coldshot03/04
member
What is needed to get started in reloading? I'll be reloading the 357mag, 44mag. Just an Idea of the tools and equipment needed to get started.
Reloading or Handloading for the Beginner.
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burrhead
Member
The first thing you need is a good reloading manual. It will answer most of the rest of your questions.
i know the rockchucker kit includes the speer #13 manual (excellent manual, btw), and includes almost everything you'll need to start loading.
if, however, you'll only be loading handgun ammo, then perhaps you want to look into progressive presses. the rockchucker is a single stage.
if, however, you'll only be loading handgun ammo, then perhaps you want to look into progressive presses. the rockchucker is a single stage.
WhoKnowsWho
Member
I just picked up the new Lyman reloading manual, and also have the ABC'S of Reloading book. Both very good to have, and the Lyman manual has a very good list of what is needed and what is recommended, and since it has data, you should go ahead and pick that one up first. I revised my shopping list with it!
How much are you planning to load is a question you should ask yourself too. I don't plan on doing too much to start, but I got a turret press just in case I need to do more than a single stage would let me do. And to start, I will be using this turret press as a single stage anways, with removable disks so once I adjust my dies, I won't have to readjust them.
But as a quick rundown of what you need...
Books! Press, Dies, Case trimmer, scale, chamfer tool, primer tool if not using press, funnel, bullet puller, vibratory cleaner if cleaning lots of brass. And components, powder, primers, brass, bullets.
Could get into more detail, but the books do a really good job and go into pros and cons of different stuff too.
How much are you planning to load is a question you should ask yourself too. I don't plan on doing too much to start, but I got a turret press just in case I need to do more than a single stage would let me do. And to start, I will be using this turret press as a single stage anways, with removable disks so once I adjust my dies, I won't have to readjust them.
But as a quick rundown of what you need...
Books! Press, Dies, Case trimmer, scale, chamfer tool, primer tool if not using press, funnel, bullet puller, vibratory cleaner if cleaning lots of brass. And components, powder, primers, brass, bullets.
Could get into more detail, but the books do a really good job and go into pros and cons of different stuff too.
braindead0
Member
I'd suggest getting a hand priming tool anyway, these days I prefer sizing and decapping.. then sitting down and priming 1000 cases.. then when I go to loading all I have to do it drop powder and seat a bullet.
As far as case cleaning, some people use soapy water... If you do a lot, a cement mixer is slow but the easiest way to tumble large quantities of brass.. I use a vibratory myself, but wish I had a cement mixer on hand ;-)
As far as case cleaning, some people use soapy water... If you do a lot, a cement mixer is slow but the easiest way to tumble large quantities of brass.. I use a vibratory myself, but wish I had a cement mixer on hand ;-)
coldshot03/04
member
Ok, Thanks for the info.
Carlos
Member
Another option is the Lee Anniversary Kit, which includes manual and all the equipment you'll need to get started.
I started out this way, and then progressed to a Dillon.
I started out this way, and then progressed to a Dillon.
coldshot03/04
member
Carlos, That's the one I'm looking at. Thanks for the info.
I just started a week ago reloading and I got the lee kit. The only thing that i did not like is that it did not come with a good reloading book. You will get a small chart with your dies but I have found that the load data can vary. For example: the load data for my 9MM in the load man that cam with my dies states that with Bullseye powder that the start load is 5.0 gr and not to excead 5.0 gr, but in a hornady (sp?) book forget the number on the book that a friend of mine has it states that the 5.0gr of bullseye is the hottest load. Now being new to reloading I do not want to start out with the "HOT" load. basicly the more books you have the better off you will be.
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