New to reloading

[Ace Quackhunter]

Interested in reloading, but don't know what equipment I should purchased. Any advice from those who reload.

Before you purchase equipment, figure out just what need for your caliber. Then you can post what you are looking for on the forum, most of us that load have to much equipment we have purchased over the years and would be willing to part with some to get your started.
Ace

 

[Alibiiv]

Interested in reloading, but don't know what equipment I should purchased. Any advice from those who reload.

I'd say buy at least two if not three reloading manuals, and read them before you purchase anything! When I say read them I mean from cover to cover, even checking out the load data, powders, powder charges for the various rounds, especially load data on the cartridges that you want to reload for. I totally recommend buying a quality "single-stage", "O" press, I have an RCBS Supreme, you probably will get more opinions on the thread. I had an RCBS Rockchucker press for at least 25 years before I bought the Supreme, I retired the Rockchucker because I wanted a new press there was nothing wrong with it. I recommend a single stage "O" press because you will not find anything much better than an "O" press for making accurate loads, and....it will reload just about any cartridge you would want to reload. I prefer a "single" stage press instead of a multi stage press as a beginner because it is quite easy to make one mistake with an "O" press, with a progressive press, like a Dillon, you can turn out a lot of mistakes in a very short period of time before you figure out that you have a major problem; pulling loaded mistakes is a real PITA!! I recommend that you purchase some quality, off the shelf dies, unless you have a large budget to play with. If you are just starting out, probably will not have to pay $200-300+ for your dies. You will need a quality powder measure, there's a few electronic ones on the market today, a case trimmer, a set of dial calipers, lube, case tumbler (pin or media), powder, bullets, inertia bullet pulller (hopefully won't need, but...), oh.......did I mention two or three "well" read reloading manuals. This ought to get you started, trust me it will not end here as it is a never ending, very rewarding hobby.

Before you purchase the items that I have listed, I strongly suggest that you go back to the search bar on the forum and do a search for threads on all of the items listed. By doing this you will get an idea about the products you are buying, what others think of those products and what others are using or suggesting to use. If at all possible try to find a mentor in your area who would not mind helping you get started. A mentor can be there to guide you through simple steps that may take you a very long time to figure out, and to answer any questions you may have. A mentor is sort of like an "in person" option to what you are doing on this thread. Keep asking questions that is a good way to start learning. And.....remember there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers!!

 

[jnwise]

Your best bet is to find a mentor and learn OJT. My brother trained me and I've trained two other people. He had the Hornady LocknLoad single press. I recommend getting a set up similar to your mentor for troubleshooting. I like the concentric bullet seating dies and ease of switching dies. I seat primers one by one on the press and don't care for hand held priming devices. I recommend a gauge style caliper to measure COAL rather than digital. Also for the money the Hornady Bench scale is worth the $125 or so for upgrading. If you already have a work bench you should come in less than $500 with a good setup. For load data I Recommend the Nosler online load data. They indicate their most accurate loads for the rifle used. I have found that really helpful and saves a ton of range time and frustration. Particularly if your rifle has the same barrel length and rate of twist as the rifle they used. Just my 2 grains worth.

 

[hoffbill]

Lots of good suggestions you have received here. I would reiterate the importance of studying the basics in a couple of reloading manuals. Hornady has some good stuff on their web site. Other manufacturers probably do as well. Understanding the basic techniques and safety rules is VERY important.

I started with a basic kit. I bought one by Lee. While they may not be the equal of Redding or RCBS the difference will not be apparent until you become experienced and skilled enough to take advantage of the small precision advantages they offer. If you budget is generous go ahead and buy high end if you want. My budget was tight so Lee worked very well for me. The basic kits will give you all you need to get started and practice you skills. Additional tools and equipment will be determined in part by the type of shooting you do. For example there is a big difference between loading for hunting and plinking and loading for precision long range competitive shooting. Different worlds so obviously buying they type of equipment needed for precision competition would be excessive expense and some of those tools you would rarely if ever need for hunting and plinking or casual target shooting. Start somewhere and learn. If you are like most of us you will eventually end up with a lot more than you really need just because you can.

 

[Hespco]

As a press, I bought an RCBS RockChucker back in 1967. The first year of production. After loading ten's of thousands of rounds, case & bullet forming it works as good today as the day I bought it. There are other good quality presses around also. I would recommend, stay away from any press that uses aluminum.

 

[dartem]

Just want to add...make sure you have an inertial bullet puller early on. If you THINK you messed up, it's important to have the means to investigate.
Regards,
-Mike

 

[judgebill]

Excellent advice here. Consider what kind of shooting you want to do...and realize that if you find you enjoy reloading you may wind up doing a lot. Which means more equipment. It is true you can save money when comparing the cost of a reload to a factory round. But if you really get into the game of reloading your costs become relatively incidental in view of the fun and shooting experience you are having. Manuals are the key to everything. Get two or three and, in the beginning, follow them religiously. Having a mentor will save you a lot of headaches. Will you reload to a)save money, b) improve your accuracy, c) for hunting, d) for target shooting? How much precision are you lookin for? Do you want to shoot 1/4" groups at 100 yards...or 12" groups at 300 yards? For how many calibers will you reload...and consider that if you really get into this you will find yourself buying and loading for many more guns than you now have. There will always be another piece of equipment you didn't know you needed until you read about it. I've been reloading for over 60 years and have enjoyed every minute.

 

[Ccwelder]

True. 'Cuz you will shoot more and more in addition to the investment in reloading gear.
With today's availability of supplies, powder, primer and bullets -- let alone gear, it's not "what to buy" but "what can I find?"
Your user name suggests welding is your work. Are you mechanically inclined, even better if gifted, or 'just a welder'. No offense meant - I've met some welders who are gifted with stick and tig, but useless in simple mechanics.
I'll presume you have skillz as far as mechanical things.
So, you don't say what you intend to reload for.... What your gear budget is like.... Or how much you currently shoot.
If you shoot 0-200 rounds per month, stay with single stage. KISS
Over 200 and you'll start to feel the single stage holding you back, unless it's rifle cartridges of 308 size or larger.
If it's AR15 calibers and pistol, you'll want to get a progressive press.
Dunno about you, but I learn more doing than reading. Jump off the cliff and learn with gusto.
Budget: Most anything you buy will hold most its value. If you buy Dillon, it will hold all of its value.

Bare minimum that you'll need:

• Press
• Calipers
• Scale
• Primer tool (if one is not on the press)
• Case prep tools (flash hole cleaner, case mouth debur, etc.)
• Dies for the cartridges you shoot.

The above mentioned books come in handy for the items above.

Brands:

• Lee : People will say Lee is crap. They are biased. You get what you pay for, but you *can* produce spectacular ammo on Lee products. Your method makes all the difference.
• Hornady / Lyman / RCBS : Solid stuff, will work well.
• Redding : Top tier stuff.
• Dillon : Pricey, and again, you get what you pay for. The cat's meow as far as presses.

Again, I say, jump. Now.
It's a bit of a rabbit hole. However, if Biden/Harris win, you'll want to reload. I'll bet they'll tinker with the ammo supply stream like Obummer did (i.e. choke it off).

Thank you for your advice

 

[skipglo]

Thank you for your response.

Watch a bunch of Youtube....it's free....and very good....

 

[L.Sherm]

You've got some good advice here, my suggestion is number #1 keep it simple at first.
#2 find a mentor you can trust and have him teach you how to set up your dies PROPERLY throw the instructions in the garbage from the box very rarely will it bump your cases right following there instructions, get a comparator its the most single important tool in my opinion to set your dies up PROPERLY with a good dial caliper of course.

 

[Alibiiv]

You've got some good advice here, my suggestion is number #1 keep it simple at first.
#2 find a mentor you can trust and have him teach you how to set up your dies PROPERLY throw the instructions in the garbage from the box very rarely will it bump your cases right following there instructions, get a comparator its the most single important tool in my opinion to set your dies up PROPERLY with a good dial caliper of course.

 

[arch408]

If you have any misgivings at all, and if you can't find used eguipment, buy the beginner Lee press. If you are really serious, buy the Dillon 550. I bought a used RCBS Rockchucker for less than $30.00. (I already have one, but I wanted another one for case trimming. I modified it for Hornady Lock N Load dies so I won't have to adjust the Dillon trim dies every time.) I also had a chance to buy a used RCBS Junior press for $20.00, but I just couldn't justify it. If you aren't going to do major case forming, you can get by with a cheaper press. I would how ever get an (O) press as opposed to a (C) press because the (O) press will not have any "give" and could get more consistent resizing. I'm biased toward RCBS and Dillon presses, so I've never had experience with other current manufacturers and I have no doubt that they would give you good service. My first press was a (C) style Bair that I got in 1974. I found out quickly that it was definately designed for case forming. I fixed it, sold it and bought a Rock Chucker. You might consider a Hornady press for their Lock N Load feature. You can set them up once and never have to adjust them again except for may be adjusting bullet seating depth. Also, you'll appreciate quality equipment if do a lot of reloading. BTW, I have three Dillons and two Rock Chuckers and 50+ reloading and case forming die sets. A vital piece of equipment you will need is a case trimmer. The case will stretch every time it is fired and resized. Eventually it may get too long and it will jam into the throat and it will be hard to chamber and will elevate pressures. Previous people have given you excellent advice. Do some investigating and try to find a mentor to help you get started. Also, components are hard to find right now because of current domestic conditions. Most sporting goods shelves are bare, so surf the Internet to order components. You will have to pay a Hazmat fee so try to find a partner to order with to share shipping costs.

 

[hoffbill]

If you have any misgivings at all, and if you can't find used eguipment, buy the beginner Lee press. If you are really serious, buy the Dillon 550. I bought a used RCBS Rockchucker for less than $30.00. (I already have one, but I wanted another one for case trimming. I modified it for Hornady Lock N Load dies so I won't have to adjust the Dillon trim dies every time.) I also had a chance to buy a used RCBS Junior press for $20.00, but I just couldn't justify it. If you aren't going to do major case forming, you can get by with a cheaper press. I would how ever get an (O) press as opposed to a (C) press because the (O) press will not have any "give" and could get more consistent resizing. I'm biased toward RCBS and Dillon presses, so I've never had experience with other current manufacturers and I have no doubt that they would give you good service. My first press was a (C) style Bair that I got in 1974. I found out quickly that it was definately designed for case forming. I fixed it, sold it and bought a Rock Chucker. You might consider a Hornady press for their Lock N Load feature. You can set them up once and never have to adjust them again except for may be adjusting bullet seating depth. Also, you'll appreciate quality equipment if do a lot of reloading. BTW, I have three Dillons and two Rock Chuckers and 50+ reloading and case forming die sets. A vital piece of equipment you will need is a case trimmer. The case will stretch every time it is fired and resized. Eventually it may get too long and it will jam into the throat and it will be hard to chamber and will elevate pressures. Previous people have given you excellent advice. Do some investigating and try to find a mentor to help you get started. Also, components are hard to find right now because of current domestic conditions. Most sporting goods shelves are bare, so surf the Internet to order components. You will have to pay a Hazmat fee so try to find a partner to order with to share shipping costs.

Good call on the case trim equipment. Not maintaining case length in the correct range can lead to issues, some possibly dangerous. It is the place to learn precision skills and how to properly deburr. You might want to practice with some junk brass to get the technique down before you start cutting on your good brass.

 

[Rafael Lopez]

Interested in reloading, but don't know what equipment I should purchased. Any advice from those who reload.

Those who are saying your wallet will be empty cause you will shoot more....not in 2020 when you can't find powder anywhere. I have shot so far this year probably 75% less than normal. I have one pound of IMR4350 left, shooting less over here.