it is going to happen.......again

[RunninLate]

After many years absent from reloading it is time to get back into it. When I stopped reloading I was using a RCBS Jr. press with TC dies for 38/357 and 9s. All my stuff was sold maybe 15 years ago.
I have a couple questions that would like some advice on:

1: What press would you get? RCBS, Lyman or Lee. I think that I would like a progressive press. (maybe a Dillion in the future)
2: I am thinking that I will start off loading 45 and 9s, what brand TC dies would you use.
3: When buying dies, would you get a 3 or 4 die set
4: Not on planning to reload any large caliber rifles so when choosing a press should I keep that in mind
5: Where is the best place to buy the reloading components?
6: I have read some hand guns can use small or large caliber primers. Is the primer the same size?
7: what reloading manual would you suggest starting out with
8: Backing the day I used to use Bulleye. Unique, 2700, Green and Blue Dot powder. If you were just reloading “target/practice” rounds, is there a single powder that I can use for 45 and 9s?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. If you here a BIG boom for Savannah, you know I screwed up something.

 

[rockdoc806]

Congrats on deciding to get back into reloading. It is a great hobby. I use Lee equipment. I use a Lee classic torrent press, Auto Pro Disk Powder Measure, and Lee carbide dies. I prefer the 4 die sets. I use Win231 powder for all my hand loads. (9mm, 38spcl., 40S&W, and 45acp. I also reload 270 rifle. For the 270 I use H4831SC powder.

Reloading equipment and components are in short supply just like ammo. If you don't have access to a local dealer, the major online dealers are your best bet. Just be patient.

 

[Starter52]

+1 to rockdoc.

I likewise can recommend the Lee Turret press and dies. The 3 die sets work well enough for me. I find the Lee disk powder measure to be great with Lee dies. Be sure to buy a digital scale to check the powder weights.

I like WW 231 powder and use it for several calibers. Primer size is specific to the case and you must use the right size primers - the info is in your reloading book.

I also recommend you get a hammer-style bullet puller. They are very useful for salvaging components.

 

[Havok7416]

1. I only use a Dillon at this time so that's all I can recommend. The others are all good though.
2. I use all Lee dies and they have worked just fine for me so far.
3. I use 4-die carbide dies when I can. Some of my pistol toolheads only have 3 dies in them though.
4. All presses will handle pistol and most rifle rounds.
5. There is a thread on THR called "Who has reloading components" or something like that. Forum member BDS put it together and it should cover what you need.
6. There are 4 basic types of primer: small pistol, large pistol, small rifle and large rifle. What primer is used depends on the caliber. .45 ACP is an oddball now in that they make cases with both large and small primer pockets. If you get some of the "wrong" ones, there are plenty of forum members that would happily exchange them (myself included).
7. Get a few reloading manuals. I use 3 (Hornady 7th, Lyman 49th and Lee 2nd) but make sure you have more than one.
8. There are several powders that work for both .45 ACP and 9mm. Bullseye and Unique immediately come to mind and are what I use, although that by no means makes them the best.

This is all merely my opinion, but hopefully it was helpful to you and answered some of your questions. Good luck!

 

[BYJO4]

There are many presses you could buy and do the job for you. However, since I've been using my RCBS Rockchuker for over 45 years and it's still like new, I suggest you also buy one. I use Bullseye for my 9MM and 45 loads although I have also used Unique with good results. I also use a 4 die set for my 9MM and 45.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I believe all the single stage presses around $150 are adequate. I have a Lee and various dies. Not a real good idea. I would stick with one brand, probably RCBS because they are middle of the road good quality. If you only load one or two pistol calibers and don't shoot a lot a single stage is fine. It's slower than molasses but you can get there.

The nice part about starting with SS is when you decide to upgrade you will always have your SS for odd jobs and rifle. I was absolutely sure I wouldn't load for a rifle but guess what.... I'm loading for a rifle.

 

[gamestalker]

First things first, but a couple of good books, then read through the reloading process, Lyman 49th and Speer have good books. Don't put the horse before the carriage.

As for the size primers, that information is included in the published data. Some pistols use large pistol primers, other use small. But 45 acp is now produced using both, so you'll have to identify that when buying the brass.

Powder choice will be according to published data, and will be based on what type load your desiring.

Unless your planning on shooting a lot, a single stage press will cover all your bases. And if you ever do get into loading bottle neck rifle cartridges, a single stage is best suited for that task, IMO. RCBS makes a top quality single stage press that will most certainly last more than one life time.

I would use Lee dies for loading pistol, they're a bit easier to work with IMO, but RCBS is also very good.

GS

 

[Taterhead]

I'd start with the RCBS Master Reloading Kit. I noticed it on sale at Midway. Plus RCBS is doing the $50 rebate again. All of the gear in there is excellent: press, Uniflow, priming tool, Speer #14 manual, and especially the 505 beam scale. It also has additional case prep doodads that are useful. The Rock Chucker Supreme (RC IV) press is great.

You might want a progressive at some point, but you'll still get good use out of the stuff in the kit for a LONG time. You'll always have use for gear to do loads and jobs that don't run on the progressive (bolt-action rifle, case prep, small batches, etc.).

I do not prefer Lee dies, and I am not sold on the FCD concept for pistol. Lee shell holders have mostly not fit in my hand priming tool. Their 223 "universal" shell holder is crap. Too much slop.

Regular taper crimp for me please. RCBS are straightforward pistol dies. Shell holders do what they're supposed to. Not the most expensive, not the least either. Redding are expensive, but excellent quality for rifle. Probably overkill for service pistol cartridges.

Tough time for getting into reloading. Primers and bullets are coming back, but powders are still tough. Get really familiar with loading manuals. There are a lot of powders that might not be optimal, but can be made to work fine.

 

[hAkron]

RCBS, Hornady, and Dillon are tied for first place in the important category of AMAZING customer service and warrant coverage. I had a Hornady LnL, and now I have a a Dillon. I like the Dillon a lot.

 

[savanahsdad]

just doing 9mm and 45acp, the Lee will would be the best money spent , if you think you may change your mind and want to load big rifle stuff, then jump to the front of the line and get a Redding , most of the others are now using some sort of cast for there linkage and Redding is using steel bar stock , but for strait wall handgun cases ,any of the presses out there will work , just pick your favorite color , red , orange , green .

9mm and 45acp I like Win AutoComp for powder

Lyman for prep tools

Lee trimmers

Lyman auto dispenser for a scale or Lyman beam scale

Lee 4 die sets for all handgun cases

Hornady bullet puller

Lee hand primer

any good calipers, Fowler, Starrett , Mitutoyo , Browns&Sharps

tumbler will depend on how much you plain on loading , I'd go with a Lyman (pick your size)

books , since this isn't your first rodeo , just get the ones that match your bullets as bullets bearing surface very from brand to brand , using there data is always your best bet ,

good luck , and welcome back

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Welcome back...I'm just recently returned myself after a 30+ year hiatus but I kept my old stuff. Or my Wife did...

For me I still use my RCBS JR2 single stage with a new coat of paint and oil and original RCBS .38 special dies. I added Dies by CH4D for .32 ACP and find these dies to be excellent (and available unlike some others...) but a little pricy. I also added 9mm dies by RCBS and they are fantastic as well.

Can't answer your questions about a Progressive press but I'm only loading perhaps 800 - 1000 rounds per month right now. If/when that climbs higher I'll probably have to jump to something faster myself.

I am pretty much proceeding as before except that I now use a digital scale and weigh each charge - slow but finicky and very accurate with the tiny charges I'm loading with .32 ACP where .1 gr. = 100 fps. I'm using Unique powder as I always have and love the "new" Unique as it has been reformulated and has the same characteristics and wide calibers it serves with none of the smoke and dirty clean up it used to have. It really shines in .32, .38 Special, and 9mm loads for me. The only issue is that it does not meter very well at all so I'm stuck weighing each charge.

If I go progressive I'll have to switch powders and really...I just don't want to do that. I love my Alliant Unique that much.

VooDoo

 

[david bachelder]

Here's what I do.

1: What press would you get? RCBS, Lyman or Lee. I think that I would like a progressive press. (maybe a Dillion in the future)
Single Stage - I prefer RCBS or Hornady. Get Cast iron "O" frame and they are all about the same.
Progressive - I prefer the Hornady LNL, however its the only progressive I've ever owned. I'm sure Dillon and RCBS make fine presses too. All have quirks. I personally would avoid LEE progressives.

2: I am thinking that I will start off loading 45 and 9s, what brand TC dies would you use.
Not sure what a TC die is?
I prefer RCBS dies.

3: When buying dies, would you get a 3 or 4 die set
I prefer the three die set.

4: Not on planning to reload any large caliber rifles so when choosing a press should I keep that in mind
I would, If single stage I personally would get the RCBS RockChucker or any cast iron "O" frame press.

5: Where is the best place to buy the reloading components?
Midsouth Shooter Supply they take backorders, they always have good prices, a human answers the phone and they won't charge your card till your order ships.

6: I have read some hand guns can use small or large caliber primers. Is the primer the same size?
There are small pistol primers, Small Pistol Magnum Primers, Large Pistol and
Large Pistol Magnum. Your manual will tell you which to use. I'd suggest Lyman 49th Edition as a good start.

7: what reloading manual would you suggest starting out with
See above.


8: Backing the day I used to use Bulleye. Unique, 2700, Green and Blue Dot powder. If you were just reloading “target/practice” rounds, is there a single powder that I can use for 45 and 9s?
There are several. Nowadays its all about what you can find. I like Hodgdon Universal or Hodgdon HP-38. If you find a good powder buy a big jug. It may be a while before you see another.

This is what I'd would do.
OCYMMV