will probably be cheaper to buy the books online. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The above suggestions are good to follow, get a couple good manuals.
    IF you decide to go with the dillon SD-B, tell them when you order it what caliber and bullet you are using and they will set it up for you. It is a very good press for pistol calibers. I have two.
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you do a search for that topic you will find a plethora of good threads on the issue.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    Why a single press? im reading about it online i was looking online for a press and the lee one os only 100 bucks and the other one is close to 3 is a good pricing?
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  • flyingtorpedoflyingtorpedo Member Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Why a single? That way you can concentrate on each step, one at a time. It is less likely you will make a mistake. Then when you have each step down solid, then move to a progressive where you have to keep track of everyting at once.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    would you advise to buy a used kit or a used press off of gunbroker or ebay?
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  • flyingtorpedoflyingtorpedo Member Posts: 1,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It really depends on if you want new or used. Depending on the brand, buying used can save you a ton of money or not much. Back to your previous question, about the Lee kit. (Asking about brands is like asking Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge-everyone says one is good and the rest are crap) I'm quite happy with mine. It's cheap but it gets the job done and is made in the USA-that leaves more money for other things such as dies, powder, bullets, ect. Before I got mine I saw used ones sell for close to what I could get a new one for so I opted to get a new one thay way I got the warranty and knew the kind of use it had seen. I suggest you read the reviews of different kits at
    http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?t=82579&pageNum=0&tabId=1&categoryId=19590&categoryString=9315***731***680***8604***
    It might give you some insight. I always enjoy reading the reviews at Midway before I buy something. Depending on what kit you get it might be cheaper at http://www.wideners.com/
    I got my Lee kit shipped to my door from them cheaper than what Midway was selling theirs for.
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    If you go with Lee, get either a Classic single stage or Classic turret press, not one of the Anniversary kits. Those presses are cheaper. The Classic's are cast and very strong. I prefer RCBS scales and powder measures to the Lee. I have Lee dies and they work very well.
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  • Mort4570Mort4570 Member Posts: 472 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What caliber(s) are you wanting to reload for?
    The press ur looking it only does pistol rounds and only takes the dies...expensive..that are made for that press.
    IF you decide to jump into a progressive like this one,force yourself to only load 1 round at a time for the 1st 100 or 200 rounds so you become familiar with the feel of the operations.

    can you save money buying on Ebay. ?? almost never on presses,the shipping will kill the deal quite often.
    Other boards like this one that have 'for sale' sections are a better place to look.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    im looking at 45 acp and 308 in the future, what other boards? or does anyone know where i can get a great deal for arounf 150 for a kit or 100 for the press.
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    I load 45's on my Classic turret and can kick out a good bit of them in an hour. I've loaded about 500-600 on it since I've had it and it works pretty well. The press does come in a kit now from Cabelas for $164.99 (they didn;t have this a while ago)...it just used to be the cheaper presses in a kit. All you will need then is the components for loading and a manual.
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  • sirgknightsirgknight Member Posts: 109 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm relatively new to reloading also, been reloading for about six months now. I'm glad that I followed the advice of starting with a single stage. It has been a great learning tool. I started with the Lee Classic Cast kit. You can actually buy the kit NEW much cheaper than buying each separate component USED. So why not go NEW? There are great bargains if you look around. I started out with the ABC's of Reloading and then bought the Lee and Lyman reloading books. Wouldn't reload without them. Your most invaluable asset is this and other forums where you can draw from all of the experience. Others will share their mistakes so that you have a chance to not make the same ones, although I must admit that I still made some mistakes after being told about them. Some things you just have to DO to KNOW. I'm pretty certain that my next press will be the Lee Classic 4-hole Turret Press, but I really enjoy my single stage because it is "hands-on" through the whole process. Good Luck and Happy Shooting.....
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    I gave up. there are to many choices out there as for brands, so ill wait
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  • longspur riderlongspur rider Member Posts: 2,620 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm fairly new to reloading also. I asked for advice on reloading on G|B. The majority said I should start with the single stage as you will always use it even if you upgrade to a turret press. I took the advice & am glad I did. Bought an RCBS rock chucker kit. Has everything you need to start & is nearly indestuctable. I've loaded 2,000 rounds with it. Kind of gets into your brain wanting to try diff. loads & look up new formulas for reloading. Don't know if I'll ever get a turret press. This is a lot easier to keep track of what you are doing. I was kind of overwelmed by the choises too, but picked one & went with it.
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  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    check out midsouth shooting supply, they have good prices and I would start out with a single stage...in kit form. don't think you will find it for 150 but you should get close. i personally would stick with rcbs, hornady, or redding.
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    i got a whole lee kit with dies and the manual for $175.00 i also found 5lbs of 45acp brass and i am wondering how much that equals and what its worth here it is!

    http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/newitems/KempfKit.html
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  • FourbitsFourbits Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here are a few WEB sites I think you'll find useful.

    An Introduction to Reloading
    http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/introtoreloading.htm

    So You Want To Reload
    http://www.stevespages.com/page8.htm

    How to Reload
    http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/howtoreload.html

    http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=33

    And finally a great forum for reloading information.
    http://forums.handloads.com/ or http://www.handloads.com/

    Take a look at the Lee Classic Turret kit. I think its a good bet for pistol ammunition.

    Proceed slowly and have fun!
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  • Lucky_LeftyLucky_Lefty Member Posts: 7,971
    edited November -1
    i am in the process of building a workbench so i will actually put the press together in a week or so.
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  • dat32dat32 Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Dillon press is nice, but will only accept dillon dies. The Lee Classic turret press woul be good for beginners
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  • kamikazetsunamiskamikazetsunamis Member Posts: 435 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should read this first, very informative. It is a comparison on the big 3 progressive reloaders out there

    http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf
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  • Eternal Sun 111666Eternal Sun 111666 Member Posts: 164 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Very good advice. My first reloader was a Lee and came FREE with the reloading manual. The press was cheap, although very usuable, but the information the Lee loading manual provided was invaluable. The first section gave all the steps to start reloading, and the latter part of the manual gave load data. That was over 20 years ago for me. Whichever you choose, you can always upgrade to better equipment, as there is always someone else starting out. Hope this helps.quote:Originally posted by longspur rider
    I'm fairly new to reloading also. I asked for advice on reloading on G|B. The majority said I should start with the single stage as you will always use it even if you upgrade to a turret press. I took the advice & am glad I did. Bought an RCBS rock chucker kit. Has everything you need to start & is nearly indestuctable. I've loaded 2,000 rounds with it. Kind of gets into your brain wanting to try diff. loads & look up new formulas for reloading. Don't know if I'll ever get a turret press. This is a lot easier to keep track of what you are doing. I was kind of overwelmed by the choises too, but picked one & went with it.
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