Starting to reload....

[Sapper_Daddy]

Hey hows it going, guys and gals. Recently been thinking about starting to reload. Calibers to include .45,.44,.223 and.308. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a reasonably priced setup that could get me started, press wise that is.

Thanks a ton
Brandon

 

[red rick]

I just got into reloading myself. I chose a Lee Classic Turret Press. I am using it single stage for now until I get more experience. A turret press gives you the ability to load faster than a single stage, so I figure I can grow into it.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i think the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme kit is an excellent value. you get quality equipment with an unbeatable warranty. you may add more equipment, presses, etc., but you'll always have a need for the items in that kit. there are cheaper kits, but they are lower quality and include items you may quickly outgrow.

 

[Potatohead]

What they said^^^^ I just started myself and bought the LCT (not the kit)...I really like it. I think I would really enjoy the Chucker too because I kind of like to go step by step a little slower than some probably. And I'm not trying to say the Chucker is slow, Ive really just found that I'm kind of a "batch" guy...

 

[steve4102]

Because you are going to load both rifle and pistol, I would suggest a Turret press.

Pistol ammo requires 3-4 different dies and the turret head really comes in handy.

The Lee 4 hole Turret is very popular and comes highly recommended by those that use it. I have an RCBS turret and it has served me well. If I had to do it all over again I would go with the Redding Turret T-7 press.

 

[gspn]

This is a link to a post at the top this reloading section. it remains one of the best "reads" for new reloaders that I've ever seen. Check it out...it is FULL of great knowledge that will help you arrive at the right decision:


http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-238214.html

 

[oldpapps]

Best advise is as always, 'Read and learn first'.

Read the stickies (above), get a couple or more reloading books and know what you want to do before you start spending cash. Loading is not a race. Take your time in each step, safety first.

With the above understood. I load each of the rounds you have listed and have not found any great secret or qurk in the loading of them. I would advise to begin with just one, only one and learn the process in full. I would also opt to start with one of the pistol rounds first. (reason - straight wall case, usually sized with a carbide die/no or limited lubrication needed, very seldom will primers be crimped in, a bit more forgiving). Both the 44 and 45 are good choices (I would start with the 44 if it were me).

To formulate your load/s. Use well respected sources and compare several for consistency. Internet listing from un-proven sources should be used only as reference points and not taken as being true. The listed 'Starting' loads are just that, a place to start. The listed 'Max Loads' are not a challenge, so until you have greater experience (and a chronograph), don't push it. More often than not the best accuracy is NOT at a max load.
Pick you components from what is the main stream standards. Why? They have been tried, fully tested and found suitable and safe. Save the ultra X factor experimenting until you have mastered the basics. This gos for rifle loading the same.

When loading for 'auto-loaders', the additional aspect of action function comes into play. Just one more of the enjoyments.

Read, think, ask questions and if you can find a mentor.

Always error on the side of safety.

 

[grubbylabs]

Get a generic book, like the Lyman 49th and a bullet specific book like a Hornady or Speer or who ever you think you might buy your premium rifle bullets from. Having both is good because you will without a doubt start purchasing bulk bullets especially for the hand guns and 223 if its an AR. Like oldpapps said, its nice to be able to compare data. You will start to understand that some bullet makers use some powders while others don't. For example Speer uses IMR 4064 for their 165 grain 308 bullets while Hornady does not. IMR 4064 is very popular as an accuracy powder and Hornady uses it for quite a few of their other bullets, they just don't use it for the 165 grainers for some reason. So after you get the basics of loading down you can start looking at scenarios like the one I just mentioned and you will be able to load what you want with what you want within reason.

As far as the press goes, if your set on getting a kit I would without reservation get a RCBS or Hornady, both are the best and you won't be unhappy with either.

If not getting a kit I would look into getting the Lee turret press. I have not operated one my self but its reputation speaks volumes. In the whole of the internet I have yet to hear a bad comment about that press. Lots of bad about plenty of their other stuff, just not their single stage and turret press's. I would not under any circumstances buy a kit from Lee. Most of what you get in it will likely be replaced with higher quality stuff sooner rather than later.

If you are inclined, and are able to pay attention and like mechanical devices a progressive press might also be the way to go with the addition of a solid single stage. I use my single regularly to work on rifle stuff. If your rifles are AR's and you use a ball powder, you will like the progressive. After the brass is prepped you can really crank out some rifle ammo.

As far as progressive presses go I would would not feel bad about getting any of the big three's auto indexing, RCBS,Hornady, or Dillon. If you can read and follow instructions and go one step at a time you will be fine with a progressive.

 

[warhwkbb]

After reloading for 20 years, I finally got a progressive. However, I still have a single stage mounted on my reload bench and find it invaluable for many tasks.
A single stage is still money well spent.

 

[gamestalker]

I've been very happy with my single stage presses for a good 30 yrs., but really I don't have a need to load any faster than that. But for bottle neck cartridges, I much prefer the single stage personally.

That said, I do it all manually, no fancy powder measures, or anything on a large scale. To date, I've never had a problem of any sort, or any load that didn't function as intended.

GS

 

[11c2v]

If you're not going progressive, I would go with the Redding T7 also.
Saves a ton of time not resetting your dies EVERY time you change cartridges.

 

[GLOOB]

Just the dies you listed will cost more than a decent SS press. That's where I would start. If you don't like it, you can upgrade later without losing much of anything. You'll need the dies, no matter where you end up. If you start with a progressive and you don't like it, you'll also have 3-4 sets of shell plates that only work on that machine for those calibers. That's harder to sell and recoup your money.

I'm partial to Lee SS presses. Their progressive presses are known to have bad priming systems. But the Breechlock and Classic SS have really, really good priming systems. I'll prime on a Lee SS over any hand primer out there. It's hard to describe how poor the priming system is on some of the other presses, from the perspective of workflow efficiency. It's one of those things you have to figure out for yourself.

 

[PonyKiller]

I'm new to it as well. I bought a Lee breechlock classic kit, bought their dies. Been pleased overall. I'm in the load development phase. Once you've got a load settled on, I can see The process being pretty darn quick to make a batch up. To me it seems pretty straight forward and easily repeatable. At least with the powder I have the powder measure has been right on, once dialed in. my .02

 

[Sapper_Daddy]

Thanks gentlemen, appreciate all the feedback. Will be sure to let ya'll know what I end up with!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Click on that link gspn provided. I consider it a must read before buying equipment if you're unfamiliar with things. It has tons of great info to get you started. Lots of information about various types of equipment and the advantages/disadvantages of each.