Newbie on the Fence About Reloading

[Mphstiger1981]

I am very interested in learning about reloading, beginning with .38 special rounds to shoot in my 642.

Would the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press be a reasonable loader for a beginner? Other than the press itself, the dies, primers, bullets and powder, what else do I need to get started? (I already have several hundred pieces of used brass.)

Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[arjay]

A scale,some dippers and/or a powder measure,a hand priming tool and a current reloading manual.You might look around for a package deal with a single stage press too.It's a fun hobby,been reloading everything for about 30 years.

 

[venomballistics]

the hand press is a handy thing for sizing and expanding cases while you watch TV but for actual loading of more than a few test rounds .. its a pain.
get something bench mounted like their c frame or challenger O frame if your running a tight budget ... if you can loosen up the funds a little bit more, one of the turret presses would meet with approval.
Powder handling equipment ... a scale, trickeler and dippers would be the dead minimum. a powder measure is the favored tool over dippers.
even more important is knowledge, get a few manuals as well as a line on the online data from alliant and hodgdon.
Lyman and speer manuals seem to be the most common references in these parts with ample referrals to the abc's of reloading for newcommers.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

thanks guys. Perhaps the best way to get answers to all the questions rolling around in my head would be to ask how much should someone expect to spend to get started with an average grade bench system?

 

[HAWKEYE10]

thanks guys. Perhaps the best way to get answers to all the questions rolling around in my head would be to ask how much should someone expect to spend to get started with an average grade bench system?

Google is your friend. There is a lot mail order places that you can order reloading equipment from. Check these out for the best prices. There are a couple of gun sites based here in Tennessee that you might find some used Lee reloading equipment but you need to know your prices so you can recognize a good deal. Here is links to the sites. Don
http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/forum.php

http://www.gunownersclub.com/

 

[Skip Sackett]

Get off of the fence. There will NEVER be a better time to start reloading.

Prices go up every day and NEVER come back down. The good thing, factory ammo does too so the comparison stays the same.

In 9 short months, there is an election. If we end up with the same administration we have now, watch out for ammo availability or components. Buy your stuff in quantities that don't break your bank but are the biggest your disposable income will allow. If nothing else, set the stuff aside and build on it. Buy a manual, purchase something and get started.

FWIW

 

[Jamie]

I just got the Lee 4 Hole Turret Press kit for Christmas, fully set up, 9mm and 38 special carbide die sets, auto prime. Price for the whole set up, shipping handling, etc., was almost $250. I'm nearly done loading my first 1,000 rounds, (500 9mm, 500 38 spl), including the price for primers, lead bullets, (Space Coast Bullets), powders, (Power Pistol, Bullseye, 1lb ea), I will just about own the press for nothing comparing the reloading cost to buying at Wal Mart. Skip Sackett adds a VERY sobering outlook which I fully agree with.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Lee Classic Turret press kit. The best easy way to get started and even if you do one day buy a bigger progressive press, you will find that you still use the Classic Turret.

 

[SMSgt]

First off, don't approach reloading as saving on the cost of ammo only. In all actuality, you won't save money. Yes, ammo you make will generally be cheaper--a box of .45 ACP costs me $9--but you'll shoot more, thus negating the savings.

Reloading is a hobby unto itself. You can create the exact load you want, customized to your needs. There's a great deal of pride in sending your handmade rounds downrange.

Think of a '32 roadster. Would you rather rather sign a check for a completed one that's pretty close to what you had in mind, just needs repainting, new wheels, etc. to be what you dreamed of? Or would you be happier spending your weekends for 2-3 years creating the exact hotrod you always wanted, built by your own hands?

I have the Lee handpress, and it's great for resizing brass while I watch TV. But I wouldn't recommend it as my only press as you'll become frustrated with it. I'd start with a simple Lee setup, a turret press if you feel the need for more speed. You can always upgrade later if you really get into reloading. I still use the single-stage press I bought in 1975.

I perfer a good micro-adjustable powder drop and a beam scale such as the RCBS 505. You'll find it more consistant and accurate than automeasures and there's no warm up period or batteries to fail with a beam scale. Modern beam scales stabilize almost instantly, so they really don't slow you down.

A good source of reload data. One thing you'll find is that no two sources agree on a particular load for a particular bullet weight. Each source uses different parameters to develope their data. I prefer to use powder manufacturer data, but used the Speer manual for years. It's good source of information beyond powder loads.

Reloading is perfectly safe--IF one pays attention. It should NOT be done with any distractions. One double-charge is all it takes to create a disaster.

 

[44wheelman]

"don't approach reloading as saving on the cost of ammo only"....Blah... Start for any reason- you'll find the rest of the benefits after you begin.

My third gun I bought was a 445SM, try to find ammo for that- factory ammo wasn't an option (going rate then- $60/box). Then I found I could make enjoyable mid range, non leading, inexpensive .44mag ammo that shoots like a laser beam in my 29.

Then I bought a model 58....7.5 grains of unique with 215swc let me envision how the gun was intended. This is my interpretation of a .41 police load. That is just fun to shoot.

My first press was a RCBS single (Rock Crusher), then a couple years later picked up a Lee turret. I started small as not to be overwhelmed at first. My first few batches of ammo: I cleaned the brass by hand.

 

[MichiganScott]

A scale,some dippers and/or a powder measure,a hand priming tool and a current reloading manual.You might look around for a package deal with a single stage press too.It's a fun hobby,been reloading everything for about 30 years.

I started with a Lee Loader in 1972 in an effort to save money. The RockChucker came home in 1974. Today I have an 8x10 room dedicated to the hobby.

Doubt I've saved much, but I've sure had fun.

 

[gregintenn]

I'm guessing you are in Memphis, but if by chance you are in middle Tennessee, I'd be happy to let you come over and try your hand at reloading. Assuming you are in Memphis, I would suggest you become a member of tngunowners.com, and you'll probably find someone there who is local, and would make you the same offer.
As for being on the fence for beginning reloading, that comes with a 38 Special. Buy gun in somewthing less common; eg. 41 Mag, 401 Powermag, 32-20, 218 Bee, 303 Savage, 22 Savage High Power, etc., and you'll fall off the fence, firmly on the side of reloading.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

I'm guessing you are in Memphis, but if by chance you are in middle Tennessee, I'd be happy to let you come over and try your hand at reloading. Assuming you are in Memphis, I would suggest you become a member of tngunowners.com, and you'll probably find someone there who is local, and would make you the same offer.
As for being on the fence for beginning reloading, that comes with a 38 Special. Buy gun in somewthing less common; eg. 41 Mag, 401 Powermag, 32-20, 218 Bee, 303 Savage, 22 Savage High Power, etc., and you'll fall off the fence, firmly on the side of reloading.

Greg, you're correct, I'm in Memphis, and a member of TGO. I've seen your posts there, and recognized your screen name when I saw it on here. I know one TGO member who used to reload here in Memphis, I'll shoot him a pm to see if he still does. Thanks for the good suggestion.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Just looked at the Lee 4 hole turret press over at Midway USA. Not a bad price. There is also a gun show here this weekend, so I may do some looking for components while I'm there. Any reloading recipes/suggestions for a beginner as far as loading .38 specials for target shooting my 642? I would probably like to shoot some semi wad cutters, so which powder and which primers are good partners for the swc?

Guess I'll also need to pick up an old police turn in Model 10 for range time to avoid wearing out my 642.

Thanks to all who have responded for your input.

 

[Smithhound]

I started reloading ammo in 1980. In my teens I had a nieghbor who reloaded for a Colt Python, I used to hang around and watch him and it looked interesting. My first set up was an RCBS rockchucker kit that my new wife had bought for me. I had no one to show me how but just read the book a few times and dove in.
It has turned into a lifelong hobby. I currently load for 30+ calibers and started casting bullets about 20 years ago.
I would recommend one of the 'Kits', I'm partial to RCBS, that is a good starting place, a single stage press gives one the basic foundations for learning and the versatility to load for just about every cartridge there is.
I've built on the basic kit utill now I have two Rockchuckers set up, also due to arthritis I now have discovered the auto case trimmer (a blessing) and the electric case prep station.
You will find, as one poster said, that the money savings is a small part of the hobby, the satisfaction of 'rolling your own' and a sense of being able to be self sufficient in making something usefull play a big part in it as well. I use my loading time as a time for meditation and relaxation. I've never used nor owned a progressive press, the single stage has served me well for 32 years.
I was lucky enough to start stockpiling components starting in the late '80s and have a huge supply of brass, powder, primers etc, enough to load 30K rounds or more, to say this has grown into a huge amount of stuff would be an understatment, but the recent 'run' on ammo and components hasn't affected me one bit.
It is enjoyable, cost effective and as safe as you make it. Don't be afraid to ask questions and think things thru would be my advice. Also a good rule of thumb for reloading is: If it don't fit, don't force it, stop and think about it.
If I can be of help please let me know, I'm on the opposite end of the state from you.
RD

 

[Double-O-Dave]

If money is tight, I wouldn't be afraid of buying a used press. They're are a bunch out there, and it's pretty hard to wear one out. I started with a RCBS Rockchucker press - you can load anything on it, but it is a single stage press, and after a while, it got old when I was shooting handguns in competition. Unfortunately, money was tight, but then, I picked up a Piggyback II kit - which turned the Rockchucker into a kind of fussy, semi-progressive press. Some 20+ years later, I'm still using the Rockchucker and Piggyback to load handgun rounds, and I'm still having a lot of fun doing it. I purchased 2 used single stage presses for less than $20.00 each that I use for depriming, resizing, or making small runs of ammo that I don't want to set up the Piggy for (remember, I said it was kind of fussy?). If you want to go the used press route, take your time and do your research. It might take you a bit longer, but you could probably get everything you needs for well under $100.00 - and we're talking quality equipment. I would recommend buying a digital powder scale as they are very fast and accurate, and they're pretty cheap as well (I bought one recently on sale for under $20.00).

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[gregintenn]

Any available small pistol primers will do, and Bullseye or Unique would be two fine powders for the SWC target load. I bought the Lee anniversary kit as a starter going on 20 years ago. So far, I've yet to find the need to improve upon it.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I reloaded back in the 70's and stopped after several years, returning a year ago. Based on my experience I would suggest you start with a couple of good manuals, such as Hornady, Speer or Lyman, and the latest ABC's of Reloading. After you read them carefully, then make a list of components you'll need, i.e. press, scales, powder, brass, etc, etc. Then search this (reloading) forum for past posts and use Google for each component. If you can find a person reloading in your area take advantage of this. The problem with "jumping into" anything is you're likely to make a mistake and buy something you later regret. At the very least don't hesitate to ask for advice on this forum before you buy. Saves on buyers remorse. The bottom line is the wealth of information on this forum, in past posts and through advice, is a gold mine just waiting to be tapped. Welcome aboard.

 

[TNFrank]

Even a small standard O Ring press would be better then a Hand Press. My first press was(and still is) an RCBS Partner Press. I've loaded thousands of rounds on it and it's still going strong. O-Ring style is much better then the C style and go with a quality press like RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, ect. and stay away from the pot metal Lee presses. Lee makes quite a few inexpensive things that are pretty good but I just don't like their presses.
You can buy kits that'll have pretty much everything that you'll need or you can piece stuff together and make up your own "kit". Hit the Midway USA site and check out what they've got, they have pretty decent prices and just about anything you could want.

You can go bare minimum with just a press w/primer seater and a set of Lee Dies and and use the dipper that they put into the Die set. That'll get you started loading but you'll be limited to the powders and bullets that match the dipper you get and the small instruction sheet that Lee gives you. You can add something like a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and an RCBS 5-0-5 Powder scale and a good loading manual(Speer, Lyman or Lee) to the mix and set the powder charge that you want(recommended) and you can also add a set of Dial Calipers(I've got the RCBS ones that my wife got me for my Birthday many, many years ago and they still work great) and that'll help you with measurements and OAL when you handload.
If you really want to stay minimum and be really portable you can get the Lyman 310 Tool(Nut Cracker) and a set of Lee Dippers and that'll give you everything you need to get started and you can carry it all easily.
Main thing is to just get started and learn how to handload and you can figure out what other things you'll need as you progress. You also can save a lot of money by "rollin' your own" too. I cast my own bullets and can load up a box of 38spl(50 rounds) for under $3 bucks.

 

[special44]

Don't fool with the cheap stuff, buy RCBS equipment & don't look back. You'll never regret it. Be sure you get a quality powder scale, a Mitutoyo dial caliper, as well as the very best 0-1' micrometer you can afford,you'll need 'em. Also get yourself at least 3 recent loading manuals, and STUDY them before attempting to load.