Scooter22
Member
I'll keep buying if I see good deals on relatively common calibers. I've always said a gun without ammo is a expensive club. I like expensive clubs.
Revisiting the OP, I’ll try tackling the means to begin reloading, given current market conditions.
First order is having the correct equipment commensurate to your potential needs/present budget. The possibilities are enormous! What I might recommend is your deciding on priority between pistol or rifle and start there.
The classic single-stage RCBS is where I started for rifle and still use for most everything. When I ventured deeper into reloading for pistol calibers, I supplemented with a couple Lee Reloader presses which set me back about $35/ea back then, perhaps $50 currently. I can set up all operations with 1 die each and progress through stations rapidly.
You’ll need dies, they are available, and Lee honestly holds great in the value to performance arena so long as you set things correctly and control quality. Expect $35-$50/set, buy full sets when possible.
Other essentials: a scale, small digital for measuring bullet weight, powder charge will run you $25 or more if you prefer. Lee dies come with “dippers” that can be used to measure a set amount of powder and you could simply meter this way but it’s not efficient unless you have a perfect match of weight to formula for your load...so...find a decent powder measure. $50 and up with the correct size rotor for the amount you need to throw (5 grains at times for pistol and 50+ at times for rifle).
You’ll need calipers, I use dial indicator at $25, not a bad idea to own case gauges for each caliber $40/ea to test for correct dimensions of brass. You’ll need a means for trimming rifle brass, no need for most pistol beyond revolver. I’d also recommend a chamfer tool for case rim, another $20. A hand priming tool, Lee or RCBS are fine and not overly expensive. Shell holders, buy a full set. Finally loading trays, plastic or wood to keep things neat, and some Hornady One-Shot case lube to keep brass from sticking and keeping dies clean. Reloading manuals for the expected bullet manufacturers you’ll be using, $25 a piece or so.
Everything else, unless I’ve missed something (possible in my current depleated state) will be components, brass/bullets/powder/primers.
The information contained with a new press in addition to dies is enough for a reasonably competent person to have things set up and functioning correctly with relative ease. YouTube is always an option, here on THR a better option, and UR (Ultimate Reloader) has, along with YouTube Gavintube, a wealth of information to get you started.
On acquiring components: if you’re already shooting, hopefully you’ve saved some brass. You can clean it, or not but there are simple ways if you skip buying a vibratory tumbler (which you should buy). Bullets are becoming mostly available, though at increased cost for many so buy when prices fall again soon. Primers can always be a hold up but again, they are available and slowly returning toward reasonable prices. Powder is always tough, especially when you load for many different things but asking here about a select few that may cover many of your bases might be fruitful.
There are as you can see some expenses getting set up but imo well worth the effort. Hope this helps and good luck.
I'm going to put this out there for the OP as reloading is NOT for everyone. Case in point. I hated reloading. Hated it with a passion no matter what I did to try and like it. I figure myself to be a pretty normal person, but I just don't have the patience and the meticulousness to spend hours working up loads and pumping out rounds. I had a full Dillon 550B set up with caliber conversions for both pistol and rifle and I knew I could reload if I needed too. Thing was that after a bit my mind would wander, which is dangerous when reloading. After my first squib with my reloads I knew it was not for me and got out of it. Sold it all for a pretty good profit over what I paid and have never looked back. I'm not rich by any means, but I stack it deep now so I don't run out as I come across deals.
Overall some people love reloading, but you need to know what kind of person you are and if your mentality forms well with what is needed to reload. As I said, not for everyone.
Having a 42 y.o. daughter that, through no fault of her own, is severely mentally challenged and incapable of caring for herself, I find your use of "full retard" offensive. If you cannot express yourself in a less crass and less offensive manner, perhaps The Highroad is not for you?it's going full retard prices lately.
I think it's probably more common than what we think here on a very enthusiastic forum such as this.
Having a 42 y.o. daughter that, through no fault of her own, is severely mentally challenged and incapable of caring for herself, I find your use of "full retard" offensive. If you cannot express yourself in a less crass and less offensive manner, perhaps The Highroad is not for you?
Mostly, I give these things a pass and just attribute it to the pure carelessness and inconsiderate disposition of the source.
Today, though, for some odd reason, it cut pretty deep. Please remove such vulgarity from your discourse on THR and use it at home, only.