Am intrested in getting into reloading, know NOTHING about it. Probally need to start with some sort of books. what would you recomend? Also what brand equipment. I hope to load 38/357, 45 ,308, 243, 9mm, 45/70, 44mag and 380. Probally what you call a "single stage reloader" which one is easiest to change between cal.
An Idiots guide to reloading?
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The ABC's of Reloading By Dean A Grennell
RCBS presses are great. I have a Lee Single Stage and Turret. There are several "other thingys you will want...Like a scale..I like Lee dies get carbide for pistol rounds so you don't have to lube cases.
Get some Lee 3 or 4 hole Turrets to easily swap out Dies.
38 special is a good one to learn on.
Unique is a good starter powder
Much more to say after you've looked at some web sites and a few books.
You can get the Speer, Hornady and Lee reloading books
www.midwayusa.com
Your wife will curse the name of Larry Potterfield...owner of Midway USA.
Your wife will come to hate the UPS man making deliveries.
Oh yeah...you need a good sturdy work bench...There was athread here listing one...but some said the link had a virus so I stayed away
This ought to get you started....I'm no expert but enjoy the task of reloading....It's not cheaper either... so don't tell that to the wife...it does let you shoot more and you can find out what your gun likes best.
Good luck finding primers...its been an adventure
Get going!
RCBS presses are great. I have a Lee Single Stage and Turret. There are several "other thingys you will want...Like a scale..I like Lee dies get carbide for pistol rounds so you don't have to lube cases.
Get some Lee 3 or 4 hole Turrets to easily swap out Dies.
38 special is a good one to learn on.
Unique is a good starter powder
Much more to say after you've looked at some web sites and a few books.
You can get the Speer, Hornady and Lee reloading books
www.midwayusa.com
Your wife will curse the name of Larry Potterfield...owner of Midway USA.
Your wife will come to hate the UPS man making deliveries.
Oh yeah...you need a good sturdy work bench...There was athread here listing one...but some said the link had a virus so I stayed away
This ought to get you started....I'm no expert but enjoy the task of reloading....It's not cheaper either... so don't tell that to the wife...it does let you shoot more and you can find out what your gun likes best.
Good luck finding primers...its been an adventure
Get going!
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You are correct in needing a couple reloading manuals -- may I suggest the Lyman 49th Edition -- not only will you use it for load development, it has a great forward covering just about all the aspects of reloading for the beginner. I have been loading for many years and still find myself refering to it at times ...
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A few other tips.
1. Never..Never...Never allow yourself to get distracted while reloading....no cell calls....no phones...no tv...no conversations with the wife....
This is especially true while you are learning
2. If you are loading with lead cast bullets (we need to put a Sticky up on suppliers)....always always wash your hands after reloading.
It only takes a small amount of lead ...via eating most likely to make your brain go whacky later on....You don't need that!
1. Never..Never...Never allow yourself to get distracted while reloading....no cell calls....no phones...no tv...no conversations with the wife....
This is especially true while you are learning
2. If you are loading with lead cast bullets (we need to put a Sticky up on suppliers)....always always wash your hands after reloading.
It only takes a small amount of lead ...via eating most likely to make your brain go whacky later on....You don't need that!
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It has not been "cheaper" in my experience. Saving money is not the only reason to reload.
One time expenses: Building a workbench, Buying a press, Powder, Primers (when you can find them) bullets,
Powder scale, calipers, reloading dies (for each caliber), reloading books, max cartridge gages...etc etc
assorted other tools you will not doubt find that you cannot live without....
I still believe you can load ammo that is more accurate than you can buy....but the commericial stuff now days is a LOT better than it was 20 yrs ago.
Just food for thought...Your mileage may vary
One time expenses: Building a workbench, Buying a press, Powder, Primers (when you can find them) bullets,
Powder scale, calipers, reloading dies (for each caliber), reloading books, max cartridge gages...etc etc
assorted other tools you will not doubt find that you cannot live without....
I still believe you can load ammo that is more accurate than you can buy....but the commericial stuff now days is a LOT better than it was 20 yrs ago.
Just food for thought...Your mileage may vary
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I'd say that if you shoot more than 3 or 4 boxes of commercially bought ammo each month...then you can justify it.
I bought my equipment years ago and just love to reload....its is relaxing to me.
It "allows" you to shoot more....This is what you tell the wife...I mean BOSS!
I bought my equipment years ago and just love to reload....its is relaxing to me.
It "allows" you to shoot more....This is what you tell the wife...I mean BOSS!
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I found this some where else and thought it was worth repeating here:
#1 Don't get into reloading if you just want to save money. Chances are great that you'll spend just as much as you already do on ammo, but you'll shoot a lot more.
#2, Don't do it if you aren't a careful person...I like my head and cranium accessories where they are, thank you. Hmm, maybe this oughtta be #1.
#3, Don't do this if you always have to have the "most" of something. Loading to max can be fun if you are very careful, but it does wear on guns and you can make a mistake and blow yourself or a loved one to pieces. Do whatever you have to to be safe.
#4 DO get into reloading if you want to be a more complete shooter....
#5 DO get into reloading if you are the type that cannot be satisfied with "accurate enough."
#6 DO get into reloading if you are thinking about shooting competitively. There is no way most competitors can purchase enough ammo to supply their needs.
I've edited it some....hope you find the opinion usefull.
#1 Don't get into reloading if you just want to save money. Chances are great that you'll spend just as much as you already do on ammo, but you'll shoot a lot more.
#2, Don't do it if you aren't a careful person...I like my head and cranium accessories where they are, thank you. Hmm, maybe this oughtta be #1.
#3, Don't do this if you always have to have the "most" of something. Loading to max can be fun if you are very careful, but it does wear on guns and you can make a mistake and blow yourself or a loved one to pieces. Do whatever you have to to be safe.
#4 DO get into reloading if you want to be a more complete shooter....
#5 DO get into reloading if you are the type that cannot be satisfied with "accurate enough."
#6 DO get into reloading if you are thinking about shooting competitively. There is no way most competitors can purchase enough ammo to supply their needs.
I've edited it some....hope you find the opinion usefull.
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Reload for the adventure. It is like a good book, i dont know how many times I've gone out to reload, start to look up some data and, WHAM I'm reading a story about a hunt done with this caliber or that. Then when your done you get on line to share your joy and WHAM here you are at " da sight" talkin' with "family" you have never met.
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Here's one I found....Wish my set up were this nice
http://www.zjstech.net/gunstuff/reloadbench.html
http://www.zjstech.net/gunstuff/reloadbench.html
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+1 on the lack of distraction. I got a progressive and thought I was bulletproof once I'd done a few hundred, went on autopilot and had all kinds of mistakes. Pain in the rump to have to go back through and figure out which rounds you made when you no longer had powder flowing... Just reload when that's all you're gonna be doing.
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Back to the cost of reloading. Just like other tools, reloading tools cost money. Most of us have a hammer, some wrenches, screw driver or 2, and some pliers. With these tools we do not call ourselves mechanics, but we bought them. What I'm gettin' at here is this: You are going to spend money on tools to use around the house. It is cheaper to fix something yourself than call the contractor. Once the tools for reloading are bought it will be cheaper to load your own than to go to the "shop" and buy them.
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Cheaper...yeah...Its kinda like I used to tell my wife about deer camp and duck hunting expenses....
If I "Communize and Amortize" it over 30 years...its free!
Its a little joke. The deer camp treasurer called the kitty the "Communist account"
Hey any newbies out there..Its a lot of fun...its doesn't have to cost much.....but you gotta keep your mind "in the game" while reloading. Ya'll Go for it and have Fun.
If I "Communize and Amortize" it over 30 years...its free!
Its a little joke. The deer camp treasurer called the kitty the "Communist account"
Hey any newbies out there..Its a lot of fun...its doesn't have to cost much.....but you gotta keep your mind "in the game" while reloading. Ya'll Go for it and have Fun.
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