yska08
Member
For instance I wanne start reloading .38/.357, what basic equipment would I need and what would a base hardware kit cost me. I hope this question isn't asked numerous times.
To reload or not to reload....
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It is, but so what?
I'd start with a Lee Classic turret press, which can also be used as a single-stage, Lee carbide dies, and a few basic accessories. If you're not trying to load near-max loads, you can get by with a Lee dipper set until you want to buy a powder measure and scale.
Expect to spend around $200 USD plus components buying from US sources.
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Lee Turret Press
I'd start with a Lee Classic turret press, which can also be used as a single-stage, Lee carbide dies, and a few basic accessories. If you're not trying to load near-max loads, you can get by with a Lee dipper set until you want to buy a powder measure and scale.
Expect to spend around $200 USD plus components buying from US sources.
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Lee Turret Press
OP
yska08
Member
Thanx! 
Are there good sites or books to learn some more about reloading?
Are there good sites or books to learn some more about reloading?ajpelz
Member
RCBS - Precisioneered Shooting Products - Home
get all the books/manuals you can find. The more data and info you have, the better.
get all the books/manuals you can find. The more data and info you have, the better.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Greetings,
Any of the major reloading manuals such as the Speer, or Hornady (my favorites) will provide step-by-step instructions for reloading rifle and pistol ammunition. You don't have to buy the most current and up-to-date editions, but one thing you should do if you start reloading is keep your old manual as a reference guide - or you can save them for someone who is starting out in reloading. A single stage press, or a turret type press are definitely a great way of starting. You can usually save quite a bit of money buying used equipment (a press is hard to break). You can learn a lot from the Reloading and Ammo sections of this forum. You can find used reloading equipment for sale at this site as well as at eBay and Gunbroker.com. I think the $200.00 figure that was quoted is a reasonable figure, and with careful shopping you should be able to find a press, dies, scales (new digital scales can be found for $20.00-$30.00), powder, primer and bullets for one caliber without difficulty. By the way, the .38/.357 caliber is a lot of fun to load for and is very versatile. Everyone has their favorite powders, but Hercules Bullseye is extremely versatile in this caliber and can be used for target loads as well as something more substantial.
Best of luck,
Dave
Any of the major reloading manuals such as the Speer, or Hornady (my favorites) will provide step-by-step instructions for reloading rifle and pistol ammunition. You don't have to buy the most current and up-to-date editions, but one thing you should do if you start reloading is keep your old manual as a reference guide - or you can save them for someone who is starting out in reloading. A single stage press, or a turret type press are definitely a great way of starting. You can usually save quite a bit of money buying used equipment (a press is hard to break). You can learn a lot from the Reloading and Ammo sections of this forum. You can find used reloading equipment for sale at this site as well as at eBay and Gunbroker.com. I think the $200.00 figure that was quoted is a reasonable figure, and with careful shopping you should be able to find a press, dies, scales (new digital scales can be found for $20.00-$30.00), powder, primer and bullets for one caliber without difficulty. By the way, the .38/.357 caliber is a lot of fun to load for and is very versatile. Everyone has their favorite powders, but Hercules Bullseye is extremely versatile in this caliber and can be used for target loads as well as something more substantial.
Best of luck,
Dave
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I agree the Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press is a good place to start. The Classic Press has a Cast Iron base so it's much stronger than the standard 4 hole press and the linkage is stronger too. You can remove the "Auto-Index" rod and use it as a single stage press in the beginning to get used to reloading and also when loading rifle rounds.
I'm guessing you can put together an initial setup for ~$200 for loading 38/357 ammo and easily make that up within the first 800/1000 rounds of .38 Special at current costs. (even faster with .357 Magnum ammo) Here is a good Hoadload Cost Calculator to help you with the numbers.
I'm guessing you can put together an initial setup for ~$200 for loading 38/357 ammo and easily make that up within the first 800/1000 rounds of .38 Special at current costs. (even faster with .357 Magnum ammo) Here is a good Hoadload Cost Calculator to help you with the numbers.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
This is the best advice you are going to get in answer to this question, at least in my opinion!
mkk41
US Veteran
Lee's ABCs of Reloading and Lyman's Reloaders Handbook are , or should be , required reading prior to the first pull of the handle. That and many hours in the company of a good EXPERIENCED handloader.
Lots of practice is the key to good shooting. Here in the land of plenty , even imported ammo is fast approaching 50 cents a pop. Unless yer rich , reloading is the only way to go.
I've been loading my own ammo for over 30 years , and have assembled who knows how many hundreds of thousands of rounds of quality ammo. It's a rewarding hobby all it's own for many , myself included.
There's lots of experience here on this forum. Make use of it by asking lots of questions. We'll be waiting to help.
Lots of practice is the key to good shooting. Here in the land of plenty , even imported ammo is fast approaching 50 cents a pop. Unless yer rich , reloading is the only way to go.
I've been loading my own ammo for over 30 years , and have assembled who knows how many hundreds of thousands of rounds of quality ammo. It's a rewarding hobby all it's own for many , myself included.
There's lots of experience here on this forum. Make use of it by asking lots of questions. We'll be waiting to help.
OP
yska08
Member
Thanx guys for the extensive info! I will surely ask my questions when I have them, thanx for the offer!
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
yska08: I don't know how things are for you in the Netherlands, but reloading makes a great deal of sense here in the US. I have been reloading for 39 years, and for most of that time it was the only way that I could afford to shoot.
About ten years ago I started using remanufactured ammunition. I would send in my fired brass and have it reloaded and returned to me. This was actually economical for several years.
Now, with prices of components higher than I have ever seen, and shipping costs very high as well, I have started reloading my own again. I have also been casting bullets again, due to the high prices and shipping costs (fortunately, I have several hundred pounds of lead alloy on hand).
About ten years ago I started using remanufactured ammunition. I would send in my fired brass and have it reloaded and returned to me. This was actually economical for several years.
Now, with prices of components higher than I have ever seen, and shipping costs very high as well, I have started reloading my own again. I have also been casting bullets again, due to the high prices and shipping costs (fortunately, I have several hundred pounds of lead alloy on hand).
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quewalda
Member
voor wat het kost is "Lee" waarschijnlijk de beste keus (mijn ervaring)
het is altijd een kwestie van geld, daarom gaan wij, zeker en vast, weldra van "kogels gieten" spreken
daarover valt er enorm veel te zeggen
( groeten uit Belgie)
het is altijd een kwestie van geld, daarom gaan wij, zeker en vast, weldra van "kogels gieten" spreken
daarover valt er enorm veel te zeggen
( groeten uit Belgie)
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Pete, thank you for the correction. I took a long break (12 years) from reloading, and guns in general, when we adopted our first child and my "recreational funds" had to go towards diapers and formula. I stored all of my equipment and reloading supplies which included a brand new can of Bullseye. I recently purchased a pound of WW 231 and was surprised to find that powder now comes in a plastic container rather than the cardboard containers that I was familiar with.
Regards,
Dave
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Yska08,
I was looking at the Lee Reloading website and found other options for you:
1) They have a special deal where you buy their reloading manual and get their basic single stage press free:
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Anniversary Kit
2) At their home page, check the Closeout tab. You can find factory seconds (cosmetically challenged, but still functional and still have full warranty) of their products - including reloading presses:
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Surplus Items
Though I have a RCBS Rock Chucker press with a conversion unit that turns it into a progressive reloader, I recently purchased the Lee Classic press for simple operations (resizing, depriming, etc.), or to load small quantities of ammo. You can create a lot of quality ammunition, and have a whole lot of fun using a simple single stage press.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck,
Dave
I was looking at the Lee Reloading website and found other options for you:
1) They have a special deal where you buy their reloading manual and get their basic single stage press free:
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Anniversary Kit
2) At their home page, check the Closeout tab. You can find factory seconds (cosmetically challenged, but still functional and still have full warranty) of their products - including reloading presses:
Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Surplus Items
Though I have a RCBS Rock Chucker press with a conversion unit that turns it into a progressive reloader, I recently purchased the Lee Classic press for simple operations (resizing, depriming, etc.), or to load small quantities of ammo. You can create a lot of quality ammunition, and have a whole lot of fun using a simple single stage press.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck,
Dave
You don't save money!
You do not same a penny reloading, instead you shoot a lot more because you "save" so much reloading your own ammunition.
You do not same a penny reloading, instead you shoot a lot more because you "save" so much reloading your own ammunition.
Marksman
Member
+1 on the LEE Turret Press and LEE dies, well designed equipment that will serve you well. I have also used WW 231 and its ballistic twin HP-38 and can recommend them for use in .38/.357 if Bullseye is hard to find in your area.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Translated into English
For those of us that can't read Dutch:
for all costs is "Lee" probably the best choice (my experience)
it is always a question of money, so we, certainly, soon be "pouring bullets" speak
about there is a lot to say
(Greetings from Belgium)
Google Translate
For those of us that can't read Dutch:
for all costs is "Lee" probably the best choice (my experience)
it is always a question of money, so we, certainly, soon be "pouring bullets" speak
about there is a lot to say
(Greetings from Belgium)
Google Translate
