Learning to reload...

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Mitchell Gard

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Jacksonville, North Carolina
So i'm planning to get into reloading and as y'all can imagine its an overwhelming amount to learn and buy. It's not an overnight goal by any stretch but I want to get a foundation of knowledge that I can start building off of before I start buying things. Can anyone point me in a helpful direction? Literature online or published. Like "Reloading for Dummies"? And beginner knowledge you could pass along for someone starting out in the future would be helpful.
 
ABC's of reloading should be a good start. The Lyman 49 edition reloading book also has a lot of useful info.

See if you can find someone near you to help show you the works.
 
Do you have any friends who reload? Watching someone you trust and being able to ask questions really speeds up the learning curve.
 
What calibers are you going to reload for first? I would suggest starting with straight walled cartridges. You can get your feet wet with something that's not as difficult as bottlenecked cartridges. Either way you go, though, we can all help. Combined, there are hundreds of years of experience on this forum. With a little mechanical inclination and the ability to read and follow directions, reloading is really easy and perfectly safe.
 
Well I already own a Glock and a Mosin-Nagant so those two calibers for sure. I'm on the market for a new rifle and I'm suspecting I'll be getting a .270 win, .30-06, or possibly a 6.5 x 55 Swede. About how much does it cost to get started. I don't plan on starting off making match grade rounds or anything. Just range ammo for starters I think
 
Welcome to THR. Read the Lyman book first.....and then again. There are plenty of Sticky threads at the top of the forum to read as well that will point you in the right direction. Also, do a search for a local gun club, give the officers an email and ask if anyone there does reloading. I am sure there is someone that would be glad to show you the ropes first hand.
Good luck.
 
Both the Lee and Hornady manuals go into some detail about what happens during the process and why. I personally prefer the Hornady manual as it seems less like a blatant advertisement than does the Lee version, but YMMV of course. Depending on your mechanical aptitude, it can be a really fun and easy hobby to learn. If you can change your own oil, this shouldn't be a problem.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/783420/hornady-handbook-of-cartridge-reloading-8th-edition-reloading-manual

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/639649/lee-modern-reloading-2nd-edition-revised-reloading-manual
 
Mitchell,
I'm with Blue68f100.
Lymans' 49th & the ABCs are two of the best manuals available.

This may sound harsh, but I think it's absolute lunacy to try reloading without first having read at least one good reloading manual.
This even goes for those who have a friend or relative show them how to reload.
(that friend or relative may miss an important safety tip)

Without the proper knowledge, one could seriously injure or possibly even kill themselves or others near them at the range.

Please stay safe!
 
+1 for ABC's. Also, Speer reloading manuals have it layed out well. My beginning days were taught by the #10 Speer 1979 edition, and it was easy to follow.
 
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