Cheap Start to Reloading?

   / Cheap Start to Reloading? #31  
After 10 yrs or so of reloading, I just bought a set of check weights (Lyman) to make absolutely sure that my balance beam scales (Pacific and RCBS) are accurate. I will be shocked if either is out more than 0.1 grn. Check weights are surprisingly expensive!

My recommendation on equipment is to first think hard about how you will "do" reloading. For me, it is an enjoyable hobby, done mostly for the satisfaction of doing a precision job exactly to MY standards. Not to save $. Not to load gobs of practice ammo to quickly burn through. Definitely TO be something "immersive" where ALL distractions MUST be shut off (similar to motorcycle riding). I intentionally go very slow, make lots of notes, and just enjoy the process. I like to experiment with different bullet designs, powder burn rates, and powder charges to find a combination that works well in my particular firearm. But also understand that with hundreds or thousands of different "recipes" in your reloading manuals, this can sometimes seem overwhelming and frustrating!

With these constraints, a plain old, super-solid RCBS Rock Chucker single-stage has served me very well. Most any dies, carbide strongly preferred. I have heard a few adverse comments about Lee from time to time. RCBS manual powder dispenser. A case trimmer. I really like a hand primer tool best. Much better "feel" for when the primer hits bottom in the pocket. I do use an inexpensive case vibrator and walnut or corncob media because I enjoy shiny cases. Get one of those fine $10 digital calipers from Harbor Freight.
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading?
  • Thread Starter
#32  
I forgot to mention, I have a good set of digital calipers already, so that's $25 i don't have to spend.
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading?
  • Thread Starter
#33  
Although, it's probably the least cost savings, would 9mm be the best to start with? Are there certain cartridges that are less forgiving than others? I've read that .40 S&W is bad, but I had no intention of loading it. Is pistol easier than rifle, vice versa, or same? I see you can get 500 once fired brass, with 500 124 gr plated projectiles for around $65 as a combo.
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading? #34  
Its cheaper to buy 9mm ammo you are at .13 a round no powder or primers target sports usa has it for .19 a round free shipping
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading? #35  
Although, it's probably the least cost savings, would 9mm be the best to start with? Are there certain cartridges that are less forgiving than others? I've read that .40 S&W is bad, but I had no intention of loading it. Is pistol easier than rifle, vice versa, or same? I see you can get 500 once fired brass, with 500 124 gr plated projectiles for around $65 as a combo.

9 is easy to reload, but I don't see any difference in loading .40 or .45 on my press. All straight wall pistol cartridges with carbide dies are pretty easy to reload. All rifle cartridges are more work due to needing to trim and also lube. Not that lubing is that big of a deal with the spray on lubes. In my opinion the best way to get once fired brass it to make it. Yep, buy ammo, and turn it into once fired brass. I have loaded thousands and thousands, of .40 from range pickup brass. Clean it in a vibratory tumbler, and load. So I don't know where the .40 is bad comes from.
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading? #36  
Its cheaper to buy 9mm ammo you are at .13 a round no powder or primers target sports usa has it for .19 a round free shipping

That is certainly a consideration. Of course those supplies can dry up pretty quick due to political considerations, and it is nice to have a few thousands of bullets a few pounds of powder, and a few thousand primers and your range pickups for brass. Tumble and sort the brass and start assembling.
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading? #37  
It depends. It depends upon where you shoot. Indoor ranges in my area don't allow home grown loads, they can be dirty or even dangerous if not properly following a reliable recipe.
I used to develop loads for my 357's. I logged what the recipe was, how it performed for accuracy, speed, etc. in those days I would shoot about 400 rounds from my revolvers every week. I have a couple of Lee loaders. The progressive works but I don't believe was as consistently accurate regarding loads and crimp as my single stage.
I am also a Skeet enthusiast. Not serious about it, certainly no more than 100 rounds per month (4 boxes of shells). Again, 20 years ago, when I was shooting that many a week I got into reloading shots shells for economics. But the economics today are different. The components cost more when comparing to target loads available at the club.
I still reload shots shells because I find it relaxing. The MEC loaders I have, serve me well.
So, it depends, how much you shoot, where you shoot, and why you want to reload.
 
   / Cheap Start to Reloading? #38  
I've been reloading for 35 years. I started by buying a set of dies for 45acp, and using a friends setup. I got a feel for what I needed, and then built my setup around a RCBS Rockchucker.

For what the OP wants to do, this setup as mentioned earlier, would work fine to start.
Amazon.com : Lee Precision Anniversary Challenger Kit II : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

That setup, with a set of dies for your first caliber would get you going. As has been noted earlier, for pistol/straight wall cases, get carbide die set. I reloaded a box of 45acp 35 years ago with plain sizer die. Carbide are much nicer to use.

I would start, with a reloading book, and read over the whole process, before buying a reloading setup. Get an idea for what you're about to try. Then I'd start with 9mm or .40; those are both simple to reload.

You can get fancier equipment, but that Lee setup will do what you need just fine for rifle and pistol.

Shotgun shells I would use a loader just for shotgun shells. But as been mentioned, the target loads are cheap right now; 100 packs of Federal 12g $20 at Wally World.

For the Lee kit, it will do all you need. I personally like to have a couple different reloading books to reference and compare. I have Lyman, RCBS and Speer books on the shelf.

I like reloading, the working up and testing recipes. I like to cook; it reminds me of trying different cooking recipes.
 

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