Reloading questions?

Question

I would love to get into reloading, but I do not know where to start, so I have some questions.

1. Is it expensive?
2. Where do I start?
3. Is it complex?

Basically, what do I need to know, research, buy, etc.

Thanks for all the input!

Answer 1

the initial expense of getting started is the worst. over time it saves money . some things you will need are : a reloading press( i like rcbs), dies for each caliber you are planning to load,powder scales. powder primers bullets. empty cases and defiantly a good reloading manual such as the ones made by speer, sierra, nosler and hornady. these usually have a section to help teach you to get started. i would also recommend having someone reputable teach you how to reload and do it safely. check out midwayusa.com they should have almost everything you need. and sell videos and books to help you out. there are also several other places to purchase such as bass pro cabelas and many others

Answer 2

In years past, it was cheaper to reload than to buy loaded ammo. Not so much anymore. BUT, reloading is about much more than saving a few dollars. factory ammunition has come a long ways in accuract, but it is still mass produced. A variance between rounds is un avaoidable in mass production. SO, most reloaders do it because they have exact control over the loading process and thus produce much more accurate cartridges. Also, I find sitting down to reload 50 or 100 rounds of ammunition to be very relaxing and enjoyable.
Getting started is the most expensive part. I'd recomend you look into finding an RCBS rochuckar 2 complete basic kit onsale at cabella's or sportsmans warehouse to begin with. You eill be adding to it as you progress. You'll need a set of dies for each caliber you reload, along with a shell holder etc for each one as well. Supplies like powder, primers, brass, bullets etc can be purchased in bulk when on sale.
Pick up an up to date copy of the speer reloading manual at you gunshop and read thru it to get familiar with it. It's a little complex to get set up, but simple from then on. Just be very sure, you read all info thoroughly and follow the directions exactly. While safe if done right, making a mistake in the powder or the quantity can have catastrophic results.
Put an add up at the local gunshop, asking if there is anyone who would have time to show you the ropes on reloading before you go buy all the equipmant.
Good luck

Answer 3

Well, if you are really strapped for money then the Lee Loader will get you there. It is not a production kit but it will get the job done. I would most certainly recommend a powder scale to go with the Lee Loader even though they say that you don't need one. As you progress in the reloading game, you will want to move up to something like an RCBS press and dies, etc. You will also need the material to load your cartridges such as empty brass, primers, bullets and powder and above all, a reloading manual. Whatever you do, DON'T GUESS at the powder charges, BE SURE!! Not only can you overload your cartridge but according to the manuals, it is possible to under load as well. There have been a number of reports of people under loading cartridges and having their gun blow up the same as an overload. I don't know if these reports are correct in their assumptions but I'm sure that you don't want to be holding the gun to find out. Just get the manual and carefully follow the loading recommendations. If you work safely, reloading is a lot of fun and can save you money in the long run.

Answer 4

You will need a reloading press and dies in the caliber/calibers you plan to reload. These can be anywhere from a hundred to two hundred dollars, to a couple thousand for high-end presses. You will need to buy the bullets, cases, primers and powder, the components of a cartridge. You will also need the secondary equipment, such as tumbler to clean the brass, a powder scale, possibly a neck sizer for the cases and reamer. Finally you need a book of published loads, as you need to start with published data to work up to your own loads safely. It takes time to do, but if you shoot a lot, you will save money in the long run if your reload your own ammo.

Answer 5

The equipment will be expensive to start out with, but I have found that instead of spending $.55/ bullett for bottom of the line cartridges for my .270, I can load higher quality cartridges with Hornady SST for about $.50 each.

I bought a Lee kit from cabelas.com, you will also need dies for which caliber bullet you want to reload. Total, I spent just under $100 including shipping.

It's not very hard once you finish your first batch. Just follow the directions to the letter.

Answer 6

My first exposure is NRA Guide to Reloading from
http://www.nrastore.com
Then you will have a complete set of instructions. The price you pay for reloading equipment seems big, but the first batch of 500 rounds pays for it all. At a bulk rate, its half the price of store ammo. It isn't necessarily complex, just deals with thousandths of an inch measurements.

Answer 7

Kyle, at first of the powder length isn't in GRAMS, that's in GRAINS whilst it consists of reloading! A 230 grain, around nosed bullet is a classic .40 5 acp bullet. you need to use those. it somewhat is large. You do would desire to get a powder scalel. in any different case, you could no longer understand how lots powder you're loading! it somewhat is extremely risky. i've got not got any reloading practise for .40 5 acp bullets utilising Bullseye for powder yet, i will inform you in case you're basically loading .3 grains of powder for those bullets, you're Waaay under loading your brass. that's why your bullets have become caught on your barrel or basically going out some feet from the barrel. you're basically no longer utilising adequate powder. yet, you will desire to GET A RELOADING e book that tells you the way lots powder to apply WITH the particular bullets you're utilising. to illustrate: In my Speer handbook, for .40 5 acp, It tells me i will load 5.8 grains of unique kind of powder or 5.6 grains of 231 kind of powder. i've got not got any reloading practise exhibiting any lots utilising a 230 grain, .40 5 acp utilising Bullseye powder. All gun powders are all distinctive and there are particular lots of powder for particular bullet weights. So, before you do something greater, get a scale and a reloading e book so which you already know how lots powder to apply. it somewhat is extremely important!

Answer 8

Try this Wisconsin based reloading company. You can start off inexpensively and work your way up to some other top of the line equipment.

For roughly $125, you will get everything but the bullets, primers, and powder. Get one of their reloading manuals too.

http://www.leeprecision.com

Answer 9

It's hard to answer without knowing your shooting habits. For instance, if you're primarily interested in hunting loads for rifles, a single-stage press will be what you want, and it needn't be complex at all. It'll be a little expensive, first for the tools, and then because you'll get hooked on it and shoot up any savings. If you're used to shooting hundreds of pistol rounds every week, you'll want a progressive press, a little more expensive, but the savings will be real and show up sooner.

Answer 10

I'm also considering reloading because I plan on purchasing some older style guns like the Colt dragoon. I found this http://www.modernsurvival.net/art5pre.cfm about "Bare bones" reloading.If someone who knows about reloading could message/e-mail me about the bare minimum tools and supplies I would need to reload I'd appreciate it.