Reloading Help For New Shooters
- Thread starter Lon C.
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Buckeye shooter
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The ABC’s of Reloading that was mentioned is an excellent book to get. Read it thoroughly and then decide if reloading is for you. It takes you through the equipment and the steps involved in reloading
murf205
Member
ABC's of Reloading and the 50th Edition Lyman manual and a good single stage press. Then read, read, and read some more. Remember, with a progressive you can make a sack of mistakes very fast. They have their place but for sure, not for the beginner, maybe later. Ive been handloading since 1960 and still use an RCBS Rockchucker. Also, do NOT be timid about asking questions, we've all been in your shoes at one time or the other. Lots of experience here and all are willing to help. Good luck murf205
If I could just add one thing to what has been said....get separate .38 and .357 Lee Deluxe Pistol Dies. It's worth the extra money (to me at least) to not have to be changing adjustments back and forth every time I change from loading .38 to .357. Once I get the dies adjusted where I want them I do not like to change them. As has been said before, a single stage press will serve you well. I use a RCBS Rock Chucker II press (RCII). If you want to sound like a pro, tell them you know what RCBS stands for. I bet most here don't. LOL
smoothshooter
Member
I always recommend a single stage press for beginners.
For a newbie, there is too much going on all at once with a progressive, and the likelihood of making a serious mistake and not catching it are pretty high.
Besides, down the road there will or may be a need for a single stage press anyway.
For a newbie, there is too much going on all at once with a progressive, and the likelihood of making a serious mistake and not catching it are pretty high.
Besides, down the road there will or may be a need for a single stage press anyway.
Re: Reloading help
Hi Lon,
you've got a lot of great info here, from some very learned folks. I'd like to offer something I've not seen discussed here at all. Your post makes it sound like you plan to reload together with your wife, or hopefully I misunderstood. Let me caution you, that time at the reloading bench IS NOT time to be shared with another person, or ANY distraction whatsoever. Reloading ammunition is not the same as building tiny boats out of popsicle sticks. You can make a mistake that could get you, or another person hurt, or you could seriously damage a good firearm. I don't know either you or the lady, but I DO know that reloading ammo takes 100% of your attention, from the minute you sit at your bench, until you put away the last piece.
Certainly don't want to be a killjoy here, but I feel like I owe a new reloader at least that much.
Best regards,
Bob
Hi Lon,
you've got a lot of great info here, from some very learned folks. I'd like to offer something I've not seen discussed here at all. Your post makes it sound like you plan to reload together with your wife, or hopefully I misunderstood. Let me caution you, that time at the reloading bench IS NOT time to be shared with another person, or ANY distraction whatsoever. Reloading ammunition is not the same as building tiny boats out of popsicle sticks. You can make a mistake that could get you, or another person hurt, or you could seriously damage a good firearm. I don't know either you or the lady, but I DO know that reloading ammo takes 100% of your attention, from the minute you sit at your bench, until you put away the last piece.
Certainly don't want to be a killjoy here, but I feel like I owe a new reloader at least that much.
Best regards,
Bob
MyDads38
Member
<snip>
<quote>
I started with a Lee Loader and thank the heavens for the day I got a press instead.<end quote>
I started with a Lee Loader, too. .30-40 Krag
-Mark
I just used my 9mm Lee Loader kit a few days ago, hope to shoot the rounds sometime this week
I've got Lee Loaders for calibers I don't even own!! 
smoothshooter
Member
You will not save money by reloading when considered over a year’s time.
You will just shoot more for the same money!
It is still a good idea to load your own, though.
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As someone said above, most load data books contain a foundational section. Both the Lyman manual as well as the Lee Modern Reloading book have very good "intro" sections. Note that Richard Lee is a highly opinionated old guy and it makes for some entertaining reading.
Overall Lee makes excellent budget minded reloading gear for someone just starting out. They also stand behind their product. I have broken stuff that was my own fault and they have sent me replacements parts for free. Companies like this need to stay around.
A progressive press is fantastic for cranking out volume of ammo but for a beginner I think this is a *terrible* idea. A progressive allows you to make a single mistake 500 times over before you figure out you are hosed.
If $ is your biggest concern, the Lee 90045 will get you started making quality ammo right. This thing is inexpensive but there is nothing wrong with it. If you ever do outgrow it then you can use it as a depriming station or length trimming station.
The other advantage of a single stage press is that it will improve your shooting. When you carefully reload ammo on a single stage press you tend not to squander it.
If you can afford to spend a little more then a turret press is a good idea (for example Lee 90064). You can use it both as a single stage press as well as a self indexing turret press. With a turret press you are still only doing one operation at a time so it gives you a much better feel for what proper case sizing feels like or for what a correct roll crimp feels like.
I have no relationship with Lee other than owning a bunch of their stuff, including both of the presses mentioned here. I also own reloading kit by many other companies who make great stuff such as Lyman, Redding, Dillon, Whitten, RCBS, Hornady, Forster, etc. Most companies in this space make quality kit because word travels fast.
Depending on where you live, if you can find a reloading friend to teach you the ropes you will save yourself a lot if learning the hard way. Ask around with the other shooters you know, maybe you can find someone willing to help.
Also note that reloading will not save you money. You will just shoot more.
Overall Lee makes excellent budget minded reloading gear for someone just starting out. They also stand behind their product. I have broken stuff that was my own fault and they have sent me replacements parts for free. Companies like this need to stay around.
A progressive press is fantastic for cranking out volume of ammo but for a beginner I think this is a *terrible* idea. A progressive allows you to make a single mistake 500 times over before you figure out you are hosed.
If $ is your biggest concern, the Lee 90045 will get you started making quality ammo right. This thing is inexpensive but there is nothing wrong with it. If you ever do outgrow it then you can use it as a depriming station or length trimming station.
The other advantage of a single stage press is that it will improve your shooting. When you carefully reload ammo on a single stage press you tend not to squander it.
If you can afford to spend a little more then a turret press is a good idea (for example Lee 90064). You can use it both as a single stage press as well as a self indexing turret press. With a turret press you are still only doing one operation at a time so it gives you a much better feel for what proper case sizing feels like or for what a correct roll crimp feels like.
I have no relationship with Lee other than owning a bunch of their stuff, including both of the presses mentioned here. I also own reloading kit by many other companies who make great stuff such as Lyman, Redding, Dillon, Whitten, RCBS, Hornady, Forster, etc. Most companies in this space make quality kit because word travels fast.
Depending on where you live, if you can find a reloading friend to teach you the ropes you will save yourself a lot if learning the hard way. Ask around with the other shooters you know, maybe you can find someone willing to help.
Also note that reloading will not save you money. You will just shoot more.
murf205
Member
In the time it took me to create my reply, someone stole my line
AND....become more proficient and consequently safer through more practice. BTW, for handgun calibers, the advice to buy carbide sizer die sets is very sound. Murf
4barrel
Member
Another vote for single stage RCBS and Lyman magazine. Single stage is a lot more safe. Get 2 single stage and you can both have fun. She can resize and prime on hers and you can install powder and bullets on yours. If you get bored you can switch out. You can flip a coin on who does the cleaning. You can load a lead store bought 38 bullet for about .16 cents.
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J. R. WEEMS
Member
NEW RELOADERS
Bob has it 100% -- That being said, and with NO disrespect to any responders herein--
I would get a Turret press-- and a couple turrets to staart with. You all in CA have to deal with problems some of us only have nightmares about-- so far
You can start cheap, Lee etc. but you will soon get discouraged by lack of quality, and in some cases availability of accessories. Save yourself some time and go with KNOWN quality. RCBS is one and while there are others of quality, They are the home team for you, and VERY easy to deal with. Unlike the well known red L brand, who is changing their product line to force people to go with their new line-- and yes, I know this from very personal experience of a recent nature.
Go SLOW -- and HEED Bobs post--- You are entering reloading at the worst time in history, in my book, and it just is not going to get better anytime soon, if ever. choose your selections with the utmost care, and when you do locate what you want, buy all you can at any given time. Prices are insane but forge ahead with the determination of a bull dog. You DO NOT need a progressive press of any kind. You should not be in a hurry. A box or two at a time is all you need, once you get everything together, and THAT may take some doing. Please understand, the above is just my take on the questions you ask. Of course others more learned than myself will have their own collective opinions. Come here to ask questions. When you dont know or unsure, NO question is silly or stupid. REMEMBER-- you are making a bomb that is going to go off less than 3 feet from you face-- you want NO mistakes. Best of luck and enjoy.
Bob has it 100% -- That being said, and with NO disrespect to any responders herein--
I would get a Turret press-- and a couple turrets to staart with. You all in CA have to deal with problems some of us only have nightmares about-- so far
You can start cheap, Lee etc. but you will soon get discouraged by lack of quality, and in some cases availability of accessories. Save yourself some time and go with KNOWN quality. RCBS is one and while there are others of quality, They are the home team for you, and VERY easy to deal with. Unlike the well known red L brand, who is changing their product line to force people to go with their new line-- and yes, I know this from very personal experience of a recent nature.
Go SLOW -- and HEED Bobs post--- You are entering reloading at the worst time in history, in my book, and it just is not going to get better anytime soon, if ever. choose your selections with the utmost care, and when you do locate what you want, buy all you can at any given time. Prices are insane but forge ahead with the determination of a bull dog. You DO NOT need a progressive press of any kind. You should not be in a hurry. A box or two at a time is all you need, once you get everything together, and THAT may take some doing. Please understand, the above is just my take on the questions you ask. Of course others more learned than myself will have their own collective opinions. Come here to ask questions. When you dont know or unsure, NO question is silly or stupid. REMEMBER-- you are making a bomb that is going to go off less than 3 feet from you face-- you want NO mistakes. Best of luck and enjoy.
I started and still have......
....a BUDGET operation. Not having much money, I started out as cheaply as possible with a few hundred dollars of equipment, single stage press, dies etc. I used Lee Scoops and a Lee Balance Beam scale. I cleaned my brass in a colander. Over many years I got necessary equipment to streamline my operation. A tumbler, a digital scale. But I still use the single stage.
I highly recommend at least one book with and extensive 'how to' section. I started with the Speer Manual and added the Lyman. Youtube is a good resource for 'troubleshooting' but I wouldn't use it for a primary information.
....a BUDGET operation. Not having much money, I started out as cheaply as possible with a few hundred dollars of equipment, single stage press, dies etc. I used Lee Scoops and a Lee Balance Beam scale. I cleaned my brass in a colander. Over many years I got necessary equipment to streamline my operation. A tumbler, a digital scale. But I still use the single stage.
I highly recommend at least one book with and extensive 'how to' section. I started with the Speer Manual and added the Lyman. Youtube is a good resource for 'troubleshooting' but I wouldn't use it for a primary information.
Even if you have a progressive....
....It's always handy to have a single stage to experiment and make small batches, especially differing test loads of rifle cartridge.
....It's always handy to have a single stage to experiment and make small batches, especially differing test loads of rifle cartridge.
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