NooB needs to be pointed in the right direction...

[<SLV>]

Alright, I've been told that I really ought to reload, but I don't know a THING about it. I was thinking about going to Sportsman's Warehouse today to see what it would take to get started... but I don't even know what I'm looking for!

Is there a "beginner kit" on the market? Something that would have all of the basics that I would need to get started? I'm planning on reloading 3 calibers: 7.62x39, 9mm Luger, .30-06.

I don't have a lot of money to spend. Can you please tell me what I need to look for, and how much it will cost?

 

[1911user]

Research is cheap, start here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

 

[<SLV>]

Thanks! I had browsed through reloading, but I didn't find that thread. I picked up Lyman's 48th Edition Reloading Handbook today at Sportsman's Warehouse. So far I'm impressed with how thorough the book is.

Do you think it is important to choose one brand of equipment and get all pieces in that brand? (especially press and dies)

 

[loadedround]

What I would suggest is for you to find an experienced reloader in your area or at the local gun club and have him take you under his wing and teach you the rights and the wrongs. Another thought would be to contact the NRA about their reloading Instructors for possible courses in your area. That might cost you however but it would be worth it. Advice is cheap and we all have a lot of it to give out!

 

[RustyFN]

Do you think it is important to choose one brand of equipment and get all pieces in that brand? (especially press and dies)

No, you would be surprised how many people use different brands of dies. You will even find people that use different brand dies together. What would be a big help for us to be able to help you is to know what calibers you plan on loading and how many you need to load per week or month. The quantity of ammo you need is basically going to determine what type of press would be best to buy. You will get a lot of advice to start on a single stage and I would agree if you don't need to load very many rounds. On the other hand if you need larger quantities then I would suggest a turret or progressive because IMO I don't believe in wasting money and having to upgrade every couple of months. Read the stickies at the top and search out some of the brands you are interested in and you will find plenty of information on them here.
Rusty

 

[<SLV>]

Thanks, Rusty. I'm only going to be loading about 100/each/month - not a lot. And I'm thinking I'll probably be loading mostly new brass - I'm more interested in getting specific loads and accuracy than recycling/saving money.

My calibers are:

.30-06
7.62x39
9mm (pistol and carbine)
7.62x25 Tokarev

PS - I looked at the Lee Classic Turret, and I'm not sure it will work well for the .30-06. I also looked at the Hornady Lock-N-Load, and I like that one a little better.

 

[RustyFN]

Both presses will load those calibers fine. I own a classic turret and can give you advice on it but not the Hornady. One big difference you will see is with the classic it will take four handle pulls to make one round and with the LNL is a progressive and one handle pull to make a round. With the classic there will only be one thing happening at a time. With the LNL you will have four or five cases going into dies at the same time. I think you can load one at a time on the LNL until you get used to the press. Hopefully somebody with more experience with it can explain it a little more. If you think 100 rounds a month is where you will be for a while then there are a lot of good single stage presses out there. If you are going to start loading pistol then I would start with at least the turret.
Rusty

 

[<SLV>]

Rusty,

Why is pistol different? I read Lyman's instructions last night for both rifle and pistol, and I can't think of a reason the type of press would matter. The only real difference is the case resizing die, right?

Also, everyone, if I get the Lee classic turret, should I get the 3-die or 4-die press?

Thanks!

 

[Hawk]

You will get a lot of advice to start on a single stage and I would agree if you don't need to load very many rounds. On the other hand if you need larger quantities then I would suggest a turret or progressive because IMO I don't believe in wasting money and having to upgrade every couple of months.

I started with a progressive shotshell press and followed with a progressive for metallics. It went cross-grain to some of the advice but worked for me.

The OP's situation is a bit gummier than mine - I was only reloading handgun rounds and really liked the SDB being set-up by the factory with all dies adjusted but it's "handgun only" with proprietary dies. I'm not aware of a progressive that's available "factory set-up and ready to roll" that handles rifle rounds.

Turned out set-up and die adjustment wasn't a big deal, but starting out with somebody else doing set-up was nice. One could probably do worse than starting with an SDB already dialed-in for 9mm. Then maybe a single or turret for the rifle rounds.

 

[RustyFN]

The reason I suggested a turret or progressive for loading pistol is because most people that shoot pistol will shoot a lot more rounds than they will rifle. I know that is not always true. I load 9mm and 223 for my AR. I shoot IDPA, GSSF and fun range time so I go through a lot of 9mm. With a single stage press you can load 50 to 75 rounds per hour. With the Lee Classic Turret press most people can load 200 + rounds per hour. With a progressive press you should be able to load 400 RPH and up depending on the press. I went with the Classic Turret because it was cheaper than the RCBS or other brand SS presses and will load at least two to three times more per hour. I can load two or three hours twice a week and have 1,000 rounds ready to go. I know I will end up with a progressive some day but the Classic Turret more than meets my needs for now.
Rusty

 

[RustyFN]

Turned out set-up and die adjustment wasn't a big deal,

I agree. Dies aren't hard to set up. All of the dies I have used came with great directions.
Rusty

 

[TEDDY]

reloading

I would get the Lee classic turret.it will do all the calibers [mine do]I took the rod out of the center.decap/size all cases.turn turret powder and put cases in block.check charge with light.turn turret put bullet in case and seat[crimp if needed]I do one step at time.you said 100 cart.this would be best way.when you get to where you feel confident then put rod back and load in sequince.to much at one time can get you confused.progressives are not for small lots.I do have dedicated progressives[3].I also have 15 presses.

 

[RustyFN]

I also have 15 presses.

Holly cow. I need to have my wife read this so she won't be upset when I buy my second.
Rusty

 

[ok41]

Hey SLV

LoadedRound said it best. A good experienced mentor would be my first recommendation. My second would be the same way I had to learn. Read, read, and read some more. I started loading in the sixties, (or maybe the late fifties). It's an age thing. Different manufacturers offer a variety of different bells and whistles. In my opinion, they're all good. Basically, you get what you pay for. Figure out what you expect from reloading, don't start out with a cadillac, and enjoy your hobby. It's still fun for me!:

 

[<SLV>]

My First Loaded Cartridge!

TA-DA! Six months later, and I have my first loaded cartridge. "Born" today, 1/9/07.

.30-06
PMC once-fired brass (200 gr.)
Neck-sized for my Tikka T3
Winchester LR primed
47 gr. IMR4046
Hornady 165 gr. JSP
3.257" OAL (0.043 off lands)

I'm one proud papa! Only took me about 3 hours. Lots of measuring, calculating, remeasuring, getting acquainted with dies, etc. Tomorrow I'll try to get the other 49 sibblings "birthed".

 

[Texastbird]

Nice job, but what press did you end up with?

 

[FieroCDSP]

Welcome to never feeling good paying retail price for ammo again!!! Yeah, give us the equipment info!!!

 

[<SLV>]

I decided on the Lee Classic Cast. It is heavy, steady, and smooth. Volume isn't an issue to me, and I can afford to spend the time on each round -- I actually find it relaxing to go slowly. Everything else in life is rush, rush, rush, so why should hobbies be the same? I know some people want to crank out as many rounds as they can so they can go shoot more, but to me it feels more like art -- the pursuit of perfection -- and that includes the way each round looks.

I got the Hornady "lock-n-load" conversion kit and bushings, but I was disappointed with how they fit with my Lee dies. I could barely get a half turn on the lock nut with the die correctly seated. It is like the Lee dies are too short for the bushings.

I think I will save money with the .30-06 rounds, but I'll probably only shoot 100 rounds/year, so my biggest benefit will be accuracy. My Tikka is set up for 300-400 yard shots, and I want my ammo to be up to the same. Besides being disappointed with the accuracy of my last kill, I was also disappointed with the bullet's terminal performance (Federal Game Shock 180 gr. - 250 yeards - whitetail doe). I passed on the name brand bullets (like Nosler and Barnes) because of the price, and the exit wound was entirely too small and 180 gr. seemd to over-penetrate (looked like I was shooting FMJ). Now I can build EXACTLY what I need for a one-shot kill (I think I'll try the Nosler Ballistic Tips in 125 gr. this fall).

PS - I was never able to find a local mentor, so I have had to rely on this site and books. I have decided that after I learn the ropes well I will mentor others -- it is a little overwhelming at first.

 

[1911NM]

Congrats on the birthing, and welcome to the obsession. That's exactly why I started reloading to get the terminal ballistics I wanted, and never found in factory rounds. Now of course, shooting USPSA, I just want bulk bangers.

 

[xsquidgator]

Congratulations! I just got into reloading a year ago and it really feels good to shoot ammo you made yourself.

The only tweak I might offer up would be to start your reloading operation with some 9mm instead of rifle rounds, just simpler all the way around with hardly any case preparation other than tumbling. Like you I spent about 6 months reading and talking to people before making the plunge and buying equipment. Now that you've started actually loading I'm sure the rate at which you can teach yourself the rest will shoot on up.

 

[RustyFN]

Finally Congratulations and welcome to reloading. The classic cast is a fine press and will serve you well. There's nothing like the feeling of shooting your own reloads for the first time.
Rusty

 

[<SLV>]

RustyFN, I'm a little freaked out about pulling the trigger for the first time on one of my loads. Anyone else here feel some aprehension shooting your first reloads?

xsquidgator, I'm taking my wife on a date to the indoor range tomorrow morning. I hope to generate a fair amount of 9mm brass!

 

[RustyFN]

RustyFN, I'm a little freaked out about pulling the trigger for the first time on one of my loads.

That's why you bring a friend or loved one along to shoot the first couple of rounds. OK I'm just kidding. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't a little nervous. In fact I don't know anybody that wasn't nervous shooting their first. I aimed the gun in the direction of the target, turned my head the other way and pulled the trigger.
Rusty

 

[Deavis]

I hope to generate a fair amount of 9mm brass!

Be careful, if she falls in love shooting 9mm, you're going to need a progressive to feed that habit. I can get by shooting a little rifle, but a 9mm handgun? Throw out some cans and some clays and you can burn a thousand rounds with a buddy in no time. Plus the competitions, who can write their name at 15 yards the best, who can make a circle, who has a faster reaction time, target transition. Is it Saturday yet?

Good luck on your first round. If you did everything right, you'll be fine. Just remember Hatcher's research showed that with proper protection, the operator of a gun that KBs is rarely injured in a significant way.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I was apprehensive the first time I shot my reloads.

I would recommend reloading 10 rounds and then taking them to the range to shoot. If there is something wrong with them you won't need to pull 50 bullets to recover the components.