Cheap Start to Reloading?

[paulsharvey]

So, I ordered the Lee C-Clamp press ($32.09), Hornady American 3-Die set ($34, but you get 100 free bullets with mail in rebate), WAOAW digital scale ($19.99), Hornady funnel ($3.47), Lee Powder scoops ($10.99). Still need powder (Hs-6, CFE pistol, Universal; depending on what's in stock), Primers, projectiles, Lube ...

I'll be right at $150, with 1 pound of powder, 200 projectiles, reusing by Blazer Brass,

I went 9mm Para, even though I know the savings won't be there. More as a first step, see if I'm going to actually enjoy it, then next would be 7.62x39 and 6.5 Grendel.

 

[paulsharvey]

I will start by using .40 cal brass brush and small scraper to clean brass... and may upgrade to vibratory tumbler in the future.

I do get everyone's point that was saying, buy once buy good equipment and not have to buy later. The issue is if I'm going to be in this $500 to start with I won't ever be in it to start with. If I do end up really enjoying it and upgrading later I can always use the press as a dedicated depriming station or something of the like. I was kind of torn on the Hornady dies because they're not carbide there some sort of nitrated titanium but I went that direction just to get the hundred free bullets

 

[FarmWrench]

I started for only one caliber, with a Lee loader. The type you hit with a hammer, no press involved.

Currently using a hand press (it will easily FL resize 7.62-51 machine gun brass and will pull the rim off if you don't lube it.)

The Lee perfect powder measure is a fantastic upgrade over scoops once you have a load you want to make a bunch of.

If you have a friend with a stainless steel pin tumbling cleaner, ask nicely and you will probably get really clean brass.

Casting lead and sizing bullets is another skill to learn.

 

[paulsharvey]

Picked up 1 pound of CFE Pistol ($23.99) and 100 Hornady XTP ($19.99) from Acedemy. They had no small pistol primers at Academy, so I picked up 100 CCI 500 small pistol primers from a local gift and gun shop for $4.29.

Note: I forgot the Ram Prime set up when ordering online, so I'll be about $12-15 over budget.

 

[k0ua]

9mm / 38 Super / 38 Auto (.355 - .356) - Handgun Bullets - Metallic Reloading - Graf & Sons

 

[paulsharvey]

So, last night I loaded up 20 rounds of 9mm. 4.9 gr of CFE Pistol (Hodgodons starting charge) with 124 gr Hornady XTPs. Each charge weighed. 100% function. Accuracy, 2" circle at 15 yards, don't know how good that is, but it's 9mm...

 

[paulsharvey]

Cases where heavily smoked, so I think I'll probably move up a bit, but stay well clear of 5.5 gr max.

 

[FTG-05]

I started out with a Dillon Precision 550B progressive way back in 1986. I load or have loaded: 9mm, .40 S&W, .44 Mag, .223, .308, 7mm-08, .303, 30-06, 45-70 and probably one or two more calibers I don't recall at the moment. I just ordered a caliber conversion from Dillon for the .45 ACP.

I recommend progressive for a number of reasons:

- Far easier to learn the various steps without the constant need to tear down the press for the next step; once you have one operation/stage adjusted right, you don't have to tear it down for the next stage.

- Most progressive presses can be used as a multi-single stage press. In others words, you do one operation at a time, but after 4 (or 5) cycles of the machine, you have on completed round. You can see all four (or five) stages with one round. Single stage presses are just that: Do one operation a hundred times, tear down, reassemble, do another operation a hundred times, tear down and so on and so forth.

Dillon is the gold standard of progressive presses. Yes, it will cost you, buy once, cry once.

Good luck.

 

[k0ua]

I started out with a Dillon Precision 550B progressive way back in 1986. I load or have loaded: 9mm, .40 S&W, .44 Mag, .223, .308, 7mm-08, .303, 30-06, 45-70 and probably one or two more calibers I don't recall at the moment. I just ordered a caliber conversion from Dillon for the .45 ACP.

I recommend progressive for a number of reasons:

- Far easier to learn the various steps without the constant need to tear down the press for the next step; once you have one operation/stage adjusted right, you don't have to tear it down for the next stage.

- Most progressive presses can be used as a multi-single stage press. In others words, you do one opearion at a time, but after 4 (or 5) cycles of the machine, you have on completed round. You can see all four (or five) stages with one round. Single stage presses are just that: Do one operation a hundred times, tear down, reassemble, do another operation a hundred times, tear down and so on and so forth.

Dillon is the gold standard of progressive presses. Yes, it will cost you, buy once, cry once.

Good luck.

Yep.

To the OP, next up in a chronograph or find a buddy with one. Test those puppies to find out what you have crafted.

 

[RobertN]

Dillon 550 is on my wish list. I have had years of reloading on a single stage Rock Chucker, but would like to set up progressive for 45acp and 357mag. I have family member with a 650; that thing is sweet!

The OP however, was trying to get started for $150. If you know of a complete RL550B for $150, please post; I'll buy it!

I'm seeing RL550C for $450-550 set up for one caliber. That is 3x the OP $150.

I started out with a Dillon Precision 550B progressive way back in 1986. I load or have loaded: 9mm, .40 S&W, .44 Mag, .223, .308, 7mm-08, .303, 30-06, 45-70 and probably one or two more calibers I don't recall at the moment. I just ordered a caliber conversion from Dillon for the .45 ACP.

I recommend progressive for a number of reasons:

- Far easier to learn the various steps without the constant need to tear down the press for the next step; once you have one operation/stage adjusted right, you don't have to tear it down for the next stage.

- Most progressive presses can be used as a multi-single stage press. In others words, you do one operation at a time, but after 4 (or 5) cycles of the machine, you have on completed round. You can see all four (or five) stages with one round. Single stage presses are just that: Do one operation a hundred times, tear down, reassemble, do another operation a hundred times, tear down and so on and so forth.

Dillon is the gold standard of progressive presses. Yes, it will cost you, buy once, cry once.

Good luck.