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Reloading

Appalachian American

Appalachian American

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Oct 8, 2009
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I'm looking to get started with reloading. I have various calibers .308, .556, 30-06, 44mag, .40cal, .380 and probably a few others I can't remember right now.

Two questions:

1. Where do I get started?
2. How much shooting before the stuff pays for itself?

Thanks in advance.
Appalachian
 
I shoot alot I don't know if it pays or not it probley does. At least I can tune my loads to my gun witch is what I want. There are a number of supply houses that have What you would need to get started. The biggest problem right now is brass bullets powder and primers are in short supply.
 
Get with someone who knows how to reload and ask to look over their shoulder a bit. Get a good, current manual or two (Lyman is my preference).

Like has already been stated, supplies and components are VERY scarce right now, but:

I like RCBS equipment for quality, customer service and guarantee. Starter kits can usually be had for relatively inexpensive, and should have most of what you need to get started.

Sierra or Hornady projectiles make for good, yet inexpensive projectiles

You will need to buy several different makes of powder to fit your various caliber needs and find what your particular guns like
 
I'd start with the one I shot the most.

Lee's stuff is fairly inexpensive and for just casual reloading it works. Even with it, though, you'll have a pretty good cash outlay to get started.
 
A lot of people get into reloading for saving money but its really more about accurate rounds.. for the calibers you have I would suggest relaoding the 556 and 308 first.. also check your range for any brass that hasn't been scrounged up.

As far as getting started.. I would get 2 books
ABCs of Reloading (lee)
Hornady Reloading manual

read both of these and it will give you a plethora of knowledge.

The main thing about reloading is checking for pressure signs..once you identify these you will be fine..

also, you can luck up every now and tehn and find used equipment on CL/ebay.. and the presses are made to last forever so there is really no advantage to buying new.. other than availability.. PM me if you have any other questions..
 
Handloading is more of a hobby like shooting and less of a financial investment. As others have said you can tighten up your groups, tailor a load to your gun or game, and yes in certain circumstances save considerable money. Don't expect to break even on your equipment purchase for a long time. I spent about $350 on my gear and as much as I shoot I might break even in 10 years. Most people handload to shoot more for the same cost, not save.

To save the most you will need to buy bulk bullets and powder. Pick up range brass to save even more but inspect carefully.

My two books I recommend are the Lee book, Modern Reloading Second Edition. Great book lots of info. ABC's of Reloading by Bill Chevalier. 8th edition is most current I believe.

My personal preference for gear is new. Many people think that their 25 year old press and dies are worth 95% of what a new one would cost you anyways. I prefer Redding but any company will do even Lee are fine. If you only intend to do 20 to 100 rounds every now and then a Lee kit is probably all you need. If your going to handload because you shoot 500 rounds of 45 every weekend, you should look at getting a progressive press.
 
One word of advice I can offer is to never ever get loading data from websites like this one. Only get data from the powder or bullet manufacturers. There are some people who know what they are talking about on the internet and some who don't. You can never know which one you are "talking" to so why risk it? I have been reloading since 1977 and I have never broken this rule. With all the multitude of loads from the big companies who make the components AND do pressure tests, why even look elswhere?

Beyond that, I'd say start with just the basic tools. You need a press, dies and a powder scale. You can get by with nothing more. I know - I started as a kid and had no money so had to start with the very basics. IF you decide you really enjoy it, you can then add a powder dropper to speed your operation up. A case trimmer and deburring tool will soon need to be added if you are shooting a rifle that stretches cases to the point where case mouths are jamming into the front of the chamber pinching case necks and raising pressure. You'll find the case trimmer very handy too if you reload for a revolver and try crimping cases when you get a batch of cases with varying lengths and crimp some so much that they won't chamber. :) I've been there a time or two when starting out.........

I like the RCBS brand but have a little of several other brands that I like too.

To sum it up, start with the basics and be careful, methodical, conservative and get data from a safe source! Oh yeah, about saving money......well, theoretically you will but as soon as you realize that you are saving you'll start shooting more and there go your savings! Have fun.
 

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