Author Topic: Getting started in reloading (Read 993 times)

will227457 · « **on:** September 20, 2006, 07:35:33 AM »

thinking about reloading.. I have always purchased my ammo over the counter but I just picked up a 308 and would like to try the variety of buttets ava for the cal. what do I need to get started what kind of set up....keep in mind that I am cluelees aside from the idea that this is something i would like to try, also what will my start up costs be?

pillpeddler · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2006, 08:26:13 AM »

Books, books and more books. Get hold of as many reloading manual as possible, read them all (the front parts that talk about how to reload), three times at least. Then, ignore alot of what your buddies have to say and go by the books. Anytime you work with things that explode and could take you (or a loved one) along with it, it pays to be sure and go slow. Have fun, pray hard, shoot often.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2006, 09:14:20 AM »

Pros and cons of lee is discused in this thread

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,93366.msg572113.html#msg572113

I don't believe you save money by reloading, you just git to shoot more for the same amount.
A good press is not much more expensive than a cheap one, dies are not expensive nor are all the other little things that you'll need or want to go along with it but it all mounts up
Initally, the difference in a Redding 7 station turret press at $180 seems like a lot more than the $20 Lee C press but in a few years when you step back and look at the $3-5000 investment it was a mere pittence, but don't despair! A good bench always has room and need for an extra press

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2006, 02:33:32 PM »

Stay on the safeside.

jhalcott · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2006, 02:56:47 PM »

will the Lee stuff is like your first car! Sure it ain't the best ITALIAN sportster around BUT it will get the job done,PERIOD.!
Midway has a Lee anniversary kit for for about 90 bucks. product # 820810. IT HAS A MANUAL INCLUDED. I started with a Lee classic kit a scale and a brass hammer.AFter about 1000 reloads I bought an RCBS press and a set of dies. I now have 3 presses ,3 shotshell loaders and several more classic kits.Not to mention molds ,lubrisizers and scales. both electronic and beam styles.The more manuals you can read the better ,more informed your choices will be.Also ,it will be easier to spot faulty data posted on SOME of these boards.Look at Midway.com under reloading and check out the cost of the available presses, die sets, measuring tools and SCALES(to weigh powder)You gotta have a scale! Then buy what you know you can afford. Hey Christmas ain't that far away!!

longwinters · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2006, 04:11:56 PM »

I started out with a RCBS Turret press Kit. Still had to buy other stuff and bought some relatively cheap stuff. I wished I would have went with my 1st thoughts and bought all good namebrand items. Personally I would not go with a cheaper press than RCBS or Redding. Like its been said, down the road you are going to replace most of the cheap stuff so just do it right the 1st time. If you have to buy at a slower pace it would still be worth it.

But first do a search on this site under reloading etc... and you will learn a lot. Then buy at least 2 reloading manuals and read the reloading instructions at least several times.

Long

ricciardelli · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2006, 06:53:02 AM »

K.I.S.S.

Get the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit and the RCBS Accessory Kit. Both can be gotten for a total cost of under $300.

jack19512 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2006, 07:33:45 AM »

I started out with the Lee Anniversary kit but moved up to the 4 hole Turret press. That would be my advice. I have no problems with the lee press and dies and load some very accurate ammo. Myself, I have no desire to move up to anything else. What I have now does everything I want it to do. The press that came with the Anniversary kit didn't go to waste because I keep my RCBS bullet puller installed in it. I still use the powder scale that came with the Anniversary kit and have no problems with it.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2006, 08:57:36 AM »

I don't think it matters which kit you buy, at some point your going to have to upgrade anyway, or at least will think you have to. Buy the cheapest you can so you actually have a better chance of upgrading when you do!

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2006, 11:47:53 AM »

I started with the RCBS rock chucker kit. I don't know that it matters much which kit or setup you start with, but a few items that didn't come with the kit that I find indispensible are: a case trimmer; calipers; vibratory cleaner; and additional manuals.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2006, 01:50:40 PM »

Don't start with the extra stuff now. You'll scare him off!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2006, 02:35:28 PM »

If you want a good press that you'll never need to replace that won't break the bank to begin with, consider the Lee Classic Cast press, less tha $74 shipped.

http://www.grafs.com/metallic/product/7261

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/leepress/index.asp

http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/applications/eproductreview.exe/GetReviews?productid=317831

Here's a good read on what you need and what you don't...

http://home.earthlink.net/~dannewberry/dannewberrysoptimalchargeweightloaddevelopment/id7.html

And the bare minimum route in reloading...

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

Tim

JBMauser · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2006, 06:00:41 PM »

will227457, If I met you at the range and you said you were looking into reloading .308 the first thing I would ask you is are you looking to cut paper or hunt. My question would be to determine the volume of ammunition you will need to build. If you are a hunter you will tend not to burn hundreds of rounds you will be more concerned with choosing bullets for specific game and look to balance loads for best performance and accuracy. Also I would look to see if you were firing a bolt gun or semi auto. The reason is you have three choices to start out, a Lee loader, a hand press and a bench press. If you shoot an autoloader and need to full size your brass a press is the only choice. A bolt gun can go with the first two, Low volume as in hunting and a lee loader can produce match quality ammo. I takes very little time to load a box of 20. the lee loader and hand press will let you build it at the range. You could leave the range at the end of one day with the load that you barrel just loves. If we know where you want to end up, we can show you the quickest, easiest, or cheapest way to get there. To put reloading in perspective. in a minimalist view the only tools you need are a hammer and nail to reload a cartridge. jB

snuffer#1 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2006, 09:08:09 PM »

Another thing as far as books go, are the loadbooks for each caliber. They run about 6 to 7 dollars apiece, and have almost every available bullet with different grain of powders in it also!

jamie · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2006, 02:11:34 PM »

Just my $.02, but I have never been a fan of buying the cheapest kit just to get going. I have had to do it but I don't like it. You will end up upgrading anyway. I am not saying go buy a Dillon 650 (yes they are sweet) but find a good turret press and buy a very good powder thrower. I have the RCBS and love it. It took me awhile to convince myself that my Lee "Perfect" Powder Thrower wasn't cutting it anymore but when I did finally decide to buy a new thrower my reloading became a whole lot easier. Spend the cash and get a good scale. A good electronic one can be had for around $70.

If you know someone that already reloads get them to walk you through the steps until you get comfortable with it. That is, after you read all your manuals.

goodconcretecolor · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2006, 03:29:11 AM »

I am a big fan of Lee equipment with one exception, the Lee safety powder scale. I really can't comment on it's accuracy but I found the vernier scale difficult to read. I know very well how to read a vernier scale but you have to be able to see all the lines distinctly. In my late 40's, this is getting to be a problem.
In my job, I calibrate scales of differnt types(I am a quality engineer) and I really like a magnetically damped mechanical scale. I have seen too many electronic scales that were temperamental about their calibration. I have been using a Lyman scale for 20 years. Any scale from Lyman, RCBS or Hornady that is magnetically damped should work fine. A Lee aniversary kit is the best start for the money there is. If you can read the Lee scale easily, I don't see a problem with it. Every post I have ever seen about it has had a flaw in the test method described. Otherwise, look to up grade the scale first and when you want to up grade the press, go with the Lee Classic Cast or the Lee Classic Turret press.
.308 is a great caliber to start reloading with. It is what I started with.
Good Reloading

jack19512 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2006, 03:59:07 AM »

Quote from: goodconcretecolor on September 25, 2006, 03:29:11 AM

I am a big fan of Lee equipment with one exception, the Lee safety powder scale. I really can't comment on it's accuracy but I found the vernier scale difficult to read. I know very well how to read a vernier scale but you have to be able to see all the lines distinctly. In my late 40's, this is getting to be a problem.

This is why I keep a pair of reading glasses on my reloading bench. Also a pair in my living room and a pair in my bedroom. Also my wife carries a pair for me in her purse. For those that don't know it, if you need reading glasses go to your local dollar store if you have one.

The reading glasses there are only $1.00 where you would pay almost $10.00 for them at Walmarts and they work great.

Edit to add: Instead of Dollar store I should have said Dollar Tree. That is the name of the store where I buy reading glasses for $1.00.

kyote · « **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2006, 12:37:41 PM »

Quote from: ricciardelli on September 21, 2006, 06:53:02 AM

K.I.S.S.

Get the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit and the RCBS Accessory Kit. Both can be gotten for a total cost of under $300.

You will not go wrong with the above info.and can pass the set up along to the kids if ya want.Its not hard to do.most people make it hard by putting to much thought into it.I forgit what all come in the rcbs kit but a lee case trimmer will be needed.I find them the easiest to work with and fast.good luck and enjoy your new hobby which I am sure you will.

Questor · « **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2006, 01:48:27 PM »

Reloading is one of those things where it's best to have good equipment, or just keep buying factory ammo. $500 will get you into it for life, and all you'll have to do thereafter is buy primers, powder, bullets, and brass.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #19 on:** September 26, 2006, 11:56:41 AM »

Like golf, fishing, and some other hobbies, you can spend all the money you want to and still be one purchase away from success.
Just to see what it was like, I bought a Lee Challenger press. I already had a RCBS Jr press that I bought 45 years ago (used) that is still going strong and a new RCBS. Maybe if I was a lot better shot than what I am, I could tell the difference between the ammo produced by the three presses, but I can't. To that I'll add, I've been reloading for over 45 years and have never felt a need for any sort of turret or automatic press. They may be handy but I'd rather spend the extra money on better scales and dies and stuff that does make a difference. Also, I've reformed quite a bit of brass and never needed one of the "monster" presses that can convert a Miller beer can into a small automobile.
One question I'd like to ask: Do you have any sort of support group? That is to say, friends or such that reload and can mentor you? Someone that will let you use their equipment to get an idea of what you'll really need? Or are you starting out all alone and in the dark? Do you have a place to build a stout bench to work on?? (a Lee loader can be used at the kitchen table)
Steve said K.I.S.S. and I agree however I'd say buy the Lee kit, buy the Lyman #48 reloading book and read the Lee book and the Lyman book cover to cover. THEN buy you a can of powder, 100 primers, 100 bullets and start to reload. Come to us with any problems you encounter. Don 't be shy 'cause I gurarentee that no matter how asinine or stupid a mistake you make, at least one of us has made it before you.
If for some reason that I can't fathom, you decide reloading isn't for you, you've got $100 invested and not the kid's freshman year in college. enjoy.