Hunter125
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I have never reloaded before, but would like to start and was wondering what you guys think is the best equipment for reloading.
Getting into reloading
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rcmodel
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bullseye308
Member
Let me answer that with a couple of questions. 
What calibers do you plan to reload?.
How many rounds per month will you be loading?
How many hours per month can you allocate to reloading?
Do you have a bench to load at with powder & primer storage?
What kind of budget will you have to buy equipment?
Do you have any place locally to buy components?
Do you have anyone locally to mentor you?
Have you any idea what this will cost you down the road, cause you won't save any money when it is all said & done, but you will shoot a lot more for the same money?
Simple answer is the best equipment is that which fills your needs at a price you can afford. Once you determine your needs and budget, we can advise you on the rest.
BTW, first off I would get the Lyman 49th ed loading manual and read it a few times. It explains the process and is a great book to have anyway.
What calibers do you plan to reload?.
How many rounds per month will you be loading?
How many hours per month can you allocate to reloading?
Do you have a bench to load at with powder & primer storage?
What kind of budget will you have to buy equipment?
Do you have any place locally to buy components?
Do you have anyone locally to mentor you?
Have you any idea what this will cost you down the road, cause you won't save any money when it is all said & done, but you will shoot a lot more for the same money?
Simple answer is the best equipment is that which fills your needs at a price you can afford. Once you determine your needs and budget, we can advise you on the rest.
BTW, first off I would get the Lyman 49th ed loading manual and read it a few times. It explains the process and is a great book to have anyway.
Historian
Member
I also recommend that you buy a copy of "The A,B,Cs of Reloading". It is filled with useful information for the beginner and advanced reloader including step by step instructions (with photographs) for reloading both rifle and pistol ammunition. Before you buy anything do your home work and read, read, read.
Historian
Historian
And get a video or a helper!
The advice above is excellent. Personally, I prefer the Lyman reloading manual to the "ABCs" because it gives you actual load data.
No book, however, is going to give you the visual images you need to help you get a smooth beginning. If you watch a good video or, best, have an experienced friend show you the ropes, you'll save time and frustration.
The advice above is excellent. Personally, I prefer the Lyman reloading manual to the "ABCs" because it gives you actual load data.
No book, however, is going to give you the visual images you need to help you get a smooth beginning. If you watch a good video or, best, have an experienced friend show you the ropes, you'll save time and frustration.
gearheadpyro
Member
As far as equipment for a beginner goes, get a Lee Precision kit. If you shoot high volumes of ammunition get a turret press as it will load much faster. If you are after more precision rounds get a kit like the breech lock challenger kit. Both are an excellent starting point. The abc's of reloading is a great beginners guide (good for experienced people too), but you will need to get a manual as well. Personally I recomend getting the reloading manual put out by your chosen bullet manufacturer. The powder companies reloading information is very easy to find online.
I recently started putting a website together to help people interested in getting started in reloading out, you may want to check it out to help you along. http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading.com, alot of the links don't work yet as I have not built the pages for them. I'm working on that.
I recently started putting a website together to help people interested in getting started in reloading out, you may want to check it out to help you along. http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading.com, alot of the links don't work yet as I have not built the pages for them. I'm working on that.
xd9
Member
I actuall just got my frst reloading kit. I chose the Lee Breech lock Challenger kit. I chose this kit because it was more cost effective and wanted to see if it would hold my interst before I bought a more expensive press. I chose the breech lock kit over the turret press because it seemed like there was to much going on at one time with the turret for me seeing as how I am a beginner.
The breech lock kit came with the press, scale, powder measure, case lube, handheld autoprimer,powder funnel,case cutter and lock stud, and primer pocket cleaner, for 104.99 from cabelas.com. the only extra things I had to buy were case length guage, exra quick change buschings, and caliber dies. Have also bought the ABC's of reloading but have not had any any time to read it yet. I still need to buy a case tumbler, powder and load data book.
so far I have resized, de-capped and cut to length 300 cases and cant wait till I get the things I need to strat. Hope this helped
The breech lock kit came with the press, scale, powder measure, case lube, handheld autoprimer,powder funnel,case cutter and lock stud, and primer pocket cleaner, for 104.99 from cabelas.com. the only extra things I had to buy were case length guage, exra quick change buschings, and caliber dies. Have also bought the ABC's of reloading but have not had any any time to read it yet. I still need to buy a case tumbler, powder and load data book.
so far I have resized, de-capped and cut to length 300 cases and cant wait till I get the things I need to strat. Hope this helped
Agree with a Lee kit to start for cost effective and complete. Also ask around at your local range because there may be a deal on a nice used single stage by someone who has gone up to a turret or progressive.
Next issue is going to be finding components. If you are using common caliber cases, you may be able to scrounge some once fired brass free from a local range. You will have to decide which bullet you are going to use and hopefully can find a knowledgeable store clerk to help you find an appropriate powder.
I would spend the extra for factory full jacket bullets for your first hundred rounds or so. If reloading for pistol, you can save a lot of money after that using cast lead bullets. For rifle, you can also save bundle getting pulled military surplus bullets if you use 30-06, 308 or 223.
Primers can be tough. There is a thread above that tells where folks have found them. Also ask the guys at the range. Hopeful the supply is loosening up.
Great hobby though. Some days I think I shoot just to get empty cases to reload. Good luck.
Tom
Next issue is going to be finding components. If you are using common caliber cases, you may be able to scrounge some once fired brass free from a local range. You will have to decide which bullet you are going to use and hopefully can find a knowledgeable store clerk to help you find an appropriate powder.
I would spend the extra for factory full jacket bullets for your first hundred rounds or so. If reloading for pistol, you can save a lot of money after that using cast lead bullets. For rifle, you can also save bundle getting pulled military surplus bullets if you use 30-06, 308 or 223.
Primers can be tough. There is a thread above that tells where folks have found them. Also ask the guys at the range. Hopeful the supply is loosening up.
Great hobby though. Some days I think I shoot just to get empty cases to reload. Good luck.
Tom
qajaq59
Member
For now I'd recommend that you buy nothing except the ABC's of reloading and the Lyman manual. After you read then a few times, plus the stickys, then it will be the time to start buying equipment. Once you know pretty much what you need, then you can talk it over with the guys in here and start shopping. It'll save you some money in the end,
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