Getting a proper start.

[CSestp]

Hey fellas, I am getting into the reloading gig. I have ordered the ABC's manual. I read the sticky you have on this forum. Sadly didn't understand it much, hope that once I'm done with the first book the terminology and lingo will be much more clear for my self.

I have a few newb questions for you guys. What press should I be looking at getting? I plan on reloading .223, .308, .357 mag, .40 S&W, and .45ACP. I can go through 2000+ rounds in a month. I do not go to matches or competitions other than self driven competitions, so I am looking for quantity over quality. I do not plan on re-loading until I have done a lot more reading, but I want to know what to be looking for. That way if I stumble across a deal I know to get it if I need it.

I try to keep from asking anymore newb questions until I have at least made it through my first manual. Thank you in advance.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

when i was starting, i found it useful to supplement the manuals with youtube videos. i'm a visual learner and that helped a lot.

 

[CSestp]

Didn't want to show my ass, but that was another reason I wanted a press/ some equipment so I can look at what was being taught to me via book. I will deff check out some youtube stuff. Thanks!

Also I forgot, I am going to be reloading 7.62x39

 

[Nomad]

Get a couple of loading manuals and read them. ABC is a good start but buy another one too. For the volume you are shooting I would recommend a progressive press like the Dillon 550B. Brian Enos at brianenos.com is very helpful and has all the Dillon equipment for sale.

It helps to have someone local to ask questions. Is there a local gun shop that can help?

 

[CSestp]

Most gunshops here are generic I SELL COOL LOOKING CHEAP BLACK GUNS!!!!!!!! SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!!! types. I do most of my buying from pawnshops or online. Though I will be making some phone calls this week. One more thing, how do you store your ammo?

 

[FROGO207]

Not to put a damper on your plans but I have found that with the 7.62X39 or 7.62X54 that the cost of reloading it is more than paying for Wolf/Tula ammo when bought in any quantity. I can and do reload for it but the accuracy of my SKS and AK are not good enough to warrant the time and cost for any quality reloads. For the other calibers you mention the savings will be good and the best aspect will be the ability to tune the ammo to the particular firearm. If you want to crank out the blasting ammo then the progressive press will be the way to go. Me I use a turret press for volume and found the cost difference with it compared to a progressive was a good trade off. You should learn the reloading basics first, then jump into the progressive mode if nothing more than for the safety aspect of it. To me reloading is sort of an anal thing. I do not under any guise of saving money want to break/destroy any firearm or worse, hurt myself/others. Youtube and someone that is local to you that reloads will be big helps if you do not understand things. Most are willing to share their experience with you. Remember this is not like changing your oil or making a peanut butter sandwich it is more like rebuilding your engine or becoming a line cook in a restaurant. Reloading is not for everyone so start out slowly at first and be sure you want to spend the cash for the expensive setup just for blasting ammo. When you say 2000 rounds a month do you know it takes time to make those rounds and you often shoot 500 rounds up as fast as it takes to make 40-50 rounds on a typical press??

I just want you to understand that it is not as easy as filling a bunch of hoppers and cranking out buckets of ammo like some here will have you think. Good luck finding your way in this hobby. Again I will say that if you can find a reloader that is local and willing to teach you how to reload that would be your best resource.
Rick

 

[Nomad]

CSetp I'm not sure if you question on storage of ammo pertains to conditions or safety. I don't have kids and live in a dry climate so I just label it with load and put it on the shelf in my reload room.

 

[P-32]

I'm going to agree with frog to some degree. If you could find a reloading Mentor you would be light years ahead. I would also suggest a single stage or turrent press starting out. This will let you learn each step. There is always a place for a single stage press and if you find this reloading Gigg isn't for you, uyou won't have dumped a bunch of money into it. Some people are simply not cut out for reloading. I had a guy who worked for me who was very smart. He managed to make a 357 mag into a 38 Spl sized round with his crimp die and wondered what happened. It was a piece of art.

 

[kingmt]

How much are you looking to spend? How many of which round?

 

[RandyP]

"I am looking for quantity over quality."

Buy Herter's steel or aluminmum case, or something like Ultramax reloads. There is NO reason to make poor quality ammo fast, and several reasons why it could prove a very bad idea.

Reloading is not rocket surgery and if you can follow simple instructions to the letter and maintain proper attention, there is no reason you cannot turn out safe, reliable and accurate ammo regardless of the gear used.

Very high volumes per month suggest a progressive press, but they are also the most compicated and expensive. It is often suggested that newcomers to the hobby start with a single stage or turret. I like Lee products myself, but everyone out there makes gear that is good and matches folks' needs and budgets. Dillon is the top of the line for speed, quality and cost.

There are hundreds of youtube videos on reloading out there plus at the Lee Precision website to show you exactly how the process works with various type presses.

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Help-Videos.html

 

[Blue68f100]

You shoot enough to use a progressive press. Either the Hornady LNL-AP or Dillon 550b or even Dillon 650. It's always best to start off on a single stage press. With that said you can use a AP press as a single stage by only running 1 round at a time. There is more brass prep work for rifle rounds.

You may want a SS press anyway for some of your rifle rounds. They are easier to workup small batches with.

You need to hook up with someone in your area to mentor you. Your profile does not indicate where your at.

Reloading takes time.

 

[Josh45]

Get a turret or a Progressive press. Take your time and understand how it functions. Get 2 more manuals. I suggest the Lyman 49th and what ever else you like.

And trust me, Quality over quantity. You didn't spend all that money just to hurt yourself and others, Now did you? Don't worry. The Progressive or Turret will help you load in quantity but you have to do the quality.

Read and read some more. Ask any question. No matter how newbie or stupid you think it is. Reloading is fun and easy but can also be dangerous if you just think throwing it together without understanding what your doing is OK.

As for the pistol rounds, get carbide dies. For rifle, Get a 3 die set if money allows. The FL sizing die for range pick up and the Neck Sizer for the brass that was fired in your rifle. After reading the manuals, You will understand more better and after asking more questions.

 

[medalguy]

I would suggest using a single stage press so you can get the feel of reloading and understand everything that's going on. Starting off with a progressive, IMO, is a bad idea for someone who admits he doesn't have a clue as to how to start. Learn the basics before diving in the deep end.

If you buy a single stage and really decide reloading isn't your bag, you're not out very much, but you will probably decide to keep reloading, and the single stage will always have a good use. I've been reloading since 1965 and I still use a single stage from time to time.

Where are you located? High degree of probability there's someone near enough to you to be able to help get you started.

 

[kingmt]

You can't learn to swim in the kiddy pool tho. I'm not saying a SS is a bad thing to have. I probably spend more time on mine then I do on the progressive. The amount of ammo he is needing isn't going to get done on a SS & beam.

There is nothing wrong with learning on a progressive one round at a time. There will be a learning curve going from SS to progressive anyway.

If I would have bought a Loadmaster instead of the Pro1000 I would probably have little use for a SS.

 

[exbrit49]

Read the reloading manuals, hopefully find a mentor and have fun. if you have questions, lots of guys here will be only to happy to help. Its fun as well and in most cases a lot cheaper than factory ammo. I swa one thread saying it was cheaper to buy 7.62. That may be true now but I stocked up with brass and bullets for this caliber years ago and it costs me very little!

Each to his own! I have been loading for well over 20 years.
I currently load, 380, 38 Special, .357 Mag, 9mm, 45 ACP, 30/30 and 7.62x39
Believe it or not I still use my old SS Rock Chucker. I have become very proficent at using this press over the years and staging the loading process for efficiency. I shoot 500 to 700 rounds a month during the summer and manage to keep up quite nicely.
I find reloading very relaxing and an extension of the shooting hobby. As I said initially,"Each to his own". My son in law has a progressive and swears by it. I have watched him, and once set up, he is loading much faster than I am, but!!!! it takes ages for him to to set up for a different caliber and get all the set ups tweaked in.
I can come back from the range, clean the brass, and size several calibers that same evening using the SS. then over the next couple of evenings I will have usually finished them all up and be ready to go to the range again.
I remember when I first bought that RC, I was thrilled and remember thinking one day I will get a progressive. It never happened. WHY? one of the main reason is that I love reloading and with the SS I can actually feel when all is well, compare that with a progressive where all those operations are occuring simultaneously. No way can you feel if something is out of wack!
EACH TO HIS OWN----- I FOUND MY STYLE

Roger

 

[CSestp]

Thank you all so much for being newb friendly here. I did find out my buddies dad reloads some. Mostly large bore pistols, but he can still help me out. I think I will eat this up big time. I will make sure to do the leg work to get ready for this, and will be back here with a ton of questions. As well as my results when I finally get it going!!

 

[BADUNAME37]

Just remember to not be in a hurry, at all, while reloading, do not have any distractions while reloading and just do everything in a methodical type manner!

With checks and double-checks, you will soon see that it is a very safe sport, when you have finally set up a system where any problem you will immediately find -- LONG before that 'problem' ends up getting loaded into a gun!

 

[Cheers]

I've been reloading for over 40 years and all of the above is good advice, especially the mentor ideas. You can learn a lot from reading and your own experimenting but there is no substitute for years experience. I had a very good mentor when I was 12-15 years old and I developed good habits from him that I still use today. I would keep reading and get your buddies dad to help you. He probably won't mind if you use his equipment while you're learning. It will also help allow you to get to know what you like and dont like in equipment before you buy. I still use most of my original equipment. Go slow, be safe and have fun.

 

[kennedy]

buy a lee turret press, and one set of dies, and just get started, than as you figure it out buy what ever else you need.

 

[thorn-]

There is no need to start on a single stage press, if you're intelligent enough to read directions, pay attention to what you're doing, and make sure that learning the process is part of what you're doing every moment.

There are several recent threads on "what press to buy" in the past 2-3 weeks... track them down and do some reading. You'll get as many answers as there are answers. But as to what type - single, turret, progressive... they all get you good ammo. The only difference is mainly how quickly they'll make good ammo (learning curve aside).

thorn