Cheapest/simplest way to get into reloading

Start here:

This is probably your best place to start: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

Then go to the sticky at the top of the forum.

I hope this is helpful.

CHEAP and reloading do not go in the same sentence.

You can buy less expensive products that do the job but nothing is cheap. LEE products offer good value for the money and are considered the lower end. I happen to like their equipment.

A really good press kit on sale now is this RCBS. It is all good equipment, will last forever and has everything you need except the other stuff like Bullets. powder and primers. You will need a good caliper also.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/93...aster-single-stage-press-kit?cm_vc=FEATPROD31

As mentioned above there are a gazillion threads on this (I counted them) read, read and read some more.

CHEAP and reloading do not go in the same sentence.

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Unless you're talking about Lee products lol.


Also,

You'll need a bullet puller if your beginning is anything like mine was


Seriously, a kit would probably cover a lot of the bases.


I was kidding btw, I use an LCT.

Only thing I really do not like in LEE's kit is the scale. It works but is hard to use and to me is a throw away. (I gave mine away)

Yep you need the mistake hammer for sure.

I guess I'm qualified to help on this one (Im a noob too) since it's just about gear and not theory or something. I was asking the same question you were about 6mos ago and was frustrated with all of the answers i received. But now I can see what everyone meant, their are just so many products..you can really spend whatever you want depending on your needs. How much do you shoot?


You must have:
Powder, primers, press (unless you get that hand thingy), bullets, calipers, cases, scale, and a way to prime cases.

And you will need some other things that will help a long the way like data sources, chamfer tools, case gauges, magnifying glass, tumbler, cleaning media, lube ...and a VERY understanding spouse. This last one must not be overlooked!

Depending what you financial cituation is - I suggest to spend on quality stuff. If you buy it used and decide to quit you will get your money back.

With Lee stuff - I doubt it.

Potatohead said:

. How much do you shoot?


You must have:
Powder, primers, press (unless you get that hand thingy), bullets, calipers, cases, scale, and a way to prime cases.

And you will need some other things that will help a long the way like data sources, chamfer tools...and a VERY understanding spouse.

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That Sir, is the million dollar question!

The press you get is really based on how much ammo you need and what calibers. The OP mentioned 45 Colt and maybe 357 Mag. Those are easy straight walled cases and probably would not require mass quantities of ammo. A single stage price like the one I mentioned (or other brand) would probably be plenty. Even though I do not own a RockChucker (wish I did) to me it's a press that will last forever and always have a use even if someone buys a top of the line Dillon.

Don't underestimate the Lee stuff though. I didn't mean to start a bash fest if it sounded that way.
Most of their stuff will get the job done.

Cheapest/simplest way to get into reloading

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Find someone with all of the right equipment who will let you load your own on it with your components and dies

Look for some one that is getting out of it or from a sale from where some one had passed on. Also watch auction some time you can find some good buys.

first get some books , Lee, Lyman, Sierra or the ABC's of reloading , if you can . get all of them . then look at some of the full kits out there , some even come with a book

Hi... New reloader here, having just started a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. I'm now a few hundred rounds in, so I'll offer a brief comment or two here and suggest you take them with massive doses of salt.

1) Get a hold of a good reloading manual (I think Lyman is the best I've seen) and read it carefully. You won't regret it. The manual is the best investment you'll make in your reloading experience... along with reading THR's reloading threads, that is.

2) Think about your goals/purpose in reloading. If you are just trying to load a modest amount of plinking ammo now that you know what a shortage feels like, I can promise you that you can put together the reloading equipment needed to do that safely for < $100. As your desires for either consistency/accuracy or output increase, you need to start thinking in terms of a bigger investment.

3) I bought the least expensive Lee press ($30) and dies (<$20) to reload .223. I use Lee dippers for powder (borrowed a scale to verify weight the first time), Lee's hand priming tool, and hand tools for case prep. They all work, and so you can get started for a reasonable initial layout. That said, I'd strongly advise that you *not* skimp on the quality of the case prep tools if you're reloading something like .223 ... There are a lot of actions you have to perform on the cases (trim, chamfer, deburr, remove a crimp, clean the primer pocket) and it gets old very, very fast. Trust me, it gets very, very old much faster in the event that you have crappy tools.

Above all, go slow. Don't be afraid to double or triple check anything. Safety is more important than speed and accuracy combined.

If I was going to do this again this would be my start up. I have only been loading for a few years and a newbie too. I am a pretty cheap guy (hahaha!).

A lee classic turret press kit
Cheap digital calipers
Nice bulky powder like Trail boss and cast lead bullets

After you finish shooting a few thousand reloads you might have a better idea of what might be best for you.

I started with a lee cheap single stage accessory press, cheap digital scale, a lee reload manual, lee 4 die set of 357 and watched a lot of utube vids. Trailboss was my first powder. I moved up to a lee deluxe turret press quickly. I wish I bought a classic . It is a much better deal. The kit is a good deal by far as a starter. My first upgrade would be a scale. There are lots of odds and ends you can buy and will if you enjoy this hobby. This is a low end setup that will result at a minimum with good plinking rounds. After a few thousand rounds you might want for a better setup of some sort and maybe have a better idea what would work for you. I have bought 3 other setups from 2 different suppliers. I still like my lee turret press and will upgrade to a classic soon.

1st get the Lee Modern Reloading Manual. It goes through all of the steps of how to reload and shows equipment options (Lee of course).

I started out using the Lee Classic Turret Reloading press. Remove the center rod and it becomes a single stage press. You can put the rod in and use it as a progressive when you become more skilled. I've been reloading for about 5 years and still use mine in the single stage mode, I feel it gives me more control.

After you have decided on your hardware, get several reloading manuals BEFORE you buy powder/propellant and Primers.

Consider getting a chronograph so you can check the velocities of the cartridges that you reload and verify that they are producing what, or close to what the manuals publish. It will also help you develop good reloading skills by being able to see variations in velocity. When you get where you are getting published velocities AND low standard deviations AND good accuracy....you will have the recipe nailed down. I usually start out by shooting and measuring 10 rounds of "off the shelf ammo". Then I work up my loads to match those factory loads.

Check out this link to get started with Lee.
http://leeprecision.com/how-do-i-start-reloading/what-do-i-need-to-start.html

"How much do you shoot" or are you planning on shooting?
A couple times a year, a couple hundred rounds a year? You will be fine with a single stage.
Or a couple hundred rounds a week? You will need a progressive.
Get a cast iron single stage and try it out. You are going to spend some money anyway for powder, primers, and bullets.
U-tube is your friend here, watch lots of videos and see what you think will work for you.

Welcome to the madness that we call reloading my friend.
15 posts and 15 different answers. We all approach the end result a bit differently, at least at first anyway. Take your time and start by reading a couple different manuals. Borrow them from the library if you need to. If you have a reloader nearby ask for a lesson or two. The tools they have will be an education in itself as to why they got that particular combo. There are those that have read the books and done it on their own----and done it well. Others get huge benefits from a mentor. Only you will be able to answer that part. Also be aware that not all Youtube videos show the safest or even correct way to reload. As you gain experience the errors start to show on the poor ones. If you can wait for things to show up used that will save the most on your investment but sometimes the wait is not worth it if you HAVE the bug. Ask lots of questions if needed when the search function does not give you the results that are needed.

Most reloaders are the best type of group---always willing to help someone that is not as advanced as they are.

I will take you at your word and only that.

All you need is a hammer/mallet (I always used a plastic hammer) and a place to pound, but not all that hard.

Oh and one of these:
Lee Classic Loader 45 Colt
$27 or so each and shipping.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/647702/lee-classic-loader-45-colt-long-colt
Many places sell them.

They are good for only one cartridge (family).

Add 'The powder' from the provided list included in the kit and bullet and primer, all matching the list. And follow the simple instructions and start banging away.

I have 2 or 3 of these stuffed away some place. I haven't used one in better than 40 years and don't plan on starting again.

My advise is to follow that of others on this thread and in the sickie. You will be dollars a head in the long run and not bored to death with the process. But always read everything you can before spending a dime. Your views may evolve for the better when doing so.

Always error on the side of safety.

Welcome!

The only advice I can offer is, listen to these guys, they offer sage advice!
As a noob myself I've spent upwards of $1000 in the last two months and I started with a single stage press kit that came with 500 free bullets... I'm not after cheap ammo though, this a hobby for me and challenging at that. I've got a few manuals now and there's a couple more id like to have and I honestly have spent more time reading through threads here and reading my manuals 2-3 times than I have sitting at the press.

These guys here are great and will try to point you in the right direction!

Reloading is a money pit

Don't get into reloading to save money. Doesn't work.

plmitch said:

Don't get into reloading to save money. Doesn't work.

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It depends. People say that you won't save any money by reloading.... But you will shoot more

With me it is exactly like that. Soo... Question is: "How much would you like to shoot?"
Let's say you answer 10k rounds/year. Next question is "How much do you shoot right now?"

After that it's simple math. If I count money saved on ammo I loaded (vs buy) - my stuff definitely paid off. But, I wouldn't spend that much shooting factory ammo

When I was shooting factory ammo I was counting my ammo in "boxes" of 50. Now I count my stuff in 1000th Thats just easier to get 1000 bullets, 1000 primers, etc. I have probably 5000 loaded rounds and enough stuff to load another 5000. And I feel like it's not enough When I was going to range with factory stuff I was taking 2 boxes. Now I take 300-400 rounds with me..

P.S. Started around May 2013..

I spent over $800.00 on used books last year alone , my Lyman dps1200 cost 3 times more that the kit I started with 16 or 17 years ago, I think that Lee kit was on sale back then for $78 and I loaded 44mag and 270win on just that kit for years , still have that kit and still use the press, hand prime tool , and book,

I would avoid a big upper end single stage press if just loading handgun. That money is better spent on a turret, which can also do single stage tasks. You might still need a single stage at some point, but it can be small.

I don't recommend starting with lead bullets, because you then take on the problems that come with trying to stuff bullets into cases processed by dies expecting at least .001 smaller bullets. You have to know all about barrel leading, cleaning lead fouling, bullet resizing if necessary...a whole other level of expertise until getting it right.

This is especially true for the .45 Colt. You have to know what you will be getting when ordering dies. Not all dies, or bullets, or chamber throats are created equal, even though they all say .45 Colt.

Hornady is now selling a .45 Colt COWBOY die set, but no one has them in stock. That set is rated at .452 but somehow better provides for lead bullets, according to the die set description.

If you get the regular .45 Colt set and some plated or jacketed bullets, you are ready to go without all the extra knowledge for finessing lead bullets.

Don't let the price difference tempt you. Get a couple hundred .357 jacketed bullets and learn how this is basically done before feeling like getting the best deals is a rite of manhood or that not using lead gains one entry into the reloading hall of shame. KISS.

Meanwhile, get on the backorder list for the Hornady .45 Colt COWBOY die set and, in my opinion, a Redding Profile Crimp die. A notify list may not get it. Better to commit to the backorder and make sure the credit line will cover it at any time without warning.

I started out using the Lee Classic kits that consist of a die set and you use a hammer to load the rounds. Each kit tends to run about $30 and no press is required. It takes longer and also kit selection is limited. I liked that it let me load anywhere (I still use them if out camping) and it was a nice way to start out in reloading without a huge investment. Initially I was just loading for .45LC and 12ga.

Fairly recently, I've started reloading for pretty much every firearm I have and I invested in a single stage press, which is much easier/speedy than the Lee Classic kits. I went with a single stage press since they tend to be cheaper, I didn't have much experience with presses and because I needed something that would accept the larger die sizes (577/450 dies are huge).

If you want to dip your toes into reloading, you might try one of the Lee kits but I'd also highly recommend getting a single stage press. The Lee presses are quality and also fairly inexpensive.