Just Beginning

[GypsmJim]

OK, I'll differ from the usual view of RCBS. Good stuff, for sure. Nobody can go wrong with a Rockchucker. But if starting out and thus don't really know if the hobby will catch on or not, maybe a more conservative approach is in order.

I started reloading with a Whack-a-mole and it served me well. That was 53 years ago. It's still in use for a couple calibers. Has it lasted a lifetime? So far.....LOL.

Now I have switched to a single stage Lee press. Does it do the job? Of course. Is a Dillon better? Of course that too. But do I need to go that fast? Probably not. Is the cost too high for me? Certainly.

I just saw an ad for a Lee press on SALE, with FREE dies. Wholly mackerel. 79 bucks. Now I admit that the dies may not be the right caliber for the OP's question, but a set of 8mm Mauser ain't that expensive.

Will that cheap press last a lifetime? Maybe. Mine is now 25+ years old and still kicking. But then again I only load about 2,000 rounds a year.

 

[jem102]

I forgot to add, don't look to reloading to be some kind of big cost savings that allows you to shoot for next to nothing. Just isn't so especially if you become a handloader. However, it does spread the cost over a long time with a smaller continual outlay of your hard earned dollars as you accumulate supplies. If you start casting your own bullets or even buy cast in bulk after a few years it's really your time that is the cost and burning 100 handgun rounds is negligent to your shooting budget.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

If he's not in a big hurry, you and him would be smart to check different shooting forums classifieds section. And watch for local estate auctions with reloading equipment; my experience is that all reloading stuff, presses, dies, even components go cheap at these auctions.

 

[Forrest r]

Actually I'd be taking a hard look at making bullets. I did back in the 80's and had a pile of free bullets laying around before I started reloading.
Why bullet making???
It teaches you about bullet fit, performance & when you take the cost of bullets out of reloading. It pays for the primers/powders/etc.

 

[rockquarry]

Actually I'd be taking a hard look at making bullets. I did back in the 80's and had a pile of free bullets laying around before I started reloading.
Why bullet making???
It teaches you about bullet fit, performance & when you take the cost of bullets out of reloading. It pays for the primers/powders/etc.

Very good advice.

 

[GypsmJim]

Actually I'd be taking a hard look at making bullets. I did back in the 80's and had a pile of free bullets laying around before I started reloading.
Why bullet making???
It teaches you about bullet fit, performance & when you take the cost of bullets out of reloading. It pays for the primers/powders/etc.

It's more than just cost....it's quality as well.

I started loading target handgun ammo back in the 1970's to use at my club's indoor range. I used quality name brand bullets and all I got was massive leading.

I should be noted that back then "hard cast" was not in my vocabulary, so I don't know if it was available or not.

A $10 mold, a $2 cast iron pot and my old 1# propane tank and "torch" and I have not had a leaded bore in over 50 years.

I was a cheap college kid back then, and of course now I use a fancy schmancy electric melting pot, but casting my own boolits was the best decision I ever made.

 

[rwsmith]

I started out with the Speer manual....

And it did me fine. But the loads are tailored for S&W bullets, which are difficult to find nowadays. I still use it, but haven't found Speer anything in years. The Lyman manual has the best 'general selection' of components based on type of bullet construction and weight.

I'd recommend reading the 'how to' section of a good reloading manual and then decide what components I needed and start working on getting a stock of bullets, powder, primers and brass.

While I'm here I might as well give you a shopping list:

Reloading list (I keep it CHEAP and I keep it BASIC)

Place to set up. I used to have my press mounted on a bench in the garage, but I mounted it to a board and clamp the works onto a table with C clamps so I can work inside.

Press You can prime the cases on the press, but I use a separate Lee hand squeezer type primer tool. The Lee tool uses different shell holders from the press, but they are cheap.

Dies and shellholders for each caliber.

loading blocks, two are good (I have a store bought one and a couple I made for bigger shells with a dril press)

Case lube and pad. (I use paper towels folded up)

A scale. I have a small one from Frankford Arsenal. Also Lee scoops are cheap. Sometimes I use them alone, sometimes in conjunction with the scale. I also have a trickler to fine adjust but fingers or a Lee scoop works. Sometime I weight every load, sometimes every 8 or 10. I also have a Lee Balance Beam (cheap) for checking.

An RCBS Uniflow powder measure is adjustable and works great. Check what you throw on on the scale. I tare a case, load it with powder and put it back on thescale to check it. The Uniflow has some different parts, rotors, nozzles etc. for rifle and pistol. Get what you need.


A powder funnel.

Anybody can probably use a bullet puller. I got tired of the inerta puller and got the Hornady cam lock thing to fit on my press but I haven't tried it yet.

Caliper

Case prep (deburr, chamfer mouth) Maybe some primer pockets toosls if needed, I just have a little Lee pocket cleaner)

Trim tools - I use the Lees, they are very inexpensive and I chuck it into my drill press.

Case cleaning: I used to clean cases in a dish pan with Dawn detergent, but I got a Lyman vibrator and a jug of corncob media.. Sometimes I add a little metal polish to the media.

 

[Skeet 028]

As rwsmith said...basic works.. With all the reloading tools etc I have I still use Lee scoops...Best tool they ever made(My opinion). And those little case trimmer tools work pretty well when doing small batches of rifle brass. And I use a high end Giraud for serious. The one tool I will always use as it is easy is a RCBS bench mounted priming tool...consistent too. Stick with simple

 

[MaxKimber]

Thank You...!

So we are now on the hunt for some good used equipment, I think that's half the fun, finding a deal. And we have a lot to research and learn.

Thanks to all that have (and may in the future) posted advice, guidance, equipment needs and suggestions. It is truly helpful. Thank you!

And Happy Thanksgiving...

 

[oldman10mm]

So we are now on the hunt for some good used equipment, I think that's half the fun, finding a deal. And we have a lot to research and learn.

Have you made any preliminary decisions of what brands and/or styles of press, case trimmer, powder scale.
A lot of misc. stuff too. Case lube, priming (with the press or hand priming tool), case prep-chamfering, case cleaning (vibratory dry or tumbling wet).

 

[MaxKimber]

Still in the researching phase...or as some may say, analysis paralysis.

 

[geeollie]

I had an 80's Rock Chucker but just knew I needed a Dillons for the speed.
Spent too much and realized that I did not enjoy the speed or the procedure of the "better" faster press. I did not get my money back ob the Dillon. I am relatively new back to reloading and am sooooo happy to have kept the old, slow, ancient tech Rock Chucker.

Not saying it will be right for you, but am saying "good on you" for analysis paralysis. You'llmake the right choice for you!

 

[oldman10mm]

Still in the researching phase

The Dec 7/8 Akron show typically has very little in the reloading realm. The Dec 14/15 Yankee lake show typically has much in the reloading realm. Last time I was there I picked up a Lyman turret press (now have 3).

The 3 I have are the Lyman obsolete All-American 4 position turret press. The 1st one I got in the 70s' and still going strong. The largest cartridge I've ever reloaded is the 30-06. I like turrets in their ability to have multiple dies loaded and ready. The 1st press is sitting there with the 3 dies for 38sp/357M and a Lyman powder measure/dropper. The 2nd press is sitting there with a RCBS bullet puller of which I have 9 collets for and a RCBS decapping die.

 

[Bloodhound]

As I said, I have a love of RCBS, Single stage Rock Chucker. It is my rifle loading rig. But for pistol, I have used a Dillon 550, a Dillon Square Deal B and a friend's Monster Dillon press. I found that I don't shoot so many rounds that a progressive is needed. When I added straight walled pistol to my reloading, .38, 9mm and 45 ACP, I picked up a CH 3 stage Block H press. It is plenty "fast" for my needs and I have gotten rid of the progressives for pistol reloading. Its crazy that CH is still in business and they are still a quality machine, if not a bit pricey...mine came from my loading mentor and is an old model. It is a nice middle ground between single stage and progressives, a Turret would also be a nice middle ground

 

[GypsmJim]

So we are now on the hunt for some good used equipment, I think that's half the fun, finding a deal. And we have a lot to research and learn.

Thanks to all that have (and may in the future) posted advice, guidance, equipment needs and suggestions. It is truly helpful. Thank you!

And Happy Thanksgiving...

I realize that many have commented about buying used. Personally, I have never gone that route.

Gun show stuff is usually rusted junk and/or overpriced. I look at estate sale ads and often go to the good ones, only to find out that the reloading stuff was sold before the sale, or only lasted a few minutes.

Just for grins and giggles I looked up local CL and Ebay ads and saw nothing to buy that was worthwhile.

I guess we can all hope for a good deal eventually.

 

[max503]

Welcome to the club!

I would not start out with a progressive press. Even if you have money to burn. A person needs to learn the intricacies that a single stage will teach you.
Then get a progressive if you feel you need it. I do most of my loading on an RCBS single stage and I could easily live with that alone.

 

[Skeet 028]

Got 11 pounds of powder and a RCBS A2 press...all for a 100 dollars when heading into the gun show today....had to take it all or none...unfortunately. I never made it in to the show...too many people...tomorrow...maybe.

 

[pmhayden]

The initial stages of learning something new take time. Particularly if he is loading rifle, he can’t go wrong with a RCBS RC Supreme. It’s really a nice press, however slow. A die set, a ram prime set, some case prep tools and a scale, a current Lyman reloading manual, and a friend to walk him through the first few rounds. He can buy a tumbler and other tools next month. The initial investment in a good press saves headaches later. (There are other good cast iron presses by every major maker that are also good. But the RCBS is the best in its price range for rifle, IMHO.)

I think the manual and a good friend to help with the initial setup make the initial loads much easier. I made a lot of mistakes trying to figure things out on my own. And received a lot of benefit from a few hours with a good teacher. Just saying.

 

[smoothshooter]

I forgot to add, don't look to reloading to be some kind of big cost savings that allows you to shoot for next to nothing. Just isn't so especially if you become a handloader. However, it does spread the cost over a long time with a smaller continual outlay of your hard earned dollars as you accumulate supplies. If you start casting your own bullets or even buy cast in bulk after a few years it's really your time that is the cost and burning 100 handgun rounds is negligent to your shooting budget.

What I have found is that little to no money is saved by reloading your own ammo.
You usually spend the same money as before. The difference is that you just get to shoot more for the same amount of money.

 

[max503]

What I have found is that little to no money is saved by reloading your own ammo.
You usually spend the same money as before. The difference is that you just get to shoot more for the same amount of money.

But when the shelves are bare, you're still out there - shooting.

That is if you were astute enough to stock up beforehand like any good reloader should be.