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Reloading Equipment - Good Starter Setup?

Tulsa-Bill
I am thinking of starting to reload.

Any comments or reviews on popular starter setups. I've been hunting and shooting for over 40 years with factory ammo. I have several different caliber rifles and pistols and recently added a couple new handguns to the mix and want to be able to reload everything. Would the dies for 380 auto and 9 mm be the same? What about .38 special and .357 Magnum?

I have tried to save my brass over the years so I figure I could build a pretty good inventory of ammo if I started reloading. Its getting hard to find reasonable stock in stores or on line these days.

Also, last year a friend loaded up some 270Win rounds for me and my groups improved quite a bit. I would like to experiment with my various guns and loads to get the best accuracy possible.

Thanks for the advice.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • bobski
    this. honest. best deal in town.
    http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=125791207
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  • bobski
    every caliber requires different dies.
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  • Arby
    You can reload .38 spcl and .357 mag with the same dies. Switching from .38 spcl to .357 mag requires a spacer between the die and the press. I am no expert but I think these are the only calibers that use the same dies.
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  • Arby
    I have used a RCBS Rock Chucker II press for many years with out any problems. It came as a complete set with everything needed to get started...I added a measuring caliper and a bullet puller. There are probably some very good deals around...
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  • A J Christ
    Yes, some dies can be used for 2 different cartridges.

    38 special and 357 magnum

    40 S & W and 10 mm

    These come to mind as I have them and reload them.

    Believe that only straight wall cases work, don't think but I may be wrong, that 9mm dies willnot work on 380, those have some sort of a taper.

    I've been reloading since '73. Started with the Lee reloader set where you used a hammer, a dipper to measure powder. The good old days. Now have multiple presses, use RCBS, Lee, Lyman and Hornady products. Top of the line is Dillon, least expensive, note I did not say cheapest, is Lee.

    Good luck with it, buy and read at least 2 manuals, be careful, ask questions if something is not clear or you don't understand and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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  • armilite
    44 MAG, 44 Special 44 Russian
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  • nononsense
    Tulsa-Bill,

    O.K., I'll say it. If you have to have the cheapest, buy the Lee kit and hope the handle doesn't break. Cabela's has it for less money than the link above.

    I have more Rock Chuckers than I can count but I'm not near my bench either! [:D]

    I have Lyman presses, RCBS, Dillon and Redding beside several custom presses and ones I've designed and built for myself. Of all of these, any of the single-stage presses will be the best choice for the beginner. Trying to learn the ins and outs of reloading while running a multi-station progressive press is a lot to bite off at one time. You should also consider the used market. I am continually amazed at the gear I can find in terrific shape at reduced prices because it's slightly used.

    Best.
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  • one2hutn
    Bill. I don't know if you've got a Cabelas near you but I hooked up at the one here. Go to the bargain cave if you're near one. I got a Lyman pro loader's kit at a really, really good price. I am not a veteran loader but do have some experience loading and I have confidence in Lyman equipment.
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  • FEENIX
    I have the Lyman T-mag deluxe set from BassPro for $299 but is currently backordered. They also 6-month pay plan for anything over $125 that expires 7 Apr.

    LYMAN.jpg

    Good luck!

    Ed
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  • Mobuck
    If you are real sure you are going to continue to reload for some time, an investment in more expensive equipment would pay off. If you just want to to try it out, high dollar stuff would just waste money if you don't like it. Right now used equipment is going pretty high so new would be the better choice. I load quite a bit of ammo is several calibers and most of my equipment is Lee. It's reliable and relatively cheap. The presses wear out quicker than steel but in my case it is acceptable. Dies in shorter straight walled cases can be use to load longer cases but they won't size the case all the way to the base. In some of the hotter pistol cartridges, a bulge just in front of the rim will not get resized preventing chambering of the finished round. Using longer dies to load shorter cases won't allow you to crimp the bullet in the shorter casse.
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