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I wanna reload... equipment suggestions?

rjloun
I don't know that much on the subject but need to know where to start... I want to start reloading / hand loading my own ammunition and would like to know if the equipment matters much or if they're all pretty much the same? If one brand is REALLY superior to another, why?
I'm wanting to get a set-up mostly for rifle ammo
.204 / .22-250 / .243 / .270 / .308 / .30-06
but would also want reload hand gun ammo in .45acp / 9mm
I understand the supplies I use will be the biggest effect on my loads and that I will figure out down the road, I'm just looking for suggestions on equipment please.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • RCrosby
    Ryan,
    First purchase should be a good loading manual; Lyman, Speer, Lee, any one (and there are many others) would be a good place to start) Before you're done you'll have several, at least.
    You are right, components and the care and uniformity of putting them together are paramount. Some will bad mouth the less expensive equipment like Lee and others may suggest that you spend as much as you can afford and a little more. The simple Lee Loader will give you good ammo, but is very slow. Progressive presses are ultimate for the home reloader in speed but are, IMHO, a poor choice for the beginner. You can't go wrong with a single stage press like the RCBS or Lyman C-presses. Others will be along shortly who are more experienced and articulate than I am. Sit back, listen and learn.
    Good luck.
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  • fordsix
    i have been useing lee presses and dies for 28 years i can just about do anything i want ..get good reloading books and read them all the bullet manufatures put them out. go to reloading forums and ask questionns
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  • nononsense
    rjloun,

    Usually we all want to jump right in on the equipment since it's tangible and the most fun to plan for. I suggest getting at least one good book that is an introduction to the basics of reloading in a detailed overview. Two such books would be:

    The ABC's of Reloading

    http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-C-Rodney-James/dp/0873491904

    Handloader's Digest

    http://www.amazon.com/Handloaders-Digest-Worlds-Greatest-Handloading/dp/087349475X/ref=pd_sim_b_4

    And then buy at least two reloading manuals, many of which can sampled online at the powder manufacturer's websites. You can even start with just the abbreviated versions found online by printing those out then advance to the full book versions a little later. I buy the books new and used in as many editions as I can find. You'll be amazed at the way the data changes over time. Older manuals also feature some powder/bullet combinations that have been forgotten or the data dropped by some manufacturers.

    I don't care what folks suggest as far as Lee products are concerned. You should get a quality single stage press for starters such as the RCBS and skip the Lee stuff. There are kits that have everything to get you started without having to buy individual pieces which makes good sense if those pieces are satisfactory with you. Otherwise you will have to run down each piece to purchase. Skip the electronic scales for the time being and work with the balance beam scales first.

    Quality, consistency and precision are the most important things to concentrate on throughout the process, not speed or high numbers of reloads in short periods of time.

    Best.
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  • Herschel
    There are good buys out there in used reloading presses. Sometimes you can get press, powder scale, etc in a package deal. I recently bought an old, but very stout, RCBS A1 press for $20 at an estate sale.

    I think going to a good bench press at first would be best. You might be content with the Lee but most likely will want to move up to a bigger press.

    PS Looks like nononsense posted his message while I was drafting this. I agree with all he has said.
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  • dannyglides78
    I have used Lee Handloaders in my beginning stages and made some satisfactory reloads, but as was stated by some of the others here, it is extremely slow and I prefer much more accurate powder measurement as a small variation can make a huge difference in chamber pressure, (depending to a large degree to which powder it is that you are using). I would strongly suggest RCBS single stage press and dies and any associated equipment. There are many brands that are more proficent and expensive, but I feel that RCBS is a nice compromise that will serve you for the rest of your life and that of your children/grandchildren, etc. Hope that this helps! Looks like you are getting the best advice you can get as a beginner from the fellow posters!
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  • rjloun
    Thanks for the input so far... I should have been specific on how much I want to spend also.
    Between $400-$500 for a set up. I'm not worried about the speed of loading, more on the consistency and accuracy. I was already leaning toward RCBS or Hornady. RCBS because of the frequency of reference / popularity. And Hornady, because IMO they have the best factory loaded ammo (that I've used) I figured their equipment would be up to the same high quality standards the ammo is.
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  • ENBLOC
    I've acquired different dies, presses. equipment over the years. Mostly Herter's, RCBS, Lee. Start with the calibers your want to load, or acquire others to trade/sell. My Bro-in-law wanted to get started and picked up a package deal from a fellow who wanted to get rid of everything at once. Look at Gun & Knife shows, garage sales, fellow shooters, classifieds. I've got a really neat case trimmer and powder trickler made by a Tool & Die guy. Make your primer pocket cleaners from brass cases flattened on ends and filed to fit pocket. Make powder measures from brass cases. I use these for pistol & shotgun, but hand weigh them too. You take case and cut/trim down to get volume/weight of powder and solder on rifle case/brass rod for handle. You can neve read enough and talk to others!
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  • cowboy38231
    I like my lyman crusher press for the single stage aspect. It's as good as any out there in my opinion. But one of the most important aspects of reloading is consistency and preperation. Most presses will do just fine. But you need a good set of scales and all the other prep tools. Here is a good price on a complete kit under you price range. The t-mag kit is the same price also.

    http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000157810149
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  • tomcat_blackknights
    i concure with what everyone else has wrote. single stage is the only way especially for rifle in my opinion. but when i started out i bought a dillion and was reloading pistol. when i moved to rifle i quit the dillion and bought a rcbs rockchucker, but when i reload my pistol i use my dillion it goes alot faster. because i dont reload fast rounds for pistol i just reload to save money and have alittle fun. a good scale, manuals and a good bench and clean area is the most important thing you will need
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  • hadjii
    I just as well throw my 2 cents in on this. Seeings how nobody has stuck up for redding, I gotta say, I would go with Redding over any other brand. In my opinion they're made better, look better and will last just as long. I have the Redding 7 stage turret press. It is super heavy, super durable, and if you want to load a bunch of calibers, you can buy another turret head that changes out with a single allen head bolt, and keep all your dies set where you want them. The turret press by redding will handle any big calibers you would want to load. The rumors of turret presses not being durable enough are totally false with the redding. Compare the dies that Redding makes with any other brand of die, and you can see a definite quality difference with the Redding, and the difference is for the much better I might add.
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  • RCrosby
    +1, Hadjii, The few Redding dies and tools I have are definately a "cut above". Not that they'll necessarily make better ammo, or last longer, but they sure have that "next level of quality" about them.
    Fine stuff. I'd put Bonanza in the same class. Your budget should work fine for you, especially if you look at used stuff. No reason not too. Unless badly rusted, dropped on concrete from high places, or similarly abused. most of the hardware folks have recommended will outlive you and your kids. [:D]
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  • USN_Airdale
    rjloun.., how much money do you have to spend ? that is most important, if money is no object i recommend you get a Dillon 650 press with all the accessories, dies, scale, case trimmer, etc., plus their manual and video of how to set up and use.

    this set up when you have it all ready to go will serve you, your children, your grand children and many future generations, i just wish a Dillon 650 were available 50+ years ago when i first started reloading.
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