Just Beginning

[MaxKimber]

Ok, so I have a friend who is considering getting into reloading. He had assisted a friend reloading and liked it.

He shoots some oddball expensive ammo, 8mm Mauser & .338 WinMag, so reloading makes sense.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated, especially on equipment.

There seems to be two schools of thought on starting out. My stance is to get good equipment that will last a lifetime, and there's the just get anything then upgrade once your fully committed. Thoughts...

 

[rockquarry]

Ok, so I have a friend who is considering getting into reloading. He had assisted a friend reloading and liked it.

He shoots some oddball expensive ammo, 8mm Mauser & .338 WinMag, so reloading makes sense.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated, especially on equipment.

There seems to be two schools of thought on starting out. My stance is to get good equipment that will last a lifetime, and there's the just get anything then upgrade once your fully committed. Thoughts...

Before a beginner buys any equipment, it's best he read the front section of at least one paper loading manual. He may decide handloading is not for him. Stay away from YouDupe; some good information there, some bad. A beginner may not know the difference.

 

[Bloodhound]

If he has had some experience loading with someone else and he still wants to become a reloader, then I say get good equipment...this is no time to skimp. That said, start basic. With the exception of a couple of die sets, ALL of my reloading equipment was "used" when I got it. People buy it and don't use it, it is gifted and people don't use it, people inherit and won't use it. I bought my gear used and upgraded as I was able over the years, but it has always been solid quality equipment. I have a special place on my bench for all things RCBS, but others like Lee, Dillon and Redding. Its a matter of preference and availability.

I have been reloading for 30+ years now. Never had an issue, because the guy who taught me was of the "Check it twice and then check it two more times and then one more time to be sure" School of reloading.

It is a very fun and interesting hobby and when it comes to some cals, it is almost required.

Start with reading several published re-loading manual "How To" and then get good equipment new or used and preceed with care and caution.

 

[geeollie]

Yeah at least one paper reloading book is #1.
I have been away from reloading for awhile.
The Lyman 51st Edition Reloading Handbook was where I began again.

 

[toad67]

As bloodhound mentioned, don't be afraid of used equipment, just stick with good stuff like RCBS. If it breaks, they will fix or replace it, whether you're the first or fifth owner. However, RCBS does have a pretty good rebate going on now, on new stuff.
RCBS Buy Green Get Green - Form

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Another vote for RCBS and I think a Rockchucker.

 

[Roofuss]

My vote for RCBS .

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The main decision is how big of quantity?

Medium to high quantity, a Dillion 550 new or used.

High quality? Redding T-7 turret press, for dies RCBS or Redding. Depending on how good the Redding Competition dies with Collet neck sizing are top of the line for 7/8-11 type dies. I have 8 sets! They are expensive, but produce 1/10-1/4 MOA for 1000-yard shooting. The only thing better are the Wilson Arbor Press dies. (Tried both and prefer screw in dies and presses.)

For AR type ammo, look at RCBS Black Box. I have 223, 308, & 300 BO. These are Small Base FL Sizers and Taper Crinp seaters. (NO CASE TRIMMING!)

My bench has a RCBS Rock Crusher (bought uses 28 years ago) A Dillon 550 (Bought 1984 and upgraded 25 years ago) and a Redding T-7 (Bought new 25 years ago).

The A-Frame press from Bonanza/Forrester, is the only press I wish I had, but my ammo outshoots 3 of the 4 guys I shoot with that use them, the 4th beats me most of the time! (He's a several time National Champion in several disciplines!)

Ivan

 

[STORMINORMAN]

As Delmar O'Donnell once opined... "Okay... I'm with you fellas!"

A RCBS Rockchucker it is!

Cheers!

 

[geeollie]

This is interesting and helped me to see that a Rock Chucker is a very good choice. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqcYI0G2hqM&t=135s[/ame]

If you want to look it up it is called: 14 Reloading Presses Compared.

 

[Roofuss]

As Delmar O'Donnell once opined... "Okay... I'm with you fellas!"

A RCBS Rockchucker it is!

Cheers!

When I started reloading many years ago, I bought my crusher USED from a buddy, and have loaded many thousands of 11 different calibers since then....NEVER had any problems and still use it today. Best $35. I ever spent, lol !

 

[Bloodhound]

I started with an RCBS Junior for $15 from a pawn shop when I started, I found a RockChucker from an estate sale and gave the Junior to a young guy from church. Be careful reloading gear can be like S&W revolvers...addictive

 

[biku324]

I started with Lee Loader hand tools, then was relieved to get a single stage RCBS. I still have it, although I mostly use a Lyman T-Mag I picked up accidentally at a divorce garage sale in the 90s. The angry woman behind the table sold me that and a few die sets in a box for $10. And laughed.

 

[JMD999]

You said "Just beginning"
Same advice I got 40 yrs ago, read Lyman 46th edition twice, before you start.
(Then get a few current reloading manuals)
$10.00 EBAY
Lyman Reloading Handbook 46th Edition 1984 | eBay
Lyman Reloading Handbook 46th Edition 1984

 

[Rat458]

Hard to go wrong with a Rockchucker kit.
Black Friday sales may be a good time to grab one.
A good scale is a must have .

 

[gwpercle]

Buy some good reloading manuals ... the printed kind and read the informational chapters in the front ... lots of different things discussed .
There are always several ways to do anything reloading wise .
My Go-To manuals are Speer , Hornady , Lyman Reloading Handbook , Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook ... (load plated and coated like cast lead ...Lyman is the book) and Western Powders Manual is good as is Nosler and/or Sierra ... use data from the bullet makers you like to load .
Load Safe & Good Luck ...
I've found reloading a very enjoyable hobby !
Gary

 

[glowe]

I would highly recommend that you check ebay for Rockchuckers. Price is good and they NEVER wear out. I have two and use them for some 17 different calibers from .32 S&W to .577 Snider. I still reload often and in the 40+ years I have reloaded rifle and pistol/revolver ammo, I never felt I needed to upgrade. Once you have the best, there is no need to hunt for something else.

The two biggest add-ons I have installed on my one of my presses was a primer tube and a spent primer tray - that's it. I find that the primer tubes work great and no need for a hand primer. If I am reloading a large amount of ammo, I will set up both presses, one for sizing, spent primer removal, and priming. The other one for bullet seating and finish crimping if needed for the caliber I am loading. Take if slow at the start, get some loading blocks, electronic scale, powder measure set, case cleaner, and case slick spray.

 

[jem102]

Noooo!

DON'T DO IT!

If it turns out he really does like it "Reloading" will become "Handloading" and there are not enough benches, bins, shelves, racks, cubby holes or brackets to contain the addiction. Sinclair International, Brownells and Redding will be fighting over who gets his first born and Midway will garnish his wages...


Seriously, it has been on of the most rewarding lifelong endeavors I have ever taken up. The process greatly expands your knowledge and the utility gained by expanding the usage range of your firearms is amazing. "I" believe every shooter should, at the least, give it a try with someone already established. This to prevent frustration if nothing else. My great uncle taught me when I was 11 years old and I remember the first lesson to this day some 60 years later and it is a fond memory to say the least. If nothing else it satisfies that little "machinist" urge most men have.
I recommend buying the best equipment you can to cut out the variables especially while learning. "I" rank Redding and Forster at the top with RCBS, Hornady and Lyman in the middle. Lee equipment works OK but you have to tinker with it quite a bit to get consistent results. The exception being their neck dies with the mandrel, you can get different diameters and really customize neck tension with more ease than the bushing system offered by others.


Books; you can't have too many, from Handloader magazine to Lee's loading books but if I could only have one it would be the Lyman #46 already mentioned. Build a library and keep copious notes well organized. If you will do that you will be able to develop loads for many applications that provide many years of service from your firearms.


Best of luck and hoping he enjoys the hobby!

 

[robertrwalsh]

Most people who shoot rifle (in my experience) do not shoot nearly the volume that pistol shooters do. You can do very well with a good quality single stage press which will cost you a lot less up front that a progressive. The only down side is how much ammo you can crank out in a given period of time. The quality of the final product will be the same.

 

[Nix45]

Most people who shoot rifle (in my experience) do not shoot nearly the volume that pistol shooters do. You can do very well with a good quality single stage press which will cost you a lot less up front that a progressive. The only down side is how much ammo you can crank out in a given period of time. The quality of the final product will be the same.

I use a Dillon progressive to load handgun, but prefer to use a Lee single stage for rifle.
I think rifle just benefits from that little extra attention.

 

[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).