Start with handloading?

[BabaBlueJay]

I do not want to get a press until we move in the next 4-5 years, but I do want to learn to reload 38 special. Would handloading be a good start to learning, or should I just wait until I can get a progressive press like a Dillon whenever I move to our forever home? Currently reading about reloading as basic research before doing anything else.

 

[snw19_357]

I would start with a single stage! You don't get the feel of seating the primer and neck tension when seating the bullet with a progressive.

 

[mrussell]

I started hand loading .357 and .38 special in an apartment over 40 years ago. I started with an RCBS Junior Press which I mounted to a 4 foot long 2 x 10 board and then c clamped to a sturdy table when I wanted to reload. I still have that press and it is mounted next to my Dillon 550 at my "forever home" Starting out I had a scale, dies, powder funnel and a reloading tray. I cleaned cases by hand and with .38 or .357 you really don't need to trim them as they don't stretch much. Starting with a single stage really teaches you the fundamentals which pays off when you decide to go with a progressive.

 

[mikld]

I am a fan of Lee Loaders! I started reloading in 1969/70 with a Lee Loader in 38 Special. As a potential reloader I would suggest a copy of The ABCs of Reloading. Very informative covering all aspects of reloading. My second tool purchase was a beam scale to check my dipped powder charges. I used my Lee Loader for maybe 14-18 months quite well with no problems that weren't my fault (I forgot to charge one round in 1970). Some will tell you to start with a single stage press (good idea) and condemn the Lee Loader as slow, imprecise and primitive, but I disagree. I would suggest though you learn the ins and outs and get a few thousand rounds under your belt before considering a progressive press.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc[/ame]

 

[venomballistics]

start with either an O frame single stage or a turret.
You need to understand the process and it's nuances. You do not need the mechanical layer of a progressive in the way while you're doing this.

 

[SMSgt]

Started with a single-stage press in '75 and am still using the same one today. Wouldn't start out any other way.

 

[oldman10mm]

start with either an O frame single stage or a turret.
You need to understand the process and it's nuances. You do not need the mechanical layer of a progressive in the way while you're doing this.

Turret, very convenient to back step without having to change a die.
I started out 38/357 on a Lyman turret in the 70s' and still use it.

 

[GypsmJim]

I am a fan of Lee Loaders! I started reloading in 1969/70 with a Lee Loader in 38 Special. As a potential reloader I would suggest a copy of The ABCs of Reloading. Very informative covering all aspects of reloading. My second tool purchase was a beam scale to check my dipped powder charges. I used my Lee Loader for maybe 14-18 months quite well with no problems that weren't my fault (I forgot to charge one round in 1970). Some will tell you to start with a single stage press (good idea) and condemn the Lee Loader as slow, imprecise and primitive, but I disagree. I would suggest though you learn the ins and outs and get a few thousand rounds under your belt before considering a progressive press.

Reloading with a Lee Loader - YouTube

That is the ONLY way to start. You'll find out if you like reloading or not. If you DO, you can upgrade later. In the meantime, you'll be making perfectly good ammo.

IMHO, progressive presses to make HUGE amounts are not a good way to do it. It eliminates the inspection processes and provided the potential for errors. If you are serious shooter, but not using massive amounts, a good single stage press for resizing and a couple of cheap presses for priming, etc. is the best of both worlds.

 

[Miracle Man]

start with either an O frame single stage or a turret.
You need to understand the process and it's nuances. You do not need the mechanical layer of a progressive in the way while you're doing this.

100% agree

Starting with a progressive is like jumping in a race car and hitting Daytona speedway your first time behind the wheel.

Get a single stage and learn what you're doing first. And it'll come in handy for other stuff later.

 

[fishwishin]

If I could weigh in as a new reloader... I do have the room in my garage to have a much more elaborate setup, but when I designed the garage reloading was not part of my life. I do wish I could have had some foresight because I would have arranged things much differently, but because i did not I had to create an area to load from. That area came in the form of a folding DeWalt work bench, a 2"x4" block, a few bolts and the star of the show- a RCBS Partner press.

I may want to move up to a progressive someday, but honestly I love spending my time doing small humble batches (for now).

Express Folding Workbench | DEWALT

 

[LostintheOzone]

I've been using a Lee Classic cast single stage press for about 10 years. Pretty basic press and a good choice for a beginner.

Turret press would be my other choice if I were starting out. That would allow one to do all of the reloading steps at once.

I think I just talked myself into a turret press.

I hate this forum.

 

[BE Mike]

I started off with a Classic Lee Loader in .38 SPL. If you have tremendous patience and time, you can load with one. I think it took me about an hour to load a box of 50 rounds. When I started shooting more, I upgraded to a single stage press. It took much less time to load once the dies were adjusted, but the equipment was quite an investment. When I got into competitive shooting, I got a Dillon progressive and another. All three types of loaders load good ammo. It all depends on how much room you have, how much time you have to reload, how much money you can afford to spend and how much shooting you are planning to do. These days, I shoot a couple hundred rounds of pistol ammo each week. I don't like spending a lot of time reloading, so the progressives get plenty of use. If you buy equipment from any of the well known manufacturers, you'll be doing ok. Buy the best you can afford when you're ready to really start diving in head first!

 

[SS336]

100% agree

Starting with a progressive is like jumping in a race car and hitting Daytona speedway your first time behind the wheel.

Get a single stage and learn what you're doing first. And it'll come in handy for other stuff later.

These guys have it right in my opinion. Start out with a single stage press and the few things you need to make the reloads you need.
My Co-Ax seen here was purchased in the late 70's and it's still all I need.
Unless you are shooting completion every weekend that requires a lot of ammunition you might never need a progressive press.
Buy the best equipment you can afford and it will last your whole life if taken care of. Start off with a good general loading manual like the Lyman and read it. Ask questions, lots of experience here, and adapt it to what you want to accomplish.
My small bench has evolved over the years into this. A very comfortable place to be.

 

[gwpercle]

I do not want to get a press until we move in the next 4-5 years, but I do want to learn to reload 38 special. Would handloading be a good start to learning, or should I just wait until I can get a progressive press like a Dillon whenever I move to our forever home? Currently reading about reloading as basic research before doing anything else.

Get started with a nifty little hand held loader made by Lee . it's called a Lee Hand Press ... and you can get the Lee Hand Press in a kit form that has a priming tool for the Hand Press and sveral accessories . To be honest ... if you buy thr Lee Hand Press Kit , a set of Lee reloading Dies and a Lee Safety Powder Scale ...yes you need a scale to check / measure weigh powder... dippers are nice and measures are fast but you need to actually weigh the amount of powder going into a case .
Any powder scale will do ...just get one along with a loading manual .
The hand press ia a single stage "C" press you hold between your hands , it isn't mounted to a bench . I'm +70 yrs old and have no problem with handgun ammo resizing I reload all my handgun ammo and 30-30 rifle with the Hand Press .
I've been reloading over 50 years , have 5 bench mounted presses but most loading lately is handgun done on the Lee Hand Press . My best priming tool is a Hand Press with the Ram-Prime installed . They are just so Handy ...

You can always upgrade later but you will always want to have a couple of the Hand Presses on hand for odd jobs , sizing the odd case and Priming cases ... this is one of Lee's best products and few realize how useful they are . I put one in a gym/shooting bag with a few reloading supplies , take it to work and reload ammo at my office desk ... Now ...you tell me this isn't handy !

Lee Precision, Inc. check out the products , you can request a "FREE" catalog and Lee will mail it to you so you can see what I'm talking about . The Hand Press Awesome little loader !
Gary

 

[GypsmJim]

...yes you need a scale to check / measure weigh powder... dippers are nice and measures are fast but you need to actually weigh the amount of powder going into a case .
Any powder scale will do ...just get one along with a loading manual .

The Lee dipper set comes with a slip chart that shows the powder charge for each dipper and each type powder. They are actually quite reproducible once you get your technique down.

As long as you are not making full power loads this is an easy way to get started.

Don't buy a loading manual. Buy several of them.

 

[Model19man]

I started reloading about 40 years ago. My first press was a Lee progressive 1000 set up for 38 Special / 357 Mag. It worked fabulously then and now. I loaded tens of thousands of 38 Special and 357 Magnum rounds on it. Eventually I bought a press dedicated to 44 Special / Magnum and a third one dedicated to 45 Colt.

Then about 15 years ago I bought a Lee 4 hole Turret Press. I liked that one so much I bought another one maybe 5 years ago. I also bought a Lee single stage press.

Honestly I like the Lee turret presses better than any progressive. They make superb ammunition and as much as I will ever need.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

One more vote here for a single stage press. It's best to focus on one stage of the reloading process at a time, and learn each one well. I started with an RCBS Rockchucker, and if you're like me, you may not see a need to ever go to a progressive press. I still use mine, and doubt I'll ever go the progressive route. I usually just load 50-100 rounds per sitting, and that's plenty for what my wife and I shoot.

Also agree on reading as many reloading manuals as you can get your hands on.

 

[Cdog]

If someday you decide to jump into the progressive side of reloading, you will always have a use for your turret or single press.

I have more presses than I can name, ranging from a 50 year old single stage through relatively new progressives.
Honestly, the Lee Classic Cast Turret press used as a manual advance single stage is the most convenient press I own.

I know this sounds a bit snobbish, and I promise you it's not pointed at anyone but myself. "I handload, craft ammo using single stage type or mode. I reload using a progressive."
While most can and do produce fine ammo using a progressive I'm too OCD about small things that aren't easily done in progressive operation.

My progressive presses are limited to high volume range only rounds. 45 ACP, 9 MM, .38 SP and .38 Super.

I still batch load these same calibers when loading higher velocity or defensive batches.

Again, the comments above are only how I feel about what I do.

Bottom line, learn to walk before attempting to run. Walking is a skill that will continue to serve you well.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Not all single stage presses are created equally!
Not all turret presses are created equally!
Not all progressive presses are created equally!

The good stuff costs real money!

My picks for best of class.

Single stage: RCBS Rock Crusher!

Turret: Redding T-7 (honorable mention to Lyman T Mag!)

Progressive for full size rifle: Dillon 550C, for handgun only: Dillon SDB (not 7/"-14)

Try and stick to 7/8-14 dies in one or two brands if possible!

Current Top quality to least quality die brands:
1) Redding

2) RCBS

3) CH-4D (most dies from the 1960's fall in here)

4) Lyman

5) older Pacific/Hornady

6) newer Hornady

7) Lee 7/8"-14 dies

____________________________________________________________

Travel Loading

Lee Loader (Whack-A-Mole) are great if you can find complete sets for travel kits and just starting out! I have about 15. Only neck sizes!

Lyman 310 tool for travel (not 7/8"-14 thread) I have about 20 die sets and 3 sizes of tool. Only neck sizes!

3rd choice for travel) Lee "Nut-cracker" press, uses 7/8"-14 dies, hard to get proper leverage! I own ONE and never use it! (I have a small light duty Lee Press, that I screw onto a picnic table that is much easier to use!)

Ivan

Get multiple loading manuals. Make sure one of them is Lyman #49 or #50 OR Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #3 or #4 (you only need one of any of these)

Best manual for rifle is Sierra (works fine with similar bullets of other brands!) The recommended accuracy loads are the best!

If you use solid copper/lead free bullets, you need specific data for that bullet! Usually, that bullet company's Costumer Service can help.

Ivan

 

[SMSgt]

Do you know what strikes me as odd about any of the "What kind of press?" threads on any forum? The recommendations to get a turret press because it's easier to change dies. Really? How difficult is it to change a die? If it's difficult, you're doing something wrong.