Starting Reloading

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Styx

Styx

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I sure there are already some post on this, but I'm completely green on the subject. Figured I'd start my own post, instead of resurrecting an older one if I still had questions.

I want to get into reloading. I carry a 40S&W handgun, but can not afford to feed it & $30-$40 or so for 100 rounds at Wal-Mart. For comparison, Wal-Mart has 100 rounds of 9mm for as cheap as $15.

I have zero clue about what reloading equipment I need to buy, whay bullets, powered, reloading book, etc. Any help, suggestion, and direction would be appreciated.
 
I would suggest getting a good reloading manual and read the introductory section at the front. A lot of questions will be answered there. I think the Lyman manual is as good as any.

For 40, I like 155gn plated bullets. Lots of powders work well in 40, I like Power Pistol and BE86.

I started out with a Dillon 550 press, but I also have a Lee Classic Turret press and I think that is a good way to get started.

Also, you won't save money, you will just shoot more.
 
Is the Lee manual considered the best? I see the Lyman's 50th edition manual and the
Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition manual.
 
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Styx said:
Is the Lee manual considered the best?
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Best? No, but not bad. It sounds a lot like a sales pitch for Lee equipment at times, though. As far as the load data in the Lee manual, it is merely data collected from the powder manufacturers, and that data is all online. It is good to have all that data in one place, though, but the online data will include more information such as specific bullets used.

The Lyman book has good tutorial information in the front, and the data is all independently developed using various manufacturer's bullets and powders.
 
Toprudder said:
Best? No, but not bad. It sounds a lot like a sales pitch for Lee equipment at times, though. As far as the load data in the Lee manual, it is merely data collected from the powder manufacturers, and that data is all online. It is good to have all that data in one place, though, but the online data will include more information such as specific bullets used.

The Lyman book has good tutorial information in the front, and the data is all independently developed using various manufacturer's bullets and powders.
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You prefer/recommend the Lyman's manual? Will both of these manuals basically give me a list of all I should have to get started?
 
Something like this Lee Kit is all you need and will make great ammo for you.

You can spend as much as you want of course, but to save money and make good ammo, a Lee kit is hard to beat.
 
Walkalong said:
Something like this Lee Kit is all you need and will make great ammo for you.

You can spend as much as you want of course, but to save money and make good ammo, a Lee kit is hard to beat.
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So the kit you linked to, a Lymen's manual, a nd I should be good to go? with all that in hand, I should be able to simply read the nanual, and know what bullets, poweres, etc I should buy?
 
Yep. And lot's of reloading data in PDF form on the powder makers websites for free.

After reading a manual much will be clear, but will also help you form good questions on the finer points that we can help with.
 
Styx said:
You prefer/recommend the Lyman's manual? Will both of these manuals basically give me a list of all I should have to get started?
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I prefer the Lyman manual, but if you buy a Lee complete kit you will get the Lee manual and that will certainly work. I have around 8-10 manuals now from different sources, if that tells you anything. :)
 
It is helpful to have a basic understanding of the core concepts before you worry about specific reloading equipment. All the specific information makes more sense if you have a good broader understanding of the reloading process and internal ballistics. That's why so many people recommend buying a manual or two first, and then start shopping for gear and components.
 
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Styx, it may be too late as you said above you were placing orders, but, before ordering equipment it would be a good idea to read a manual or two to get a good overview of the process. ALSO, before you order a press you should ask yourself how much volume you plan to shoot. If you just plink around a little then even a single stage would do. But if you plan on getting into competition you may want to think about a progressive. Although I believe a Lee classic turret would be a great press to start with. You can go slow with it and learn the process and it will have a reasonable volume later if you start shooting more. And you probably will.
 
ArchAngelCD beat me to it. The Library of Wisdom has a wealth of information.

Welcome to the never-ending adventure!
 
Lots of good advice here, and I agree on the Lee classic turret press. They make switching cartridge die sets easy.

A thought about manuals: you can buy any good reloading manual from a bullet manufacturer like hornady, or speer, nosler, etc., and it'll guve you good load recipes. But I always compare a few different manuals before deciding on starting loads, or to develop my own load with a bullet I may not have book data on. Having lots of resources can put you on the road to success quickly.

I love the Lyman manual due to the great explanation of the processes in the front of the book, and the pressure info in the load section. Hornady I use a lot, but they don't list pressure info.
 
I used a Lee reloader single stage press for years. A single stage is great because a new reloader can see and understand the steps of the reloading process. Also very easy to catch and correct mistakes. Makes enough ammo to take to the range. A little too slow for the competition shooter.
 
gunlaw said:
I used a Lee reloader single stage press for years. A single stage is great because a new reloader can see and understand the steps of the reloading process. Also very easy to catch and correct mistakes.
Click to expand...

An LCT is equally easy to understand, since it's only performing one operation at a time.

But I agree that, while progressives are fabulous, I do not generally think that's the place for new folks to start.
 
I agree with those who've said get a manual first. It's tempting to jump straight in, but the knowledge you gain from reading thoroughly first will help you do things safely.

I like the Lyman manuals. I also like the Lee Classic Turret (LCT). But I haven't much experience with other presses.
 
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