Newbie on the Fence About Reloading

[Mphstiger1981]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys. I can feel the passion you all have for this activity. I'm very motivated to jump in with both feet, but I tend to over-think purchases like this. I spend more time reading, studying and evaluating relatively small investments like my hobbies, guns, golf clubs, etc., whereas I've bought two homes in my life without so much as a sleepless night. Go figure.

 

[glowe]

I started out reloading by buying used equipment on ebay. Got everything I needed for a fraction of the cost for new. My Rockchucker, case trimmer, scale, and dippers are still going strong.

As for saving money reloading, I find that it depends on what caliber you want to reload. I started out reloading for antique S&Ws. Anyone loading for .44 Russian, .38 S&W, 32-20, 44 American, 45-70, etc. will find big savings, and even more if you cast your own bullets. Lee dies cost less than one box of these calibers.

Once you have the equipment, the actual cost to reload even 9mm and 38 Special is less than manufactured ammunition. Problem is whether you want to value your time or not.

Good luck.

 

[TNFrank]

Don't be afraid to use Lee Dies, I've used em' a lot over the years and never had a problem with em'. Also, I guess if you're just starting out one of the On Sale Lee Kits with the O-Ring style press would be ok to start out with, Midway USA has em' for $99 bucks right now. You can upgrade the press later on and anything else that you find lacking.
I can't believe that my Partner Press is going for $82 bucks now, I got mine on sale for under $30 back in the late '80's, man, things have gone up a lot.
Anyway, don't be shy, get a Kit and jump in there and start saving some money on ammo buy loading your own.

 

[fredj338]

Get The ABCS of Reloading & the LYman #49 manual & read them TWICE. Then you'll have a better understanding of the process & what you will need vs want. Any decent bench mounted press is far better than a hand press. Cost, between $200 & $300 for a ss press & most everything you need. About the same amount for a Lee Classic turret.
Yes you save money, as little as 50% to as much as 75% depending on caliber. The idea you will shoot more may or may not happen, but your per round cost will always be less.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Get The ABCS of Reloading & the LYman #49 manual & read them TWICE. Then you'll have a better understanding of the process & what you will need vs want. Any decent bench mounted press is far better than a hand press. Cost, between $200 & $300 for a ss press & most everything you need. About the same amount for a Lee Classic turret.
Yes you save money, as little as 50% to as much as 75% depending on caliber. The idea you will shoot more may or may not happen, but your per round cost will always be less.

Thank you Fred. I stopped by Bass Pro after dinner tonight and picked up a copy of the Lyman manual. Picking up one or both of these books has been a recurring suggestion from many folks who reload. I hope to know more after I've read this one.

 

[Jamie]

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.

I just got started reloading, for the wife's .38 special 442, I'm using Bullseye powder, 4.2gr, 125gr lswc, 1.440" OAL. I originally loaded 50 rounds with Power Pistol, 6.1gr. I then had second thoughts, did some more research, (.38 special using Power Pistol was a bit tough finding enough info that didn't conflict, and it IS the wife's gun ), since this was my first 'effort', I came to believe this was a bit too hot, (I've since found MORE info that I now believe the loads would have been fine, snappy maybe, but safe), but I found a lot more info using Bullseye powder, so I loaded with that. I bought and learned how to use a bullet puller, re-did all the Power Pistol rounds with Bullseye. The Power Pistol is being used for my 9mm loads. The wife has shot about 100 of the reloads through her .38 snubbie, all went bang AND the gun still works.

 

[BearBio]

Look for a starter set by a name brand. RCBS had one for around $300. Need dies-get carbide and also a Lee factory sizing die (some may differ but I love it-we shoot several guns in the same calibers)==About $40 and about $25 for the Lee die. Get at least two manuals. Most useful would be the Speer, Sierra, Hornaday, etc. Some like Barnes are more limited in use (but can be VERY useful, if you need them).

Many LGS have evening classes and will let you sit in and use their equipment

 

[blujax01]

While you will find that few agree on which is "the best", most if not all agree with what BearBio said. Any name brand starter set will get you pointed in the right direction.

Happy shooting and be safe.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I just got started reloading, for the wife's .38 special 442, I'm using Bullseye powder, 4.2gr, 125gr lswc, 1.440" OAL. I originally loaded 50 rounds with Power Pistol, 6.1gr. I then had second thoughts, did some more research, (.38 special using Power Pistol was a bit tough finding enough info that didn't conflict, and it IS the wife's gun ), since this was my first 'effort', I came to believe this was a bit too hot, (I've since found MORE info that I now believe the loads would have been fine, snappy maybe, but safe), but I found a lot more info using Bullseye powder, so I loaded with that. I bought and learned how to use a bullet puller, re-did all the Power Pistol rounds with Bullseye. The Power Pistol is being used for my 9mm loads. The wife has shot about 100 of the reloads through her .38 snubbie, all went bang AND the gun still works.

In the FWIW department, I stay away from minimum and maximum loads no matter what I'm loading. I research and find the middle ground, then bump it up or down a little to experiment. And I've learned a lot from asking Forum members for advice before loading. I leave the experimenting to those who have more decades of experience than I have years. At my age I can't afford to damage a gun, or myself.

 

[TNFrank]

Also, FWIW you don't always need the best when you're getting started out. Sometimes good enough is fine to start with then you can add better if you stick with it or as you can afford it.
With the RCBS Partner Press being $82 bucks now I'd say that'd be more then enough to spend on a press. Like I said, I've used mine for over 25 years without a hitch. Just clean and lube it every now and again and it'll last a lifetime.
Lee Dies are fine and you get a shell holder and loading info with them also the Lee Perfect Powder Measure has been great and it's half the price of what the other powder measures cost. For a scale I'd spend the money and get a good one like the RCBS 5-0-5, I've had mine for years and it's still working perfectly, I use it then put it back in the box and take care of it so it stays calibrated.
Main thing is to get started with something to get your feet wet so you can see if it's for you or not. If you don't like it you can always sell your stuff but if you do like reloading ammo and saving money then you'll have found yourself a hobby that'll give a lifetime of enjoyment and you'll be shooting quality, inexpensive ammo when other guys are wishing they had the money to buy a couple boxes of stuff from WalMart.

 

[halco46]

Reloading.

Please go to your local Library and find ALL the books you can regarding reloading,educate yourself First!. Lee does make very good components but I would stay away from the progressives at this point. I use a Lee turret press for my .45ACP`s. All I need. Education and Safety is Paramount Always!.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Also, FWIW you don't always need the best when you're getting started out. Sometimes good enough is fine to start with then you can add better if you stick with it or as you can afford it.
With the RCBS Partner Press being $82 bucks now I'd say that'd be more then enough to spend on a press. Like I said, I've used mine for over 25 years without a hitch. Just clean and lube it every now and again and it'll last a lifetime.
Lee Dies are fine and you get a shell holder and loading info with them also the Lee Perfect Powder Measure has been great and it's half the price of what the other powder measures cost. For a scale I'd spend the money and get a good one like the RCBS 5-0-5, I've had mine for years and it's still working perfectly, I use it then put it back in the box and take care of it so it stays calibrated.
Main thing is to get started with something to get your feet wet so you can see if it's for you or not. If you don't like it you can always sell your stuff but if you do like reloading ammo and saving money then you'll have found yourself a hobby that'll give a lifetime of enjoyment and you'll be shooting quality, inexpensive ammo when other guys are wishing they had the money to buy a couple boxes of stuff from WalMart.

Good points Frank. I picked up some components at the gun show this weekend, one pound of Bulls Eye Powder, 1000 CCI primers and couple hundred 9mm JHP bullets. Now comes the hard part and finding a press and dies, along with the powder measure and a scale, and also calipers to measure with. This purchase coupled with the Lyman Reloading Handbook are at least the first steps on the journey.

 

[fredj338]

Good points Frank. I picked up some components at the gun show this weekend, one pound of Bulls Eye Powder, 1000 CCI primers and couple hundred 9mm JHP bullets. Now comes the hard part and finding a press and dies, along with the powder measure and a scale, and also calipers to measure with. This purchase coupled with the Lyman Reloading Handbook are at least the first steps on the journey.

Now why would you buy a powder without completely understanding the reloading process & how to correctly choose components? IMO, BE is NOT a beginners powder & especially for the 9mm. Yes it will work, I can make just about any powder work in any caliber, but you want as much safety margin as you can get starting out. Powders faster than W231 are NOT good starters powders. I prefer them even slower than W231 for noobs. Just a bit safer to use, especially in small volume/high pressure rounds. See if you can take it back & swap it unless your heart is set on it. If not, put it aside & get something slower. If you need to know what slower is, turn to the brun rate chart in your Lyman. Also Lyman lists powders in their data from fastest to slowest.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Now why would you buy a powder without completely understanding the reloading process & how to correctly choose components? IMO, BE is NOT a beginners powder & especially for the 9mm. Yes it will work, I can make just about any powder work in any caliber, but you want as much safety margin as you can get starting out. Powders faster than W231 are NOT good starters powders. I prefer them even slower than W231 for noobs. Just a bit safer to use, especially in small volume/high pressure rounds. See if you can take it back & swap it unless your heart is set on it. If not, put it aside & get something slower. If you need to know what slower is, turn to the brun rate chart in your Lyman. Also Lyman lists powders in their data from fastest to slowest.

Thanks for your input. I can't take it back as it was purchased at the gun show this weekend. I have a friend who has loaded for a long time. I'll swap it to him for something milder, or just put it back until I get a little more experience. I read the burn chart before I went, but I confused the Bulls Eye with Unique. Appreciate you catching that and pointing it out me before I get started.

I also purchased a Lee Anniversary Kit and it should be here this weekend. I've talked to my friend about coming over once I get it assembled and helping me get started the first time or two, just to make sure I'm on the right path.

Thanks to everyone who has responded for all of your input.

Tiger.

 

[arjay]

Just save the bullseye til you get some experience.It's a great powder for target loads in 38 special and 45 acp.The amounts used are quite small so you just need to be sure of what you are doing and really take a good look in each case before you load the bullets.It's a great hobby.Enjoy!

 

[GT1]

Yeah, bullseye kind of scared me off because it is easy to double charge, maybe easy isn't the right word, but the possibility goes up.

It is why I picked AA#7 for(I'm pretty new to reloading) 9mm, it is slower, and a starting charge can't be doubled, it would overflow the case. So it has a built in safety factor. When I am more comfortable I will try other powders, HS6, W231, Power pistol(PP is also a case filling powder for 9mm, I think). I am saving bullseye for my .45, mostly.

 

[blujax01]

Now you're gonna scare the poor boy to death. There is no such thin as "beginner powders". My first loads were Titegroup on a progressive in 45 caliber.
Any reasonably intelligent adult can do this. There is no magic and it sure ain't rocket science.

 

[novalty]

Flamible dirt, I mean Unique is what I started with, and given the volume needed for most cartridges it does reduce the chance greatly for double-charges.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Now you're gonna scare the poor boy to death. There is no such thin as "beginner powders". My first loads were Titegroup on a progressive in 45 caliber.
Any reasonably intelligent adult can do this. There is no magic and it sure ain't rocket science.

Right ON!

While I hate Titegroup, I have to agree with the last part of this statement.

It just ain't that hard for an adult to grasp.

 

[arjay]

Nope, it aint rocket science,but advising caution over the net seems a smart way to go.I've got a few real world friends I would never teach reloading to ;-)