Beginner reloading (need info)

[4Truck]

I would like to get into reloading, and I am looking to purchase the equipment within the next week or so. My question is; what do I need?

I am looking to reload anything from a .17 Remington to a .300WSM in rifles, and .38 special to .454 Casull in pistols

Is there one press out there that can do this??

I had been looking into Lee or RCBS, are these both good brands, or is one better than the other.

Will I need two presses, one for rifles and one for pistols, or just different dies??

Any help would be appreciated

 

[xtarheel]

Welcome to the wonderful world of handloading. I must warn you though it is quite adicting. I've been doing it for over 30 years and it seems there is always one more item that I just have to have, but that's part of what keeps it exciting.

Before we get into presses, I would highly reccomend that you buy at least a couple good manuals put out by the bullet manufacturers. Most devote a good portion of these books to the safe and proper way to handload. This is valuable information.

As far as presses go given what you want to handlaod for, I would start with a good strong single stage press. I have had a Rock Chucker for about 25 years and considering I have 23 dies, have loaded everything from .32 S&W and .22 Hornet to .340 Weatherby magnum. If you find you are shooting a lot of handgun ammo you mant want to add a progressive (Dillon) latter, but it's always good to have a single stage.

Good luck, and let us know you are progressing.

 

[Jeeper]

I sent you a PM

I would be happy to piece together a deal from my recently acquired stash including dies, press and everything. You can then verify with the others here if it is a good price.

Keith

 

[JohnK]

How tight is your budget 4Truck? There are presses that can load all the calibers you listed, and more, from all the major manufacturers.

Lee has it's following, but generally you'll see more people not liking them than liking them.

RCBS has a terrific reputation you won't go wrong if you buy one.

Dillon makes great presses you'll almost certainly get dozens of responses to get a 550b from Dillon. Stay away from the Square Deal since you want to load rifles as well as handguns.

Each of these companies also have starter kits that will get you what you need to begin loading if you don't want to buy them all piece meal.

xtarheel's suggestion to get at least 2 manuals is a good one. I wouldn't necessarily say you need to do that before you buy your equipment but definately before you start loading. Then compare the load you're going to use in both manuals before you actually start loading - you never know when there will be a miss print.

RCBS

Dillon
Lee
Midway USA

 

[HSMITH]

The Dillon 550B is calling your name.............

 

[dodgestdshift]

4truck:

First thing is to buy a reloading manual with sections on how to reload. I recommend the Speer, but the Hornady, and Sierra are also good. Then take time to read and digest. When this has been done many of your questions will have been answered. When you then buy equipment you will have a "leg up" on your purchase, and be able to make more intelligent decisions. You will eventually need the manual anyway so get one first.

Most presses will handle both pistol and rifle cartridges, but be careful, some like the progressive presses will handle pistol but not all rifle cartridges. Also some presses do not have clearance for some of the humungeous long cased rifle calibers now being introduced.

If you shop and compare carefully you should be able to get away with one press. You will undoubtably need a die set for each different caliber.

At the risk of being considered opinionated, I would stick with RCBS, Hornady, or Redding when starting out purchasing your dies.

 

[mark123]

When I first decided on getting into reloading everyone told me to go Dillon. I did not want to spend almost $1200 on the press and goodies and 3 caliber conversions. I went with a Lee turret. It was one tenth the price of the Dillon and for a while I gave up on reloading so I was sure glad I didn't spend over a grand on something that would rot in the basement. I got back into it and the Lee turret press (4-hole) serves me well. I only shoot about 100-200 rounds a week so it is just fine for me. If you are going to shoot 400-1000 rounds a week you probably should go with a Dillon 650 but if you are just starting out to see if you like it go with the Lee. You can always step up to a Dillon later on.

If you do go with the Lee turret kit get the adjustable charge bar...changing the disks in the auto-disk powder measurer sucks!
:banghead: