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How to get started in reloading

A couple or three good reloading books, preferably a person who has reloaded for a while that can help show you the ropes, and then, for starters, an all in one kit would probably be the cheapest way to go initially. Have asked upteen questions to some of the guys on here and that I know that have reloaded for years...invaluable imo.
 
i got started with one of the all in one kits from RCBS. read the book cover to cover before i started and used the minimal powder charges on the first few batches. develop a system of doing everything exactly the same. consistency.
 
Pick out a kit that's in your price range, pick up some dies and components then spend a few nights watching tutorials on YouTube. Ask us questions here on anything you don't understand then bite the bullet (so to speak) and load up a few.

A lot of people think they'll save money reloading but to be quite honest, unless you shoot a lot each year it'll take a long time to see any savings out of it. It's a pretty good hobby though. You'll get a lot of trigger time just finding what loads work best which in turn will make you a better shooter.
 
Pretty much what folks have already stated. Read all the material, ask questions, get a mentor, go slow, be careful.

I would add: pick one cartridge and focus on learning the ropes before you start expanding your horizons.

I don't like kits. I do like turret presses. I do not hate Lee. I like to read a manual from a bullet manufacturer because they have some serious skin in the game. Get a micrometer.
 
DaveB said:
Pretty much what folks have already stated. Read all the material, ask questions, get a mentor, go slow, be careful.

I would add: pick one cartridge and focus on learning the ropes before you start expanding your horizons.

I don't like kits. I do like turret presses. I do not hate Lee. I like to read a manual from a bullet manufacturer because they have some serious skin in the game. Get a micrometer.
Click to expand...

i think he means a dial caliper
 
Read. Read. Read. And then read some more. Then read again. Then decide if u want to put at least $1000 into a hobby u will see no money saving in. U will shoot more and spend more if u choose to reload. If u are wanting to reload for just the sake of reloading....don't. Just save ur money and buy factory ammo. If u want to see if u can get ur gun to shoot a particular powder and charge at a certain fps with an exact bullet seated at an exact depth.... Then buy a press and a good set if beam scales and as many manuals as u can get a hold of. Then start buying ur powders, bullets, primers, brass ect. See it really costs u $ rather than saving. If u reload, u will shoot more.
 
Load for a single cartridge you can get equipped for less than 500.00 and some of what you purchase will still be here and be used 20 years from now. My scale, primer tool, case trimmer, Dial caliper, 1st press, first ever die set, all more than 20 years old.

Since I load for 10 calibers my incremental cost is minimal: 22-250, 223, 243, 270, 7mm08, 280, 308, 30.06, 300 WSM, 300 WinMag(2).

Reloading is a hobby. If you get in to it to save money you will not necessarily do so.
 
I would say that if you are wanting to reload only because of the recent outragous prices of factory ammo and you don't shoot other than hunting, don't bother with trying to reload. The components are just as hard to find as factory ammo and not cheap either.

On the other hand if you do shoot a lot go for it. I like the kits because they do let you save a little money and get everything you need at once, but some of them include things that a beginner don't have to have. All you truly have to have to start is a press, dies, powder funnel and powder scale. You don't have to get real fancy with precision bullet seating in relationship to the rifling and things some would have you believe are required. A cheap caliper is handy to have but honestly you can simply set your bullet seater die using a factory load with a similar bullet, shoot a few and adjust from there as group size dictates. I know how to do it cheap because I was just 19 and broke when I started. :) Later on you can get wild with turning case necks, cutting primer pockets and flash holes, checking bullet runout and all that stuff that us nuts do. :)

The main thing I'd recommend for a starter is to always get your load data from a reliable source such as a bullet or powder manufacturer. Don't ever EVER get a load from some guy on the internet. Even if it's me. If you blow up a gun and get hurt or worse, you can't go back. :)
 
I have shot almost 1,000 rounds of 6.5x47 Lapua since June 6,,that would be about 2,300$$ in Lapua factory ammo,,I have less than 600$ in the handloaded ammo and still have 99 pieces of brass,,I lost one in some tall grass,
 
:D Yep, its a hobby most like anything else, but very intricate, and very rewarding at times. Pretty much can't be a slob and expect good, SAFE results either. Concentration and dedication to detail are paramount imo.
 
What all the other have said and then some. Make sure you really want to then read then talk to a friend who reloads. I know of some who have reloading equipment setting doing nothing.
 

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