getting started reloading

T

Todd Woodall

New member
I am looking to get started reloading my own ammo and know little to nothing about it. I know it will increase accuracy and I could use all the help I can get. I realize it is not a cheap hobby to start, but I want to get a quality settup. Need your info good or bad to help me make my decision. By the way I have a 22-250, 223,and a 22mag. Can one settup do them all?
What do I need to get to get me started?
 
im not an expert but it will do all but the rimfire.i reload because of my love with wby mags and lots of 223 but the thing that helped me the most a powder despenser and digital scale type in the powder charge and press the button +or - one tenth of a grain and alot fast than the slide scale that comes with kits .my advice would buy them seperate the kit comes with alot that most never use .ebay is a good place to buy used tools press,scale,etc.. hope this helps donovan
 
An RCBS Rockchucker kit will be all you will probably ever need.It has everything in it that a starter and even experienced reloaders would need except like Donavon said,later on after you have gotten familier with reloading,you may want to get you a set of digital scales to replace the balance beams.You can get this kit for under $250.
 
The RCBS Rockchucker kit is most everything you need, except of course your dies. Its around 200-300$ I believe. Pretty cheap for everything included.Unless you have unlimited funds, stick with the balance scale, the kit comes with a quality powder measure, set the powder measure with the scale, then after that it will throw the same charge without weighing. When you load with cylindrical powders (larger calibers) you may need to weigh your charges more often, those powders are a little less consistent out of the measure. The 22 calibers you listed mostly use powders that meter very consistently, so you wouldn't need to weigh you charges after you set your measure.
 
I started by purchasing everything but components used - ads in papers, bulletin boards, the local gunshop sells used stuff etc. That stretches the budget.
First, get yourself a good manual and read it. That will let you know what you're in for. I like the Speer manuals.
Also to keep the budget out of the clouds I purchase powders that will work in more than one caliber - with your twenty twos it will be easy to double up on both powders, primers and even bullets!
If you can link up with someone who already reloads it will increase your startup time and decrease the problems you encounter.

Another great resource is Handloader magazine - they run in-depth articles on cartridges and even stuff like light handloads (taking the 22-250 down to 223 Rem. levels, taking the 223 down to Hornet levels, etc.) These can be helpful for cheap practice, kids and shooting in the more built up areas. All in all it's a pretty good mag. - no I don't work for them.

Bulletin boards with reloading info can be helpful but be careful not to use the loads posted on them - stick with published loads from a reliable source and ALWAYS follow the safety precautions of starting with lower pressure loads.

If you find that reloadin isn't for you you'll cut your losses by purchasing used equipment and you can always resell.
Best of luck.
Vthunter
 


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