Author Topic: Question from a newbie (Read 774 times)

tbull55 · « **on:** October 26, 2004, 05:50:58 AM »

I would like to start reloading my own bullets and was wondering if I could get some helpful advice on exactly what equipment I should purchase to get started and who makes the best equipment. I have no idea what is involved with reloading, so I probably don't know much of the lingo. I want to reload .270 win for my rifle and .38, .357, .40, and 9mm for my pistols. I have been looking at a kit that cabelas sells for $260.00, good idea? I have been saving my brass for sometime, I figured it was time to start doing something with it. Thanks in advance for any info!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2004, 06:07:31 AM »

Do you want the best or somthing that works well for the money? I don't know which is best but I know the Lee stuff works very well for the money. I own several weapons that shoot sub MOA group with my handloads all worked up on Lee equipment. the new Lee classic cast press has become my favorite piece here of late, and usging it with the hornady loc-n-load bushing is just to easy. A Lee turrent press may work well for you for all the pistol cals you mentioned I load for .38 .357mag .357max and 7.62x25 on a second hand turrent press and can punch out over 300 rounds a hour with very good results. Others are better but lee works.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2004, 06:08:03 AM »

If that kit is the RCBS Master Reloading kit, then you are looking at a great kit. The manual that comes with it-- the Speer Reloading Manual-- tells you everything you need to know to get set up and productive. It's not rocket science, it's more like cooking according to a recipe.

I started with the RCBS kit and it works for everything I load, except 45ACP, which I shoot in relatively high volume.

Expect to load around 50 or 60 rounds an hour with it. Some say you can do more, but you'll be working like an error prone fiend to do it. If you are shooting large volumes of handgun ammo, it can get tedious with this type of press and the next step up is a progressive press.

All you will need in addition to the RCBS Master kit is:
1) Dies for the caliber you're reloading
2) Shell holder for your caliber
3) Bullets, brass, powder, and primers (for .270 Winchester, strongly consider Hodgdon's 4831SC powder and Federal 210 primers. Winchester brass is very good too. Bullets depend on the purpose, of course.)
4) A Lee Autoprime tool (about $15) and Lee shell holder. This tool is far superior to the priming mechanism that comes with the press.
5) A dial or digital caliper. RCBS makes a great one. I prefer digital, just keep an extra battery on hand. Don't bother with the plastic cheapies. If you don't want to buy one now, you can buy gauges for your particular cartridge that indicate proper length.

It costs money to get started, but this is equipment that is both reliable and durable, and will last you a very long time.

leverfan · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2004, 07:45:08 AM »

Cabelas is overpriced. Try www.midsouthshooterssupply.com , that's where I buy almost all of my reloading gear. If there's something you can't find at Midsouth, then try www.midwayusa.com . They cost a little more, but Midway has a huge selection.

The most important item that you absolutely need is a good reloading manual, or even better, several manuals! They will tell you what tools you need, and more importantly, how to reload safely. I have manuals from Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Lyman, and several others. The Lyman reloading manual is perhaps the best all-around manual for someone starting out, especially if you want to reload with lead bullets for your handguns. Read the how-to section carefully, and follow the safety guidelines, and you won't have any trouble with your reloads. Free data manuals, with load information only, can be had from all the powder manufacturers, if you go to their web sites.

I started out by reading a couple of reloading manuals, then I had a better idea of what tools I would really need for my own set up. It saved time and money. Have fun, and be safe.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2004, 08:21:52 AM »

Being a .45-70 reloading newbie myself, this info was very helpful to me a few month ago...

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2004, 09:10:38 AM »

I read the stuff at Beartooth. Sounds like an excellent way of becoming discouraged and giving up handloading. Yes, it will work, but if you're planning on making the switch from factory ammo to hand loaded ammo, then get the right equipement and go forth without regrets.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2004, 09:36:12 AM »

Quote from: Questor

I read the stuff at Beartooth. Sounds like an excellent way of becoming discouraged and giving up handloading. Yes, it will work, but if you're planning on making the switch from factory ammo to hand loaded ammo, then get the right equipement and go forth without regrets.

An opinion not shared, works well for me and I have shared it with others as well that have appreciated it much. :wink:

leverfan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2004, 10:33:06 AM »

I spent a little time reading the stuff at Beartooth, and it's good advice for someone that's only going to try reloading for one or two calibers. Or, if you have more time than money, that might be the way to go, at least at first. Having used most of the Lee tools suggested, I wouldn't recommend that tbull55 start that way.

For such a wide range of calibers, you'll come out ahead if you get a real case trimmer, rather than the gauge/cutter/shell holder combos from Lee. A single stage press can be found for very little money, and it's much easier to use than the hammer-powered loaders.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2004, 11:41:19 AM »

I have to agree with ya Leverfan, I'm only loading for the .45-70, don't feel the neccessity for anymore expense just for the one caliber. If I were to load for my .204, .223, .243, .25-06, .308 or .357 maxi, I'd be in for the whole ball of wax, so to speak. Don't shoot them enough to warrant the time and cost of components and equipment, though. Thanks for the input.

Flash · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2004, 02:42:41 PM »

Buy a good reloading manual and read it front to back. Lyman makes a nice comprehensive manual with good photography and this will give you enough information to make your own choices on equipment. Lee equipment, as was mentioned earlier, works but has a measurable life span. Buy something that's going to last you your entire life and then some. I'm not saying you can't graduate to a better press but why buy something that's going to wear out?

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2004, 11:19:56 PM »

When a new guy asks the question "What equipment should I get?" he always gets answered with lots of varied opinons... enough to confuse the heck out of him. The biggest difference of opinion is always over Lee stuff. Personally, for rifle, I use only Lee dies and their new Classic Cast single stage press. The RCBS Rockchucker has nothing on it and the Lee is half the price.

The one thing that everyone can agree on is buying a couple good reloading books. The instructions on basic reloading at the beginning of each book is the only way to go if you don't have a friend to mentor you and no one book will have all the "recipes" you will eventually need. Keep in mind that whatever brand book you buy is going to push their equipment. They won't be objective. Whatever they show is also available in other forms in other brands at varied prices.

Ian

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2004, 04:07:53 AM »

You're certainly right about the disagreements on Lee equipment. When I was getting into reloading the conclusion I came to was that the quality of Lee products is spotty. Some are satisfied, others are not. I don't like to buy products like that, so I went with the RCBS because you really can't go wrong with it.

My experiences with Lee products have been generally negative. I've broken three Autoprime tools. The shotgun shells I reloaded with their hand tool were of poor quality compared with what I do with a MEC reloader. Their molds have not been durable. And I bought some reloaded ammo from a guy and there were double charges in it; he used a Lee progressive press. Identical experiences by others are reported here and elsewhere on the Web with enough frequency to say I should shun them further.

In the case of a single stage press and dies, I can hardly see how you could go wrong with a Lee product, but given past experience, I would still tend to shy away from it.

One guy summed it up well when he said that Lee products are brilliantly designed and poorly built.

mountainview · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2004, 06:39:15 AM »

I just started reloading this summer and can add a few points which I found useful since I had to learn things on my own without the benefit of an experienced reloader to consult with.
1) Above advice to read a handloading book from cover to cover is a good start but I recommend reading several books on the topic. I think it is rather important to know as much as possible about the process before loading your first round.
2) A Lee Classic Loader is a good low cost way to start loading one or two bottleneck cartridges. I know Lee equipment does not have the snob appeal of other manufacturers but the simplicity and straightforward procedures are easy for a new reloader to comprehend and follow and have a good degree of confidence in what you are doing. I am outgrowing the Lee Classic but it really allowed me to become comfortable with what I was doing and provided a nice transition point between having never loaded any metallics to using a press.
3) Consider loading shotshells first and then moving into metallics. Again I started with the Lee equipment for cost and simplicity. Shotshells are a nice way for a beginner to learn reloading. It turned out excellent ammo for my trap addiction and helped me understand the reloading process while learning on my own. Someday I may geat a different press but reloading is a means rather than an end for me and what I have now works well for me.

Relaoding is a satisfying hobby but be prepared for devoting sufficient time to your endeavor. One of the worst things you can do is be in a hurry before or during a reloading session.

Safe shooting.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2004, 07:02:27 AM »

Its also addictive be prepared to spend more later cuase you always goota try to do some thing new.

crow_feather · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2004, 09:19:01 AM »

tbull55,

It is a lot easier to get into trouble reloading pistol cases. I would do the 270 cases with an inexpensive lee hand loader, get a little practice and then proceed to the pistol. If you load a bunch of different pistol and only one rifle, I would opt for a pistol reloader with the case dropper, the powder checker, and the other goodies that make pistol cartridge reloading easier and safer than reloading pistol cases in a rifle press.

Best of luck
C F

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2004, 08:59:31 PM »

Tbull
Looks like you have recieved some good advice and the only thing I might add to it is housekeeping.
You have five calibers to load for and once you get that press and associated equipment you are going to be a die buying fool. :grin:

As you learn and progress, it is ALWAYS a good idea to PUT EVERYTHING AWAY before switching calibers then getting out ONLY WHAT YOU NEED for that caliber.

tbull55 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2004, 03:42:51 AM »

THANKS to everyone. I really appreciate all of the info. I know exactly where I am going to start!! BOOKS!! Everyones info is going to be very useful and I'm sure before long I will be a reloading fool!!!

Thanks again!!

TBull

Questor · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2004, 05:34:46 AM »

It's not rocket science. If you plan to buy a kit, a book will come with it. You don't really need a multiplicity of books so long as the one you do have is one of the better ones.

At worst, handloading is tedious grunt work, at best it's a relaxing pasttime.

Questor · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2004, 09:13:36 AM »

http://www.chuckhawks.com/reloading_handgun.htm

Flash · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2004, 10:50:20 AM »

Besides what the article reads about advising not to buy a Lyman 310 tool, I keep one handy for handloading during a vacation or long trip. when firearms are involved. They are quite adequate for small volumes of reloading. Like I added before, get the bookS! I collect reloading manuals and there's always something interesting to read in every one. There is no such thing as too much knowledge!!!!!!!

leverfan · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2004, 12:40:00 PM »

Quote from: Questor

You don't really need a multiplicity of books so long as the one you do have is one of the better ones.

Wrong, IMNSHO. If you reload a wide range of bullets, you're going to need a wide range of load information to be safe. You might get by with a single "how-to" book, but you'd better have at least the free data manuals that the powder and bullet makers put out. If you try to load up some uncoated Barnes X-bullets based on data you got for Speer bullets, you could run into some pretty big problems. I prefer to simply buy a reloading manual for every bullet brand that I reload, and a few of the powder makers' books, too.

Another reason to get as many books as you can is cross-checking load data. Every manual I've ever read has had some mistakes in it. Some are merely typos in the text, but incorrect or misplaced load data is not unheard of. The misplaced 45 Colt data in a recent Hodgdon manual is a good example. Even the starting loads would have been dangerous if used in the wrong gun. Sierra screwed up some data on a RUM or RSAUM cartridge not too long ago. Cross-checking a load before I ever dump powder into a case is a much safer way to work.

I also prefer to have all of the newest manuals available, as pressure testing methods evolve, and new lessons in safety are learned. Of course, I save all my old manuals, so that I'll have some form of load data on cartridges that will someday be "obsolete."