BEGINNER RELOADER
[?]I recently retired and this winter I will try my hand at reloading. I will primarily reload, .40S&W, 38 special, 357Mag, 30 carbine, 30-30, 270 & 308. OK! I would like to know since I am going to reload common calibers, what would be the best reloading book I could get that would explain every step as to the why's, what's,and how's that pertain to the calibers I will be reloading. I know most every loader has a favorite so lets see if everyone can agree on a specific book that I could buy to get me started. I primarily target shoot. I don't hunt anymore in California after being shot at several times while hunting so paper is all I shoot, besides I won't give the state any money if I don't have to so I will stick with my fishing license which is $45.00 a year. I will appreciate all comments on starter reloading equipment, starter components and any special tools which I might need when reloading. Thank you. Bob[?][?]
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I would recommend the Lyman manual and the RCBS Rock Chucker master kit. 0 -
74man,
If you plan on venturing in to rifle reloading I would get a heavy press to start with. RCBS Rockchucker is my first pick. You can get a progressive {edit: once you get up to speed with the single stage} that's heavier and can handle rifle reloads if you plan on reloading a lot. {EDIT:} The Rockchucker master kit is the way to go as Pearyw said.
As far as books I would get two or three of the bullets you use most. I have Nosler, Speer(2), Sierra(2) and Hornady(2) and several individual caliber books. I always like to have a good cross reference. Especially since I reload a bunch of odd calibers.
Generally for dies, Lee standard and RCBS are good. Redding is a bit better (not always) and Lee collet dies are good, except you can't adjust sizing depth with them. for benchrest Forster and Wilson are two big names.
Sorry to hear you don't hunt California anymore. There's some great areas out there. Obviously, a ton of people wanting to shoot though makes it a lot harder.0 -
You might also want to try Dillon. Love my 550B and they have a no 'BS' warranty. 0 -
I agree with sandwarrior, Rockchucker is a great starter. You can reload almost anything with it. I graduated to a Dillon 550 when they first came out, only because I would go out and blast 1000 round over a weekend.
Good books: ABCs of reloading, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee, and any of the Handloading Digests.0 -
My two cents worth would say if you're just getting into the reloading game,avoid anything "progressive" or multi-stage.
Shortcuts are only quicker paths to bigger problems.0 -
xxcross has a VERY good point.
A single press will always be needed from time to time, no matter how much or little you reload, so no money wasted on a simple press.
Start with the straight side cases, as they are easiest to reload. Why not get a lot of learning in on the easier rounds. They can be resized with carbide resizing dies and require no sizing lube. Loading the straight side calibers will let you find that 'sweet load' that can greatly improve your groups...that is very satisfying.
Then move to your rifle / necked cases. Go progressive if you want, the majority of loaders don't, but suit yourself and ENJOY !0 -
I would not recommend any one book, get several. Have as many good informative, printed resources as possible. The Lee Modern Reloading was the first book I read. The NRA's reloading instruction book is a good book to read to learn how, why, ect.
I think either the Lee Classic Cast single stage press or the RCBS Rock Chucker press would be a good choice for a beginner. If you decide to go to a progressive press later, like gotstolefrom said, no money wasted, a single stage will always be needed from time to time. Good luck, have fun, and be safe![:D]
I think a hand priming tool is a good idea as well, you get a better feel for seating the primer by hand than you do when seating primers on your press.0 -
If you want to do it safely, get several loadbooks AND a few reloading manuals. The loadbooks will give a range of different powders and bullets for any one load/caliber, and the manuals will give you the tips and tricks to do it safely.
It's possible to use a progressive as a single stage, and there's nothing more tedious than setting a die up to resize and deprime, and then you have to take it out of the press to do anything else! The worst part is that even with the best die lock rings; the setting will change when you put it back in!
I started with a Rockchucker many years ago, and the fastest way to become an ex-reloader is to bog yourself down with the tedium of depriming, remove the die, screw in another, resize, remove the die, screw in another, seat the bullet, remove the die, etc. and I didn't include all the setting and fretting with each die each time you put it in or take it out. This procedure, multiplied by 50 is what it takes to load ONE BOX of ammo.
I now use a Dillon RL550B for all my calibers (all you mentioned plus 30-06, 7mmMag, 32ACP, 357Sig, 10MM, 9MM, 6.5Carcano, 300WM, .243Win, 7.62X39, 7.62X54 and about 15 others), and with careful deliberation and focus I can do 500 rounds/hour of match quality ammo without breaking a sweat.
On occasion, I will tailor a specific lot for a specific rifle for a specific purpose, and then it's almost all done by hand. I use a lee hand primer and a Forster case trimmer, a Midway case neck turning tool, primer pocket uniformer, and vernier caliper, Redding dies, and a digital scale from PACT to set my powder dispenser.
You'll need a space that will allow you silent, undisturbed alone time so you have no distractions while reloading. You will also need a sturdy bench to secure your press to, and possibly your powder measure as well.
When you get your first manual, read it several times, paying special attention to the warnings about handling primers and powder. It will give you an idea of which loads you'll want to start with, and give you an idea of which powders you will want to stock up on.
Sorry for the ramble, but there's a lot of learning and some very specific tools you'll need, and that's just the beginning!0 -
congrats on retiring.
I have 4 yrs to go.
Yes the Lyman reloading
book is a great manual ,also buy
a couple more. I have the Lyman
and a Speer manual, The only
issue I have is one of the manuals
over the other has a contradicting
max loads, so use caution and good
sense, ask people on forums, cruise
the web, read everything you can
find about reloading and use good common
sense. I reload because of the savings
but mostly because I find it therapeutic.
good luck and good shooting.
rong0 -
Go with the Rock Chucker starter kit. It won't have every single item you need, bud it is a very good start. My RC has been working fine for 35 years. 0 -
There's quite a bit of reloading info available online.
www.hodgden.com/
I've also had good luck e-mailing powder manufacturers looking for load info.
GH1[:)]0
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