Getting in to reloading

Head the info in this thread. It has links to help you out.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reloading-library-of-wisdom.649184/

Your budget is high enough. Just need to know what your goals are, how many rounds/mo. Do you have the free time to learn this hobby. Start off by buying some reloading books and read the first parts. Lyman #49 or 50 edition will be a good start.

I'm not being a smart@ss.
A. Ultimately, you won't save money.
B. There is always something else you'll need
C. It won't stop with one caliber.
D. It will give you great satisfaction
That said, a solid single stage press, a set of good dies, a scale, a powder measure, a trimmer, a deburring tool, a loading block, a good loading manual, a clean, solid bench, and the desire to be careful, methodical and not a hotrodder would be a good start.
Nothing against LEE, but scales, measures, and manuals aren't their best stuff. Can't go wrong with RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, Pacific to name a few. A Rockchucker press can be upgraded to progressive if you want later.
Casting is another thing altogether.
I've been doing both since 1955 and can load for about thirty different cartridges, cast for even more, and have taught many how to do it. Somewhere in my archives, we moved a couple years ago, is a booklet I wrote about the subject.
I'd start with the latest Lyman reloading manual and a Rockchuck starter set and go from there. My suggestions are way over your budget but if you start with the best you won't have to cry later.

You can do it for under $200!

Look for a used cast iron single stage press. Lee, Rockchucker, RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, etc... Or a used Lee Classic Cast turret press.

Or if you really want to be inexpensive, a Lee Hand press (but that would drive me crazy switching dies and squeezing the lever constantly.)

Some type of priming system— hand primer or using the turret an on press primer is nice.
A set of Lee .44mag dies
Scale (balance type)
Loading block — they’re cheap!

You don’t really need a tumbler unless you want “shiny” brass.

You might find all you need in the upcoming Black Friday frenzy.

Definitely get the Lyman loading manual.

I load 44 Mag and several other rounds on a Lee 3 hole turret press that I bought cheap on ebay. It works very well for the 20 to 100 round batches I normally load. Don't spend too much on a used press though, they are not that expensive new.
I load nearly all my ammo and don't do it to save money. The 44 mag is far more economical to reload compared to buying factory ammo.

You have spent how many dollars on your firearms? They are not cheap, some are very high
quality and very dear to you.
When buying reloading tooling don't be cheap, buy the best you can afford, you will spend
more time reloading shells than shooting those guns that are so dear to you.
It is always nice to use a quality tool over less expensive tools. It makes the job at hand go that
much better.

Get at least two loading manuals. Read the entire front portion and anything at the back - everything but the caliber-specific entries*. All of it. Then read the other one. All of it. Then start buying gear.

You are not making brownies from a mix. There's nothing terrible difficult about it, but you do need to understand the basic principles involved. Get some of the knowledge into your head before you even worry about gear.

*Actually, read those, too. You'll learn a lot.

PapaG said:

Ultimately, you won't save money.

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I usually give similar advice but it isn't so concrete. Depends on the caliber but in 44 your likely right unless he just has to use premium bullets. I've reloaded since middle school but for most people nowdays I think it's a waste if they are using common calibers.

I have paid for my thousands of dollars in reloading equipment in 338 Lapua and 257, 300-378 and 338-378 weatherby mags alone. Add in ultra-mags, 500 smith, 45-70, 32-20, 300 savage, 460 smith, 10s of thousands of 10mm (back when BVAC and Georgia arms were the only affordable 10mm and only four or five guns were chambered for it ) ....high dollar ammo will add up quickly. I've seen guys pay nearly 100 a box for some of those in premium ammo. But if the op is only loading 9mm, 223, or similar rounds then I'd certainly say buy ammo and save brass just in case.

As far as equipment I don't think it matters much with single stage equipment. I'd always recommend anyone start on single stage presses. I use mostly RCBS and hornady but If one has a 200 dollar limit I'd say any lee/rcbs partner single stage kit (I started with the partner kit around 1990. I still use it for seating and light duty) , another book (preferably from your bullet manufacturer of choice because the press kit will come with one) and carbide dies and you will be fine. Slow, but fine.

crestoncowboy said:

10s of thousands of 10mm

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Yep, trying to avoid (or at least delay) broke-ness when I got into 10mm in a big way was what pushed me into reloading. For even slightly unusual cartridges, the per-box savings mount up pretty quickly.

The only question is what you do with those savings. Most people end up shooting more, so, in that sense, they don't reduce their expenditure on ammunition.... the line item in the household budget doesn't change. But for most of us that's not the point. Being able to shoot more is the goal.

ATLDave said:

Yep, trying to avoid (or at least delay) broke-ness when I got into 10mm in a big way was what pushed me into reloading.

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I was loading rifles first. But 10mm is what pushed me into a progressive press for sure.

I could make quality ammo with only that first 100ish dollar partner kit and dies. The scale wasn't the greatest but was sufficient. The primer arm on it still works. Everything was included that one needed. I would add a powder measure and a trickle pretty quick. Followed by a better priming system, either bench mount or even a hand primer. Then a better dial caliper

The partner kit alone, a set of dies, and a powder trickle is all I had for a long time

Load a fairly light load first. I'd recommend a standard 240 grain cast bullet from anywhere and a light load of unique. Winchester WLP primers keeps you from having to fool with magnum vs standard.

Determine from your reloading books what are your "must haves" and list them and then look for specials on reloading kit that contain just about everything you need. Good luck!

My take, after 40 years of handloading:

I save LOTS of money every month with handloads vs. factory.

Balance scales are dinosaurs. Get a digital scale.

The Lee Turret press is great for any part-time reloader.
Plenty strong enough for .44 loading.

Don't buy a case trimmer. Get a inertial bullet puller .

If you are serious buy a reloading manual. And Read It! There are many online for free. If you prefer to read a book verses the internet I would recommend one from one of the major bullet , reloading equipment or powder manufactures. I would recommend the Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Handbook. It covers all the info you need to get started plus it covers a lot of different manufactures of powder and bullets in their reloading data section. Just try to remember that most of the reloading manuals turned out buy equipment ,powder and bullet manufactures only cover their products. Try to find some to look at before you buy so you can makeup your mind which way to go. Don't turn it into something mysterious. It's really pretty straight forward if you follow the procedures recommended in whatever manual you get. Just keep in mind that they have been making and testing this stuff for years their info is good. Most of the manufacturers of reloading equipment make decent starter kits.

Welcome to the "continually expanding" world of reloading!!!! This en-devour WILL grow but it is FUN!! As your firearms count grows so will your reloading wishes. Like someone said before, you will want "bigger & better". Good luck and be safe. Take your time & have fun.

Starter52 said:

My take, after 40 years of handloading:

I save LOTS of money every month with handloads vs. factory.

Balance scales are dinosaurs. Get a digital scale.

The Lee Turret press is great for any part-time reloader.
Plenty strong enough for .44 loading.

Don't buy a case trimmer. Get a inertial bullet puller .

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Completely agree.

I've been at this for just a shade over 40 years, too. Managed to collect a Rockchucker, Dillon 550, Dillon 1050, and a Lee Classic Turret Press (LCT) over the years. That little LCT is one heck of a lot of fun, and a darn good press. For very little money, you get a solid machine that'll produce ammo much faster than a single stage press. Throw a Lee Auto Drum powder measure on it, the Lee Safety Prime system, and welcome to new guy paradise.

I use my LCT for all of the calibers that I don't shoot enough of to justify the cost of Dillon conversion kits. Sure, the 550 conversion kits are pretty cheap, but for the price of a 550 shell plate, I can get a complete set of Lee dies (including a shell holder) for the LCT.

And to those that say that Lee powder measures aren't any good, I'll put my Lee Auto Drum up against both of my Dillon measures any day of the week. If a powder will measure to +/- .1 gr through a Dillon measure, it'll do the same through the Lee Auto Drum.

About the only negative thing I have to say about any of my Lee stuff is that I don't like Lee's de-priming setup; changing a decapping pin out of a Lee die is not fun. Other than that, It's decent quality stuff at unbeatable prices. Precisely what new guys need.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Dillons, but for a new guy on a limited budget ($200 is pretty limited), IMO he should really, seriously consider Lee.

I also agree with the digital scale, but with one caveat... make sure you buy test weights to verify the accuracy of the scale, and also to calibrate it, as they do need to be calibrated now and again.

WhitetailKiller said:

What ALL do I need to start reloading for a 44 Magnum?

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Lee Classic Turret Press

Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure

Lee Safety Prime System (optional, but highly recommended)

Lee Riser for Auto Drum (only needed if you get the Safety Prime system)

Lee .44 Mag Carbide full die set (with powder through expander die)

Choice of digital scale (with test weights)

Kinetic bullet puller

Stable Bench (*seriously* stable. Think bolted to both the floor and the wall kind of "stable")

Calipers

Case Gauge

Various Reloading Manuals

Now throw brass, powder, primers and projectiles in there, too. By going with Lee, that 200 bucks will at least make a dent in that list.

I am still using my 1950s Lyman All American Turret, have several others including a Rock Chucker, A RCBS Junior, a Lee Turret, A Lee Breech Lock, a couple of Lee Pro 1000s which are not used to prime, and have had and miss two Starrs and a 550. 84 moulds, two electric pots, three iron pots, four lube sizers and some push thru dies.
I've slowed down on loading and might start thinning the herd, especially the moulds.
Dont mess with 9mm much as it has become dirt cheap but my faves, 45 acp, 45 Colt, 44 mag and special, 357, along with 30-40, 7.7, 45-70, 444 Marlin, 243 and 308 plus 30-30 are too expensive on an old retiree's fixed income so I load those.
Oh yeah, I won't list my shotshell setups. My boy and I shoot around 10K 12 ga at trap each year.

Far be it from me to recommend Amazon, but, $220 all in except dies

https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISION-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B07QMY9G5B

WhitetailKiller yes join the madness! Agreed that it can be done for under $200.00 especially if you are a good ebay shopper and have patience.

As the other have already suggested, a couple good manuals to start. Any of the most current will do though the Lyman probably has the most diverse and recent load data in it and because I also only load for handguns I bough a Lymans Pistol & Revolver Handbook. I also suggest going to as many gun forums as possible and start reading the reloading forums such as this one. Then also start watching youtube videos. Find as many as you can showing the press that interests you most and watch. Watch all the presses and you will get a good feel for how they work and what users have to say about them. Good and bad!

As you move thru this you will constantly hear phrases such as "Buy Quality tools", "Buy Once, Cry Once". Mostly that is a dis on Lee Tools. As always on a forum it is with great ease and joy that we get to spend others people money for them. I keep trying to convince some that not everyone needs a $700.00+ fully automatic reloading press. Just as some that are loading moderately high amounts of handgun ammo are foolish and wasting their time trying to do it on a single stage press.

For most reloading equipment the used market is wide open and at a great savings if you know what you want, what it costs new and are willing to wait sometimes. I have 3 reloading presses on my bench and all were bought used. An RCBS Jr3, a Lee 3 hole turret press and a Lee Pro1000. I do use them all and they are all used differently and I have much less than $200.00 invested in all three presses and I feel they will all three outlast me. Next I have 6 sets of pistol dies on my bench and they too were all purchased used. All make very reliable ammunition and I paid less than $25.00 for each set. I have a used Lyman balance beam scale that is the same as the Ohaus/RCBS 505 that again I paid less than $25.00 and it is a better scale than some of the stuff that is being produced today.

So get busy and enjoy the journey.

Welcome to the addiction! Good advice above. Here is my starter list:

Manuals are necessary! Nothing will get you some reloading knowledge and confidence like being informed, and the Lyman 50th is the place to start. I also recommend at least one more, I started with Hornady since I shoot a lot of their bullets. I have 7 manuals on my reloading bench. Read the instructional portions of the manuals and all of the FAQ and stickies on this sight. There is so much info here.

Gear wise I would start with a Lee classic turret press. Get the starter kit or just the press, it is great to start with, and if you expand to other calibers you will thank me. Nothing wrong with a single stage, but setting up dies once on a turret and leaving them there is nice.

Carbide Lee dies for 44 are great and very affordable. Rcbs is my next pick, they are nicer than Lee, but cost more and aren't actually any better in pistol calibers.

Get a good scale, there are lots of options digital is nice but I still use my crappy Lee balance scale.

I also recommend a rcbs hand primer. It saves frustration to prime cases in a batch off press, and is the only way to go in my opinion. There are other hand primers, but I LOVE my rcbs. I have two of them actually.

Loading blocks are nice, it two from whichever brand you like.

Powder handling is its own discussion, and everything from dippers to automated powder measures work. I like rotary drum powder measures, but I load a lot of small batch 44mag with a dipper from Lee or custom built one's.

Case trimming is not really an issue with 44 brass, neither is case lube if you stick to carbide dies.

Case cleaning is up to you, some don't at all, others go nuts and make brass cleaner than new before a reload. I tumble with walnut shell media and a dryer sheet thrown in to collect the dust. It works fine.

$200 is a little light for a complete jump in, but don't worry about brass cleaning yet. Just get a manual, press, dies, a scale, and some components and put together some plinker loads. You will know VERY soon if the addiction has taken hold. Good luck!

Phlier said:

And to those that say that Lee powder measures aren't any good, I'll put my Lee Auto Drum up against both of my Dillon measures any day of the week. If a powder will measure to +/- .1 gr through a Dillon measure, it'll do the same through the Lee Auto Drum.

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Heck, I run Lee AutoDrums on my Dillon 650XL.

ATLDave said:

Heck, I run Lee AutoDrums on my Dillon 650XL.

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Yup, I do the same on my 550. Since the 1050 is relegated to 9mm and 5.56 only, I do keep a Dillon measure on it. But man, the Lee Auto Drum measures are just *so* convenient (and cheap!) to use on Dillon presses.

I keep the measure that came with the 550 on the .380 Auto tool head, then move the Lee from tool head to tool head as needed, and I usually keep a drum preset to my pet load on the tool head, so I can easily swap it into the measure.

I have a Lee single stage press, came with scales, powder measure and a few other features I forget, was in the low 100's, I bought back in 2013. Bought some 38spl dies at the time. I now use my 44spl set of dies for loading 44spl and 44mag. I bought the little washer that allows for both. I've loaded over 24,000 rounds with it. Since then I've bought a tumbler, 9mm, 380 and 44 dies. For most of my cases, I either reused factory ammo brass I owned, or bought starline brass. With the 9mm I've never had to buy brass, I have tons of it. The 380 I bought once shot brass (I lose the 380 brass).

OP, if you have time, start hitting estate sales. We as a group are getting old and dying off. I think there is good equipment out there to be had at bargain rates.
44 mag is an easy cartridge to start loading for.
Good luck.