Want to get into reloading...help

[BKLooney]

I should have gotten into reloading many (many!) years ago, always threatened to but just never materialized.

I would like to reload revolver cartridges, .44mag/special, .38/.357, and .41 magnum.

When I get online and start looking at specifically what to get I am pretty much overwhelmed at the various "kits" and such and am really no off better than when I started.

As soon as I think "well this one might fit the bill" I go on to see where some will put forth the "for God's sake don't buy the xxxx"...

When I shoot these calibers I usually run about 100~200 down range so this would be roughly the amount I'd probably be looking at loading at a sitting.

Any and all help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Nevada Ed]

A single stage will get you going with a low amount of cash, while

a rotary station will cost a lot more but also cut your loading time by 75%.

You just need to think on what your needs are and what might work out for you.

Red & Green are good colors but there is also Blue !

 

[Dashriprock]

When I started thirty years ago as a starving college student, I invested in an RCBS Rock Chucker kit. While today I have many other reloading tools and presses, that Chucker is still as good as the day I bought it and is still in use.

Selecting and purchasing tools is a great time, but the most important purchase you can make is a few reloading books and manuals. I read for many months before I purchased that kit.

 

[Roofuss]

Before I started reloading many years ago, I asked shooting buddies what their opinion was on the best brand {s} of reloading tools to consider. I was told RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc. So I started on my own to look at what used items I could find at gun shows . Many times guys who are getting out of the hobby, have decent items they're willing to let go of, at a reasonable price. I bought a nice older , gently used RCBS "rock crusher" single stage press for $50. among other gently used items. Just inspect your potential buys closely . It might be a good place to start . I still use that old single stage press, regularly, and has loaded many thousands of rounds of the 10 different calibers I shoot.

 

[cracker57]

To start I would say get a single stage, you will still use it even if you buy a progressive down the road. Get a good balance scale and as many manuals as possible and read them twice. We don't know your budget but buy the best you can afford. just start with one caliber and add dies as needed.
Don't plan on saving any money it won't happen, you may shoot more but you will spend the same on the fun of pulling the trigger, you will just do it more.
Good luck and enjoy reloading, just be safe and always verify any internet advice from the experts.

 

[TXBryan]

For the volume of ammo per session stated a single stage press can get you going. One day single stage may prove a little slow and a progressive or a turret press may be preferable. It's easier to learn the fundamentals single staging so that's a good place to begin.

Along with a press, you'll need several manuals, a scale, powder dispenser, funnel, dies for the appropriate cartridge (Lee dies come with explicit directions for use which is handy), a loading block to hold brass cases during the process, and caliper/rule for measuring overall length (OAL). Of course you'll need appropriate primers, powder, brass, and projectiles as well. Consult the manuals for loads you want to try and purchase the corresponding powder and projectiles (if available).

Don't pay too much attention to strong opinions about this brand or that - particularly the "don't ever buy that brand" bunk. They all work and work pretty well. I am partial to Lee stuff and also favor Redding and RCBS. But I also drive Ford pickups and others have great fortune with Chevy's and Dodges. I have purchased used equipment off ebay and other sites with good results.

Lee can get you in a bit less expensively than most other brands and I've found them durable - I've been at it for 50 years now and reload for over 30 different cartridges. Buy several reloading manuals and follow the directions without deviation.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Bryan

 

[BKLooney]

I have read about and looked at the RCBS Rock Chucker kit many times and I keep going back to it.

If I could save a little it would be great, but that's not why I am still looking into it. I would like to be able to work up the most accurate loads for the particular revolvers I love to shoot so much. For the .44 magnums I'd like to work up some .44 special pressure loads using that brass.

 

[Narragansett]

I suggest that whatever brand of dies you use, you make sure the sizing/decapping die is carbide so you do not need to lube cases

 

[Funflyer]

For a press I'd suggest starting with the Lee Classic Turret. More practical than a progressive for low volume loading and more useful than a single stage. The only thing I didn't like about the Lee was the self indexing operation so I removed it from mine and find manual die indexing so much better. Since I got the Lee I don't use my Hornady AP progressive nearly as much as I used to.

In the mean time you can download lots of older, but still relevant, manuals from the below link.

index - powered by h5ai v0.30.0 (https://larsjung.de/h5ai/)

 

[Model19man]

For a press I'd suggest starting with the Lee Classic Turret. More practical than a progressive for low volume loading and more useful than a single stage. The only thing I didn't like about the Lee was the self indexing operation so I removed it from mine and find manual die indexing so much better. Since I got the Lee I don't use my Hornady AP progressive nearly as much as I used to.

In the mean time you can download lots of older, but still relevant, manuals from the below link.

index - powered by h5ai v0.30.0 ([url]https://larsjung.de/h5ai/)[/url]

Agree with the above - I started reloading 40+ years ago on progressive presses for 357 / 38 and 44 Magnum. Maybe 10 years ago I got my first Lee Turret press. While the quantity of my ammunition decreased some, the quality increased exponentially. Now I have two Turret presses and am loading maybe 15 different calibers.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have loaded a LOT of ammo over the years with a single-stage RCBS. I have never owned a progressive machine. I reload as therapy as much as anything else but you can crank out a lot of ammo with a single stage press if you have the time. They are not hella expensive nor complicated. It just depends on where you head is at and what your goals and budget are.

 

[Nightowl]

Well, first things first!! BUY a Lyman Reloading Handbook. It will explain reloading in depth. Probably more than you will ever need!!

I loaded for over 20 years with a single stage press. It is much slower than a progressive, as you have to handle each cartridge for each operation. This gets you very comfortable with what you are doing.

I then discovered the Dillon 450 press and never looked back. Upgrading to a 550B, I have used it for over 30 years and thousands of rounds later, would not do anything different. I have introduced the Dillon to several new reloaders and they have never used a single stage press and do very well! It's really nice only to handle the cartridge once!!

Whatever you choose, the big problem today is finding powder and primers!! Pistol primers are hard to find and seem to be running around $90-100 per thousand, around three times pre Covid prices. Some powders seem to be sporadically on the shelves now, but choices are still limited.

Good luck on your new adventure!

 

[minconrevo]

With supply beginning to catch up with demand, prices of the unicorn of reloaders (the primer) is beginning to fall a little here and there. Import SPP can be found for $80/k these days. Loaded ammo for the calibers you mention are scarce and pricey and even in good times, the cost for ammo of the calibers you list is high. They are good candidates to reload.

My first reloader was a Lee followed by a RCBS single stage; would never go back to one for handgun calibers. A Dillon 550 can be operated as a single stage press until you gain experience/confidence and step up to semi auto operation on the same press. I am seeing more used presses, new in box in some cases, coming on the market. You might find a "bundle" with a 550 including .357/38spl and .44mag/44 spl dies/conversions included. The .41 mag will be harder to find but it will save you BIG bucks on shooting. Even 40 yrs ago, .41 mag factory ammo was scarce and expensive. Cast .41 bullets are a tad hard to find but will save big bucks.

Still going to need the paper loading manual and a powder scale (magnetic damped beam works fine).

 

[mikld]

Lots of suggestions, but I think you might read up on the process and determine what may be best for you to begin/learn reloading. One of the most popular texts (no need for a manual yet) is The ABCs of Reloading. Just about any edition will do. The text describes the "hows and whys" of reloading, the components, and equipment used. Also some info on shotgun reloading and bullet casting. K.I.S.S.! Many tools and equipment are suggested to new reloaders that are not necessary to start (I reloaded for 12 years, quite successfully without a cartridge gauge or tumbler. My cylinder/barrel was a perfect gauge and I wiped my brass with a solvent dampened rag as I inspected i, no scratched/ruined died or chambers). Think about what tools/equipment will fit your needs. There have been some that decided reloading was not for them after reading The ABCs, which is no reflection on him at all, it doesn't fit everybody. I started reloading with a Lee Loader in 1970 and worked my way up through a few single stage and turret presses and now use a Forster Co-Ax. But that's me and I have never been in a hurry nor counted RPH (Rounds Per Hour) for the 14 cartridges I reload.

I reload because I like to, not to "save" money and I have no idea, nor do I want to know/care how much my handloads cost.

Go slow. Double check everything. Most important have fun...

 

[Model52guy]

Bought my first rcbs press used in 1973. Still have it. Always recommend new guys start with a single stage press until they learn about reloading. Now is a poor time to start. With primers at 10 cents it doesn’t make much sense. When it settles down, buy a used single stage, primers and powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a RCBS Rockchucker that I use for rifle ammo. When I started reloading handgun all I bought a Lee CLASSIC 4 hold turret press which I'm still using for that loading. One you get used to using it you can safely load 180 to 200 handgun rounds an hour. I even sometimes load the .223 on it lol.

Reloading Kits : Lee Precision Classic Turret Press Kit

 

[fishwishin]

I started loading in November of 2022. I needed a hobby while I heal from rotator cuff surgery. Since I could not fish or shoot- reloading it was!

I started with .45 Colt, .44 magnum and .41 magnum with the following gear:
RCBS Partner press
RCBS carbide dies
Hornady digital scale
RCBS powder funnel
RCBS hand primer
RCBS loading blocks
Hornady calipers
Hornady tumbler
Lyman manual
Speer manual
Hornady manual

I chose my powders based on what projectiles I could get and what the manuals tell me. I was lucky to find large pistol magnum primers too. I have taken it very slow and it is a lot of fun. I have quite a bit of combos worked up now (starting-mid loads) and I now need to get a chronograph and hit the range.

 

[Miracle Man]

I haven't read every post but I'd guess mine will be like many others.

First buy like 3 reloading manuals. Lee, Hornady, Speer, Lyman etc. Read them, then reread them.

I'd start off with just the basic equipment. Single stage press, dies, and so on. Some guys tend to look at reloading as a job/nuisance and are looking to just get it done as fast as possible. Start off slooowwww. There's no rush to get hundreds of rounds out an hour.

Check and recheck everything. Sight check every single load of powder in your cases.

Take your time and enjoy.

 

[824tsv]

My suggestion is to find someone local to you who can mentor you through the process. A neat hobby, tedious at times, but can be very dangerous if not done correctly.

 

[jake1945]

I started out reloading back in 1967 with a RCBS Rock Chucker.
I now use a Lee 4 hole turret press with the auto index dismantled.
I heard a few years back that the RCBS Rock Chucker presses are not made as good as back in the 60"s or 70's and are high priced. Lee dies are all I use now and they are excellent!
My powder scale is a RCBS 505. I do not trust electronic scales at all!