What do I need to start reloading?

[Guitargod1985]

I have become a bit interested in reloading as both a means to save money and as a hobby. I know hardly anything about it yet and was wondering what would be some good supplies to get me started.

Are there any recommended books on the subject? What sort of materials do I need besides casings, bullets, primers and powder? I'm thinking of reloading primarily for the AK, but later on I may do reloads in .357 or .38 for my wheelgun.

 

[bulgron]

I'm just getting started too. There's a forum here setup for that exact topic. Look here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=15

This sticky in that forum talks about what you need to get started:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

I hope this helps.

 

[Guitargod1985]

Oh, thanks dude. I didn't even realize we had a Reloading page.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

+1 on the sticky

The reloading page is excellent. I'm researching it right now, too. The ABCs of reloading is a great book to start with.

 

[XD Fan]

I didn't even realize we had a Reloading page.

I am glad you asked, because I was not aware of this either and am interested in the same question. Thanks.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

Lee Loader

If anybody wants to try handloading without a big investment - the Lee Loader is a great way to check it out. Less than $20 and it comes with instructions. These have been around for over 50 years and work very well.

If you like that, then go ahead and invest in a press, etc.

Just a thought.

Oh, and somebody may ask "where do I get..." - I suggest http://www.midway-usa.com for one good place. They have everything else you need too - brass, bullets, primers, powder.

You might ask about a specific caliber here fist and then order.

 

[RustyFN]

If you start with a Lee loader then there is a good chance you will hate reloading without knowing what it is about. The Lee loader is nothing like anything else. If you are on a tight budget you can buy a Lee single stage kit at MidwayUSA.com for around $69 that will have everything you need except components and a way to clean the brass. I would suggest to start with at least a single stage press.
Rusty

 

[iiranger]

best advice from me...

Hit a gun show or three and buy up a variety of used "reloading manuals." Each should go over all the ins and outs of reloading. It is not all that complicated. One brand will seem to "read easier" to you. You will want to buy a brand new, current manual of that brand for current powder data/loads.

Basically, you knock out the fired primer and replace it. You have to size down the neck or recrimp a shotgun shell to hold the new projectile(s) in. Add a safe, measured charge of powder. Add the projectile... about done.

Lee loader design dates from over 100 years ago. It was designed to reload black powder cartridges and if that is all the pressure you are going to work with it is still pretty good. Lyman took over the mdl 310 from Ideal which is a "nut cracker" version of the straightline with a mallet that was also available...

Today with the hand presses cheap, start there and with dies. Again, used is cheaper. It is like cars. Never had a pair of dice. Never will. But some fools... All sorts of unnecessary things for reloaders and some actually help... You need to read first ALOT and they decide what you cannot live without... (ha, ha, it is an addiction): luck

 

[davinci]

I would check out Powder Valley, they've got good prices on components.
Also, Lee presses are a darned good investment. If you really get into loading, you may want to step up. I'm talking about 1000's of rounds per week to justify the costs....

Best overall starter press...the Lee turret press, either 3 or 4 hole (4 hole probably better if you're doing pistol calibers) and use Lee dies. No matter what press I'm using, I have Lee dies. they're cheaper and they do an excellent job.

Total cost to build your first 1000 rds with a lee turret should be about $200-$250. After that you're looking at about $7 per 100 rounds for common pistol calibers, little cheaper for 9mm, and usually a little more for 45acp. (about $1 per 100)

 

[DogBonz]

The A, B, C's of Reloading

You can get this book for about $15 and it is chock full of great info that is layed out in a way that everyone can understand, no matter what your reloading experience. It is a great basic book for beginers with lots of good pictures. It helped me out a lot when I first started, and I still go back and reference it.

Chech it out:

http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading/dp/0873498518

-Fred

 

[suprmatch]

Be fore I started reloading I was stocking up on all the componants. Brass, bullets, powder, primers. Do it now!!! Componant prices are skyrocketing.

 

[B yond]

Lee Anniversary kit

I'm new too, starting with a Lee Anniversary kit from www.cheaperthandirt.com for about $80 IIRC. It has everything except the dies and components, including basic instructions to get you started.

 

[baz]

I started with, and am still using, the Lee hand press. Since it uses standard dies, using it is not much different than using a single stage press. I think it was a good way to start, and I may keep using it when I move up to something bigger, like the Lee Classic Turret Press that I've put on my Christmas list.

 

[davinci]

if anyone want's the abc's of reloading manual, send me $1 plus shipping and you can have mine, I found it worthless.

PM me and I'll tell you where to send the money order.

 

[Clark]

I started with an RCBS Rockchucker kit in 1999.

I have added some stuff to my act:
1) Forster Co-ax press
2) Forster full length factory honed dies
3) RCBS uniflow powder measure
4) RCBS 505 powder scale
5) Redding Imperial die wax
6) Wilson case mouth chamfer
7) Forster priming tool
8) Lyman pocket uniformer [for cleaning]
9) Lyman moly vibrator kit
10) Berry's Bullets vibrator cleaner
11) Luxo magnifier lamp
12) Berry's Bullets ammo boxes
13) 3M post-its
14) Lee depriming die
15) Any $20 Chinese 6" dial caliper
16) Any Chinese pin gauge sets .060 to .500"
17) Sinclair concentricity gauge
18) Sharpie ultra fine point permanent marker
19) Sinclair bullet comparitor
20) A radio to listen to when reloading
21) Quickload program on my computer