bought an old set up...am i in over my head?

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mptrimshop

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So i was contacted by a friend that he knew a guy looking to sell some reloading equipment. Well to cut the story down a bit, we will just say that i bought it. I did something i don't normally do, i bought an item not knowing much about what i was getting. I have no reloading experiences...i have always wanted to get into it. so here is what i have...and this is what i think i have..i am buy no means a expert. I bought a pacific press, 3 sets of RCBS dies .38 spec, .30/06, .300 H/H., i think a full set of 45 colt dies(no brand on them), and i think parts of a set of .454, i also received a tube looking thing with a crank on it that you put powder in to measure it out. a few old books..all for reloading shotgun shells and a ton of brass. MY question here is should i just part the stuff out and take the $ and put it wards a new set up or go with what i have. i know i'm going to have to get a nice scale and a reloading book....anything else i'm lost. i have no use for the .300H/H dies...i may use the .38 (have a gp100)....and well i'm sure at one point in my life i will buy a 30/06 so i will keep them...the brass i have yet to sort though, but i will and prob sell most of it....wow just grab a bag of the brass to see what it had and found .45 ACP dies....i will try to post some pics...any help will be greatly appreciated...o ya got it all for 100 bux....did i make the right move?
 
Sounds like a good deal to me. I would keep the press and any dies you will likely use. The powder measure is a great time saver. I would sort the brass and buy/trade for a scale.
 
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That powder measure looks like my Lyman 55 other than the color it is painted-- mine is an orange/redish color. I would say you got a good deal for the money. +1 on selling what you don't want to fund what you need. The die parts may useful still but you need a set of calipers to be able to measure what you have that's not labeled to find out. IMHO you should have a quality set of them anyway if you reload. BTW welcome to the madness we call reloading.:D

If you think that you are over your head now wait 30 or so years when you are reloading 45+ calibers and ask that question.:D
 
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That is certainly more than fair for what you got. A similar press new could be that much.
 
What book do you guys recommend I buy.... To start... Will the book show me how to put those dies together,?
 
I think that is a great deal. All those dies alone would have been $25-30 a piece.
Sort your brass and what ever you do not shoot, You can always sell on here as well as the 300 H-H dies.

Keep the manuals and books. You can always sell what you don't need later and buy the things you do with the money you gained.
 
+1 to ABC's & Lyman's 49th books.

Congrats!! If you don't have to sell anything, I'd hang onto it cuz it'll only cost MORE to replace it in the future...

Be ready for MORE shooting! As they say, shooting is an excuse to reload more. :D
 
Yes, what has been said about the powder measure. It is listed for $82.99 at Midway.

I think you did well for your $.

Pretty hard to wear out dies. I have some pretty old ones. Still work fine.
 
+1 on The ABCs of Reloading. read it twice and then figure out what you need and what you want to sell.

ID
 
And read the sticky for new reloaders at the top of this forum page. Will give you a better idea about what you need and don't need, including books to read/get.
 
mptrimshop said:
Is that book avalable at gander mountain or cabelas
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I'm sure Cabela's has that Lyman manual, I have seen it at the one I go to.

I think you will feel less overwhelmed if you find someone you know that reloads and ask them for help. They will probably be able to show you how to setup and use what you bought. I agree the books are important but sometimes someone showing you makes it clearer. Don't give up, it's easier than you might think...
 
Keep it all , study up a bit & grab a basic understanding of the process.

Don`t skimp on a good set of beam scales & maybe later carbide sizers for straight walled handgun brass & a tumbler to clean/polish brass with.

There`s nuttin like pulling the trigger on your first round of handloaded ammo!!!

& the feelin of independence from the masses of maufaturers of factory made ammo!!

Congratulations & Welcome !!!
 
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