Getting Started w/ Reloading

[Spartikus]

I'm pretty sure I have decided I want to start reloading. I have watched a couple videos and read a few things and it really seems like in the long run the cost is cheaper, plus I think it would just be fun. So, I have a couple questions and would appreciate any help you all could give me.

1. What's the best press to start with? I want to start out with a cheaper one for now. Probably a single stage as it's also cheaper than a multi-stage but open to suggestions.

2. Where is the best place to purchase primers, lead, and powder?

Also, I will be reloading 9mm & 45 ACP to start.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

If you are going to reload a lot it's cheaper to buy primers and powder from Powder Valley. You really do have to but in quantity because of the hazmat fee. Otherwise just buy them at a local sporting goods store. As far as a press I started out with a Lyman turret press and that is what I use today. There are several other brands to pick from. A single stage press would be okay also. Go to Amazon and buy the "ABC of Reloading" and study that first. While you are ordering on Amazon buy the "Lyman Handgun Reloading Manuel". Don

 

[Powder Burns]

I've been very satisfied with my Lee starter set which has everything but whatever cartridge specific dies of course, and does not have a case trimmer or a dial caliper...two other things you probably want to buy while you're their. Also, it's good to pick up a chronograph. I use an inexpensive Chrony F-1. A case cleaner is nice, but you can clean the cases by hand. You'll want a reloading manual, though the dies come with some data. You can use other brand dies like RCBS in the Lee press, by the way.
Reloading, as long as you are careful, is way fun. That's mainly why I do it. I like working up loads that can't be bought.

 

[robctwo]

My friend started out on a single stage. I started out on a progressive. After a couple years of loading for pistol, he moved to a progressive as well. I like Hornady LnL. His report is that he took about the same amount of time to load 50 .45 acp as it took ,e to load 300. For rifle primarily, single stage is fine.

 

[Dmaxboy08]

im very new to reloading. I have loaded 400 rounds of .45acp so far. Before i even bought my press(i will get to that in a minute) i bought the "ABCs to reloading". its a good size book with alot of info. Most of the infomation is on safety on what to look for to see if there is anything wrong with the round before and after its fired.
Then i got the Lymans reloading manual and this is what i use for data. I usually get all of my supplies from Natchez Shooters Supplie, Power Valley, or Midway Shooting Supplies. When i bought from Midway, they had the best price on bullets. They were out of remington brass and i got remington primers from them also. My brass came from Natchez.
I started with a Lee 4 turret press and love it. I also use for .45acp the Lee 4 piece carbide die set. I may be wrong on this and if so someone please correct me, but on a single stage press you have to reset the depth of each die once you use it(you can only have 1 die in the press at a time) on a turret you can set all of your dies and every time you use the handle it turns the turret to the next die. Not as fast a progressive, but faster than a single stage.
To prime brass i use a Lee hand held and i measure each powder charge on a scale. Once I get more experience then i will prolly switch over to a powder charge that auto charges on the press.

 

[Titegroups]

Unless you plan on loading for a bolt action rifle I'd skip the single stage, it will cost you less for ammo when you reload but many end up shooting more with what they save buying factory loaded ammo. Really the first thing to consider is how much ammo you need and the amount of time you care to spend loading it. Check out some youtube vids. to see the different presses in action.

 

[RussellD]

I am a firm believer in measuring twice and cutting once. If you plan to load for autoloaders...then please take a close look at Dillon products. If you choose to to get out of reloading, you can always get your money back. If you go down the dark path of lee reloading products you will be losing money from the day you open the box.

More important than the press you choose or brand of dies is a reloading mentor. Find a grumpy old man to allow you to observe and ask questions. After you tried a few different presses then buy the one that you like the most. Buy as many reloading manuals as you can. dont skimp on the reloading scale either.

 

[Titegroups]

"If you go down the dark path of lee reloading products you will be losing money from the day you open the box. "

I leave this for someone else.

 

[Dmaxboy08]

i havent had a single issue out of my Lee press. There must be alot of people who do like Lee presses or they wouldnt still be making them. Everyone has their own opinion and everyone isnt going to like the same thing. To the OP go to different websites that sell different presses and read the reviews on them

 

[Spartikus]

Lots of good info here. Thank you everyone for the help. I went out and bought the Lyman Reloading Handbook and looks like this is a great read before I start. The thing I'm still really uncertain of is if I'm going to go with a single stage or multi-stage. No question multi will be much faster. But it costs quite a bit more.

 

[dswancutt]

I am going to go against the grain here and state that you should start with a single stage press. In my opinion, the slower speed helps a new reloader develop safe processes.
I loaded over 2000+ each of 9mm, 38 special, 40 S&W and 45 ACP last year on a RCBS rockchucker. Did it take a while, yes.
Unless you are loading 500+ at a single sitting, a progressive will not gain you much.
I am actually at the point that a progressive press would make sense.

 

[mtnsmithguy]

My sweet wife bought me a Hornady Lock n Load single stage press for Christmas a few years ago. I love it. As a beginner, I am careful to weigh every 5th powder charge, or more frequently, until I'm sure the charges are as accurate as possible. I also use the electronic scale that came with the kit to verify the weights of the Redding scale I use. I am overly cautious but haven't had a problem in a couple thousand rounds at least. Much slower that a progressive, but I'm semi retired and have time.

I use Lee Carbide Dies when possible since they do not require lubing and come with the shellholder. I order most of my supplies from MidwayUSA, great customer service and competitive prices.

I try to use bullets and powder that are listed together in the Hornady, Alliant or other "recipe book" I use for reference. I keep notes on how the ammo functioned and chronograph results (bought one of those too). I also use a tumbler to clean my shells. For me, its a hobby, not a business and I can spend hours in my workshop reloading... now I do .380, 9mm, 38 spl, .40, .45 acp, .45 LC.

My time in the workshop is time my wife can have to herself, with me out of her hair.....maybe that's why she got me started!!

 

[gwpercle]

If you are just starting to learn, go with a single stage. you need to learn the basics. Learn to walk, then learn to run. I like to load carefully crafted ammo, I try to load better than factory and I still do it with single stage presses ( I have 4 single stage ) You can load more rounds in an hour with a progressive but that doesn't make the ammo better. Also I find more room for errors with progressive, things like backwards primers, no powder in case happens, where as handling each case during each step gives me the opprotunity to catch an error. A turret is a single stage with multiple mounting holes for setting up all dies, you reload in steps just like a single stage but instead of removing the die you turn the head to another die allready in place. This should be choice # 2. Big REMBER...you must reload carefully you can blow up a gun along with body parts so you must do it safely and carefully and check the powder charges. There will be nobody to blame if something goes wrong.

A starter set is a good way to go. There is nothing wrong with Lee products, a lot of my bench is lee red. Some folks like to drive Caddilacs and others can get by driving Fords , truth is they both get you there. Keep an eye out on e-bay sometimes good deals can be found, but know what new stuff sells for. Don't pay more for used stuff when it sells for less from one of the mail-order / online dealers.

 

[novalty]

Wow only 6 post before the randomly thrown in Dillon comment.

A few questions you will need to answer before you make your press purchase.

1.How many rounds do you shoot per week, month, year?

2.How much are you looking to spend on your entire setup?
*Yes the press is key, but so are powder measure, scale, dies, caliper. Then you after you get it all, you might want to be able to afford component to actually load something.

3. Do you have a bench that you can set up your equipment on?

Keep an eye out for yard sales, Craigslist, local swap & sell flyers, for used equipment. There are so many people getting into, and out of reloading, that eBay prices are crazy for used equipment. If you are concerned about getting your money back after you purchase, check out the prices on flea-bay for used RCBS Rockchucker's JR2's and JR3's, Redding Big Bosses, Hornady Lock N Load's, Lyman Crusher's, CH presses. With the cost of shipping people are paying close to retail for used equipment.

 

[Powder Burns]

I don't reload thousands of cartridges at a time...or even hundreds...maybe 100 at most in a sitting. And I like to have some money in the bank. (Maybe that's why I drive a small 4-cylinder pickup rather than a farm-sized monster that I don't need) Lee single stage for me. Been using Lee products for more than 30 years without issues. I don't need to impress the neighbors. LOL.

 

[blujax01]

Wow only 6 post before the randomly thrown in Dillon comment.
.

Wow only 2 posts before the randomly thrown in Lee comment. And your point is?

 

[novalty]

Wow only 2 posts before the randomly thrown in Lee comment. And your point is?

My point is that the suggestion of one of the most expensive progressive presses, without evening knowing the volume, budget, experience, etc, is kind of like answering someone who is looking for their first car and suggesting a Porche. Also suggesting a Dillon when the OP states "I want to start out with a cheaper one for now," doesn't seem to match up. I'm actually more surprised it took 6 posts, usually see blue comments alot sooner. In regards to the "randomly thrown in Lee comment," I believe the suggestion was more accurate an answer to the OP based on the information requested i.e: "I want to start out with a cheaper one...Probably a single stage as it's also cheaper than a multi-stage..."

 

[blujax01]

"Open to suggestions" means just that. The OP may want to know that he can spend more up front and get the Cadillac. As the poster who suggested it politely said.
My apologies to Spartikus, you do not need this infighting in your thread.
Just know that there are quite a few presses out there and Dillon makes a great one. It is expensive but some of us think it is worth it.
Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

 

[jimkim]

I use Lee(3), RCBS(1), and Dillon(1) presses now. Most of the time I use my Lee Classic Turret press. If I had to choose just one it would be the LCT.

 

[reconn]

Spartikus, I've been reloading for a few years and there is a lot of wisdom in the replies to your post. You can't read enough. There is a lot of duplication in the reloading manuals ( I have eight different manuals) but I found at least one thing new in each. I started out with a single stage RCBS Rockcrucher in a kit and still use it today (I also have a Lyman single stage press I use in conjunction at times). The key here is how much ammo are you going to go through. I can load a hundred rounds in a couple hours (assuming everything is ready to go). If I dedicated the time to shoot more I was have to get into a progressive. The guy that got me into reloading now has two Dillion Progressive presses but I don't think I'd not try a progressive from Hornady. I load mostly for rifle hunting and an there for more interested in consistancy (ie accuracy) than volume (+ or - 0.10grain powder nvariancy is not good enough). As you get into reloading you will discover tricks and tools that make life easier but to get it all at once would probably be cost prohibitive. Another good source for ordering componets is MIDSOUTH. Good luck in your endevor and enjoy.

I'm pretty sure I have decided I want to start reloading. I have watched a couple videos and read a few things and it really seems like in the long run the cost is cheaper, plus I think it would just be fun. So, I have a couple questions and would appreciate any help you all could give me.

1. What's the best press to start with? I want to start out with a cheaper one for now. Probably a single stage as it's also cheaper than a multi-stage but open to suggestions.

2. Where is the best place to purchase primers, lead, and powder?

Also, I will be reloading 9mm & 45 ACP to start.