I've got to start reloading!

Congratulations RB, Your new hobby is just beginning. Now once you get the hang of this you can start casting your own bullets and drop the cost per round even more.I have been reloading 15 years and it is a hobby all to itself. You can and will save money, it will just allow you to shoot more for the same amount of money. Good luck, read the manual it's just like a cook book for ammo!! P.S. no radio, tv, computer, friends, family to take your focus off of reloading. If you want to teach someone once you learn that is great, but no reloading with spectators. My 2 cents and I think others will agree. PM me and I will let you in on some great places for components, ie primers, powder etc. you will save lots over cabelas.
 
Well for sure you started off with a lot of stuff, careful about buying to many Dies and things like that at the beginning as you progress you will change your mind about a lot of things, I recommend looking at Bushing Bump dies as they are more versatile and over time you will see why but the main thing is get in no big hurry in buying to many dies starting out, a lot of the kits has stuff in them you will never use, Buy wisely.
CC
 
Quote:You do save money, even if you do shoot more it is still saving money over what that ammo would have cost at the store.
Once you get settled into reloading and have your calibers set up, consider it a future cost savings if you can buy bulk quantities of supplies when you find them on sale...

I have a considerable amount of components that I've picked up over the years when the opportunity presented itself and considering the inflation factor, my reloading/shooting costs are way down compared to today's prices...even with what you are facing currently with today's prices..

For instance, a thousand rounds of brass (can be used several times) that I bought 5 years ago for $101 is now selling for from $130-180, by using 100 of them at a time, until they get stretched too much to use, the rest will last quite a while/..Bullets are the same way and I have several boxes of different calibers to work with...Even though I may not immediately need it, if I go past a supply store and they have a reasonable price on powder, or anythning else, an extra pound or two will always be used eventually....and I doubt that future costs will decline..

The only problem you are facing right now is finding the components that work well, and to your satisfaction, for your firearms, but once you do find them, it pays to stock up as you can...
 
I started reloading just over 40 years ago. Started for less than $20. That got me a Lee Loader, 1 box of primers, 1 box of 7mm 139 gr Hornady bullets and 1 lb of powder. I had a blast. Still use it on occasion.

As a hobby it is addicting. Plus you get a product (ammo) that you can use.
 
Just picked up my Lee 50th Anniversary Kit at Cabelas on sale and I can't wait to get started!!! ( I know the RCBS Partner kit is way better, but at half the cost my finances said Lee) Now my Encore in 6.5x55 Swede will truly shine! That and i can make ammo you can't get anything close to done by factory...it's love.
 
Originally Posted By: Ricky Bobby
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I went to Cabelas this afternoon and this is what I come home with! I'm completely setup to start reloading for my .22 Hornet and .357 pistol. I should have everything I need to get off to a good start. I'm really anxious to get started, but I believe it will all stay in its boxes until I get completely read up on my manuals and setup a work area in the basement. Going to have to get me a nice sturdy and flat bench for working on! Thanks guys for all the suggestions and I'm sure I'll be pestering you all with questions once I get to reloading!

I only see one problem with that photo...
WAY SHORT ON POWDER AND PRIMERS! HAHAHAHAHA!
Welcome to the 'hood bud!
For your bench, find yourself a heavy countertop or glulam beam to BOLT down to a sturdy structure.
Resizing brass, especially rifle brass, creates tremendous stress on the edge of the bench.
One thing I did way back when was take two sheets of 3/4" MDF and have them rip it in half at the store with their panel saw (Way easier and more accurate than trying to do it yourself, unless you have a huge tablesaw), then glue and screw them together for your benchtop. Bolt your press THROUGH the whole assembly, and you're golden.
And, there's plenty of space to stay organized. At least, until you get more guns and reload for more calibers.
Then you'll really need a bigger house.
 
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Guys, here are a couple photos of my reloading bench I've been working on! It's getting pretty close to what I had envisioned. I'm pretty limited on space, so it's not the biggest. I set it up in my basement/cellar because it's the only place my 3yr. old son won't go, for now anyway! I hung a little cabinet over the top that I can store alot of my stuff in. I plan on putting some peg board up on the wall behind it for hanging some tools and stuff on and then I've got to do some wiring yet! I plan on putting a couple outlets above the bench and then maybe a flourecent work light above it. Check out my stand I made for the powder measure! It's made out of 1/2" all thread so that I can adjust the height up & down! I won't attempt to start doing any reloading until I've got everything setup the way I want. I'm still wanting to get a nice case trimmer and that's about it. I've been looking at the Sinclair models that are stainless. They seem to be really nice. I appreciate everyone's suggestions thus far! I couldn't have gotten to this point without everyone on this site! THANKS.
 
You will find it handy to have a shelf on the back side of the bench that you can set your scale on. You want the shelf just a few inches below eye level. This saves having to bend over every time you weigh a load. You just don't realize how annoying that can be until you don't have to do it.

BTW if you start hanging out in the basement too much the 3 year old is going to start wondering what daddy is doing and eventually come down to check things out. Better keep the area kiddy proof for now.
 
Florescent light can throw the readings off on a digital scale and so can a cell phone if it's to close. Just thought I would let you know. I only read about the lights but have first hand knowledge of the cell phone.
 
Congratulations on your purchase. I got my RCBS kit a year ago for Christmas. I wanted to start to save money also, but I have found that I really enjoy going down to my bench and reloading my own rounds. What I really like though is the accuracy that I now have out of both my Savage Model 10, and my AR. I played around last spring and summer, and finally found the right combination. Now I can truthfully say that my Savage is a nail driver.

This is a 100 yard, 5 round group out of the Savage.

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I recommend getting as much reading material as you can and take the time to read it and understand all of the safety issues involved. There is quite a bit right here on PM from guys that have been reloading for years.

Have fun.
 
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