Reloading

[Ebow1]

Considering I shoot .45 lc, .380, and I'm saving up for the .50 Beowulf at the end of summer, it's been made very clear that I need to start doing my own reloading. I also have no idea what I would be doing so I was just hoping for some advice, tips, and maybe what brands to look for and which ones to avoid.

[kb4ns]

I'm still new to reloading, but so far I have been very pleased with the Lee 50th anniversary kit. It's got about everything you need to start reloading except for your dies set, brass, bullets, powder, and primers.

[kb4ns]

Also, the Lee 50th anniv kit comes with the Lee manual "Modern Reloading". That's a good place to start. Read and re-read everything in it. It'll give you a lot of the knowledge you are looking for. Other brands have manuals as well. You might check with your local library. Many libraries have reloading manuals.

[E4 No More]

You're opening a can of worms now!

The choices are pretty numerous and opinions will be skewed. It boils down to budget and how much you are going to shoot.

I was more interested in more time in Man Land, (aka the garage), but when I get moving I want to move, so I bought a Dillion 550B to load .45, 9mm. 38 Spl, .223, and .308. For the 9mm and .45 I can really crank out the rounds, but since I want to only collet size the rifle rounds it isn't so fast.

[kb4ns]

You're opening a can of worms now!

The choices are pretty numerous and opinions will be skewed. It boils down to budget and how much you are going to shoot.

So true. Everyone has their preferences just like they do with guns, carry ammo, holsters, etc.

Not knowing much about reloading convinced me to go with the anniversary kit from Lee. It's less than $100 shipped from many places. It's single stage, so it's slow, but it allows you to get your feet wet in reloading. Other manufacturers make inexpensive single stage presses as well. Then after you've gotten a little experience and know that it is something you enjoy doing, you can move up to one of the progressive presses, become a benefactor, and offer your old single stage in the trading post here and help another poor helpless soul entering into the world of reloading.

[Hgunner]

I was very fortunate when I got interested in reloading, a friend had me come over and help him load on a single stage. Then another friend let me come over and reload some .45acp on his Dillion 450B. What a world of difference, I ordered a Dillion RL-550B the next week and have not looked back or regreted the discision even once. What a wonderful machine, I've had it close to 20 years and its still producing quaility ammo, just loaded 1000rds in 2.5 hrs last week without breaking a sweat. I only average about 400 rounds an hour, I'm slow.

[titan14]

me thinks this is in the wrong section....

[DWARREN123]

Best advice I can give is see if someone close by will mentor you and the Lee Kit is good. I started with the Anniversary Kit a few years ago and still use and enjoy it.

[Ebow1]

The Lee kit sounds great for me, especially the price tag. I've got a buddy who does his own reloading and I'm gonna talk to him a good bit about it.

[Guest Broomhead]

My Dad and I just ordered the Lee Deluxe Turret Press Kit. A little more money but you don't have to change out dies. It still comes with about everything you need, minus the manual, dies, powder, bullets, brass, and primers. I can't wait to get it and start getting things set up. I am stoked.

[E4 No More]

A word of advice: do not cheap-out on things. I did so with a scale. I have no idea how this happened, but without my notice it changed from "grains" to "grams" on me, and I over-charged some 9mm and .45 rounds to magnum levels. Fortunately, the guns didn't blow up on me nor were they damaged.

My next purchase is a new electronic powder measure and scale from Hornady.

[Sidewinder]

I used to re-load shotgun shells, back before God invented dirt! I still have my little MEC 600 JR. I'm about to stick my toe in the water on re-loading rifle ammo... primarily .223. Some of my friends re-loads, and suggested a good quality, durable press, that you can add things as needed, and as can be afforded. I'm thinking "single stage", but good quality equipment. I'll be checking out some of the gear in the M'boro gun show tomorrow.

If anyone has a good, sturdy, used press at a reasonable price let me know. For those of you that re-load .223, using your own brass, what does the average round cost you to reload? Thanks...another re-loading newbie.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Sidewinder

[gregintenn]

RCBS, Dillon, Redding, and others make good reloading equipment at an expensive price. Lee makes good reloading products at a very reasonable price.

[Westwindmike]

Here is a good simple online calculator for reloading cost per round.

Handloading Cost Calculator

[Sidewinder]

"Then after you've gotten a little experience and know that it is something you enjoy doing, you can move up to one of the progressive presses, become a benefactor, and offer your old single stage in the trading post here and help another poor helpless soul entering into the world of reloading." copied from kb4ns's post.

Yeah!! I'm looking for one of those single stage RCBS Rock Chucker single stage presses right now, used at a reasonable price. Got one for sale? Give me a PM. Thanks.