I want to learn how to re-load

[Molfeens]

Anyone in the Ashburn area have any interest/time in showing me the ropes?

I am interested in 9mm, 357 sig, 40 and 223

Willing to pay, trade or barter a fair deal for some mentoring.

Thanks.

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[gunderwood]

For general reloading nearly every reloading manual discusses the process. If you haven't already, I'd recommend picking up a manual and giving it a good read. IIRC, the Hornady manual has a good overview. If you're going to load lots of rounds and stick with it for awhile, check out Dillon Precision. They make some of the best reloading equipment around and have great customer service. They actually just sent me new parts, free of charge, for my tumbler after I accidentally stepped on the switch and broke it. Generally the 550 is more than enough and has more cartridge flexibility than the more commercial machines.

[meadmkr]

[quote="Molfeens"]Anyone in the Ashburn area have any interest/time in showing me the ropes?
quote]

Give me a yell about mid-January as I need to get a bit of reloading done (metallic and shotshell). Will probably do some bullet casting as well.

BTW, there is a local guy that also does the NRA reloading classes out of his home in the Countryside area.

Cheers
Chris

[jdonovan]

Anyone in the Ashburn area have any interest/time in showing me the ropes?

If you're willing to come down to Warrenton, I'd be happy to.

[arab1302]

I don't want to take over the thread, but I am also interested in reloading. I have done only a little research online so far, but one theme seems to stand out...cost. I was just checking out the supplies and equipment and the cost is less than expected given what I have seen on other sites/forums. Is that just because of the recent inflation resulting from the gun control discussions?

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[jdonovan]

I was just checking out the supplies and equipment and the cost is less than expected given what I have seen on other sites/forums. Is that just because of the recent inflation resulting from the gun control discussions?

ammo in general just went up about 100%, components haven't quite caught up yet, but they are getting more scarce, and more expensive.

[arab1302]

I suppose that I better get started. I expected these "starter kits" to be up around a grand from the way people were talking. When i saw the cost was in the mid-3's, I was a little surprised. That seems pretty reasonable.

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[jdonovan]

I suppose that I better get started.

Good luck finding components for common calibers. Most of my usual suppliers are now dry.

[gunderwood]

I suppose that I better get started.

Good luck finding components for common calibers. Most of my usual suppliers are now dry.

If you can't find any components, I'm sure someone has some they may be willing to part with.

[Chasbo00]

I don't want to take over the thread, but I am also interested in reloading. I have done only a little research online so far, but one theme seems to stand out...cost. I was just checking out the supplies and equipment and the cost is less than expected given what I have seen on other sites/forums. Is that just because of the recent inflation resulting from the gun control discussions?

Don't know that you will save any money, but you will shoot more.

[CowboyT]

I suppose that I better get started. I expected these "starter kits" to be up around a grand from the way people were talking. When i saw the cost was in the mid-3's, I was a little surprised. That seems pretty reasonable.

You can do it for less than that, about $200 including dies. Gunderwood recommended considering Dillon Precision's gear, and if you're making a whole lot of ammo and have some prior reloading experience already, then I would agree that their RL-550B is a fine machine and an excellent choice.

However, for those who have never reloaded in their lives, or are still fairly new to it, I'd recommend the Challenger Press Kit from Lee Precision. The kit is about $120, and with a set of $30 dies, you can get started with a fairly complete setup for about $150.

The reason I make this recommendation is two-fold:

1.) the startup costs are pretty low, and this is good for seeing if you like the hobby without being out-of-pocket a lot of money; and

2.) learning how to reload with a single-stage press is in my experience a safer process, because you tend to focus more on each step and better learn what they do, what to look for, and so on.

In the past when I've made this recommendation, some have responded that single-stage reloading is S-L-O-W compared to their fast progressive presses (usually Dillons, sometimes Hornady LnL AP's). While that's certainly true, reloading is not a race. It's a process to make your own ammunition, and safety comes before speed. That means you learn each step down-pat. Those progressive presses from various manufacturers (Lee, Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS all make 'em) will be there after you get some experience. You may also find that a turret press might satisfy your ammo output needs. A Lee Classic Turret Press might be a good choice in that case.

[RWBlue01]

If you can bake a cake from recipe, then you can reload safely.

My suggest for the newbie is don't try to see how many rounds you can load in an hour, start with a single stage kit. I prefer the Rock chuck RCBS kit. It is good enough for beginning and will be good enough for load development and/or precisions loading after you know what you are doing.

I don't mind showing the newbies how to reload, but I don't have my gear here in Northern Virginia so we will need to get you equipped and then do the basics.

PS> I will also suggest you join www.glockpost.com. Those guys are hard core reloaders. They have been there, done that and have the scares to prove it. There is no such thing as a dumb reloading question on that board. As long as you are honest and let them know you are new they can probably talk you through how to do it all over the internet.

[GeneFrenkle]

What benefit does a turret press offer that a single stage or progressive doesn't offer? I guess I'm trying to understand the tradeoffs. Also, what consideration is there about the type of press and loading for handfun and rifle?

If this is thread hijacking,(don't mean to), pls let me know and I'll post it as new.

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[gunderwood]

I suppose that I better get started. I expected these "starter kits" to be up around a grand from the way people were talking. When i saw the cost was in the mid-3's, I was a little surprised. That seems pretty reasonable.

You can do it for less than that, about $200 including dies. Gunderwood recommended considering Dillon Precision's gear, and if you're making a whole lot of ammo and have some prior reloading experience already, then I would agree that their RL-550B is a fine machine and an excellent choice.

However, for those who have never reloaded in their lives, or are still fairly new to it, I'd recommend the Challenger Press Kit from Lee Precision. The kit is about $120, and with a set of $30 dies, you can get started with a fairly complete setup for about $150.

The reason I make this recommendation is two-fold:

1.) the startup costs are pretty low, and this is good for seeing if you like the hobby without being out-of-pocket a lot of money; and

2.) learning how to reload with a single-stage press is in my experience a safer process, because you tend to focus more on each step and better learn what they do, what to look for, and so on.

In the past when I've made this recommendation, some have responded that single-stage reloading is S-L-O-W compared to their fast progressive presses (usually Dillons, sometimes Hornady LnL AP's). While that's certainly true, reloading is not a race. It's a process to make your own ammunition, and safety comes before speed. That means you learn each step down-pat. Those progressive presses from various manufacturers (Lee, Dillon, Hornady, and RCBS all make 'em) will be there after you get some experience. You may also find that a turret press might satisfy your ammo output needs. A Lee Classic Turret Press might be a good choice in that case.

CowboyT makes good points, but I like the shiny stuff. I actually have a single stage Hornady as well since there are times when it's necessary.

[jdonovan]

I'm going to take the opposite view from CoboyT and strongly suggest you DO NOT get a single stage press to begin.

The rate of production for a single stage reloading straight wall pistol ammo, will be quite low. Sufficiently low, in fact many people get frustrated and discontinue reloading because their time is more valuable than what they get out of reloading.

To reload a 9mm, you have 6 steps. Resize, reprime, flare, charge, seat, crimp. On a single stage press you do each step one at a time to each case. They make tools that will allow you to combine some of the operations, but in general you're going to have to handle each case a minimum of 4 times.

With a turret press. A tool (die) for each operation is mounted in a tool head that can be rotated above the case. So you place the case into the press, operate the handle and then rotate the tool head to perform the next step.

With a progressive not only do you have a tool head with all the dies, but you have a matching shell holder that holds a case under each die. Every time you operate the handle, all 6 reloading steps occur at once, assembly line style.

rates of production:
manual 50-70/hour
turret 150-200/hour
progressive 500+/hour (some progressives will exceed 1500/hour)

Also, what consideration is there about the type of press and loading for handfun and rifle?

There are some progressive presses that are made with limited height between the shell plate and tool head that will make loading some very tall rifle cases impossible.

This problem also can exist on some single stage/turret units as well, but you have to get into VERY large cases like 458 lott, 338 Lapua, etc... before its a problem. Also no 'normal' reloading press will reload 50 BMG.

[meadmkr]

Just keep in mind that when using a progressive press you NEED to use a powder that meters easily and consistently. Look into the 'powder cop' type dies to check your power level before seating a bullet in the case !

[jdonovan]

Unless you are weighing each individual charge you ALLAYS need a powder that meters well through what ever powder dispenser you use.

[meadmkr]

When I use the Single stage I used a RCBS Chargemaster that weights each throw. I check the calibration about every 40 rounds or so... I spot check my MEC after every box as well....

[Mindflayer]

Yup, it's time. Sounds like the Dillon 550b is a great place to start and keep going. Now to buy a book first and then get reloading. These prices are way too [CENSORED] high.

[Molfeens]

Does anyone load 300 BLK?

Ballpark what would the start up cost be to be able to load 9mm, 40SW, 357sig, 223 and either 300 BLK OR 6.8SPC?

Used equipment...good or bad idea?

Jdonovan, I have not forgotten about your very generous offer. What days would work best for you, weekdays or weekends? I am actually in Warrenton for work every other Tuesday but will gladly head out there on a weekend if need be too.

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