I've got to start reloading!

R

Ricky Bobby

New member
The wife and kid and I were out and about today and we made a stop at Cabela's. I went straight to the ammo because I'm getting low on a couple calibers and couldn't believe the prices! I walked out empty handed. Have the prices went up again? I need to know the most economical and best way to get into reloading! Ammo prices, in my opinion, are getting out of control! I've got to do something or I'm going to have to start selling some guns. I'm starting to think I should stick with one shotgun and one caliber rifle and forget about the rest, and that's a shame!
 
http://10xshooters.com/calculators/Rifle_Reloading_Cost_Calculator.htm

This is all you need to see you will save money if you shoot the same amount. Don't worry, here shortly everyone will come on here and say "You won't save any money, you'll just shoot more." 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. Lee kit for $99 dollars, $30 for dies and about $30 or $40 for misc items. Then $40 for powder, bullets and primers and you can get to it. These are all ball park and you can come in cheaper if you want to.
 
Originally Posted By: Irish_80Lee kit for $99 dollars, $30 for dies and about $30 or $40 for misc items. Then $40 for powder, bullets and primers and you can get to it. These are all ball park and you can come in cheaper if you want to.

The Lee kits are OK, and if that's the best you can swing right now, go for it. It gets the job done pretty well.
Personally, I have a Rock Chucker Supreme, and it's the cat's meow. Rock solid, consistent, easy to use, and bulletproof.
Like most things, there's all sorts of flavors of stuff available, and you get what you pay for.
I have gone the cheap route when cash was tight and I had to get myself moving on reloading, then upgraded stuff as I've gone along and money came available.
A few things that I added along the way that have proven to be awesome-
Redding powder trickler...for getting each load exactly the same for my rifle ammo
Redding competition die sets - I haven't found any that are better. Good dies make good ammo. Well worth the money invested into them.
Good Loading Blocks - make loading massive amounts of ammo easier, and safer. Also very helpful in organization while running a lot of ammo.
Midsouth ammo boxes - they have some super inexpensive plastic ammo boxes that are half the price of the next least expensive ones...just don't drop them when it's really cold out.
My recommendation to you to help you get started, is pick up a couple of reloading manuals, and read them cover to cover.
Then, read them again.
Pay attention to your particular loads, what your guns like, and the powder/bullet/primer combinations involved.
Once you start reloading, start your load workup at miminum pressures, and work UP, checking for pressure signs (cratered or flattened primers, bright ring on the brass, etc), then back it off.
For getting started, that's about all the information you need, assuming you have the manuals and follow the recipes to the letter.
 
Ricky Bobby,I have a Lee Anniversary Kit i`ve used since 2000 with no complaints.Also have a Lyman press kit and some Classic LeeLoaders I use a lot.

Also have a Mec600JR for shotshell.

Go for it.You may regret selling some of your stuff.Before you jump into it get a Lee or Lyman manual and read about loading.Consider your reloading stuff just like a socket set or any other shop tool.

I`ve used a Lyman turret and single stage presses.Lee single stage and LeeLoaders.They all work real well and am covinced I could load well on any press.So could you.
 
I got the Lee Anniversary kit and yes you can reload ammo with it. Bullet run out was noticeable when using it. I then upgraded everything but the powder measure from the lee kit. Rick
 
Originally Posted By: RONINFLAGi have a rock chucker i got in 1969. couldn't live ( shoot) without it.

I have one I bought in the mid 70's.. It's the only press I have ever had.. I'd look at one of the kits that include almost everything you need to get started. Cabelas, Midway and a few other places run sales every now and then..
 
I don't even remember how old my RCBS press is. I think I must have got it when I was around 2 or 3. I may have got it for my birthing gift. I probably have loaded 20 or 30 million bullets with it. I'm exaggerating a little bit, but I've had it a long time and used it alot.
 
i started out with the lyman crusher 2 expert kit. comes with everything you need to start reloading. i got mine onsale on midwayusa.com for 289. i would also suggest a hand primer. i got the lee autoprime. i would also suggest staying away from lee dies just because they do not come with a locking nut. just makes things easier with the locking nut and you know your getting you bullet and sizing dies the same every time.
 
Folks, I was just on Cabela's website and I'm considering ordering the RCBS RC Supreme Master Reloading Kit to get me started. They want $319.99 for it and you get $20 off all orders over $150. Plus RCBS is offering a $50 mail-in-rebate when purchasing over $300 dollars of their products. So I will get $70 off of the $319 in addition I have a $50 gift card that I received for x-mas from good 'ol mom, so that puts the cost of the kit around $200! Just wanted to ask when I purchase my dies, should I stick with RCBS also? I see that RCBS sells different types of die sets. What ones do I need? Also, are there any other tools that won't come with this kit that you suggest I get right from the start? And finally, is the load manual with this kit suffice or is there a certain one that is a must have for a beginner like myself? Thanks everyone for listening and keep the suggestions coming!
 
The rcbs kit would be a good one. I would stick with rcbs dies as well. You need a full length sizer and a bullet seating die for a rifle cartridge. Idk what manual is i'n the kit but I would buy 2 different ones.
 
You don't have to have the full length sizing dies unless you are reloading new brass or brass that is shot out of another gun. If it is shot out of your gun a neck sizing die is all that is needed. Neck sizing usually makes your rounds more accurate because the brass is fire formed to your chamber. It is also way easier and faster because you don't have to mess with lubing your cases. The lee deluxe rifle dies come with a full length sizing die and a neck sizing die(collet die). I've used RCBS dies once and I had the hardest time getting them set up compared to my lee dies. They didn't seem near as accurate from round to round either, it might have just been me though.

I would suggest Lee's ABC's of reloading for a starter manual. You will need a set of calipers to measure your brass length and you seating depth. That kit comes with a hand priming tool which is good. You will need a tool to trim your cases down to size. For $200 dollars I would go with that kit also.
 
I just started reloading about 5 years ago or so. I bought a RCBS Starter video, just male sure you have a VHS player. It is fairly easy but just start slow and take your time.

I would also suggest a tumbler to clean your cases after you fired them.
 
Two things that I would add, funnel kit so you have a drop tube, get the rcbs because the drop tube can be used with the 17 caliber drop, and the VLD deburring tool. Neither of these need to be bought immediatly but will help. I would buy the standard dies for a starting reloader, either rcbs or redding whichever is cheapest. The kit you are looking at is where I would start if I were doing it again. Edit to add; I would buy the Hornady manual or the Nosler, then go to the Hodgdon website and print the data for your cartidges of choice.
 
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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!
 


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