Handloading for Noobs

[hornsmoker]

Guys, I've never handloaded and don't know everything that's involved. If one wanted to handload .44 Specials and had about 150 bucks to spend, where would one start? Obviously would need brass, primers and bullets. I would like to produce a 50 round box in a reasonable amount of time - maybe an hour or slightly more once I got the hang of it.

hornsmoker -

 

[Deanimator]

You can do cheap, or you can do fast. You can't realistically do both.

Look for online deals on RCBS Rockchucker presses.

Besides the press, you will need:

1. Reloading dies - Buy carbide dies, since you won't need to lube the cases. That will speed things up.

2. A scale - A mechanical scale will do at first.

3. Reloading manual - Doesn't matter which one. Read it FIRST.

4. Shellholder for your caliber.

5. Case mouth and primer pocket tools.

On your budget, you can't afford a vibratory case cleaner.

For straight pistol cases, you don't need a case trimmer.

There are entire kits. I don't know if they fit in your budget or not.

This of course leaves out powder, primers, cases and bullets. Read the manual first for recommended loads.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Reloading manual - Doesn't matter which one. Read it FIRST.

Amen! Reading the directions is a lot less bothersome than replacing a blown up gun.

 

[The Real Wyatt]

Definitely get and read a reloading book

You won't go wrong with Lee equipment. A Lee Classic cast iron press. A set of 4 dies in your caliber (yes, 4. The Lee factory crimp die is worth the extra step).

Buy your brass and bullets online, then get your powder and primers locally. You'll need a scale, a mechanical balance beam will do, and a powder measure. Lees "scoops" work quite well as powder measures.

You can get by without a micrometer, just keep a "factory" round available for length measures. Oh, and you'll also need some way to insert primers. The Lee Autoprime works well and is inexpensive.

You can clean and polish our brass by hand, but it is an extremely labor intensive task. You'll want a brass tumbler as soon as possible.

I don't think it is at all possible to get into reloading, inlcuding brass, powder and primers, on a $150.00 budget but the good news is that you'll more than pay for your equipment in the first 1000 rounds.

 

[armoredman]

Get a kit. All major manufacturers make kits for beginners. I use RCBS gear, with Lee dies. Ditto on a GOOD manual, or two, and carbide dies, WELL worth the extra couple of bucks.
Once you get the stuff set up, (Have a place to mount it? Mine's on an old TV stand.), then get used to it, and you can easily work up to 50 rounds in an hour. that'sabout what I can do with 9mm, no sweat, with my single stage, and that's with triple checking powder.
Do you have any buddies who reload? see what they can show/tell you, and if they have older equipment they're willing to let go cheap, like that aforementioned tumbler...

 

[Rampant_Colt]

For a first time reloader, the Lee Aniversary kit is hard to beat for a single stage press.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...&prodID=LEE90962&CFID=362287&CFTOKEN=81513988

Or for a Progressive press check out the Lee Pro 1000
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cf...&prodID=LEE90634&CFID=362287&CFTOKEN=81513988

Get yourself some .44mag dies and components, and you're set - They're compatable with the .44 special, So you'll need to buy a .44mag now! LoL

There's some good advice from the other posters here too

 

[LiquidTension]

There's lots of good info available in the Handloading and Reloading forum on this site

 

[Outlaws]

You won't have finished cartridges for $150 unless you get one of those $30 handheld Lee kits. A $70+shipping/tax Lee Aniversary kits, but even then you will be pushing it. A good reloading book (Lyman's #48 is excellent) is $20. Dies will run about $55. A caliper (though for a revolver you don't need it as much, I wouldn't skip this) is $20-28. There is more I can't think of at the moment, but just assume there will be something unforseen that you will need.

Handloading is something that is nice, but there are a lot of things needed to do it properly and it all adds up quick.

My opinion....go to eBay and look for a complete setup minus powder and primers.

I would budget $250 though if possible.

 

[lee n. field]

This gets asked a lot in the THR handloading forum.

Under $150, I'd say get:

1)the Lee Hand Press kit (press, funnel, priming die, tube 'o lube).

2)a Lee carbide die set (includes powder scoop, shell holder and load data).

3)a copy of the Speer reloading manual (very good buy for the money). Make this your first purchase. Read the instructional sections.

4)a pair of reloading trays to keep stuff organized.

Junk the Lee ram prime die, and get one from Lyman or preferably RCBS (either is way better than the Lee, trust me).

That ought to get you up around or a bit over $100.

Primers will cost $15-$20/ thousand. Powder about the same, per pound (which is enough for thousands of rounds). Cast lead bullets will be in the low $20 range for 500. Note that, if you buy mail order, there will be hazardous materials fees to ship both primers and powder. Needless to say, lead bullets won't be cheap to ship either. Best to have a local source for consumables.

I would like to produce a 50 round box in a reasonable amount of time - maybe an hour or slightly more once I got the hang of it.

Once you get the hang of it, that's a reasonable rate for working with a single stage press.

 

[Car Knocker]

hornsmoker,

In case you hadn't noticed yet, THR has a Handloading forum with a wealth of information.

 

[hornsmoker]

In case you hadn't noticed yet, THR has a Handloading forum with a wealth of information.

Well, totally missed it.

After reading a day or two, and taking in the suggestions, I think I would want to get a turret press. Won't be able to get everything right away and will have to adjust my budget.

hornsmoker -

 

[RustyFN]

hornsmoker,
This is the setup that I bought. It is very easy to setup and use. It can also be used as a single stage press if you needed to. I used to buy WWB 9mm at Walmart and I figure after 40 - 100 round boxes of ammo my equipment will be paid for. I bought it from MidwayUSA and the price includes shipping.
Good luck and stay safe.
Rusty

Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser.
Lee Adjustable Charge Bar Auto Disk.
Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure.
Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder.
Lee Classic Four Hole Turret Press.
Lee Deluxe Handgun Four Die Set 9mm Luger.
Lee Safety Magnetic Scale. ( will upgrade as needed )
Total was $207