How to get started reloading ammunition

[RobertN]

Depends on how much you reload and for how long. I do not reload specifically to save money. But, I can cheaper than buying factory ammo.

My equipment is ammortized over 25-26 years though.

That said, I like working up the recipes, searcdhing out the loads(Generally referenc ethe web a bit, but more so three-4 different reloading books(Speer, Sierra, Ken Waters/Pet Loads etc). Kind of same why I brew beer. My all grain system was not cheap, but I do save since it is ammortised out. And, I like the process, the recipes etc.

You do not reload to save money.

 

[nybirdman]

Best advise for a new reloader;buy several manuals,Nosler,Speer ect. and read them cover to cover.
Never go beyond or under recommended loads.A mentor with reloading experience would be very helpful.For starters a single stage press is better than trying to set-up a progressive.As you get more experience and need to load volumes of pistol ammo a progressive would have advantages.RCBS makes a complete set-up and would be highly recommended.Reloading is not really a way to save money but to custom tailor a load to a particular gun.I started reloading 25/06 because at the time they weren't available with premium bullets(they are now).I reload for about six rifles and two pistols.

 

[k0ua]

Before you spend any money on equipment, read up first! I recommend this one: The ABCs Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert: Rodney C James: 9781440213960: Amazon.com: Books

I respect K0uas advice, but progressive reloaders can be a bit of a challenge for someone just starting out. A good single stage or a good turret press would be my advice for someone wanting to get into reloading. I've got nothing against progressive reloaders, but I just seem to keep going back to either my RCBS Rockchucker or my Lyman turret. I've owned a Dillon RL 450, sold it, a few years later I bought an RL 550, sold it too.
This is just my opinion, but if you want to crank out a lot of rounds with factory performance, a progressive might work for you, but if you want some super accurate rounds, you need a little more input into the process, especially when it comes to measuring powders.

A decent turret or single stage press is a great way to start and if you do decide later on to go progressive, you can either keep your initial setup for those "tailormade hand rolled rounds" or you can sell them, they retain or go up in value, especially these days.

Please don't make the mistake of deciding that you want to reload, then dive headlong into buying the top of the line (and very expensive) equipment, before you really, really decide that reloading is the way to go.

But you see that is why I like the RL550B as it is manual indexing, and you can load a single round through all 4 stages if you choose. You can think of it as a turret press if you like the only difference is the shell plate moves instead of a turret for the dies. Also if you want more precision on the powder drop, you can set your main powder measure to drop a undercharge load, and then remove the case with the "short" load of powder from the #2 position and dump in in your digital scale pan, and trickle powder from your powder trickler to get it up to where you want it, and pour it back in the case and then put the case back in the #3 station to seat a bullet. I have found the Dillon measures will throw within 1/10 of a grain of powder, but it of course depends on the type of powder, with ball powders metering a bit better than stick powders.

James K0UA

 

[RobertN]

Little more reading about subject...

Reloading 101 - Calguns.net

Which Press or Press kit to get? - Calguns.net

RCBS - Precisioneered Shooting Products - Step-By-Step Reloading

Jim Scoutten RCBS Single Stage Reloading - YouTube

 

[dodge man]

James pretty much hit on the head what I did from the get go. I bought a Dillon 550 about 15 years ago and have never looked back. It will reload almost anything. One warning I would give is don't use stick powders in it, it doesn't feed very well through the powder measure. Not really an issue with handgun ammo, but can be with rifle. There are plenty of flake powders available so not really an issue. If you never reloaded you probably have no idea what I'm talking about but once you start looking at different powders, you will understand.

A lot of people will say start simple with a single stage press, but it is so slow and boring. A Dillon almost makes it fun.

 

[RobertN]

Like this
File:IMR 3031.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html

Powders like this, IMR 4064 etc dont feed well thru any volumetric measure. Those long "pencil lead" shaped powder grainsjust don't feed well. Feels wierd when you feel them crunch.

It will reload almost anything. One warning I would give is don't use stick powders in it, it doesn't feed very well through the powder measure. Not really an issue with handgun ammo, but can be with rifle. There are plenty of flake powders available so not really an issue. If you never reloaded you probably have no idea what I'm talking about but once you start looking at different powders, you will understand.

 

[Fan of the 1911]

You will not save any money reloading, however you will be able to shoot more for the money you spend.

550b is a great loader, wish I would have started here, I would have saved hundreds in upgrades over the years.

I still use a rcbs rock chuck for pet rifle loads, and have a Lyman turret press mounted with .44 and .41 mag that the dies never come out of,

For high volume stuff the Dillon machines are hard to beat, and service should you ever need it is outstanding.

I think you will find that people that hand load will be some of the most helpful people of any hobby you could have. However in times of shortage we are going thru they maybe a little guarded, until they find out you are not just another tourist driving prices up and making components harder to find.

It is an enjoyable thing to do in your ( spare ) time. It is not something to do with a bunch of distractions. Be careful, be safe, and have fun shooting.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB !
William.

 

[westcliffe01]

I have reloaded now for years and done everything with a single stage press with the Hornady "Lock N Load" tooling interface. Every die remains perfectly setup after the first use. I would sure hate to use a simple threaded press and have to dial in the die every time.

I reload for 223, 308, 8x57, 243 Win, 7.62x39. I have dies for my 6.5x284, but have been waiting all year on my barrel... I also used to reload 222 Rem. I do not reload handgun ammo, although when I do shoot mine I collect, deprime and clean the brass. I am not much of a "blaster" since ammo and components are so expensive and generally I will tune every rifle until it is 1/2 MOA or get rid of it or rebarrel it. I also shoot my muzzle loader and for a while I had a 20ga rifle barreled shotgun, but I got rid of it since the ammo was near $3/round and it seemed impossible to get the components needed to reload slugs for a rifled barrel shotgun. The ballistic performance from my ML is very similar shooting Hornady 250gr SST bullets in 45 cal with 50cal sabots.

One of the things that you will quickly learn when reloading is that semi autos are hard on brass... Getting 308 and 6.5x284 brass was particularly difficult the last year and 223 would have been a mess but I didn't need any. The same also applied to 30-06 and later 8x57. Primers are still hard to find compared to 18 months ago when every type of primer was in stock anywhere you looked. All the Yugoslavian high quality 7.62x39 and 8x57 is now basically gone and even with reloading is many times the price. Pistol brass and ammo for that matter has been basically unavailable. I just made my first purchase of defensive pistol hollow point ammo in 38 and 45 calibers and it was not cheap. At least one can get it.

The least you want to do is get 100-200 casings (the best you can afford - Lapua if possible) for each rifle caliber you own, at least 1000 primers for each caliber weapon and then do a little work to develop a load that shoots well in your rifle. I am shooting primarily bolt guns and will generally look at the Sierra Match kings or the Berger hunting VLD's in a heavy for caliber weight (which my barrel can stabilize) since either of those makes a capable long range bullet. I have improved my hit rate on the coyotes from 20% to 100% at ranges from 250 yard and up by using components designed to have the highest BC and careful load workup.

I would HATE to be limited to factory loads, because that would mean that the accuracy potential of my weapons would only partially be realized. I don't have any regrets regarding the time spent and for the moment, I could weather another ammo crisis fairly well.

 

[k0ua]

To the original poster you might note, that the various points of view are related to the particular field of the shooting sports that the participant is involved in. To the person that does precision reloading of rifle cartridges to wring the last bit of accuracy out of a cartridge and buys primers by the hundreds and would have a 1000 maybe in stock, then a precision single stage press is what he will likely have and use. To the volume pistol and rifle shooter that wants gobs of pistol and .223 and/or .308 ammo then he will have a Dillon or other progressive press and and would not even think of buying less than 5000 primers at a time, and would likely have many more, and buys his powder in twin 8 lb kegs and will likely possess 10,000 cases of any given caliber.. It is all relative to your point of view. One is trying to surpass factory loads, and the other is trying to duplicate factory loads with perhaps a change in power factor. The progressive reloader guy was a lot of good ammo. The precision guy wants a little bit of Great ammo.

James K0UA

 

[creekbend]

You do not reload to save money.

Over a period of years, it will pay off, but IMHO, reloading provides a method to create the actual ammo to hunt and take game with. It's like Fly Fishing. First you get a Table, then a Vise, then Fly Material, then hooks, and etc. Both develop into a Hobby and a means of "Personal Satisfaction".