Looking to become a reloader. Don't know where to start.

Good morning gentlemen.
I'd appreciate some input on your craft. As of right now I am just an avid shooter with about 50 lbs of brass but am hoping that in time I will have the know-how and equipment to load my own cartridges. What I hope to gain from this thread are links to instruction manuals, threads, and videos that can clearly and concisely teach me how to reload and help putting together a shopping list for this investment.

I have no doubt that this request has been made before and if you feel there is a thread that can answer the following adequately then send me the link and I will act accordingly. Also, this being my first post in this section, I made sure to read the stickies, rules, etc.. Believe me when I say I know that the questions I'm asking will lead to a difference of opinion, but I honestly would not post here if I felt that I was among people that couldn't hold a civil discussion. That said, I really doubt it will be an issue. Well, I came here to learn and hope to have a lively discussion. Let's start with what I've learned so far and what I think I'm looking for.

My dream setup is to have a reloading station that can handle pistol, rifle and 12 gauge shells. I'm hoping to find the balance between simple and efficient. Most importantly I'm going to want one that will thrive in a SHTF environment, specifically that the important pieces necessary to produce an effective, safe round without a power supply and that the equipment itself has a durable design with as few sensitive and breakable parts as possible. Portability isn't necessarily a must but certainly a bonus as is the ease in which I can purchase extra/replacement parts at a reasonable price.

I plan to load
.38 special +P
.357 mag
.9mm
.40 sw
.223 & 5.56
.308 & 7.62x51
.30-30
.12 gauge bird/buck in 2 3/4" and 3"
I imagine I'll have both a single-stage and a progressive press plus whatever it takes to load a shotshell. As of right now I have no idea what brand I'm interested in, though quite a few have said the RCBS rockchucker is a good start. I know I need dies, but I really don't know how they work in the press and what each one does. I know I need something trim cases and some specialty equipment more military brass, as well as lubricants for the dies. I haven't even gotten to bullets, powder and primers yet. Though I want to be able to make ammo without a power source should I have to, I'll also be looking at a few "luxury" items, such as tumblers, electronic scales and other little things like primer tubes and the like to make it easier, but all that's down the line.

In short, I have a long way to go. Before I even add anything to a cart I need to learn what it is I'm doing. In addition to figuring out what equipment to buy, I really need someone to point me to some videos that break it all down clearly. Thank you all for your time and patience, and thank you even more for the help.

For reloading equipment, check out craigslist for your area. There are always shotshell reloaders on the one in my area.

As far as links, check out some of the powder manufacturers.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx
http://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

These should get you started.

Also:

http://www.amazon.com/The-ABCs-Of-Reloading-Definitive/dp/1440213968/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1338205109&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-49Th-Edition-Reloading-Handbook/dp/B001MYEU0E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338205109&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-2nd-Edition-Reloading-Manual/dp/B000N8OKAU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1338205109&sr=8-10

http://www.amazon.com/Reloading-Handgunners-Patrick-Sweeney/dp/144021770X/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1338205109&sr=8-12

These are all good books to help you get started. Some you may find in your local library. Make sure to ask about inter-library loans.

I agree with what the previous poster suggested. I do suggest for a first press I would suggest a turret type over a progressive or even a single stage press. I wouldn't invest a lot to start until you know how it all works. Most can use a single stage press regardless of what others one might own. If you get a good Turret you very well might be the last press you buy too as they work really well and though not as fast as a progressive they can be used as both single stage or similar to a progressive. I would also shop around for some good used equipment as was suggested. I started with a pair of Lee Pro 1000 progressive presses and sold one to by the Lee Classic Turret. Once I understood that the Progress started to work right for me.

The LEE Load-All is a great shotgun press for around $50 new. I don't know how much you shoot, but a person can reasonably load 100 rounds per hour with that setup even though it is a "single stage" press. In 12 gauge, it handles 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells. The buck shot pellets must be loaded in layers of 3 and you can use a broom stick or other short wooden dowel to press them in there.

If you are starting out reloading rifle ammo, I recommend a single stage press. I learned on a SS press and still use it today for all of my rifle ammo. I have never operated a turret press but I hear that many people like them over the single stage, especially for pistol ammo. That decision will have to be yours.

I think the first thing to do is buy a reloading manual. You can buy a new one from a store or online, or a used one on Ebay pretty cheap. Even if it is an older manual, the reloading section in the front is pretty much the same as today. I wouldn't use the load data in an older manual without first researching to find out if those loads were similar today as they were yesteryear.

Don't forget that there are many good videos out there to help learn the craft. Sierra bullets has a few DVD's for instance that really get into detail what you will do during the reloading process.

Of course, there are many great people here on THR that are willing to help. Good luck.

Get a good reloading manual and read. Then start with a single stage press and learn the basic steps.

There are tons of online resources for beginning reloaders but here are some "old school" alternatives.

The NRA offers introduction to reloading courses, both metallic (pistol and rifle ammo) and shotshell reloading. The NRA website will help you locate a course in your area. Interestingly there are none within 100 miles of my home at present.

I agree with Skyshot: Purchase a reloading manual (you might find one at your local library). The major ammo and component companies publish manuals. Most of the content is loading data (the "recipes" for ammo) but there is also a large instructional section that describes the steps of the process and the tools employed. Safety information is also provided along with technical information like case length and overall length. Even though load data is also published online, every handloader should have at least one current, quality reloading manual on the bench.

Nothing like a mentor. Remember Master Po and "Grasshopper"? Look around locally for an experienced handloader who can show you the process and answer questions. If you are involved in a shooting discipline (for example, cowboy action shooting, high power rifle competitions, skeet, or IDPA), look for someone in the group who handloads. That way you get someone who is loading the type (and volume) of ammo that you will be using. The basics of handloading are a constant but some types of equipment are better suited for different disciplines. For example, a precision benchrest rifle shooter wants hair-splitting precision in his ammo. An IDPA competitor needs equipment that produces a larger volume of "service quality" ammo.

The "old saw" about handloading is that you will NOT save money. You will, however, be able to shoot much more on the same budget.

As far as presses go, I'm one of those that started with a progressive. If you have a decent amount of mechanical aptitude and a healthy dose of patience, it can be done. That said, I purchased a single-stage press a couple of months later as I found that there are certain tasks which are better suited for a single-stage. Having both is ideal in my opinion, but if you can only afford one press I would lean toward a turret or single-stage.

ILikeSA's resource links above are excellent, I have the first three of the four and can say they are a gold mine of information. My suggestion would be to purchase both "The ABC's of Reloading" and Lyman's 49th Edition simultaneously.

I'll stop there. Welcome to a fun (and addicting!) hobby. Really glad to see you're looking ahead to a possibility of a SHTF scenario and preparing for it.

Hey guys!

I agree with Joecil. I started from scratch 20 years ago with a Lee SS starter kit they still make. The kit includes an "O" SS (versus a "C" shape), case lube plus everything else you need to get started. I believe you get to choose the first caliber which determines the case holders you get. I still have that kit and I have gotten ridiculously good accuracy from it. That being said, I have a progressive as well, BUT start with the single stage press to learn the ins and outs of reloading. Starting with a progressive is a mistake because of all the added variables, plus start with the inexpensive kit because you may or may not stick with reloading over the long haul; saving money is good but it's still a labor of love to tinker with this stuff (anyone else agree?). Dies: Just go get Lee carbide dies for the pistol cases (no lube). There are nicer dies but again the Lee dies are certainly acceptable quality and they are inexpensive. Lastly, start with 38s or whatever pistol you shoot the most to get the largest savings and learn the fastest. Get good at the first caliber then add calibers. It's a great deal of fun and very satisfying when you build your own rounds that are as good or better than factory loads. Best of luck.

I recommend that you start out with one of those RCBS master reloading kits (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit) & use Redding dies. As time goes on you'll probably add a second progressive press & later a shot shell press, but this will get you started. Also, pick up a few mauals so you can get good ideas for starting loads- they're all a little different. You'll have plenty of time to fill in the cracks with the nickel & dime stuff you'll need.

Buy or borrow a copy of "ABCs of Reloading". Good basic information. Other manuals are good a s well. The books and manuals will fill in lots of the details.

While you can get one press to load metallic cartridges and shotshells, it would be best to get a dedicated shotshell loaded. The entry level shotshell loaders would cost no more than the change parts for the metallic press and you would not have to change over the press.

Otherwise, you will get more opinions on how to get started than you have blades of grass in your lawn. Welcome to the hobby.

These links should help get you started with the reading portion:

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19

http://www.reloadersnest.com/

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=13

http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

http://www.dillonprecision.com/

Also if you can pick up a copy of The ABC's of Reloading, it will help you out quite a bit. I use the Nosler reloading guide for my centerfire rifle cartridges and the Lee and Speer reloading guides for pistol. The rock chucker master reloading kit is a great place to start. It gives you high quality basic components to get started with. I have added many upgrades to my setup over the years and it continues to be a work in progress. If you are planning on having a decent setup during a shortage, you will want to pick up enough primers and powder to have on hand. Bullets are usually easier to find but it doesn't hurt to have those on hand either. You mentioned that you have lots of brass so I left that out.

I use RCBS steel dies for rifle and LEE carbide dies for pistol. I purchased the RCBS powder measure stand and mounted my rock chucker press to a solid metal office desk from the 1960's. I used an aluminum reinforcing plate under the desk top to bolt the press to so it stays solid during resizing. I highly recommend imperial sizing wax for case resizing (its cheap and a tin lasts a very long time). Stay away from the spray lubes. You will want to look at getting a case trimmer of some sort for rifle eventually. I ended up with a drill press adapter setup from Forster so my drill press can do double duty. If you want to do it without electricity, get a hand powered trimmer. They are much more difficult. For the powder measure, I installed a powder baffle inside the tube. It makes your charges much more consistent since it takes most of the weight off the gravity fed dispenser system. Find yourself a quality case tumbler to clean your brass after shooting. Don't remove the primers until after tumbling. Last, I recommend a quality bullet puller. You will probably use it quite a bit in the beginning. It will pay for itself over time. Hope that helps.

Start with

The ABC's of Reloading by C. Rodney James, lots of good info. Then pick up a reloading manual or two or ten. :D

Then start buying equipment. The RCBS kit would be a great place to start.

ID

► Start with the stickies at the top of this page.

► Then go to the local library and see if they have the ABC's of Reloading, or similar.

► Then post a note on local range and gun club bulletin boards looking for a reloading mentor. Maybe even ask here. I see you're in Texas; lots of Texans here. You'll need a mentor no matter what.

► Through a mentor you'll come across a very good deal on some used equipment.

Merged them for you Virg1L.

There are stickies regarding the basics at the top. The manuals mentioned like the ABC's and Lymans are also good.

Shotgun shell reloading requires a different set up than metallic - in that realm, MEC makes their Jr. press that will work wonderfully. These can be found used on Craigs List and similar places for about 50-75 dollars and are FAR superior to the Lee load-All.

The RCBS Rockchucker is a great single stage press for both rifle and pistol, especially when learning the basics. If you see that you re shooting a lot of pistol, you will eventually want to add a progressive press for making larger quantities in the same amount of time - Dillon, Hornady, RCBS and others make good equipment in that regard.

The issue with some of the videos I have seen on You Tube is that the person doing the reloading is doing things incorrectly or unsafe at times - you are better off getting an idea first from the published reloading companies whose liability is on the line.

Realize that reloading is not really rocket science, merely a repetitious manufacturing process - but you DO need to pay attention to the details or a level of danger can creep in that you do not want

Start slow, read the books, pick a few similar things to start with (maybe pistol), and then add and increase as your skill and confidence level allows

Good luck

Read a manual like:
ABCs of Reloading
Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual
Modern Reloading by Richard Lee

That's the best place to start.

Do you have a national chain sporting goods store like
Cabela's or Gander Mt near by?
I know Cabela's used to have free Basic Reloading classes.

Good Luck!

First off, thank you Walkalong for merging the two. Sorry for that.

OK. ABC's of reloading is in the mail.

From what I've read it would seem a turret is the way to go for metallic. It would be nice to be able to have the option to speed up once I figure out what I'm doing.

Looked on craigslist etc. for any type of press but came up empty. I'll be there frequently though.

I'm sure it will be covered in manual. But which parts on a press wear down the quickest? Which brands seem to be built to last?

Does anyone know if there's a company that sells a turret starter kit?

Thanks to everyone again.

Lyman does sell a T-Mag II kit, around $360 +/-. I can't vouch for the component quality but it's pretty hard to wrong IMO with Lyman, RCBS or Redding for turret presses. Hornady doesn't make a turret and I'm not too familiar with Lee but they might. No doubt there are many folks here who can speak about the positive and negative aspects of these (whether they will be objective in nature I can't say :-)

As long as the major parts are kept well-oiled/greased, the press will probably outlive you. They are mighty hard to wear out unless you are cranking out an insane number of rounds per hour for a very extended period of time.

Does anyone know if there's a company that sells a turret starter kit?

Thanks to everyone again.

I got the Lee Classic Turret kit from Cabela's. It comes with almost everything you need. In addition you will be needing dies, bullet puller and a caliper.

Loading straight wall pistol calibers is far simpler than bottleneck rifle calibers. .45ACP is the most forgiving of minor errors, the .40 S&W can be a cruel, high pressure mistress. 9mm is sensitive to changes in OAL. Loading .38 Special to shoot in a .357 Magnum revolver is about as safe as it gets for learning.

Ideally you would find a flesh & blood mentor to help. Nothing like a person with experience actually holding something in his hands.

First off, thank you Walkalong for merging the two. Sorry for that.

OK. ABC's of reloading is in the mail.

From what I've read it would seem a turret is the way to go for metallic. It would be nice to be able to have the option to speed up once I figure out what I'm doing.

Looked on craigslist etc. for any type of press but came up empty. I'll be there frequently though.

I'm sure it will be covered in manual. But which parts on a press wear down the quickest? Which brands seem to be built to last?

Does anyone know if there's a company that sells a turret starter kit?

Thanks to everyone again.
Kempf's Gun Shop is my first choice, as they are the first one to offer a decent kit built around the Lee Classic Turret (vs the Deluxe Turret offer by all the others in 2010). The offering from Kempf's is still the only one offering a basic kit that doesn't make you take stuff you don't need or might want to trade off right away. Only the essentials in that one (aside from the plastic ammo boxes).

Craigslist has a policy (still in effect, I believe) antithetical to firearms and firearms-related stuff. Sometimes stuff slips through.

Ebay is another source, but you have to be careful, as many buyers bid up the prices to levels that are just plain silly. I have gotten a few reloading items from ebay reasonable, though.

I believe in assembling one's own kit. Start with the bare minimum and add pieces as you find the need/use. It is more work than buying a kit assembled by the marketing department of some retailer, but I recognize that a ready-made kit will put you into production faster and this works for some people just as well.

But here are a few more web sites in case you haven't been drowned in text already.

I have compiled a few web sites that seem to have some good information (some of which came from me).

Go get a large mug of whatever you sip when you read and think and visit these sites.

For the New Reloader: Thinking about Reloading; Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

I am looking at getting into reloading for the first time
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=658971

Just bought my first press. Needs some info tho.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=659358

Considering reloading
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488115

Budget Beginning Bench you will never outgrow, for the novice handloader.
http://rugerforum.net/reloading/29385-budget-beginning-bench-you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

Thoughts on The Lee Classic Turret Press
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=135951

Interested in reloading
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13543

Newby needs help.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430391

I hope you enjoy the reading. Thanks for asking our advice.

Lost Sheep

Lee does have a turret kit. Has most of the basic parts that you would need to start loading. Of course, You should check it before you order it to make sure all is there. There not bad presses at all. I cannot really speak for any brand of press as I only have the Lee press. The lever you pull down on will make the ram come up. These are the parts that should be kept clean and greased a little or oiled.

Since your going with the turret, You may want to oil/ grease a bit where the turret plate sits as well since those have little ball bearings in them. Craigslist may be a good place to look for stuff but you can also look on here or other forums that reload and see if anyone is selling something your interested in.

If your gonna buy new, Try FSreloading.com, Titanreloading.com, MidWayUSA.com, or Grafs.com. There all good outfits and good prices. You can also check one called Kempfs.

When I first started I watched YouTube videos by accuratewayz. He mostly uses lee equipment but gives you a good idea of the steps involved

I reckon it should be mentioned that different brands of turret presses have different 'stations', or holes for your dies. Lee has four (I'm sure I knew in the past that Lee made a turret; being on vacation has given me some cerebral flatulence), Lyman and RCBS have six, and Redding has seven. In my opinion four would be the minimum for resizing, belling, seating and crimping, respectively, although one can seat/crimp in one operation (apparently Lee turret presses used to be three-holers with this assumption in mind). One can use the additional holes in the other turrets for dies with different crimp settings, et cetera.

One can also purchase extra heads for the turret press, enabling the user to have one for each caliber. This is a very good feature in my opinion.

Well, I've probably said enough.

Craigslist has a policy (still in effect, I believe) antithetical to firearms and firearms-related stuff. Sometimes stuff slips through.

Only for guns themselves - reloading equipment, scopes, etc, are all OK

Find a class at www.nrainstructors.org

Lee does have a turret kit. Has most of the basic parts that you would need to start loading. Of course, You should check it before you order it to make sure all is there. There not bad presses at all. I cannot really speak for any brand of press as I only have the Lee press. The lever you pull down on will make the ram come up. These are the parts that should be kept clean and greased a little or oiled.

Since your going with the turret, You may want to oil/ grease a bit where the turret plate sits as well since those have little ball bearings in them. Craigslist may be a good place to look for stuff but you can also look on here or other forums that reload and see if anyone is selling something your interested in.

If your gonna buy new, Try FSreloading.com, Titanreloading.com, MidWayUSA.com, or Grafs.com. There all good outfits and good prices. You can also check one called Kempfs.
Sue Kempf uses a Lee Classic Turret herself and is very knowledgeable on that and other presses, too.

Lee makes two turrets, Deluxe and Classic. The Classic turret is superior to the Deluxe turret in several ways. As of a year ago all kits based on the Lee Turrets were based on the Deluxe Turret.

Last time I checked, Craigslist prohibited even telescopic sights and (I think) even stocks. but now the list is somewhat shorter
Partial list of items for sale and services the advertisement of which is not permitted on craigslist:
Weapons and related items, including firearms, ammunition, silencers, pellet/BB guns, tear gas or stun guns.

Lost Sheep

So, was talking to a friend who mentioned he has a turret press he'd like to sell...

Dillon 650. :eek:

It's definitely out of my league now, but does it seem like something one could grow into?

Says it's new in box and wants 500. msrp is 560. Damn tempted.

We're talking about meeting up today. Anyone object?

^
I'd try to calculate in the costs of the six different calibers you propose to load for.. indexing plates or whatever. It could be up to $100 per caliber.. I don't really know.

So, was talking to a friend who mentioned he has a turret press he'd like to sell...

Dillon 650.


The Dillon 650 is one heck of a machine.......but it's not a turret press. It's a progressive press. Big difference. A progressive spits out a loaded round with each pull of the handle. Some think they're a little advanced for a beginner, and think that you should learn on single stage. I have never used a progressive personally, so I'm not sure how complicated it is. A turret press is still a single stage press, it just allows you to have all of your dies set up so it's easier to get them into position and you don't have to reset them each time. You still perform each operation individually though.

Welcome to the world of handloading by the way. You have come to the right place for advice. These guys helped me a lot when I first got started. You never stop learning either.

A Dillon, like every other progressive, is something that, when it is running great sounds like a Ferrari , but when something hangs up or goes awry, you'll be spending a lot of time trying to figure it out and correcting. If you are not mechanically inclined, or anal in watching your cases get charged, etc., you might want to hold off on a progressive.

I would hate to run off 1000 rounds only to find out that an indeterminate amount got too much powder and another indeterminate amount got too little because I missed something along the way

BTW, I have used both progressive and single stage, including the Dillon. Where I live now, I shoot more shotgun so a single stage in limited space covers rifle and pistol for me

Yeah, I hear what all of you are saying on that. After the initial excitement faded I realized that A: it was a progressive, B: didn't fit my KISS and durability guidelines, and C: I sti ll haven't even gotten ABC's manual in the mail yet. Shot him a "thanks but no thanks" and laid out everything I had on here. Told me he had a single stage too and that I was welcome to practice on it. He really is a stand-up guy... and my CHL instructor. :D

And thanks to everyone for the welcome. I've said it before and I'll say many more times; I love this forum! Evey question I've had was always thoroughly answered and the discussions are always informative and friendly. I'm still so new new to everything that I don't have much to contribute so I'm usually the guy asking, but I'm looking forward to being the wise old-hand. Someday... :rolleyes:

Anyway, on the subject of presses, would it damage a progressive to work one load at a time and treat it like a SS turret? Also, for those of you who have contributed thus far and mentioning what you each work with, What do you like about your press? What don't you like? What characteristics make it simple and durable, and what's most likely to fail on it? While my main focus at the moment is on a SS turret, I'd still like to hear about all presses you have worked with, if for no other reason than to help the next newbie reading this.

Thanks again. Happy to be here :)

Realize that the "single stage turret" you are most likely considering (Lee) is the only auto-indexing one existent.. you pull the handle three or four times for each cartridge without handling the brass where the "normal" turret presses still require the three or four strokes but also require you to manually index the turret three to four times.. unless you batch them, then you have to handle the brass between each phase just like a SS.
The Lee can be used as a single stage no problem and the cast iron version is very durable.

Certaindeaf has it right (post #32). Lee's Turret can be a single stage when you want it to be and do batch processing and it can be do continuous processing (with the autoindexing) much more conveniently than any other turret press on the market.
(edited for brevity)Anyway, on the subject of presses, would it damage a progressive to work one load at a time and treat it like a SS turret? Also, for those of you who have contributed thus far and mentioning what you each work with, What do you like about your press? What don't you like? What characteristics make it simple and durable, and what's most likely to fail on it? While my main focus at the moment is on a SS turret, I'd still like to hear about all presses you have worked with, if for no other reason than to help the next newbie reading this.

Thanks again. Happy to be here :)

Running a progressive as if it were a turret press (or even a single stage) is doable. The only caution I know of is that the forces exerted by the dies on the shell plate/carrier are off-axis of the ram, putting a bending load on it. Of course, the forces on the ram are usually off-axis anyway. (Each die exerts a different amount of force than the others, so there is always a bit of off-centeredness, but if you are only doing one station at a time, it is more promounced.) But the progressives are designed for it on startup and shutdown, so I would not be concerned. Just take some extra effort on keeping the ram clean and lubed.

Good question. Good Luck

Lost sheep

You will find the info in the ABCs of Reloading to be very valuable. I also suggest the Lyman manual. I've been loading for over 35 years now and like most others have my own ideas on what works best. I prefer the Hornady LNL AP progressive press over a turret press. I like it because it is fast, has 5 stations, auto advance, and can easily be used as a single stage while learning or for whatever other reason. It is also quick to change from one caliber to another. I still use my 35 year old Rockchucker single stage for rifle but could use the Hornady if I didn't have it. I wouldn't worry about parts as breakage is minimal on good presses and a phone call to the manufacturer will get you a new part within a couple of days at no cost.

As for shotgun, I use PW presses but the majority of shooters at my skeet/trap club use Mec. With the cost of lead shot these days, you don't save much loading 12 Ga over buying factory when on sale. Your real savings is in reloading the smaller guages.

Reloading itself is a great hobby and I find it very relaxing. Depending on calibers that you load, you can save significantly and afford to shoot alot more. The time that it takes to offset the cost of equipment will depend on how much you spend for it, the amount of rounds you shoot weekly, and the type of bullets used (jacket or lead), and calibers you load for. Remember that good equipment will last a lifetime and keep that in mind when looking at prices.

I've been handloading pistol ammo on an RCBS Rockchucker since the early 1980s. A single stage press is simple and an "old school" press like the Rockchucker is rugged as an anvil. High power rifle shooters like them for strength/leverage and precision but that's not a factor for me.

I started shooting cowboy action a little over two years ago. I load at least 250 rounds a month and I was spending lots of time at the bench so I purchased a progressive press last year. I know people who started reloading with a progressive press; some of them had no problems. For myself, I found a progressive press to be more demanding of my constant attention even though I was an experienced handloader. Bottom line, I don't recommend progressive presses for beginners.

A friend of mine started reloading and based on several peoples' recommendations he purchased a Lee Classic Turret press. I think that is a wise choice. It is not very expensive and seems reasonably well designed. You have the option of removing the indexing rod which effectively converts the press to single stage operation. Even in "index" mode you have only one case in the press at a time. Pretty easy to keep up with that. I think of the LCT as a "poor man's progressive".

The area where EVERY progressive I have ever used or been involved with has had issues always seems to come down to the auto primer feed area -either the primer hangs up and doesn't drop resulting in spilled powder, or it flips upside down and gets loaded backwards or something similar - it happens with every brand, shotgun or metallic and is the one MAJOR area I ALWAYS watch while reloading. Another thing to watch, and it sounds obvious, is the powder hopper (and shot for shotgun shells). You can get going in a rhythm, watching your primer and finished rounds and forget to watch the powder and then you realized you just reloaded a bunch with no powder - but you don't know how many you'll now be pulling.

Again, none of this is rocket science, but it does take attention top detail

Sorry I've been gone for so long... I've been reading a lot. :D

I'm really excited about loading my own ammo. I'm really looking forward to the day when I craft my own match grade ammo for my bolt action. I can already tell this will become my new favorite hobby and that I'll probably be an accuracy snob before I die.

Now I haven't quite finished ABC's and Lyman 49, but I have a few questions.

First I should mention that one thing that really caught my interest that I didn't think would is bullet casting. I don't know why, but the process and relative cheapness just strike me as a fun hobby. That said, I know that 1 lb. has 7000 grains, and kind of what to expect as far as yield, but I do need in layman's terms whether soft or hard is better for long range, appropriate use of gas checks, and best place to find casting supplies especially top/hollowpoint- molds, lead thermometers and discount bulk ingots. I already suspect I'll be needing linotype or stereotype but curious which is exactly better for what. I don't want an electric furnace, so what do I need to burn to get to 700 degrees F reliably?

Second, I have a lot of 5.56 and 7.62 military brass that has crimped primers. What exactly do I need to make reloading them as painless as possible, and am I remembering correctly that new primers have to be re-crimped?

Also, What I really need is a complete glossary of terms, videos for each step of casting and reloading, and a shotshell manual as clear and thorough as the lyman 49. I know it's a lot to ask, but the steps are a lot to remember to do in sequence. Can each of you tell me what your step-by step process is from start to finish, particularly the in-between steps of trrimming, deburring, and all the little things in between the big steps of sizing, charging, seating, etc?

I know that's all alot, and I know I'll think of more questions later, but I just want to approach this thoroughly and with proper respect.
Thanks again for all of the help.

Casting is just as addictive, if not more so, than handloading. The thing is, you need quiet a bit of spare time to cast. It's not a fast process. I love it though. However I only cast for handguns and have no experience whatsoever with gas checks and such. I'm planning on it though. I want to start casting for .30-30 soon.

Well, that is a lot. I'd become a member of castboolits.com and read this.. "From ingot to target"..
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=%22from%20ingot%20to%20target%22&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CFIQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lasc.us%2FFryxell_Book_textonly2.pdf&ei=RKTOT7CMOO_22AX-x7zBDA&usg=AFQjCNGbbT3b-Dm6nPX9FM_ll8dmb8nBJQ
You can download that.
No, you don't have to nor really want to re-crimp military brass primer pockets.
Good luck

The only guys I know shooting cast in rifles are doing Schutzen, and those aren't exactly modern high pressure cartridges. YMMV, but to me shooting 308 or 223 at 1100 fps would be a bit underwhelming. FWIW..

Hi, Virg1l... I'm new to realoding also. I planned to start in January, and spent the next 3 months reading and selecting equipment. I also recommend the ABCs of Reloading; I read two editions, the 2011 C. Rodney James one, and a 1974 edition edited by Dean Grinnell. (In my opinion the newer edition was padded out with some old articles that are no longer relevant.) I also picked my brother-in-law's brain; he's been a reloader for 20 years or so.

I went with the Lee Classic turret, which is probably more machine than I really need (I only load two calibers, .44 magnum and .357 magnum) but I have a lifelong habit of buying more machine than I really need. My wife has commented on that on several occasions.

I like the Lee because it suits my mode of operation: I did lab work at at one point in my career and learned to do things in batches. So I prime 50 or 100 cases, inspect, drop the powder charges from an RCBS Uniflow, inspect, expand the case mouths, inspect, seat bullets... and inspect. That way if there's a problem I can find it early rather than late.

Good uck, Virg1l - I've had a lot of fun figuring this process out.

I don't expect too much from casting, but I want to know how and have the equipment should the need arise. I also have always liked the idea of building something up to use. I plan to start out loading per the manual, using bought bullets etc. to replicate factory loads I already have. As I progress I want to break out into casting and creating my perfect .308 load, eventually casting the projectiles as well. In time, I want to cast almost every caliber I've listed below. Now, I know this bit isn't as much about reloading and I'm nowhere near there yet, but when I make that load I'm going to be in the market for a good .308 bolt-action to shoot them with. I'm curious what your favorite bolt guns for shooting cast bullets are.

Thanks for that pdf, I'll be reading it soon, but I'm still looking for that manual of shotshell loading (lyman 49th edition style) and something with a glossary for all things reloading.

To clarify, do I need to re-crimp militaryr brass to re-use it, or can I leave it uncrimped. Is that brass even still viable and if so, what tools do I need and why. (links please)

You guys have all been a tremendous help, thanks again.:)

Here :

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=649184

The only guys I know shooting cast in rifles are doing Schutzen, and those aren't exactly modern high pressure cartridges. YMMV, but to me shooting 308 or 223 at 1100 fps would be a bit underwhelming. FWIW..
If you do it right, you can drive a GC'd lead slug to around 2800 and paper patched to around 3300 accurately. I think you'd certainly blow a .308 up trying to drive a 200+gr slug to those velocities so of course you'd have to use a lighter bullet to achieve those speeds.

Tagged for my own reference later when I get into reloading.

I would suggest a mentor if you can find one. My brother and 2 good friends are reloaders so I helped them for awhile before I invested in my own equipment. My equipment is all better than theirs bcause I was able to get really nice stuff and benefitted from their mistakes. I never stop learning and will do it differently in the future.

You look like you're diving into a LOT of reloading (given all the calibers you've listed). What's your budget? IF you are the mechanical type, I don't see a problem getting a progressive and SS right off the bat. I bought a progressive and was wanting a SS soon after. You can probably trim a few hundred off your startup costs by cutting back the number of calibers you are loading for.
Also, I didn't catch it: What is your monthly round count? That will play a big part in the equipment that would be best for you.

Again sorry I haven't posted as much, I've been working. Got more coming up so I'll reply when I can.

Altitude: Yeah, I really am diving into it, I'm just really excited since just from reading this seems like my perfect hobby. The calibers I listed are what I hope to be working on when it's all said and done. My "prority" cartridges are .38/+P to start with as reccomended, .40sw, and .308.

Next up would be .223, but I have a lot more 5.56 brass that I haven't figured out/ heard a definite yes/no as to whether a: i can use 5.56 brass to load .223, b: whether I have to recrimp 5.56 primers for them to safely function or if it's possible to remove/trim crimps on 5.56. Same questions for .308/7.62x51

Monthly round count up until a few months ago was probably averaging 2-300 of the above plus 12g. I really do shoot a lot... It's my golf ;) That said, I've cut back a decent amount, I can't give a specific number because I really don't know, but I know I'd be set for a long time with a turret but not a progressive, if you catch my drift.

As far as budget... I'm not putting a figure on it. As I view the tools/equipment as a long time investment/commitment. The question is not"what can I afford," it's "how much am I going to have to save to get what will work for me." Thankfully, I've saved up a good amount already, and I'm working to cut prices by using craigslist or whatever gets cheap equipment. Speaking of, if anyone here has a turret press collecting dust pm me... yes I know it's a long shot.:rolleyes:

Sniper: You'd think a mentor would be easy to find in Texas. Closest I've gotten is a friend of a friend who I've never met and the middle-man is deployed, so unless a reloading leprechaun leads me to a busy workbench, it'll be a while.

Certaindeaf: This brings up a question. What would generally be considered the minimum effective velocity of a .308? Speed doesn't matter as much as accuracy to me. I reiterate that it's all a little ways off, but I'm expecting a .308 or some caliber that takes a .308 diameter bullet to become my favorite "accuracy load," you know?

Anyway, I'm looking at 3 12hr shifts in a row starting tonight, so If I can I'll pop in, otherwise expect more in depth replies sunday eveningish. Thanks again to all.

Centurion, happy to see you using this. One thing I want to insist upon that these guys recommended are the books "ABC"S of reloading" and" Lyman 49th manual" mentioned in the first few posts. I'm almost done with both of them and can say they are worth their weight in gold. I'd go ahead and buy them and get started highlighting.

You got a smartphone? You can get a craigslist app and save a few searches so it tells you when reloading equipment is listed in your area. It beats having to run the searches over and over.
A note about tumblers. Have a look at rotary tumblers (Thumler brand name is one of the better prices). They are WAY more quiet and don't spew dust if you're tumbling indoors. I just bought one for my Dad and was tempted to keep it for myself.

FWIW, all the major manufacturers have good basic kits to which you can add as your needs become more obvious to you with experience.

I drank the green Kool-Aid and went with RCBS. I bought a wonderful workbench, made by Husky, at Home Depot for $189 when I moved to my current house and mounted all my existing RCBS equipment on it with three accessory baseplates. I use an RCBS Rock Chucker for my precision rifle loads and an RCBS Turret Press for handgun (I have separate turret mounts for each caliber to leave the three/four dies mounted and adjusted) and bulk rifle loads (.223/.308) for my non-precision work...presses mounted over the legs of the table. I use the middle station for case trimmer, powder measure, etc. I used to use a balance scale but switched to an RCBS Chargemaster for precision rifle and max pistol loads, though I still use the powder measure for most handgun and bulk production of rifle practice loads.

Just some thoughts. I find I enjoy shooting much more with my own hand loads, and the first time you hunt successfully with your own hand loads, worked up for a specific bullet and rifle, is a special experience.

FH

If you have any friend who reloads that would be a great place to start. You already have a great choice of firearms and brass ready to start.

Firstly, thanks to everyone who has helped me thus far. In less than a week I have made some great strides in my understanding of reloading. Couldn't have done it without your collective input.

Now, I have a pretty good idea of what equipment will suit me and how to start. I'm going to be starting a fresh thread on this branch covering pet calibers and respective firearms and would love some input from all of you. That said, a few things.

If y'all haven't noticed, I like to dive into things proper. At the moment I'm researching how to build a take-down reloading bench. Note that when I say take down, I simply mean that the legs fit into slots and the major components can be broken down for travel. I'm building a large bench that can handle all of my reloading needs as well as keeping some basic tools organized. If anyone has any particularly helpful links to DIY benches please post them here. Google is giving me the same 5 links for every I put in:banghead:

I fully intend to have a set-up similar to Flatbush Harry's, to give an idea.

Altitude; Is this app only available for iphone? Have a windows phone and don't see it. Do you know of any similar app/service on pc?

Mine is on android.