[Highland Ranger]

Did a little searching and can't seem to find what I am looking for - if it exists, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

If not then I guess the question is, assuming money is not an issue, what does one need to begin reloading? Primarily for handgun calibers (.357, 40, 44, 45)

I'd lean toward buying the best and definately something I would not outgrow (I guess speed is the issue between the less expensive presses and the more expensive ones?)

Thanks!

[m1911joe]

Take a look at the Float at the top titled: The Cost of Reloading. It has
a list of items that would/could be used to reload. There is also a list of
vendors there that is very good.

Take a look at the Dillon 550B. This is the press that I started with. It
can be used like a turret press at the start. I started by putting just
one cartrage in at a time and putting it thru each station till done.
This gave me an understanding on how everything worked. Then I worked
my way up till I was running about 400 rounds an hour.

Well worth the money spent on it. If you want to load rifle later on it will
load most all rifle rounds.

[Mike Irwin]

Go down to a local book store and order yourself a copy of Dean Grennell's "The ABCs of Reloading" if they don't have it in stock. It is well worth the 20 bucks or so.

[mrbill]

I am in a position similar to yours. I own and have read "The ABC's of Reloading" and "Modern Reloading". I purchased and read them in the order I listed them. My advice is for you to do the same. Coming from a newbie's perspective(I have yet to start), the info in "The ABCs.." is excellent, unbiased and straight forward. "Modern Reloading", while very informative, tends to try to sell the user on Lee products. If you plan to start with Lee stuff(as will I when my "anniversary kit" arrives), it is top notch. If you are looking for general info, there is much to be had as well as excellent advice(just don't be put off by the BLATANT plugs for Lee products). For what it's(my opinion) worth(and being a newb, that aint much) for what you get with the anniversary kit combined with it's very low cost and flexibility, it is the way to go for newcomers and the path I chose(against the advice of some ppl I hold in high regard). Reasons being...1)you get alot for the money(which is lacking in my household)..2)There is tremendous support from Lee for their stuff..3)Value(if you're not sure you'll like reloading, it's best not to dump more money than need be into it) with the Lee kit, all you need is a set of dies, components and space and you are on your way. I realize this is quite long, but being a newcomer myself who was in your shoes less than a week ago, I figured my thoughts might be of some use to you. Good luck, be safe and most of all........................have fun!

Bill

[Highland Ranger]

Thanks Guys . . . . . just ordered the books from Amazon. Surprising lack of selection on the topic. Normally you can pick the most esoteric subject and they have six million books. Wonder if they just don't exist or if there is some other reason.

For reloading they have three or four on topic and the rest just straight gun related.

[BenW]

Buy all the reloading manuals you can. They have a lot of great "how-to'info in them as well as load info. I started out the cheapskate way with a single stage many moons ago because I had to. If I was getting into it today as a primarily pistol caliber reloader as you are, and money was a secondary concern, I'd go straight to a Dillon 550 or 650 or similar. I use a 650 nowadays (though I still break the single stage out for some rifle stuff) and it's simply a joy to use.

[Beren]

Looks like the bug is biting into my tush, as well. I'd like to start handloading for .44 (Rem Mag & Sp), .38 Sp, 45 ACP, and 10mm. I'm thinking that I'll start out small with one of the single stage style kits in a single caliber - probably .44 since then I don't need to worry about chasing brass in my early days. :) My logic is that I'll always have a use for the single stage for small batches of test loads prior to doing a lot on the progressive I'll eventually buy. Someday I'll venture into rifle territory, but I only own a .22LR currently and one really can't reload for that caliber. :)

I've heard mention on the forum that some folks even cast their own bullets. Is it hard to do? How do you salvage for lead? Do you then spend hours cleaning lead from your barrels?

[Mike Irwin]

Highland,

There just aren't a lot of introductory manuals for reloading available. There never have been.

Most of the ones that have been written are now out of print. NRA had one that was a good collection of reprints from the magazines as well as loading data, Ed Matunas wrote a good one back in the late 1970s, but both are out of print.

Grennell's is the one with by far the longest legs.

[Black Snowman]

Don't know about NJ but in MO the conservation department actually has introduction to reloading classes. Might ask around about something similar in your area or just find a local reloader to show you the ropes and go over the things in the manuals.

One of the problems with the manuals is it's sometime hard to guage what's manditory, critical, important, or just "good to do". Having an experiance person to guide you in the early stages is invaluable.

I learned from my Dad who wasn't that great of a reloader, just didn't like paying full price for ammo :) I've learned a lot since then from manuals and message boards like this one and Load Your Own. (http://www.loadyourown.com/)

[redneck2]

you're fairly new to the site

the one previous to this was http://www.thefiringline.com. Go there and do a search. There were a lot of threads on beginning reloading

good books to start are the ones you have. Also, I prefer Lyman's book as a starter. I have Lee's book. As noted, info is good but the blantant over-sell of their products borders on sickening

asking what brand of reloader to buy is kinda like asking what truck or car to get. Everyone will have an opinion. I'd get a progressive for pistol or a single stage for rifle.

to answer the question....you want the "BEST" and something for pistol..get a Dillon 550. Call their customer service 800-223-4570 (great number, eh?) and they'll tell you all you need. HTH

[Sven]

See previous thread (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35954)

[goon]

As was stated above, most any reloading manual will do to help you start out.
I would suggest the Speer No. 13 (I think that is the number). Not only does it give you loading data, it gives you insights on ballistics and pressure, which are two things that a reloader should have a general understanding of anyhow.
I have a Lyman manual that I started with as well, but I don't really use it much anymore.
I also have a free one that I got from Winchester. It has data for duplicating their factory loads with their components, but I can use that information to help me get a baseline to start with others as well.
I just loaded my first batch of .300 Savage today with Win. components and IMR 4320. They shoot to the same POI as factory rounds, so my dad is happy. (They were for him.)

Buy a good manual and read everything between the table of contents and the section where the data begins.
Then buy whatever stuff you forgot on your first trip to the store and start doing it.
If you know someone who reloads you could ask them to help you get set up. If not, ask us and we'll help you out as best we can.