Getting back into reloading, need some advice

[MWC1974]

Howdy folks, just getting back into reloading after a very long hiatus. I reloaded a lot of shotgun when I was younger and burning through 250-300 shells a weekend. Recently, I tossed around the idea of getting back into reloading (pistol, rifle, and shotgun) as a hobby. I couldn't justify the start up cost when I looked into it last year, boy am I kicking myself now. Anyhow, I am not going to 'hope for things to get better', so I purchased a Hornady lock-n-load deluxe kit (msrp), 3 pounds of powder (msrp), 9mm brass (msrp), and 500 projectiles, (also msrp). I've been fortunate in my searches and have not had to pay inflated prices. Ill continue to add as I come across components at regular prices, I'm in no hurry.

Here is where I need help. Having never reloaded pistol or rifle, what are some of the better die sets and are they all interchangeable with my Hornady press? I've done some research but wanted to reach out to the more experienced group for any input. If you could do it all over again, what would die set would you have purchased on day one. Any other additions or advise for my soon to be reloading bench is also welcome.

Thanks!

 

[JJFitch]

I have dies from all the recognizable names and they are interchangeable and about equal in quality.
Most are Hornady and next is RCBS. They will all fit the L-N-L! Follow the die manufacturers instructions for use!

I also have presses from Dillon, RCBS and Hornady. My L-N-L works as advertised. I like the additional stations for special dies like crimp and "Powder cop"!

Get familiar with you press by first reloading a few hundred 9mm before tackling the bottle neck cartridges. There are a few additional steps and "must do's"!

All the best,

 

[Guy48065]

I'm in a similar situation. I dropped out in '93 and decided around Christmas too jump back in with both feet. I still have everything to resume making the few I was doing then.
It's my new ctgs I can't get started on because I don't have the right primers, powders & cases.

Quite a lot has advanced in 27 years... But the old stuff still works.

 

[Jeff62]

I like Lee carbide for my pistol cases. Dies and presses interchange unless you run across something obscure like an old Hollywood press or dies. I have Hornady and RCBS dies, they’re great.
I like to keep track of estate sales on the auction sites. I have picked up reloading gear for cheap this way.

 

[entropy]

Die sizes for metallic reloading are standardized into 2 sizes. Normal and Yuge. (.50 cal. .338 Lapua Mag., etc. These also need special presses.) so the brand is whatever you want. I recommend RCBS, but I also have Lee dies that work just fine. I don't like the flaring setup for Lee dies, but they do work.

 

[ballman6711]

Any other additions or advise for my soon to be reloading bench is also welcome.

I bought a Hornady LnL kit (the classic, not the deluxe, but the same basics) when I started loading a couple of years ago.

I would suggest getting a good scale to replace the one in the kit. My scale wandered and wouldn't keep a zero, plus it has an auto shut off that drove me crazy. I got an RCBS M500 and it works well for me.

Other than that, everything else in the kit is very useable, and you can upgrade if and when you choose to.

Some upgrades I made were:

1) Pistol rotor for measure (your kit already has this, mine didn't)
2) Aluminum funnels (I couldn't keep my plastic funnel static free no matter what I tried)
3) Additional bushings for multiple die sets (you will want/need these if loading more than one caliber)
4) Additional powder measures (you may not need or want more than one)
5) A few extra reloading blocks
6) An extra priming arm assembly (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012998535?pid=798223)

I prefer to prime on the press, and having two primer assemblies allows me to have one set up for small primers and one for large. Switching between large and small takes 2~3 seconds.

And welcome to THR!

chris

 

[bullseye308]

I believe the Dillon square deal is the only one with proprietary dies, and everything else works together. If I’m incorrect someone will be along to correct me shortly.

I use Lee brand equipment almost exclusively and have since 89 and it does what I ask of it. I loaded ~16k a year for about 10 years on a Loadmaster and Reloader press. The last ~10 years I’ve loaded ~8k a year on the Reloader. In all honesty I am on my third Reloader press as I have broken 2. That’s not a complaint, I’m averaging 40k rounds loaded on a $35 press, I keep a couple spares and sometimes have a few setup for batch processing. I have given away 6-7 of them to get new guys started over the years.

Many of us have loaded precision ammo with “cheap” Lee dies for years and many competitions have been won by loaders using Lee products. All that to say that Lee is the most inexpensive way to start and does work. The other brands are a (theoretical)step up in quality, finish, and performance at a progressively higher price point with Dillon being the top of the herd. They all work, they all have flaws, they all have quirks, they all have good customer service and warranties. Feel free to mix and match colors on your bench, many do, especially now when you get whatever you can find and afford.

This is a great forum with a wealth of knowledge, please hang around and make use of it. It is highly doubtful you can make a mistake one of us hasn’t already done. Don’t feel bad if you do, we all have. Any help you need, don’t hesitate to ask. Looking for components, we have a sale forum and we don’t get rich here selling stuff. Welcome aboard.

 

[MWC1974]

I bought a Hornady LnL kit (the classic, not the deluxe, but the same basics) when I started loading a couple of years ago.

I would suggest getting a good scale to replace the one in the kit. My scale wandered and wouldn't keep a zero, plus it has an auto shut off that drove me crazy. I got an RCBS M500 and it works well for me.

Other than that, everything else in the kit is very useable, and you can upgrade if and when you choose to.

Some upgrades I made were:

1) Pistol rotor for measure (your kit already has this, mine didn't)
2) Aluminum funnels (I couldn't keep my plastic funnel static free no matter what I tried)
3) Additional bushings for multiple die sets (you will want/need these if loading more than one caliber)
4) Additional powder measures (you may not need or want more than one)
5) A few extra reloading blocks
6) An extra priming arm assembly (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012998535?pid=798223)

I prefer to prime on the press, and having two primer assemblies allows me to have one set up for small primers and one for large. Switching between large and small takes 2~3 seconds.

And welcome to THR!

chris

Thanks Chris,

Thank you for the tips. Ill look into aluminum funnels. I have 6 bushings and if I see others that come available, ill probably grab them. I did pic up a Lyman book to go along with the Hornady book that came with the kit.

Matt

 

[ballman6711]

A link to the funnels I use for 45acp and 38/357:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018660122

And for my 480:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012980798?pid=881704

A bit pricey but solved my static issues when nothing else worked for me.

I did pic up a Lyman book to go along with the Hornady book that came with the kit.

The Hornady 10th edition that comes with the kit is good, but only has Hornady bullets. I also have a Lyman book, as well as a few others. The "One caliber, one book" is also good for loading a single caliber but the data can be a bit dated. And don't forget the manufactures websites, lots of good info there as well. Just be aware some manufactures give a start and max load, and some give just a single load which is a max load and should be reduced by 10% to determine a starting load.

chris

 

[Blue68f100]

Bad times to get started, as already said. be patient and supplies will eventually come available.

I have a mix of dies with most being RCBS or Hornady. Lately I've been buying Redding (made in the USA). A little more expensive but have some nice extra features if you need them. If my chance you get a AP, the Hornady dies have a larger radius opening on the sizing die to help in alignment, Dillon dies do too. Carbide for pistol, so no lube is required during sizing.

Calipers, loading blocks ( I prefer the RCBS which are 2 sided, caliber universal).

I would also suggest you use powder that is more forgiving when starting out. This means med to slow powders vs Ultra Fast/High Nitro high density powders which you can dump 2-3 charges and can't see the difference. If at all possible try to match the components in a load book will make life easier.

Handgun loads that are straight wall are the easiest to learn on. Rifle loads require a lot of brass prep to be ready for loading. For doing bottle neck cartridges you will need a way to measure and trim as needed. Simi-Auto rounds need to be setback to spec, where a bolt gun only needs to be set back min so it fits that rifle.

Number one thing to remember is

BE SAFE

 

[FROGO207]

Glad to have you aboard. Read a bunch then try making a couple dummy rounds with no primer or propellant for practice. Then ask any questions as I am sure many here are willing to help. I use a single stage press and batch load. I prime with a hand primer. There are as many choices in tools as there are reloaders it seems but I have Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Herters, and Lyman dies and they all work as designed. These days you have to get what is available or wait and it is tough to score anything. Primers are nonexistant presently. Find a reloader locally and ask if they will mentor you. Nothing beats hands on. Stay safe.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Welcome aboard. See you joined on Sunday so its nice to see new folks climbing onboard.

In regards to dies, it all depends on what you want to invest $$ wise on your reloading set up. I use Lee, Hornady and RCBS dies. I think market availability may decide for you right now as the market is pretty scarce in regards to availability and price.

I started with shotgun reloading back in the day and there's quite a difference between them and pistol/rifle. Recommend you do some constructive reading while you shop for materials.

 

[MWC1974]

Welcome aboard. See you joined on Sunday so its nice to see new folks climbing onboard.

In regards to dies, it all depends on what you want to invest $$ wise on your reloading set up. I use Lee, Hornady and RCBS dies. I think market availability may decide for you right now as the market is pretty scarce in regards to availability and price.

I started with shotgun reloading back in the day and there's quite a difference between them and pistol/rifle. Recommend you do some constructive reading while you shop for materials.

Doing lots of reading, and yes it is quite different than shotgun reloading. I've always had friends that reloaded pistol and rifle, but I never got into it and stuck with shotgun. I'm not saying money isn't a problem, but I am trying to only buy things once (or twice, lol). Quality matters to me when I'm making a purchase that I expect to perform as well as last several years. Just waiting for primers to pop back up, in the mean time ill gather the other required components, materials, tools, etc.

 

[LightninST]

Remember it’s not how fast or how many you can load , It’s how well you load them !
Many people brag I can load ——- in a hour then they have high primers , failure to feed , hot load ,light load ,bad crimp .
I like to shoot fast and load slow makes for a much more enjoyable experience most times .
Lots of good info here .

 

[AJC1]

For pistol I really like my rcbs carbide dies...
It is important to decide if your going to load a lot of lead "cowboy" some dies dont play well with lead...

Rifle is a lot more complicated for me. I use forester honed sizing dies no expander, a mandrel to set neck diameter, and wilson arbor dies for seating. It's a good mix but far from an off the shelf die set.

 

[NMexJim]

George P said in another thread about shotgun shells being reloaded with "unobtainium"! That about sums it up.

 

[Mark_Mark]

LEE DIES are BOMB! when they get back to LEE prices