Reloading Newb

Reloading can be addictive. As with many here I started in the 60's but with a basic Lyman C press. Later upgraded to a Rock Chucker that I still use. I am going to guess that at first you are going to use your fired brass. One of the "advantages" for the 280AI is minimal case growth so your fired cases should get you through your learning curve. I am not sure there are any really poor dies out there but any name brand should get you started. I finally spent some money on an electronic scale/powder dispenser and really enjoy it but loaded for many years with a RCBS 505. When you buy a loading manual make sure it has data for the cartridges you are interested in. With a reasonable investment you can load serviceable, accurate, safe ammunition while deciding how far down the rabbit hole you wish to go. Later comes the separating the fly poop from the black pepper stage.

I would like to suggest that you have someone that reloads to help you get started or watch the youtube videos and take notes. Reloading is great way to kill a rainy day with a lot of satisfaction.

Hornady lock n load single stage press kit, make sure to buy a pack of lock n load bushings. I personally preffer hornady dies too, but other die sets will work too.

Welcome from SE PA! Reloading is a whole new dimension to target shooting and hunting. Taking game with a load you assembled brings hunting full circle. Out performing your last group shooting target is an endless fun rabbit trail.

Welcome from Deep East Texas. Getting started in this hobby can be a little overwhelming with all the many variables and options. I started like most have stated with a starter kit, for me it was RCBS rock chucker. Allow some time to get comfortable with the process, procedures and techniques that you like. As your experience grows you will find many different pieces of this puzzle that can be made to fit quicker, easier or more accurately. One extremely important task has not been mentioned and that is record keeping. I have a 3 ring binder for large rifle, one for small rifle and one for handguns. In each of these are tabs for each rifle including serial #. Each and every step, each and every measurement, each and every firing is noted. With all the variables and since you will most likely like most of us get hooked on this amazing hobby, all these notes keep it all organized. DETAILS. Good luck, and have fun and you will always have a record of your travels.

Thanks for the advice! Really appreciate it!

MoLaird16 said:

Thanks for the advice! Really appreciate it!

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I've mostly skimmed the replies here but everything I've seen has been pretty solid. I think the two things that have saved me the most time are the A&D FX-120i scale with the auto-trickler and a Lyman case prep station. Probably next on my list is some sort of power trimmer.
When you get a minute, look up Reloading All Day https://www.reloadingallday.com
He offers courses from beginning to advanced and he has tons of data to back up what he talks about.

MoLaird16 said:

Gents, new to the forum (so go gentle). I want to get into handloading, but am having a little paralysis by analysis. I saw BackFire TV has a good list to start out with. I don't want to go cheap initially and then upgrade and pay more in the end. But I'm also not going to pretend to know what I'm doing and buy the most gucci gear. So any tender hearts that care to toss a list of really good, not the best reloading kit/combos - fire away!

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I have a suggestion for you. I am sure that you know someone, another hunter,friend,club member that reloads. If you do, maybe you could get that person to mentor you while starting. I was lucky enough to have a good friend that had reloaded for years help me out when I first started, I read several load manuals and other books on reloading but I still had questions and needed a little help when I first ran into issues like a stuck case. The most important thing to remember while reloading is to be very careful and do not get distracted while reloading.

bayou shooter said:

I have a suggestion for you. I am sure that you know someone, another hunter,friend,club member that reloads. If you do, maybe you could get that person to mentor you while starting. I was lucky enough to have a good friend that had reloaded for years help me out when I first started, I read several load manuals and other books on reloading but I still had questions and needed a little help when I first ran into issues like a stuck case. The most important thing to remember while reloading is to be very careful and do not get distracted while reloading.

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This is great advice! There are two members that reached out and offered to be mentors. For all that have given advice, I appreciate you doing so as you're really offering your time. Last I checked, they ain't making anymore of that - so I really appreciate you guys!

I started just before the WWW so research was time consuming. I ended up with a VHS set of David Tubbs reloading. I cant tell you how many times I watched that taking notes of how he tweaked out all that accuracy. After I got my hunting loads, I just got hooked on how to make my own prescription for accuracy. It can get really deep. You won't have that problem today with finding so many different tweaks. But once again, get the basics down first.

Fullbore92 said:

Great cartridge. My personal choice for brand of dies is Redding. Their type S dies are what I use mostly but they aren't required. Any brand die is fine. Especially if you're using the 280AI for hunting only which I assume you are. I recommend getting a single stage press. Simple to use and produce great ammo. RCBS Rock chucker is a great press to start with. You don't need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive equipment to achieve the same results with the basics. Get yourself a published load data book before anything and read it. You will learn a ton of valuable and important information.

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Welcome from Alaska! This is great information to start with. It's how I started and it works fine. One more suggestion is get an electric powder dispenser. Keep it simple at the start because once you get started the sky's the limit but it's so fun making your own loads.

Charles Duke said:

I started just before the WWW so research was time consuming. I ended up with a VHS set of David Tubbs reloading. I cant tell you how many times I watched that taking notes of how he tweaked out all that accuracy. After I got my hunting loads, I just got hooked on how to make my own prescription for accuracy. It can get really deep. You won't have that problem today with finding so many different tweaks. But once again, get the basics down first.

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FWIW- Sierra "High Power Rifle Reloading" by D.Tubbs

Lot of guys are say get a reloading press kits. My opinion piece it out as there will be equipment that you will eventually want to replace. Also I would stick die sets from Redding and or RCBS. I am not a Lee product fan as it is less expensive yes but in my opinion they are inferior products. The dies are ok. And by all means get numerous loading manuals and read them.

Oops!! I forgot to mention look at the classifieds on this site for components.