Reloading help needed.

[Rich]

I have no reloading experience. I am considering reloading for one calibre only and not in large quantaties. So for it to make sense financially I need to do it on the cheap. Problem is I dont even know what all I need to buy other than a press and a die. Considering a Lee hand press. So what are the essentials I must have? Thanks for your help.

[Rualert]

I don't generally post links, but something along this line plus the die set you need would give you everything short of primers, bullets, and powder. Don't forget a good manual, this is a must have for any setup.
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/p ... HOP_423499

That is just one of several good deals that include almost everything you need. Once you get started you will then want to go to a progressive if your reloading for handgun, then I would suggest a Dillon Square Deal for a single, or two straight walled handgun caliber setup. Check their interactive guide to help you decide what you need at that time, verses what you want to spend. I have used an RCBS Rock Chucker, another with their progressive add-on package, and a Dillon Square Deal for all for years. One thing I have only managed to break the primer seating tool on the Dillon once, I called to order a replacement, even explained I bought it usd and was more than happy to buy the part. They would have nothing of the sort, and sent me not one, but two replacements because I was going to buy a spare just in case. Still sitting in it's envelope 18 years later. Speaks volumes to their customer service.

Just my 2 cents.

Casey

[Rich]

I don't generally post links, but something along this line plus the die set you need would give you everything short of primers, bullets, and powder. Don't forget a good manual, this is a must have for any setup.
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/p ... HOP_423499

That is just one of several good deals that include almost everything you need. Once you get started you will then want to go to a progressive if your reloading for handgun, then I would suggest a Dillon Square Deal for a single, or two straight walled handgun caliber setup. Check their interactive guide to help you decide what you need at that time, verses what you want to spend. I have used an RCBS Rock Chucker, another with their progressive add-on package, and a Dillon Square Deal for all for years. One thing I have only managed to break the primer seating tool on the Dillon once, I called to order a replacement, even explained I bought it usd and was more than happy to buy the part. They would have nothing of the sort, and sent me not one, but two replacements because I was going to buy a spare just in case. Still sitting in it's envelope 18 years later. Speaks volumes to their customer service.

Just my 2 cents.

Casey

Thanks for the info. That looks like a fairly complete setup at a decent price.

[ShadowByte]

I would suggest getting to reloading manuals first, they will give you a broad range of powder measurements for various rounds out there. Definitely get at least one of the main ones out there, but more often then not, you will run into a combo (either powder or bullet grain) that isn't covered in one of the manuals, so its nice to have more than one reference. Also, the powder manufacturers will typically list some of the more popular combos for their powders, so check their sites when you go with a particular powder.

As far as press, if you are just getting started and want a less costly press to get you going, I would suggest the Lee Classic 4-hole turret press (get the classic, it is really solid). You will need the die plate and some dies as well.

Some necessities:
- Scale
- Caliper to measure case length and OAL
- Powder dispenser (Lee makes one that fits on die on the press, if you go this route, get the pro version for a few $ more)
- Bullet puller
- Tumbler or sonic cleaner to clean up the brass

Lee also has a primer loader that can attach to this setup which makes it really easy. I think the total cost when done was about $240.

I would also suggest a chronograph at some point too.

If you are reloading rifle then you will also need some things to trim the cases to length eventually and if you are doing military brass, you will need something to remove the primer pocket crimp and things like that.

Check out the reloading section on here and scroll back about a year. The guys on here gave me some great tips and suggestions to get me going as well. The above is the starter route I took since I couldn't drop much into it, there are certainly a lot better presses out there if you have the $ for it (as mentioned above, Dillon is an excellent choice).

Just remember when starting to reload, load at the lowest powder grain and then work your way up and see how each performs, keeping track of the loads (powder grains, OAL, bullet weight, etc)

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[Rualert]

Agreed, great point on having more than one manual, thanks for catching the miss. Safety is as always at the top of the list, and the pointers mentioned, multiple sources (manuals, manufactures sites, ect) starting at the bottom of the you can use this much powder, all great points to remember. I also thank you on mentioning the Lee Classic 4 hole press, I think I'll look into one of those too.

Casey

P.S. Chrony is almost a must. If you are looking for constancy, or maximum performance, you wil eventually need a Chrony.

[jdonovan]

I am considering reloading for one calibre only and not in large quantaties.

What caliber and what quantity?

So for it to make sense financially I need to do it on the cheap. P Considering a Lee hand press. So what are the essentials I must have?

The lowest cost entry is going to be a hand press, and a set of lee dies. The dies will come with a powder measure, think like a kitchen measuring spoon. It will be valid to use with a VERY limited number of powder/bullet combos. Its also not going to be the most accurate loads due to the variation from scoop to scoop, but it will get you started.

All told it should cost you < $ 75 including shipping to get the tools to get going.

If you've got more budget available I can think of a LOT better tools to begin with, but we are talking $300 range to get into that tier.

The additions/substitutions would be:
a turret press
adjustable powder measure
scale

generically something akin to this kit: http://leeprecision.com/classic-turret-press-kit.html

[jdonovan]

P.S. Chrony is almost a must. If you are looking for constancy, or maximum performance, you wil eventually need a Chrony.

When the OP is talking about a $35 hand press, a chronograph seems over the top to even suggest.

Sure its a great tool to have, but there is probably $500 worth of other tools that should be in the tool box before the chrony.

[gfost1]

Howdy, Rich,

The Lee Auto-Prime would be a good companion to their hand press if you go that route. You can also get a set of powder measures pretty cheap, which will permit you a greater variety of powders and loads. If you can afford to splurge on just one item, you should get a scale. The powder scoops measure by volume, but in the manuals everything is by weight.

Regards,

George

[Tweaker]

P.S. Chrony is almost a must. If you are looking for constancy, or maximum performance, you wil eventually need a Chrony.

When the OP is talking about a $35 hand press, a chronograph seems over the top to even suggest.

Sure its a great tool to have, but there is probably $500 worth of other tools that should be in the tool box before the chrony.

^^^^^ THIS

[MrJog]

$35 Lee hand press
$30 digital scale
$30 die set
$10 calipers from harbor freight
$12 Lee ram prime
$10 funnel because it makes it so much better

Then use www.hodgdon.com for load data.

Also Harbor Freight has tumblers at a good price. You will want to clean that brass.

Look up berrys plated bullets online.

If you are near Richmond there is a place called Degoffs near Mechanicsville. They have good prices on primers.

Pay attention to the load data. Start low and be mindfull of your cartridge overall length and bullet diameter.

Use a powder like Longshot if you are doing stuff like 9mm .40 or .45 It is harder to double charge a round with a slower burning powder.

Keep this in mind. If you forget to charge a round, and then discharge that round. It may become stuck in the barrel. You don't want to continue fireing if that happens.

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[MrJog]

I forgot this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/215517 ... let-puller

$15 Bullet puller.