Getting Started Re-Loading

Brownell's has a good reloading offering as well and sometimes gets in a pricing/promotions war with Midway on some items. Lots of places for components online (Natchez and Powder Valley, for example). Also, don't count out your local shop- they often have your bas s covered as well.
 
Depending on your budget, here are some good things to get. There are cheaper options and like has been mentioned, you can get kits that have the vitals, but if you want to get more into precision you will replace some stuff and add to the set with additional things.

These are just my thoughts...doesn't mean you need all of this now. Some have less, some have more. Midway, Sinclair, Brownells, Graf and sons, and plenty of other places carry this. Some have items in stock when others don't and some have better prices and shipping costs, and some ship quickly (Midway is good about fast turnaround).

Forster coax press
Redding Type S FL and Seater dies. May need VLD stems for seater and may need neck bushings for FL or neck sizing dies.
Deprimer, Lee is easy
Hornady Lock-nLoad tool to measure to lands and modified cases for each you are reloading for
AMP Annealing (since you have expensive brass with the Nosler rounds)
Good calipers (I have Starrett mechanical)
Scale (some like a beam, I got digital and went with a GemPro, then RCBS 2000 to an Fx120i with auto trickler)
Powder thrower (I like the Lee scoop set to use with the auto trickler) but can get RCBS or some other - since you load for multiple cartridges, get one with a micrometer so you can get back to each throw pretty easily)
Bullet comparator (I have Darrell Holland's) and bullet length / COAL gauge (Hornady)
Headspace gauge (Hornady, or I got Larry Willis' gauge and think it is money well spent)
Runout gauge (I have Darrell Holland's)
Neck thickness micrometer (I have Darrell Holland's)
Some type of brass cleaner - I started with cob media tumbler, then got Stainless and am very happy)
Bullet puller (Forster if you get the coax, grip-n-pull if not)
Case trays
Ammo boxes
Priming tool (I have Sinclair)
Case lube (many use imperial)
Case trimmer
Shell holders
Neck turning kit if you want to do that
Stuck case remover - I have one but haven't had to use it yet. But want to be able to get it out when it happens and not have to order it.

I am sure I forgot some things I have but that covers most of what I have. You can get by with less, and you can get by with cheaper options on many things. I have found that if I buy the cheaper option I often replace it for more precision or efficiency later, so take that into account. I would have spent less if I bought this stuff first, but it is also important to find what you want to sink your time, what you want to measure, how precise, how efficient, etc.

Keep all the little bits that come with this stuff even if you don't know what it is. Eventually you will probably need it. Keep all the instructions - I throw them all in a ziploc bag for in the future. You can probably find them online but some stuff is obscure.
 
JB, perhaps you could save some cash by posting "Want to buy" ads here on the forum for specific tools you need which someone doesn't need anymore. I've picked up at least 20 dies here along with a few other items. Good luck
 
morning, read, read, read. no question is a dumb question. if not known,
learn how to read calibers and micrometers. buy a very good book
on reloading. u have an aray of rifles. get a factory loaded round
in all ur calibers. read all dimensions of each round. compute all
info into a computer log. this site has a vast aray of very professional
reloaders. if ask a question U will geta aray of answers. read
all. put most formal answers in a computer log. if truly dedicated
u will spend lots of money. spend alots of time perfecting ur
exact accuracy loads. good reloaders r scientist. they all
perfect their own skills. justme gbot tum we have fun!!!
 
Dosh said:
JB, perhaps you could save some cash by posting "Want to buy" ads here on the forum for specific tools you need which someone doesn't need anymore. I've picked up at least 20 dies here along with a few other items. Good luck
Click to expand...
I may do that for some of the more specialty stuff later on. Honestly, it looks like there's lots of things im gonna have to "crawl" into before I take off running! Lol
 
The Oregonian said:
Depending on your budget, here are some good things to get. There are cheaper options and like has been mentioned, you can get kits that have the vitals, but if you want to get more into precision you will replace some stuff and add to the set with additional things.

These are just my thoughts...doesn't mean you need all of this now. Some have less, some have more. Midway, Sinclair, Brownells, Graf and sons, and plenty of other places carry this. Some have items in stock when others don't and some have better prices and shipping costs, and some ship quickly (Midway is good about fast turnaround).

Forster coax press
Redding Type S FL and Seater dies. May need VLD stems for seater and may need neck bushings for FL or neck sizing dies.
Deprimer, Lee is easy
Hornady Lock-nLoad tool to measure to lands and modified cases for each you are reloading for
AMP Annealing (since you have expensive brass with the Nosler rounds)
Good calipers (I have Starrett mechanical)
Scale (some like a beam, I got digital and went with a GemPro, then RCBS 2000 to an Fx120i with auto trickler)
Powder thrower (I like the Lee scoop set to use with the auto trickler) but can get RCBS or some other - since you load for multiple cartridges, get one with a micrometer so you can get back to each throw pretty easily)
Bullet comparator (I have Darrell Holland's) and bullet length / COAL gauge (Hornady)
Headspace gauge (Hornady, or I got Larry Willis' gauge and think it is money well spent)
Runout gauge (I have Darrell Holland's)
Neck thickness micrometer (I have Darrell Holland's)
Some type of brass cleaner - I started with cob media tumbler, then got Stainless and am very happy)
Bullet puller (Forster if you get the coax, grip-n-pull if not)
Case trays
Ammo boxes
Priming tool (I have Sinclair)
Case lube (many use imperial)
Case trimmer
Shell holders
Neck turning kit if you want to do that
Stuck case remover - I have one but haven't had to use it yet. But want to be able to get it out when it happens and not have to order it.

I am sure I forgot some things I have but that covers most of what I have. You can get by with less, and you can get by with cheaper options on many things. I have found that if I buy the cheaper option I often replace it for more precision or efficiency later, so take that into account. I would have spent less if I bought this stuff first, but it is also important to find what you want to sink your time, what you want to measure, how precise, how efficient, etc.

Keep all the little bits that come with this stuff even if you don't know what it is. Eventually you will probably need it. Keep all the instructions - I throw them all in a ziploc bag for in the future. You can probably find them online but some stuff is obscure.
Click to expand...
Wow! You are showing me that I have a great deal to learn! I keep hoping somebody in West Texas will pipe in and offer a training course! I'm the most as procrastinating things and I feel like I need to get some things and get going or illI stall out, lol. ImI sure I'll end up buying some things more than once as a result. I'm more of a hunter than a comp shooter (at least I have been) so maybe I won't get too far out tgere. I like the single stage idea for now so it makes me learn the steps. Honestly, while I have nothing against the factory ABs and ABLRs that Nosler offers, I want to be able to do some other bullets that I think will do well in the 26, 28, and 30. The bullet seating is something I wish I could watch an expert do learn.
 
Everyone has pretty well covered most of the bases on equipment, so I will suggest that you find a good mentor. Got to be lots of experienced reloaders around Odessa. If you can find any benchrest or competition shooters, they pioneered the reloading techniques that long-range hunters use today. I was lucky enough to have exactly that help, some 40 years ago. I am still picking the brain of another BR shooter today.

It's a time and money saver to learn from anal reloaders/shooters. Reading everything is good and I advise you to do it. Learn the jargon so you can communicate correctly, when posing a question or seeking help for a problem. There are plenty of knowledgeable precision reloaders on this site that will help you, but beware ------ it is the internet. After you've been here awhile, you'll gravitate to the guys that know what they speak of.

I still believe you would be ahead of the game by finding a quality mentor. Hands on experience with a mentor will accelerate the learning curve and build your confidence. Reloading for precision is not "rocket science", but to really build a great load involves many steps. You will be very proud, the first time you solve the puzzle and be hooked forever. Last suggestion is to buy a quality chrongraph, it will show you what is working and what you need to change. Good luck and welcome. Can't have too many Texans!
 
Last edited:
dok7mm said:
Everyone has pretty well covered most of the bases on equipment, so I will suggest that you find a good mentor. Got to be lots of experienced reloaders around Odessa. If you can find any benchrest or competition shooters, they pioneered the reloading techniques that long-range hunters use today. I was lucky enough to have exactly that help, some 40 years ago. I am still picking the brain of another BR shooter today.

It's a time and money saver to learn from anal reloaders/shooters. Reading everything is good and I advise you to do it. Learn the jargon so you can communicate correctly, when posing a question or seeking help for a problem. There are plenty of knowledgeable precision reloaders on this site that will help you, but beware ------ it is the internet. After you've been here awhile, you'll gravitate to the guys that know what they speak of.

I still believe you would be ahead of the game by finding a quality mentor. Hands on experience with a mentor will accelerate the learning curve and build your confidence. Reloading for precision is not "rocket science", but to really build a great load involves many steps. You will be very proud, the first time you solve the puzzle and be hooked forever. Last suggestion is to buy a quality chrongraph, it will show you what is working and what you need to change. Good luck and welcome. Can't have too many Texans!
Click to expand...
I agree x 100. Lol, I`m getting confused just buying this stuff! I just joined a new shooting association where they have a lot of competition events. I`m gonna try and make a new friend or two for sure!
 
Just because there is still room in the case, does not mean you have to fill it with powder. Saving money and reloading are synonymous(not).
 
A lot of what has been listed is overkill for a beginner. A good press(does not need to be the most expensive), a powder thrower(could be Lee dippers), hand primer, powder scale, case trimmer(could be Lee that you use in your hand drill), dies, case holder, loading tray, etc. I have been reloading for years and don't have half what has been listed. And I am rolling under 1/2 inch loads. I even anneal with my hand drill. My caveat here is that I don't do high volume loading. On the other hand there are all kinds of equipment I would like to buy for ease of use, to save time, to convince myself that I am doing all I can, etc. I don't think I can shoot better than 1/2 inch anyway with my shaky old age. So I don't need a lot. Want is another thing.
 
Straight Shooter said:
A lot of what has been listed is overkill for a beginner. A good press(does not need to be the most expensive), a powder thrower(could be Lee dippers), hand primer, powder scale, case trimmer(could be Lee that you use in your hand drill), dies, case holder, loading tray, etc. I have been reloading for years and don't have half what has been listed. And I am rolling under 1/2 inch loads. I even anneal with my hand drill. My caveat here is that I don't do high volume loading. On the other hand there are all kinds of equipment I would like to buy for ease of use, to save time, to convince myself that I am doing all I can, etc. I don't think I can shoot better than 1/2 inch anyway with my shaky old age. So I don't need a lot. Want is another thing.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that advise. I am gonna get some things together along the lines you're talking and hopefully find s mentor of sorts. I think that would be a great help if I could get someone that I could work with and watch some. Thanks!
 
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