[Notch]

I wanna start reloading...(need to start ;) ). I have seen SO many variations of this and that. Every shop guy gives me a different story. I dont know anyone personaly that I can talk to. Can I get some advice from you all as to what I need... ( brand names would be great ) to get started reloading pistol and rifle ammo. I like the idea of the presses that have several spots for shells, so that you are kind of processing several at the same time... Also, how about powder measuring devices. It seems like a gravity scale would be rather time consuming if you wanted to be accurate. Is an electronic scale better for this? Sorry bout all the questions. Just wanted to get the straight scoop from folks who are ACTUALY reloading.
Thanks in advance!

Notch.........

[esheato]

Notch,

I congratulate you on your ambition. This topic has been hashed over more than a few times. ;) A search on your part would reveal a tremendous amount of additional information. I'll start it out for ya...

Reloading 101
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=109479

The BEST part of reloading.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=107424

The Worst part of reloading
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=105581

New Reloader Suggestions
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=106164

1st Reloading setup; good choice?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91988

Now for the good stuff...

What do you want to load? Pistol, rifle? Calibers? A single stage press of the RCBS Rockchucker persuasion would be more than adequate for rifle loading. The machines that do multiple cartridges at the same time are technically titled progressive presses, and while not difficult, can be overwhelming for a beginner.

How much money do you have to buy in? I'm only asking because a single stage would be your best bet to start with. After familiarity and confidence builds, a progressive could be in the future. BUT...that means buying two presses and more $$. Either type of press is fine to start with but a single stage will be slow for ya once you learn everything....progressive will be frustrating in the beginning until you learn everything...;)

Best bet at this point, start reading...buy some loading manuals....ABC's of Reloading and perhaps the Speer or Hornady manuals come to mind. Lots of basic information in the front of those manuals that is good to know.

Brand names? RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, Lee, Redding, PACT.

Personally, I do Dillon and Redding, but Lee and RCBS have well deserved reputations as having good equipment.

Electronic scales are great, but there's a catch...the price. Normal gravity powder measures are just as accurate, just a little more time consuming.

Just a word of warning, the list of "necessary" tools and equipment never ends. You just end up with better quality over the years. :neener:

Ed

[Standing Wolf]

Is an electronic scale better for this?

Electronic scales are usually a bit faster, but not necessarily more accurate. If you're weighing each charge, they can actually be slower to use. They're more expensive than balance scales, although prices have come down considerably in the past few years.

[crawfish]

I got my first reloading setup in 1965. It was an RCBS JR. kit that came with everything to reload except dies. I still have that press and use it to this day. These kits are still sold today (not the RCBS JR, not made anymore) and are offered by LEE, RCBS, LYMAN, Hornady, and Redding for single stage press kits. These kits will contain everything you need to reload a metallic cartridge EXCEPT the dies, brass, primer, powder, and bullet. These kits will run in price from $$75.00 all the way up to almost $350.00. Midsouth http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ has one of each of those I listed, except Hornady in their on line catalog. I haven’t looked at the other shooter supply houses but I know they will have them also. You can get into reloading by spending a bazillion dollars or less than $200.00 and with both you can produce target class ammo.

[SASS#23149]

Unless yo're a bullseye or benchrest shooter,you'll only use the scale to set your powder measure and check it occasionaly.For super accuracy you will want to measure every powder charge.Few do this compared to 'bulk' loading.
as to presses,I like my dillon 550b.It can be used to load one round at a time while you get used to what each die does,then load all the stations and process several steps at a time.
It's a fun hobby.Approach it with safety in mind,and never et sidetracked.I'd hate to see anybody ruin a good gun...or worse.

[Valkman]

What you're talking about is a progressive press, which does a number of functions at once. It's the only way to load alot of rounds in a short period of time! Alot of reloaders, including me, think Dillon is the way to go for a progressive press. Check out the 550B and the 650.

Dillon Precision (http://dillonprecision.com/default.cfm?)

Buy the book "The ABC's of Reloading" and read it - it will explain alot.

Read This! (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0873491904/qid=1100405122/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-6110383-7055922?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

[Cortland]

Whoa whoa whoa. Don't think for a minute that Dillon is the only way to go. You need to consider RCBS and Hornady as well (eh .. and maybe Lee). The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP is a much better press (http://www.cs.odu.edu/~rtompkin/hornady/blue.php) at a cheaper price.

[Notch]

Thanks to all of you! Lots of good stuff to read I hadnt come accross.