Reloading 38/357

joebarbier

July 01, 2003 16:35

I'm thinking of starting to reload, starting with 38/357 calibers. What type or types of presses are easiest to start with.

Thank you,

Joe

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  PRZNCOP110

  July 02, 2003 00:41

  Good advice above. I like the RCBS, but just about anything from Lee, Lyman and others will do quite well. You can do a search on the forum for this topic, there have been serveral over the past few weeks. If you do get into reloading, only do as the manuals say and dont hesitiate to ask questions here. Good luck!!
  
  
  
  "SOCIETY PREPARES THE CRIME, THE CRIMINAL COMMITS IT"

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  shooter4

  July 02, 2003 03:47

  I was taught to reload on an RCBS, then I moved up to the Dillon 550B.
  
  The single stage press will teach you the fundamentals.

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  Sunray

  July 02, 2003 11:20

  RCBS sells or used to a beginner's kit with all the bits you need to get started sans primer, powder, bullet and cases. You can get quite fast using technique rather than technology. You must use both hands to reload at a reasonable pace. Two bins on either side of your press. One with empties, the other empty. Grab a case with one hane and put it in the shell holder, operate the handle and remove the case with the other hand while reaching for a new case. Repeat until one operation is complete on all your cases. Set up for the next operation.

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  warcrob

  July 02, 2003 13:44

  Lyman, RCBS, and Lee all have starter kits with every thing as far as tools to start reloading. I suggest that you go to midwayusa.com or www.natchezss.com to start.
  
  If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!

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  king999

  July 02, 2003 20:20

  I like the Lyman Turret. It is inexpensive, compact, and is a good comprimise between single stage and automatic.
  Morty
  Have fun, be careful!

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  mark christian

  July 02, 2003 20:51

  The RCBS Rock Chucker is always my choice for the beginner; it can do nearly anything well and you can continue to use it as you advance in the reloading hobby. Morty's suugestion of the turret press is a good one (although seldom mentioned) since this speeds up the reloading process quite a bit, but unlike the progressive presses the turrets don't allow you to get out ahead of yourself and start relying on the machine too much. As a beginning reloader you want to go SLOW and STEADY watching each step. Redding makes an outstanding turret press but it will cost nearly double the price of the Lyman turret (also a fine press) Morty mentioned. .38 is a good cartridge to begin the learning process.
  
  Mark T. Christian

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  warcrob

  July 03, 2003 06:20

  Get a good set of Carbide Dies and you won't need to lube the cases.
  Every set of straight wall pistol dies I own are Carbide Sets. The only time I lube brass is when I do rifle cases and then I use Imperial Sizing Die Wax. It is absolutly one of the best lubricants available and a can will last a very long time. It is not nearly as messy as the old gel type lube and pad method. You can get Imperial Sizing Die Wax at midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/519525
  
  If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!

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  Xracer

  July 03, 2003 06:38

  Well, for once, everybody gave you good advice Joe.
  
  Start inexpensive and simple, get a good book on reloading, be very, very careful, and ENJOY!

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  Iconoclast

  July 03, 2003 07:24

  RCBS kit (their products / warranty / customer service is as good as it gets at the beginner level), Lyman manual - reading it carefully before doing anything else! - and decent dial caliper. With this set up, you can load any metallic cartridge (except the .50 BMG!) in use today (you do need different dies for different calibers). Do also buy a die set with carbide sizer. The premium will be recovered in the value of your time in short order. I loaded xxx,000 rounds on my first Rockchucker and it was undoubtedly one of the best investments I've ever made.

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