how to start?

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6-gunfun

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right now i only have a 30-30 and lots of shotguns but in the near future im buying a .44 mag revolver and when i buy that i dont want to spend $50.00 a box on ammo. so i want to start reloading my own shells for now i want to just reload the 30-30.

the only problem is i dont even know where to start i want to try to find a nice setup for $200.00 or less a kit or start up package would probly be best. it can take me an hour to make 10 shells and i would not care at all but i just need a cheaper means of ammo.

does anybody know how i can get started like what companys would have a nice kit for what i described?

for now its just the 30-30 but then the .44 mag and after that who knos my collection can only grow.

also if i could reload my own shotgun shells that would be nice to but if i cant then oh well ill live.
 
I f you want to go very bottom line, you can buy a Lee Loader for around 20 bucks and all you need then is powder, primers and bullets and possible a woden mallet. It's slow , but very doable and run couls load lead bullets for around 10-12 cents a round or jacketed bullets for around 20-25 cents a round.
 
I'll second the Lee Turret Press.
Check websites like MidwayUSA.com, midsouthshooterssupply.com & grafs.com for new stuff.

Or better yet, you can check craigslist.org or fleebay for used equipment

I have a turret press & just finished loading 2 boxes or 9mm. Took me about 1.5 hrs and I was going pretty slow.
 
First, you should pick up a couple of reloading manuals and read them a time or two. That will help more than you may realize.

As for a press it sounds to me like a Lee Classic Turret kit would fit the bill.

Check out Kempf's deal.

ST

:)
 
For a budget and beginner alike, I suggest buying a single stage of your liking and installing a Hornady LNL bushing kit. Please add 10 more bushings on that same order. You'll thank Hornady later.
 
Last edited:
First, you should pick up a couple of reloading manuals and read them a time or two. That will help more than you may realize.
Click to expand...

1) Read, read & read (in that order)
- Read the stickies at the top of this forum
- Go to the library and check out any reloading manual
- Go to Amazon and buy Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual, ABC's of Reloading, or similar

2) Meet other reloaders by taking a class, making friends at the range, posting to meet local reloaders here. You'll need a mentor. a) There are 1000 "tricks" you'll only learn when you see it being done. b) You'll always need something on Sunday evening when all the stores are closed. c) You'll always have questions. d) Someone needs to look over your shoulder to make sure your habits are safe.

3) You'll get a much better deal for your limited money by buying used equipment. Plenty of guys are aging out of the hobby who bought a RCBS Rock Chucker in the 1970's. That's as good a press as you can buy today. Ask your mentor to help you. Look on Craig's List. If you buy a new press, then you'll get "a press". If you buy a used outfit, then you'll get a press, dies, books, tools, powder, primers.... the works. There are some amazing deals out there, but you will have to take your time and look.

Hope this helps!
 
There is how to directions on the RCBS site. You can get load data online from the powder manufacturers. I feel good about these sites and the data is good.

You may be able to get some used stuff on eBay.

As a bare minimun you will need a manual, press, scale, shell holder, dies, deburring tool and powder funnel. That is what I had starting out. It didn't take me long to get a powder measure though.

30-30 was my first cartridge to reload. Have fun!
 
I just started last year and I would recommend the following:

1. Purchase a Lee Anniversary kit
2. Throw away the Lee scale that comes with it
3. Purchase a better scale from Lyman, or RCBS. (I prefer digital but that's just me)
4. Lee die are a little bit cheaper, but good.
5. Purchase a micrometer so you can measure OAL. A good digital one runs $20
6. Purchase a Lee case gauge, trimmer, and lock stud.
7. Purchase the Lee Auto Prime and Shell holder set that comes with it.
8. Purchase a tumbler, media, and polish
9. Purchase the RCBS case lube kit (lube, and pad)

With that set up you should have everything you need to get started. Plenty of YouTube videos and videos on the Lee website to get you going.
 
A word about Craigslist - they have a no guns or gun-related clause in the user agreement. Not to say you can't do a search on "press" and come up with a reloading press.
 
I started in the early 90's with an RCBS starter kit with the partner press.

The base of the press cracked last year and RCBS replaced it free since it had a lifetime warranty.

The kit came with the basics needed to start but I eventually bought a few more items and am still reloading away. I've been tempted to buy another more expensive press but this one little single stage serves me well. In fact I used it today to load for my 44 special.
 
rfwobbly said:
1) Read, read & read (in that order)
- Read the stickies at the top of this forum
- Go to the library and check out any reloading manual
- Go to Amazon and buy Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual, ABC's of Reloading, or similar

2) Meet other reloaders by taking a class, making friends at the range, posting to meet local reloaders here. You'll need a mentor. a) There are 1000 "tricks" you'll only learn when you see it being done. b) You'll always need something on Sunday evening when all the stores are closed. c) You'll always have questions. d) Someone needs to look over your shoulder to make sure your habits are safe.

3) You'll get a much better deal for your limited money by buying used equipment. Plenty of guys are aging out of the hobby who bought a RCBS Rock Chucker in the 1970's. That's as good a press as you can buy today. Ask your mentor to help you. Look on Craig's List. If you buy a new press, then you'll get "a press". If you buy a used outfit, then you'll get a press, dies, books, tools, powder, primers.... the works. There are some amazing deals out there, but you will have to take your time and look.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
^^^+1
The only thing I may add is-You have things backwards. You need the .44 first to learn how to load. The straight wall case loads are a lot easier to learn on than the necked 30-30 loads are.
When you get your load manual be sure to read in the 30-30 section about the thin brass case wall, that will crush if you have problems seating/crimping your bullets.
Buy your .44 components/tools-learn to load the .44, and then buy a good revolver to shoot them in.....Bill..
 
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