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Reloading?

hivoltg
I am new to this whole gun thing. I have always owned a fire arm or two.

I now and trying to build a assortment of firearms.

I am wanting to know if there is a good and RIGHT way to get started in reloading?

I also would like to know about reloading the 12GA mini shells. I, my wife and two children love shooting this shell. We would like to be able to shoot it alot more by reloading. Any suggestions?

Were is the best source for reloading equipment?

I see this as a hobby. I would not mind a capitol investment as long as I can enjoy it. I do not plan on reloading everything. I just think I would really like to reload verses shoot. It just seems like a real science. I love science.

I would like to start on maybe the Mini 12ga, 45 cal, 223, or the 380?

Any hints or help would be great!

Also, how about starter kits?

If You were going to say sink 3k in reloading equipment. what would you buy and why?



The one and only daytrader.
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • hivoltg
    What can I look at spending to get set up to start reloading, maybe one or two calibers? Does anyone sell a "starter kit" or something similar? Also, what is the best way to learn this art? Can it be done from books and if so which books do you recommend? I have never done any reloading but have come into some money and think it would be an interesting hobby.
    Thanks for the help

    KungFu.gif
    Opinions are like azzholes, eveyone's got one, and this just happens to be mine!
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  • Tailgunner1954
    Cheapest way is the LEE kit, but be prepaired to upgrade a lot of the components (comes with the LEE manual).
    Best way IMHO is the RCBS kit (comes with the Speer manual).
    With either kit you will need to add a couple more manuals, 6" calipers, components and the dies for each of the calibers your planning to reload.
    The first thing to do is pick up a manual, and study it. Don't worry about all the data yet, concintrate on the "getting started" stuff.


    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • hivoltg
    Which book will help me get started best? And where do I find a copy?

    KungFu.gif
    Opinions are like azzholes, eveyone's got one, and this just happens to be mine!
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  • Colonel Plink
    I like the RCBS starter kit, too. Just do one thing before you start pouring powder into brass...Read the book. I don't mean just give it a glance. Read the thing all the way through. You'll find the answers to questions you'd be asking here on GB or at the local gun shop. I'm serious...read the book before you load.

    "When the going gets weird, the Weird turn pro"
    Hunter S. Thompson"
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  • Tailgunner1954
    If you have a favorate bullet (IE Nosler, Sierra, Hornady), the manual put out by that company would be a good one to have. The book "ABC's of Reloading" is another good basic referance, as is the Lyman manual.
    Make sure that you have " www.midwayusa.com " on your favorates list, they sell everything except the primers and powder (considering the $20/package Hazmat fee these items are normaly less expensive to purchase localy).

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • hedgehopper62
    I have a starter kit,its a lyman spar-t turet press,auto primer feed,with D-7 scale and lyman no 55 powder measure,1 set of dies and operating instructions for same.the frieght would be high.e-mail me at hedgehopper62@yahoo.com.tks hedge
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  • rimfire72
    You might want to check out our reloading forum. Its disguised as a paintball forum.

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  • ern98
    If you have a gun store or shooting range in the area they often will have a board for folks to post non sale type notices. If you nose around you might find a reloading club where you could get some starter experience. We used to have a reloading supply store here abouts that would have starter groups, which never hurt their sales, for people to learn the basic in. The big thing you need to decide is are you loading for volume or quality. When I started reloading it was because my friends and I were shooting up alot of semi auto pistol and rifle ammo. Nowadays, I load limited runs of high quality bolt rifle rounds, usually not more then 40x per caliber. The type of gear can/will differ between the two mind sets and production wants.
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  • Throckmorton
    If it's quality and perfection you want,let's say,get a really decent cast iron press.If' you're thinking quantity,get a cheaper single stage press like the Lee Challenger to learn the basics on and THEN step up to a progressive.Even at a slow steady pace a machine like the Dillon Square deal b can produce 300 rounds per hour.200 would be a snap.Pistol rounds only on that particular press,but there are many to choose from.
    Drop on over to the reloading/paintball forum for more info. :)


    Throckmorton SASS #23149
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  • hivoltg
    I will be reloading to get quality rifle rounds. I feel that I would take great pride in knowing that the rounds I was firing were mine and they were the best thing that I could put through my rifle to gain maximum performance.
    Thanks for the help

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    Opinions are like azzholes, eveyone's got one, and this just happens to be mine!
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  • Gunslinger2005
    As far as reloading mauals go, the Lyman manual gives a lot of info (dimensions, etc.) that will help in setting up your dies for the particular type bullet weight and design you'll be using. Then, like some of the others have said, if you like a bullet from a particular manufacturer (Nosler, Hornady, etc.) get their manual too. Same thing goes for the powder manufacturers. You can't have too many manuals - compare the loads from one to another. Start low, and move up slow.
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  • danski26
    I started with the lyman manual. Lots of good info in it. I think the NRA puts on classes also. Hornady also makes a good manual and they are a life saver "sometimes literally" with there "tech support". Handloader magazine is a bit dry but lots of good info some advanced.

    If you start with lee you will want to upgrade soon. if you start with RCBS or Redding it will last you a lifetime. Get a single stage press to start out with because you will always need one. I prefer the heavier ones. RCBS rock-chucker and Redding ultra mag are good ones.

    Dies stay with hornady, RCBS and redding and they will last you a life time also. There are a few other good ones also.

    Used equiptment think twice about till you know what to look for. there is usually a reason the person is trying to get rid of it.

    Where to get it if you don't have a local store, you can mail order. Graf & sons, Midway, lock stock and barrel and dillion are all good companies.

    Get out there and start rolling your own. You may have bought your last factory box of ammo. "Don't remember the last one i bought and i've only been reloading for 8 years"

    danski
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  • badwrench
    Being a KISS (keep it stupid, simple!) kind of person, I like the Lee Loader. At less than $20 for the whole kit (I'm just getting started in reloading and only plan on reloading .357 Magnums) it suits my needs just fine.

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