Bare Necessities for .38 Special

The manuals are really the only non negotiable item you gotta have to make a start IMOP.

Equipment should come after reading up on the process. You will be able to design a system that fits your needs better if you are informed first.

Don't take the Visa card with you to the LGS. Just sayin'.
Excellent contribution.
This is what we try to tell them but drop the message after it becomes a Dillion ad campaign:D
 
I have both a Lee Hand press and a Lyman 310 reloading tool. I like the 310 simply because its smaller and it takes up little space, but the only thing is that the resizing dies for the 310 are not the same size that would fit in the hand press. Also, they do not fully resize the case so if you get any range brass or once fired brass it might not work as well. The hand press is nice because you can use any brass you want as long as you use a resizing die that fully resizes the case. For one caliber like the .38 Special you can get in pretty cheap and start shooting for little money compared to others. I would get a good reloading manual, Lyman's most current is always my favorite, a good set of Lee dies will do fine and a Hand press. I would buy a good scale, and the few little goodies and you are off to the races. The best part of the Lee Hand press and Lyman 310 is that if you want to reload on the run somewhere, like at the range or if you are bored some night in camp, you can bring that along and load up a box here or there.

This is what I pretty much do all my reloading on now since its almost all for .38 Special and .357 Magnum, a Lyman 310. Again though, get a manual and read through it. Just remember, if you get a Lyman manual they'll recommend their stuff, Lee's manual their stuff etc. I found this 310 tool on Ebay used with the dies for under $50 but they're finicky for a beginner. The Lee Hand loader not so much. On the plus side this tool, the dies and everything I need to reload minus the power and scale fits in a AK-47 mag pouch. That includes a couple hundred primers, deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner and even some case lube.

 
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While there is some risk in buying used reloading equipment, you can buy lots of stuff on E-Bay or even Craigs list. Reloading gear also appears at some garage sales. If you know what you are looking for you can save money with this approach.

Steve
 
Agree. Replacing my Lee expander die with a Lyman M was one of the smartest things I have done in reloading.

tell me about it.
the LEE expanders can be hit or miss.
I retired my 45ACP die after 30 rounds of frustration and went back to my RCBS at that station.
The Lee simply would not make enough bell to seat cast lead without shaving.
 

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