[Sixtigers]

I know NOTHING about reloading.

I need to change that. I shoot my guns. Bullet prices are killing me, and I've actually left firearms at home on range days because I didn't want to have to replace the bullets I had put away for that weapon.

I actually pay attention when I hear people say they get better ammunition for 1/4 or less the cost of store-bought. Reloading was never that big a deal for me, but I think that's going to change. The wife just got her grain mill, now it's time for me to get a reloader.

So--if a man is going to be cranking out bullets, what's a good reloader? I have to say that I'm fond of the Dillons, but only because of their catalogs (and several of my SASS buddies use 'em).

I'm interested in loading the following handgun rounds: 9mm, .45APC, .44 Mag, .357 Mag, .38 SPL, .40S&W.

I'm interested in loading the following rifle rounds: 7.62 NATO, 5.56 NATO, and primarily just that. I have several other calibers, but these are what I primarily shoot.

So: I have about $1200 I can spend on this. What do I need? Shop for me!

[Bailey Boat]

where are you located???

[BFE]

Depending on how much you shoot you could get many suggestions.
If you have someone close by that could give you a helping hand getting started it would be a plus for you.
Loading in quanity you may want to look at some of the dillon products but this could also be a bit confusing for a newbi.
If I were just getting started I would look at a single stage press like the RCBS Rock Chucker, this will teach you most of the ends and outs with a couple of manuals but do not discount a freind to help teach you what it all means helps alot.
When I learned many years ago I did it by reading what I could get my hands on and when I loaded my first round I had the confidence to do it right the first time. When I started I was after precission rifle ammo and was very please very quickly.
Welcome to a new world, yes you can save money on ammo so you can shoot more but a warning is in order also, it gets adictive and includes spending more on things that make it easyer or better so plan on this in advance.

[rfwobbly]

Mr Tigers -
Welcome aboard. As per BFE, you ARE going to get a mind-numbing list of suggestions.... many from those without much experience. So just be prepared. In reality, I don't think you'll even have to spend half of the money you planned

• Start by reading the 4 or 5 posts at the top of the Reloading Forum page. They contain some great hints and a lot of basic info.

• Then go buy a book by Lyman called the ABCs of Reloading and go to your local library to see what other resources you can get for free. Read, read, read.

• Then fix your profile on THR so that we'll know where you're from. Advertise here to meet someone local to you who can mentor you through the first couple of months. If you are in north Atlanta, that might be me.

• Then start collecting plastic cans, pales, buckets, etc. Any type of container will do. Stackable containers are best. The 2 lb Folgers plastic coffee cans are great. That is unless stepping around and tripping over piles of finished ammo lumped up on the floor appeals to you. :D

• Also start collecting brass. Any brass. What you don't use you can trade for that which you can. Put some large plastic bags in your range bag. You always want to come home with more brass than you left with.

• Later on when you get equipment, I'd suggest also buying a Lyman Reloading Manual, if one does not come with the equipment you buy. Judging by numerous threads here, this book is the centerpiece of most every good reloading library.

• Ultimately, you'll probably want both a single stage press to get started on (and do rifle reloading later on), and then finally a multi-stage press for your high volume pistol reloading. But start with a single stage.

• When ready, I would suggest looking on a web page called Craig's List to see if you can't find a used single stage press locally to you. I suggest a used press, because there are about 3 dozen small items that usually get "thrown in" with a used press that will save you a lot of time and trouble to find. It's also another way of meeting a local guy who can guide you.

• Of all this, meeting people to help you over "the learning curve" is the most important. For instance, I work in a small company of 85 people and thought I was the only reloader until I put a notice in the break room that said "Call me if you reload". I got 6 calls from people I had worked with for over 2 years and had no idea they were even shooters. Through that I've introduced another work associate to reloading. You'll be surprised at the quality of people you meet.

• Most of all... have fun. This is one GREAT hobby. And let us know on your progress.

[SASS#23149]

Think about loading for pistols 1st,less involved than rifle reloadin...no trimming,neck annealing,etc..
well,almost no trimimng.
Start with either a Rockchucker or a Lee Classic Cast single stage,to learn what each die does,and to learn slowly.YOu'll need a powder measure,say a Lyman 55 or rcbs to dump the powder,and a scale to weight it with IS A MUST.
Then get a dillon 550b,and use it to ONLY load one round at a time until you're comfortable with it.EVen in the begining,you can load a round in under 30 seconds on a 550b.Speed will come later with experience.
My got book is my LYman's..lots of general relaoding info,and tons of recipes for all kinds of bullets.
re: the Dillons,I"ve got a sturdy tall bench,never seen the need for their 'strong mounts'.spend that money on components.
Your budget is nice,will buy a lot of equipment.

[Shoney]

Sixtigers

Without knowing your shooting habits, it is difficult to give advice. If you are shooting a thousand rounds a year, you do not need a progressive. If you are shooting a 1000 total rounds a month, you may or may not need a progressive, depending on the cartridges you shoot. Until you are burning 500 or more rounds a week, a single stage or turret will do.

I own two single stage presses, a 550 Dillon, and a Hornady LNL AP. I have also loaded extensively on a buddies 650. The Hornady LNL AP is by far the superior machine. Combine the LNL's inovative superior features, it's ability to produce ammo that has better run-out than the other progressives, it's lower price, along with the 1000 free bullets - - - The LNL is the biggest bang for the buck.

[f4t9r]

Spend my money for me!

No problem go ahead and send it to me !!!!

[Walkalong]

send it to me !!!!That's what I was thinking. :D

Get a Lee classic turret, some dies, a scale, some calipers, and a measure. Buy a load manual. The Lyman #49 is highly regarded. Read up. Read up some more. Come back and ask more questions. Decide on a powder and bullets to try. Spend the money you saved not spending all $1200 on equipment, and buy bullets and powder.

You will need at least 1 rifle powder (H335-hint) and at least two pistol powders. :)

Or just buy the Dillon with accessories and blow the whole wad on equipment.

[lgbloader]

No problem go ahead and send it to me !!!!

I was thinking the same thing as well, Walkalong.

Hey Sixx,

Start with a single stage and learn the process. Once youre up to speed on the know how, Buy a Dillon 550B. It would be perfect for your handgun calibers and 223 REM. The single stage will be perfect for your 7.62 Nato and any other rifle caliber you choose to handload.

LGB

[Sixtigers]

Thanks for the replies.

I've never thrown away a plastic bucket. It's just not in me. I've got plenty of containers...

I've also sort of known that I was going to get here eventually, so I've been saving the styrofoam bullet blocks that come from the manufacturer as well...

...and for the last couple of years, I've been saving all my brass, as well as picking up the brass from my colleagues' weapons as well, so I've a good amount of brass to start with.

Seems like most of y'all think that getting a single-stage press first is a better idea than jumping into a turret...why is that? Is it because of cost? Or is there too much of an "overload" of initial reloading knowledge with a turret press that will fry my overtaxed brain?

How necessary is it to have a mentor?

[Walkalong]

Start with a single stage and learn the process. Once youre up to speed on the know how, Buy a LNL. :evil:

Both good presses of course. :)

[benzuncle]

I also had designs of beginning my reloading adventure with a single stage loader. Then I read about the Lee Classic Turret Press and opted for that. It turned out to be the perfect choice for me. (YMMV.)
The LCT can be used as a single stage reloader or can be set up to be an auto-indexing semi-progressive turret press in seconds for more speed. In that mode, 4 pulls of the handle manufactures one round. That equates to 150-200 rounds per hour. The nice thing about this well made turret press is that you can learn one operation at a time and build on what you have learned. And switching from one caliber to the next is as simple as removing one turret for another and screwing the powder dump in place; a 1-minute job. I load 3 handgun calibers with mine and have, after a little more than a year of loading no interest in "moving up".
Having said that, and seeing the $$ you have at your disposal to stimulate the economy, all of the aforementioned makes and models are yours for the choosing and each has many fans here. Good luck with your research and decision. Know that there is plenty of help here for whichever unit you decide on.

[lgbloader]

Quote:
Start with a single stage and learn the process. Once youre up to speed on the know how,

Buy a LNL.

Both good presses of course.
Today 11:38 AM


LOL - Okay, you got me, Walkalong.


Actually, benzuncle's post is great advice. I originally was going to say go with the LEE Classic turret as well but I saw that the OP said he had a fondness for Dillon.

Oh well, Drinks all around.

LGB

[RustyFN]

I hope this will help. Think about how many of each caliber you need per month and how much time you want to devote to reloading. These numbers will get you close. A single stage press will load around 50 rounds per hour. The Lee classic turret around 200 RPH. A progressive around 350 RPH and up. I started with and still load on a classic turret. The classic turret is a very easy press for a beginner to set up and operate. I like to take my time and not be rushed and load 500 rounds in three hours. I figure I don't need a progressive because I enjoy my time in front of the press and at the rate I reload I can load 2,000 rounds per month and only spend three hours per week. Also with the classic turret it only cost $9 for a turret and the price of dies to add a caliber. I don't own a progressive but from what I hear it cost around $100 to $150 to add a caliber. Hopefully some of the progressive guys can chime in and correct my price on caliber conversions. Good luck with whatever you decide to start with and welcome to reloading.
Rusty

[Sixtigers]

Wow! That's a lot of money to add another caliber! The rest of you guys think that price is about right?

[RustyFN]

This is for the Dillon 550. I don't know if you need it all but every picture of a Dillon has this in the back ground.
$91.95 Powder Meaure/Powder Die/Toolhead/Toolhead Stand
Then you will aslo need ,
Dies
Locator buttons
Powder funnel
and maybe a shell plate.

Here is a link to check on Dillon prices.
http://brianenos.com/store/dillon.conv.550.html#550qc

[lgbloader]

The rest of you guys think that price is about right?

Sorry, Rusty (Hey Rusty) is a friend and I don't want to disagree or be disrespectful to him, but I do have a 550b and all you really need to change a caliber is a caliber conversion ($39.95) and a set of dies. That's it.

It is nice to have a fast change caliber conver kit with Stand, Toolhead, powder measure, Powder die, etc. but it is not neccessary. I can change a caliber and set up the tool head in about 5 minutes. I know that isn't as fast as a Lee Classic Turret but (and I hate to say it) the 500B is 2 - 3 times faster in loading than the LCT. You win here, you lose there, kind of a thing.

Both presses have their place. I am glad that I have my 550B but I would love a LCT on my bench as well. They are cool.

Again, no disrespect to anyone and especially to Rusty.

LGB

[SciFiJim]

Sixtigers,
I am across the mountains from you in Porterville. Like you I am just starting out. I was given a single stage RCBS Rockchucker for Christmas with dies for .45 ACP and .357 Mag. and a scale. I have been scrambling trying to get the rest of what I need. Keep an eye on this forum and learn from the questions of others, they often ask questions that I have not thought of.
The scramble right now is for primers. For the 9mm, .40S&W, 38 Spl. you will need small pistol primers. For the .357 Mag you can use small pistol primers or small pistol magnum primers, depending on the powder you use. For the .45 ACP you will need large pistol primers and for the .44 mag you will need large pistol magnum primers. Check your local reloading sources before ordering primers on the internet. It will save you a $22.50 hazmat shipping fee. You will need primers no matter which powder you decide to use. I bought a block of 1000 small pistol magnum primers today for $33.90 plus tax. Higher than normal but still better than having to pay the hazmat fee. Normally I have found primers to be under $30 but with the shortage prices are going up. Lymans or Hornady both have good load info in their books. Check what powders they have info for before deciding on which powder to use. Look for a powder that is common to several of the calibers that you shoot. Until you have tried several only buy powder by the pound. When you decide which powder you like best you can buy a 4 or 8 pound jug to save money.

Also, like everyone else, Welcome to the High Road.

Remember Safety First, Second, and between each step of reloading. If you are not thinking about safety while you are reloading then you are thinking the wrong thoughts.;)

ps. just thought to ask. Where do you shoot. I got my sharpshooter ribbon at China Lake while I was in the Naval Reserve. I missed expert by ONE point:cuss: Too bad i am not that good with my .45.

Need to correct an error. For .44 Mag use large pistol primers NOT large pistol mag primers. I should have checked my reloading info before making that statement. Always verify information gleaned from the internet YOURSELF before using it.

[RustyFN]

Sorry, Rusty (Hey Rusty) is a friend and I don't want to disagree or be disrespectful to him, but I do have a 550b and all you really need to change a caliber is a caliber conversion ($39.95) and a set of dies. That's it.
LGB your not disrespectful at all. I'm glad you jumped in here with some good information. Like I said I wasn't sure. I know a friend of mine with a 550 has the quick change and everything else and spends over $100 per caliber but I wasn't sure what was really needed. Good to see it's not as expensive as I thought.
Rusty

[Fred40]

If your mechanically inclined at all there is no reason you can't jump right into a progressive. (If you need that kind of output....or have other things to do with your spare time).

I started out on a 550B. It was explained to me and then I think I sent a total of two cartridges through the machine one at a time. That was it.....then I was off and running. No problems. Just get in a habit of cheeking right after the powder is dumped to make sure A)it's got some & B)it's not a double load!

[qajaq59]

Keep in mind that what you shoot, and how many, will have a lot to do with what press you'll need to buy. If you only shoot a 300WM you're not going to be going thru 500 rounds a week. However if you want to shoot mild loads in pistols all the time, a single stage press might not fill you needs.

And the best place to start is doing what rfwobbly suggested. Read everything you can.

[moooose102]

GLADLY! SEND IT OVER!:neener::evil:

[Landric]

I too will suggest you start with a single stage. Its slower, but it helps to be slower when getting the basics down. It is also much less expensive to get started. I know you have the funds to jump straight into a Dillon, but it would be a shame to discover that you hate handloading after spending $600 or more on a press and equipment.

There will always be a place on any bench for a single stage, it will never go to waste sitting there even if you don't use it as often after "upgrading" to a progressive.