help me start reloading

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JEB

JEB

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i have been kicking around the idea of reloading for a while since i have started shooting more .357s and not been able to find any factory ammo. if im going to start reloading i really need to do it for as little as possible since funds are currently pretty tight. i was looking at somthing very simple that would be easy for a first timer to learn on. i dont really see myself loading more than 100-200 rounds in a day so speed isnt all that important. also i plan on reloading .38 special, .357mag and 30-30 Win. at least for a start; i would like to expand to some of my other calibers someday, but for now this is it.

i saw that the classic lee loader is only $34 on the lee websight and they say that it includes everything needed to begin reloading 1 caliber. has anyone used one of these loaders and had good/bad results? will this suffice for the casual "sunday evening" reloader? would i have to buy one for each caliber? will one work for both .38 and .357? if i went with this method, my thoughts would be to pick up a powder scale so i could experament with different load strengths.

on the other hand i thought about getting one of their single stage presses. would one of these be easier/harder to learn to use? is the upgrade to a press worth it for only light reloading? would this one press cover all three calibers i want to reload? would the price of a simple press and dies be comprable to buying 3 of the classic lee loaders?

i already plan on getting some of the suggested reloading manuals once i am ready to get started and have got good sugestions for them already from one of the stickys so im not worried about that. are there any option that i am missing that i should look at? anything else i should know before getting started? (my dad got me into shooting years ago and it seems that all i can do is expand my addictiction! so yes i know im hooked!)

i apologize in advance as i know that this subject has most likley been beaten to death, but i realy dont have anyone that i can ask for advice on this subject. i dont know of any ranges within 100 miles of my home, the only sporting goods stores near me dont offer reloading equipment, and the only guy i know who reloads, i really dont feel that i can trust for accurate information.

thank you in advance for all of your help!
 
It would be a long evening to load 200 rounds on a Lee Loader,but it could be done
I"ve read that the rifle loaders only neck-size the case,and a lot of leverguns won't chamber a neck-sized round,my Marlin will sometimes but not always.has to do with force exerted by the lever vs. the camming action of a bolt rifle.for a single shot weapon it should work great.
For rifle you will need a trimmer,Lee's zip trim will work I believe,for not much money.
This hobby almost cannot be done cheaply,and the cheap way is the most labor intensive way of course.
I'd reccomend starting the way I did..Lee Challenger press,Lee dies because they include the shell holder and powder measure,and Lyman's manual for metallic cartridgge reloading.A scale would be a good idea just to double check the amount of powder being loaded into the case.
Buy used if you can,every dollar saved buys more components.But do buy carbide pistol dies ,no lube requried.Rifle dies all require lube,which is cheap.
Shooting cast lead bullets instead of jacketed will save gobs of money .
but 1st,check ur local area for bullet ,powder,and primer availabilty,they are in short supply in a lot of areas,mine included.
You'll save a ton of money reloading,so buying the press and dies instead of the Lee Loader will be the way to go in the long run.
 
I'd say use the press over the loader. You need to full size the brass for the 30-30 lever or you'll end up getting a jam occasionally. And Sass's advice about the cast bullets is very good advice. The bullets are a lot cheaper and they use less powder in the rifle. In fact, cast is 95% of what I shoot in my 30-30s. I started out buying them and eventually started casting my own.
 
I started with a RCBS Rockchucker Press that came with a kit. It had almost everything needed to start. I believe you can find them for around $250 to $300. Most important though is get a good reloading manual. Speer, Hornady, Sierra, Nosler etc... and start reading.
 
Go with one of the anniversary or challenger kits. Comes with everything but components and dies.

Good setup for the beginner in my humble opinion. I've loaded a few thousand on mine with no problems at all. And because it wasn't expensive, it's already paid for itself many times over.
 
Got one of the anniversary turret kits (lee) 2yrs ago for xmas and have now loaded more than 5k of 223 and 40cal.Loadmaster is on sants's list for next yr.You would be hard pressed (haha)to find something in that price range that will pump out great ammo.
 
JEB -
To get started in the best way at a low price I'd look around at local shooting clubs, gun shops, CraigsList, or in local "for-sale" papers and try and find a used reloading outfit. Reloading outfits have been around in volume since the late 60's and there are quite a few for sale.

It's not that you're going to save money on the press by going this way. But here's some compelling reasons...
• You're going to get a better quality press
• You're going to get quite a few $10 items thrown in which will save you hundreds down the road
• You may collect some powder and primers thrown in for free
• You will probably collect quite a few reloading dies, which you can trade or sell for the ones you need
• You'll probably get some extra tools. like calipers and cartridge gauges

You can buy a new one any day of the week, so it certainly won't hurt you to do some digging for a week or 2. Hope this helps!
 
Dude, I just started scratching this itch, and while it seems like it can be cheap, it adds up real quick!! I bought the kit one month, and the supplies the next. You need primers, powder, bullets, and you need to find them. However, all of this well worth it when I finished making my first rounds. Have fun.
 
It's well worth it. Start scrounging brass, which makes for great savings. Buy a Lee press kit of some kind. rfwobbly made a great suggestion to look at used deals. Check prices and know what you are looking at. Expect to pay 50 to 75 cents on the dollar for used stuff. Read all you can about reloading, starting with this sticky, and ask lots of questions.
 
I started reloading last year, looked at all of the presses available and jumped into the Dillon XL650.

I could not be happier!!! Easy to learn, easy to use, easy to change to different calibers. Never thought that I'd enjoy spending that much time in the garage.
 
just thought to look at some youtube videos and i think the lee loader is pretty much out of the question. i really dont like the fact that you use a hammer to seat the primer, bullet, ect...

so now im looking at some sort of press. i found a lee turret press for $109 but i think a single stage would be easier to learn on and better to observe everything that is going on during the process. only problem is that i cant seem to find a single stage press for less than i could get the turret press. any sugestions?
 
I'm agreeing with getting a kit, but that's just my opinion. I started recently with the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme kit and do not regret it at all. It was $339, but you can get them a bit cheaper. We just wanted to go with a local retailer. They can be had a Midsouth Shooter Supply for $279.
 
I've been loading on Lee equipment for almost 20 years. Right now buying the equipment seems to be the easiest of the things you need to buy. I would highly recommend buying a LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT. Its single stage and can accomodate either rifle or pistol and comes with most everything you need to get started. Make sure you get the carbide dies for the pistol as you do not have to lube. Also READ , READ , READ , all the reloading books you can. Understand that until you are comfortable with the process "pumping out rounds" is not acceptable. Safety is the most important thing. If you have questions ASK. The next thing you need to know is buying components in bulk is where you save your money as the hazmat fee for shipping 1 lb of powder is the same as if you buy 4 lb powder and 5000primers. Also remember that reloading is a hobby just like stamp collecting but just a tad more dangerous. Stay safe & good luck !!!!! Let us know how you are making out.
Tom
 
did some more brousing for components, and i dont seem to be able to find any powder or primers. i am sure that this is a problem for most of you but does anyone know of places that tend to have a good selection in stock? i found all the bullets i need and i have been saving my brass so i have buckets of brass, but powder and primers dont seem to currently exist
 
See if you can find an indoor shooting club or store with a range. Many do loading for their customers and they might let you order something thru them. That's how I found both powder and primers when we moved here a few months ago.
 
thats part of my problem. i live out in the boonies and have never even heard of where i could find a shooting range. from what searching i have done, i have concluded that there isnt a range within 75-100 miles from my house. once i found that out i quit searching.
 
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