Newbie seeking advice: .357 mag

[WrongHanded]

Hi! I'm new to the forum and to reloading, though I've been shooting intermittently for a decade or so. I can't say I'm much of a marksman, but I'm looking to change that.

I have a few .357 magnum revolvers and one chambered in .44 magnum. And I'd like to start reloading for them. I'm hoping to start with the .357 as it seems it will be slightly more economical. As far as volume goes, I'd be happy with 100-200 rounds a week for range sessions. I'd like to pull everything together and be reloading by the end of the year, so I'm not in any real hurry.

I haven't bought anything yet except a work bench, but I'm hoping some of you will be kind enough to give me some suggestions as to an appropriate reloading manual, and some advice as to equipment. I assume that with the volume of ammo I've mentioned, a single stage press would be suitable but I'm open to other suggestions. I've seen packages which appear to come with pretty much everything except dies. Are they worth looking at, or would it be better to buy equipment separately for quality and longevity of use?

Thanks!

 

[Sunray]

Hi. The RCBS beginner's kit gives you everything you need for about $500. (Mind you , MSRP on a Rockchucker Supreme Master kit is only $32 more. Comes with a heavier press, a hand priming tool(meh!) and a powder thrower. Currently on sale at Cabela's for $299.99. $419.99 for a Explorer™ Plus Reloading Kit. More useful tools like a kinetic bullet puller. It comes with a manual(Nosler, but buy a Lyman book too. It's just more versatile. Has more loads using more bullet weights and powders than any bullet or powder makers book. Those are fine too, but a Nosler book only covers Nosler bullets.
Buying kit separately is like buying a car by the part. Costs more. Cabela's says the Supreme Master kit would cost $512.86 if bought separately.
Suggest you buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading as well. About $30 on Amazon. It's a how-to book written in English vs reloading techniese.
"...a single stage press..." Been using nothing but one for 40 years. Speed using a single stage press comes with technique(mostly using two hands).
And you do not have to buy RCBS dies, but you won't get their legendary warrantee. Have any issue with any RCBS kit, even if you buy it used(not an ugly thing. Especially for dies.) or you cause it, RCBS will fix it with an e-mail or phone call. Usually for free, no questions asked.
And do not hesitate to ask any question you may have here. Even if you think it's stupid(it's not unless you don't ask it) or it's been asked a million times before, you'll get an answer.

 

[dgod]

I have 2 Rockchuckers a RCBS Partner press. I had (Regret parting with it) a Dillon Square Deal. If you are loading pistol only, I would recommend the Square Deal, if you plan to expand... Rockchucker is pretty hard to beat. Lee has the same type of package. Either package, a Set of Dies, a shell Holder.... Then the expendables (Bullets, Powder, Primers, Brass), and you are ready. Read a lot, go slow, it is a process.

Very Enjoyable, nothing like the first loaded and fired round...

Dan

 

[edwardware]

An RCBS Rockchucker is a great place to start, and the last single-stage you'll ever need.

If you're the sort of person who can patiently piece together a kit over 3 months, you can save 10-20% buying used, but buying a basic high quality kit (RCBS!) will be simpler.

One more word of advice: this is a hobby they attracts gearheads, so you'll see LOTS of talk about how essential this or that highly specialized gizmo is. Get a reloading manual (just one to start with), read the procedure guide, get a basic kit, and load 500 rounds over a few weeks before you start collecting gizmos. By then you'll have a much better idea which gizmos are worthwhile to you, and you'll be noticeably richer for the money you didn't spend.

 

[WrongHanded]

Thank you all.

ABC's of Reloading and the Lyman Manual are now ordered. I'll be looking into the various RCBS packages in more depth. The Rockchucker sounds like a winner.

 

[JO JO]

Don't over look the Redding single stage press and it's made in the USA, if you look at the new RCBS kit the box says made in US AND CHINA, much of the rcbs kit is China made now, If that matters to you, rcbs still warrantys their Chinese imported products but non the less many rcbs boxes have the words made in China on them ,

 

[reddog81]

The ABC’s of reloading and the Lyman manual should be a big help to get you started. If you know you’ll be loading 200 rounds per week I would consider a progressive press. Loading 200 rounds will take about 3 hours in my experiences on a Rock Chucker. I can do 300 per hour on my Hornady Lock N Load. That’s a huge saving of time over the course of one year if you are actually going to be loading 10,000 rounds. Of course starting with an RCBS Rock Chucker and after a couple months upgrading to a progressive is not a bad idea either.


I don’t recommend kits unless you come across a really good deal. You don’t save much money and unless you would otherwise buy everything in the kit you’ll probably be spending more money than you otherwise would. The kits are a helpful reference to determine what you need. Amazon and other website reviews are very helpful for deciding which individual items to actually buy.

 

[forestswin]

One thing to make reloading a little more simple as you start out, is to buy bullets that exactly match the load data you have available. This includes the powder and charge weights and the overall length of the cartridge.

For example, an excellent bullet for the 357 is the cast lead 158 grain semi-wad cutter. These bullets are available everywhere. But you won't find load data for that exact bullet in the Lyman manual. They have mold #358665 for a 158 grain bullet, which is closer to a round nose flat point or a truncated cone. Semi-wad cutters have a overall cartridge length of 1.590" and the shape is closer to the 160 grain mold #358311. Both of those bullets are fine for the 357, it's just nicer to have load data match exactly when you start out.

Now, If you buy Hornady's 125 grain #35710 HP- XTP and go to Hornady's manual, you'll find data that matches your bullet exactly. Again, it just makes reloading easier.

I just picked those bullets as examples, as I opened the pages....I'm not trying to recommend those bullets.

A few other points:
pick lead bullets with a crimp groove and FMJ bullets with a cannellure so you can easily see where to crimp the case.
Buy a bullet manufacturer's load manual for the bullets you intend to shoot the most.

 

[dgod]

Check Hodgdon.com for .357 Load Data, they cover 158gr Semi WadCutters.

 

[forestswin]

Yep, they do, its a great site
but they don't have data for Alliant's 2400 and other non-Hodgdon powders

 

[Reeferman]

If you were to get a Hornady LNL you can run one case around it until you get comfortable then use it as a full progressive. Very easy to setup and run that way.

 

[RealGun]

For 100-200 rounds per week, which is a lot, I would suggest going right to the Lee Classic cast turret. It is an excellent machine and priced the way you would probably prefer. Don't be lured by the lower price of the cheaper turret. Get the cast with 4 hole turret head. Suggest you start without lead bullets, so a set of just about anyone's dies would work fine, but Lee is the cheaper of the complete sets, with which you can seat and crimp in separate stations, while expanding with the powder measure insert. Get some XTPs and a Hornady manual, and you're on your way.

 

[JO JO]

That lee classic 4 hole turret is a neat press , and while your learning just remove the auto indexing rod and use it as a single stage ,

 

[Diliimar]

I just started reloading this past year love my lee classic turret

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Yep, they do, its a great site
but they don't have data for Alliant's 2400 and other non-Hodgdon powders

However, if you go to the powder manufacturer's website, you can find reloading data either on the site or by downloading their manual. The bad part is none are as good as Hodgdon.

 

[Matt Dillon]

I highly recommend that you purchase quality gear, such as the Ohays 10-10 scale, if you can find one

 

[Varminterror]

For shooting 100-200 rounds per week out of a .357mag, I'd rather slam my hand in a car door every Friday afternoon than load them on a single stage press.

 

[Jonesy814]

I started reloading just over 3 years ago. I chose the Lee classic turret press kit. It has everything you need except calipers and dies. It even has a load manual. The whole kit is around $200. I have loaded about 10,000 rounds on mine so far and love it. I can get everything out, load 100 rounds and have things cleaned up and put away in a little over an hour without having to really push it as far as speed. Easy to set up and operate

 

[WrongHanded]

Well after looking at it a little more, a turret press does seem to have some advantages. I'll have to think on that a little.

 

[Walkalong]

A Lee Classic Turret kit is a lot of bang for the buck and will serve you well.

For shooting 100-200 rounds per week out of a .357mag, I'd rather slam my hand in a car door every Friday afternoon than load them on a single stage press.

lol, I know the feeling, it can be done, but will get old real quickly. The OP can always add this simple single stage press to the turret kit if he wishes to start on a single stage before moving to a turret or progressive press, and it will always come in handy afterwards.

 

[Beach Bum]

I have owned a Rock Chucker since the early 80's....... any more it's randomly used........ if you are going to buy a single stage press the Forster Co-Axe is the way to go..
Personally I would buy a progressive , simply because you will out grow a single stage very rapidly and there is no sense in wasting money on it .
If you buy a progressive get a Dillon XL 650 , but they are Pricey ......If your budget is more meager get a Hornady LNL ...If you buy a LNL .Drain Smith and Highboy have them dialed in......
Making your own ammo is very rewarding but it takes work and effort , it is not for the lazy .....It's for the can do GUY'S and be prepared for a lifetime of learning.....the longer you do it the more you will realize just how much you don't know it's an Ocean.....
If you are lazy buy the Rock Chucker and it will sit on your bench,......and you have not lost a lot of money... If you are a worker and a can do kind of guy and in it for the long haul buy a Dillon if your budget allows if not a LNL .. And welcome to the Reloading club.....A place where you can build Pristine , Bad to the Bone Ammo , A place where creativity and genius " jmorris " shines. A place where you can drink beers, smoke cigars and listen to the Big Bands , Bocelli or whatever you are in the mood for and escape the pressures and insanity of an insane world.
A place that belongs to you , it's yours , you own it , We work Hard , We deserve it ........So why skimp.

" Only you have the answers my friend they are different for everyone " . ..And again welcome to " Club Ocean" ....And that's just the Truth of It......Good Luck Amigo and Peace........" Just my Fifty Cents"

 

[dgod]

I hear where BB is going, I have had a Rockchucker since 1985, now I have 2 and a Partner Press. Would I Like a 650 for sure, but the Press, then the extra add-Ons, you will soon have $1K not counting the other (What I Call Necessities), 5-0-5 Scale, Powder Drop, Loading Manual(s). If you can, get a RCBS/Hornady Bullet Puller, it is a great piece of equipment as opposed to the Impact Bullet Puller.

Be sure to get a Balance Beam Scale (I think the Rockchucker kit comes with a 5-0-5. Digital scales are ok if close is good enough. I use a 5-0-5 Scale with a Trickle Charger to get my powder dead on.

Good Luck
Dan

 

[Beach Bum]

For shooting 100-200 rounds per week out of a .357mag, I'd rather slam my hand in a car door every Friday afternoon than load them on a single stage press.

Bro that was hilarious....

 

[WrongHanded]

Lots of replies, and I appreciate the warm welcome! It appear things have become more complicated as more advice has been shared. But that's hardly surprising as I really don't know much of anything about reloading. Learning curves are good.

I have to say that while the simplicity of a single stage appeals to me, I have watched a couple videos and it does seems slightly tedious to have to set up each die in the press for every step of the process. Especially as I'm likely to load the same same .357 cartridge from week to week, for range practice. For that purpose, would a turret press be more convenient? Lock everything in just where I want it, and then double check it's still good at the beginning of each loading session? I'm not short of spare time to reload and often find myself wanting something mechanical to fiddle with, so I don't anticipate being lazy about it. And I'm not interested in anything to automated, but efficiency would be nice.

On the other hand, having to setup a single stage press for each step in the process might be a better learning experience. Thoughts?

 

[Varminterror]

On the other hand, having to setup a single stage press for each step in the process might be a better learning experience. Thoughts?

I have never bought into this line of thinking.

Firstly - Dies aren't THAT hard to set, especially in a single stage or turret (base plate flex in some progressives can add a little challenge to setting dies). I'm more prone to argue this point - if a person is so mechanically inept such they need to practice setting reloading dies more than a time or two, they probably shouldn't be reloading at all, for the sake of safety.

Secondly - most presses on the market these days are bushing compatible, so a guy can set his dies once and leave them be, even in a single stage press. So that advantage becomes moot. Even without bushings, if a reloader uses locking rings on his dies, he can thread them back in to the same position anyway. Even if you don't use locking rings or a bushing compatible press, a single stage loader can use a simple dummy round to set their dies in a matter of seconds, with no trial and error.

Thirdly - if a guy DOES want to practice setting dies, they are free to pull the dies from the turret head of their progressive or turret press as often as they like. A guy is free to completely overhaul their entire press and work bench between every round if they see fit. Owning a turret or progressive doesn't prevent the reloader from practicing die setting. Owning a single stage DOES prevent the reloader from saving time at the reloading bench.

I know I wasted time starting out with a single stage press, so I'd never recommend them for anyone but a low volume shooter. For anything other than extreme precision loading - which anything fired from a .357mag revolver is not - a single stage doesn't fit. Equally, for extreme precision reloading, the Forster Co-AX is the single stage to buy (for factory models at least), and it has a quick change die system which requires locking rings, so you're not resetting dies with the Co-ax anyway.