I have been working out of the country for a number of years now and am retiring soon. It's been years since I reloaded ammunition and had the time and opportunity to do it. I want to get back into it big time for rifle and pistol. I want to start with a Hornaday Lock N Load AM progressive press. I know I need to purchase dies but what else do I need to get to turn out the maximum amount of cartridges. WHich die set is appropriate-the full size, three die set, short die? Obviously I need to do a lot of research before I actually start loading but want to start purchasing equipment while I am still getting a paycheck.
Starting Over
- Thread starter docfoxx
- Start date
- Status
For pistol 3 dies usually. For rifle two dies, usually. You can add other dies to both sets for different crimps. You can also specialize and neck size rifle cases, and use a separate bump die to move shoulders back as needed.
You will need a scale, a powder measure and appropriate shell holders along with lube like Hornady One Shot. You pocket book will rule how wild you want to get.
You will need a tumbler and media, a case trimmer, calipers, deburring tool and two or three reloading books.
Greg
You will need a scale, a powder measure and appropriate shell holders along with lube like Hornady One Shot. You pocket book will rule how wild you want to get.
You will need a tumbler and media, a case trimmer, calipers, deburring tool and two or three reloading books.
Greg
Border Hopper
Member
Welcome home.
Wow, you have arrived just in time. But don't get going too fast.
To start, The ABC's of Reloading should be on your nightstand. Cultivate some shooting/reloading friends in your location, and when, depending on your activity, style, personality, etc., you start buying equipment, ask them to give you guidance.
Join the NRA and your local gun club.
Lurk here on the website, observe and learn. Also remember that not everything on the internet is gospel, it is best to "trust but verify".
I have been a "self-taught" reloader, which is not necessarily the best or quickest way to learn. The single stage press is still my go-to method for bottle-neck rifle cartridge loading. For pistol shooting, a Hornady LNL is a good choice, but take it methodically, not going so much for XXX rounds per hour. A system that is steady and even will result in lots of SAFE ammo, even to start with, and more efficient production will be fine later.
Best wishes, keep in touch, and be a learner.
Doc of what?
Wow, you have arrived just in time. But don't get going too fast.
To start, The ABC's of Reloading should be on your nightstand. Cultivate some shooting/reloading friends in your location, and when, depending on your activity, style, personality, etc., you start buying equipment, ask them to give you guidance.
Join the NRA and your local gun club.
Lurk here on the website, observe and learn. Also remember that not everything on the internet is gospel, it is best to "trust but verify".
I have been a "self-taught" reloader, which is not necessarily the best or quickest way to learn. The single stage press is still my go-to method for bottle-neck rifle cartridge loading. For pistol shooting, a Hornady LNL is a good choice, but take it methodically, not going so much for XXX rounds per hour. A system that is steady and even will result in lots of SAFE ammo, even to start with, and more efficient production will be fine later.
Best wishes, keep in touch, and be a learner.
Doc of what?
Hondo 60
Member
Welcome Home!
At least 2 reloading manuals should be required reading before you can purchase a press.
ABCs is a good one.
Lyman's 49th Edition is the one I'd suggest.
It has how to's as well as recipes for a wide variety of bullets (composition, size & weight).
A lot of us probably know less than you've forgotten, but go slow & stay safe.
At least 2 reloading manuals should be required reading before you can purchase a press.
ABCs is a good one.
Lyman's 49th Edition is the one I'd suggest.
It has how to's as well as recipes for a wide variety of bullets (composition, size & weight).
A lot of us probably know less than you've forgotten, but go slow & stay safe.
rfwobbly
Member
Doc -
Welcome back to the land of the free.
You do realize that the LNL AP is optimized for pistol cartridges, right? If you intend to rip off twenty 30-30 cartridges for deer season, that's not an optimal press. In fact I'd venture to say, as good as the AP is, it will take you longer than a traditional single stage.
You'd do well to slow down and study some. Presses have not changed a whole lot since you last reloaded, except for the introduction of the progressive which excels at cartridges loaded in volume..... like 100+. So you need to list what you'll be reloading and the volumes on each or you could make an expensive mistake.
Welcome back to the land of the free.
You do realize that the LNL AP is optimized for pistol cartridges, right? If you intend to rip off twenty 30-30 cartridges for deer season, that's not an optimal press. In fact I'd venture to say, as good as the AP is, it will take you longer than a traditional single stage.
You'd do well to slow down and study some. Presses have not changed a whole lot since you last reloaded, except for the introduction of the progressive which excels at cartridges loaded in volume..... like 100+. So you need to list what you'll be reloading and the volumes on each or you could make an expensive mistake.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I'll also wish you a welcome home...
I suggest you read This Thread and then come back and ask any questions that thread doesn't answer. It's one of the "sticky threads" on the Reolading Forum.
I suggest you read This Thread and then come back and ask any questions that thread doesn't answer. It's one of the "sticky threads" on the Reolading Forum.
GW Staar
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2009
- Messages
- 3,706
I don't have a Hornady AP, but I do load 30-30 on my RCBS Pro 2000 and there ain't no comparison speed-wise to doing it all on my Rock Chucker. Progressives are way worthwhile even for rifle.
Assuming you only have the one press (no single station press dedicated to size/deprime cases with), I would Lock in the 30-30 sizer in station #1 and leave all other stations empty...and unhook the powder measure top end and set it aside. Don't prime either. Then you just crank all your brass through, sizing and depriming, to ready it for trimming and other case prep.
Off press you clean primer pockets, trim, chamfer and deburr, and anything else you want to do to the cases. (ream or swage pockets (military brass), uniform pockets, deburr flash holes)
Then the part that makes you glad you have a progressive....fill and setup and the powder measure, fill the primer tubes, lock in your seater (and crimper if you want) and get out your bullets.
Place your prepped cases in station one (or in your case feeder)and crank away. Once you have cases in three stations place a bullet, once all five stations are full, each additional stroke finishes a bullet. You are not going to approach that speed of priming/charging/seating/crimping...with a single station press, unless you got 3 presses and two other guys cranking at the same time.
Assuming you only have the one press (no single station press dedicated to size/deprime cases with), I would Lock in the 30-30 sizer in station #1 and leave all other stations empty...and unhook the powder measure top end and set it aside. Don't prime either. Then you just crank all your brass through, sizing and depriming, to ready it for trimming and other case prep.
Off press you clean primer pockets, trim, chamfer and deburr, and anything else you want to do to the cases. (ream or swage pockets (military brass), uniform pockets, deburr flash holes)
Then the part that makes you glad you have a progressive....fill and setup and the powder measure, fill the primer tubes, lock in your seater (and crimper if you want) and get out your bullets.
Place your prepped cases in station one (or in your case feeder)and crank away. Once you have cases in three stations place a bullet, once all five stations are full, each additional stroke finishes a bullet. You are not going to approach that speed of priming/charging/seating/crimping...with a single station press, unless you got 3 presses and two other guys cranking at the same time.
- Status
