Looking for advice on getting started reloading

[Noah Hutchens]

Hello! I’ve finally decided I need to start my reloading journey and am looking for some solid advice on getting together a budget conscious setup.

My main goals are to reload 375 H&H, and above, up to 500 NE. I’m not too worried about smaller cartridges, but perhaps shotguns are in the future.

I understand I will need to get some manuals and do more research before I actually reload the ammunition, this isn’t a thread on that, I am just mostly looking for advice on what actual equipment to purchase to get to that point. i.e. specific brands or models, again with budget consciousness in mind.

Also, If anyone has any used setups they are looking to be rid of I would happy pay a fair price.

 

[SoDak Jay]

I’m in the same boat and am interested in this as well.

 

[matt85]

I have a pair of basic inexpensive Lee presses that I have been using for decades (a standard press and a large press). They are a solid buy for the price.

Find a really good electric scale and some good quality digital calipers. Quality and accuracy is extremely important for these!

 

[Noah Hutchens]

I have a pair of basic inexpensive Lee presses that I have been using for decades (a standard press and a large press). They are a solid buy for the price.

Find a really good electric scale and some good quality digital calipers. Quality and accuracy is extremely important for these!

I’m guessing it would take the large press to handle the large magnum and NE calibers?

 

[Pheroze]

Here are a few things that I rely on. Good luck! Oh, and lots of reloading manuals.

Stainless Case Trimmer Kit | Reloading Case Trimmer Kit

ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser

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https://magnetospeed.com/v3-ballistic-chronograph?srsltid=AfmBOoox5jZrUfCL3wZsAWYUD7EGQBtWVDShaeIYlnpgTITh3xgR1p3K

 

[Alistair]

Hello! I’ve finally decided I need to start my reloading journey and am looking for some solid advice on getting together a budget conscious setup.

My main goals are to reload 375 H&H, and above, up to 500 NE. I’m not too worried about smaller cartridges, but perhaps shotguns are in the future.

I understand I will need to get some manuals and do more research before I actually reload the ammunition, this isn’t a thread on that, I am just mostly looking for advice on what actual equipment to purchase to get to that point. i.e. specific brands or models, again with budget consciousness in mind.

Also, If anyone has any used setups they are looking to be rid of I would happy pay a fair price.

A Lee Classic Cast press is a good pick for your use case.

Nice big window, plenty of space for longer cartridges, decent value.

Not the most precise perhaps, but more than good enough.

Other than that, you'll want a sizing / decapping die, a seating die, and a lee factory crimp die.

Plus a case trimmer, a deburring tool, a powder thrower, a hand priming tool (the on press ones aren't good in my experience), decent scales, a decent set of calipers, probably a tumbler so you can clean used brass.

There's also some resizing lube, plus consumables. A couple of case loading blocks are useful to keep everything organized.

You will want a loading notebook. Capture extensive notes on what you're doing, how it performed, and why, especially as a newbie.

The Lee / RCBS / Hornady starter kits are pretty good to start out with and give you 99% of the stuff you'll want.

You mentioned it already, but I do want to emphasize that you should buy at least one manual, and read it carefully. It's worth the time, and might save you some real issues.

 

[matt85]

I’m guessing it would take the large press to handle the large magnum and NE calibers?

It sort of depends on the dies. Having both is essential for someone who plans to load big guns often. You could start with just the standard press and see how long you can get away with it.

Here are the presses i use:

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Reloading Press

The Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press is a great press that is full of features. Some of these features include a the breech lock quick change die system...

www.midwayusa.com

Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Reloading Press Breech Lock Update Kit

The Lee Classic Cast single stage press has a rigid, cast iron "O" frame with an attractive baked powder finish, large opening and 4" ram...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[Journey]

I just.took a look at the XL presses and they are a little spendy. I Inherrited this press and with a little ingenuity I can load 416 rigby. I had to remove some material on the shell holder and I gotta stick the bullets up into the die to get them started. Ghetto I know!

The basics you need is.

1) powder scale - recommend digital, they are cheap.
2) digital calipers
3) reloading press
4) primer press one is not part of your reloading press
5) case trimming eventually as your brass grows/stretches - i have heard you need to do this less with straightwall cartridges. I end up trimming about every 3 reloads on my 280 AI
6) components - can be hard to source these days

 

[Fryeguy]

I had a RCBS rockchucker press that I started with, it came in a starter kit with scales etc. I ended up selling it once I got a Redding press. I really like it, single stage, easier to get cases in and out of. I think it’s a Boss2 maybe? I don’t know, but I love it. I have had it 15 years now maybe?? RCBS hand held primer unit is awesome too. I typically buy redding dies as well, they are my favorite, but RCBS is a close second. Sign up with Midway and give them your birthday, their birthday pricing is pretty good!! Otherwise check local shops, Craigslist, etc for a decent shape used press. Scales are very important. Don’t skimp on your powder scale. A thrower is another good tool to look into. Redding again for me, but the RCBS isn’t horrible.

 

[farmer_john]

I may have missed it but a good chronograph is a must to see your velocities.

I only have a rcbs rock chucker and for small batches a single stage isnt bad. I highly advise hornandy quick change collars to speed work flow.
But basic press and good powder measure. ( i use auto trickler v4 for workflow speed)
But any one of decent quality will do the job well.

 

[Gomer]

Rock Chucker Supreme Elite Kit

shop.rcbs.com

just need a case trimmer and dies.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

This question has been asked alot, including by me. I'd suggest searching for this topic.

 

[glblanchard]

Most of the manufacturers of reloading equipment have videos of how to use their equipment.

 

[Rare Breed]

Hello! I’ve finally decided I need to start my reloading journey and am looking for some solid advice on getting together a budget conscious setup.

My main goals are to reload 375 H&H, and above, up to 500 NE. I’m not too worried about smaller cartridges, but perhaps shotguns are in the future.

I understand I will need to get some manuals and do more research before I actually reload the ammunition, this isn’t a thread on that, I am just mostly looking for advice on what actual equipment to purchase to get to that point. i.e. specific brands or models, again with budget consciousness in mind.

Also, If anyone has any used setups they are looking to be rid of I would happy pay a fair price.

First read, Hornady, other basic reloading books before you buy anything else. Second, just me, get everything done one at a time stay away from reloading automation equipment such as powder throws, etc. Doing one bullet at a time is a great way to discipline yourself to the critical importance of consistency and safety. Third, buy a software package such as Quick Load there are others. It is conservative thus safe and you can get updates making it better than books. Last slow and steady are the two chief words. When I reload it shut all doors and will not be disturbed given I strive for the perfect bullet after bullet after bullet. In terms of equipment I am a RCMB guy. They offer great starter kits at good values for a press, powder throw, primer tool, shell holders. The kits are easily seen online

 

[Rare Breed]

RCBS

 

[Inkgardener]

I went in deep on reloading and have lots of equipment from every manufacturer. If I was to start completely over, I would buy the deluxe kit from Redding or RCBS. I would then add a digital scale, Redding dies, a trimmer, case prep machine, brass tumbler, etc. There are lots of other little things that you will discover you want. All of the brands have good things to offer, some better then others.

Read the ABC’s of Reloading book first. You could buy several books, and I have about 25, but 95% of my loads come from hodgdonreloading.com. It helps that I consolidated to mostly Hodgdon powders.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I suggest starting with a cheap caliber to reload for practice at first, because you will ruin a few cases at first. 223 or 308 or whatever would be good, and 357 magnum or something straight wall would be good practice for the 500.
Read some manuals.

 

[Inkgardener]

I suggest starting with a cheap caliber to reload for practice at first, because you will ruin a few cases at first. 223 or 308 or whatever would be good, and 357 magnum or something straight wall would be good practice for the 500.
Read some manuals.

I agree 100%! 38 or 44 or 45-70, straight wall cartridges.

 

[Tex .416]

First, buy a few basic loading manuals and then read them a few times. Do not buy anything before reading and learning. The Sierra and Barnes manuals are my most used references for load data.

This is the single best book written about handloading. Don’t worry about the chapter on neck turning. If you only buy one book first, buy this.

https://www.amazon.com/Handloading-Competition-Making-Target-Bigger/dp/096269259X

Pay close attention to learning recognize excessive pressure signs. This knowledge is critical for safety and also reliable extraction. Manuals and computer programs are very general guidelines. Each rifle and combination of components is its own unique combination of factors. Just because a manual shows a load as safe does not mean it is safe in your rifle with your particular lot of powder. Learning to recognize warning signs is mandatory.

Second, focus on understanding headspacing and how to adjust a sizing die. That single issue causes more problems than most others added together for failures to fire. People blame bad primers, when 99% of ignition problems are due to incorrectly resized brass. Too much headspace caused by excessive resizing causes failure to ignite. Too little resizing causes poor feeding and/or stuck rounds.

Next, start with something small and easy to shoot while learning, .223, .308, or 6.5 Manbun so a lot of rounds can be fired while learning to produce reliable and accurate ammo.

I’ve been loading for fifty years at this point and loaded mid-six figures number of rounds. Learning to produce accurate and reliable ammo is a real joy for me. Using ammo I loaded to make a good shot while hunting or on a target is very satisying and adds another dimension to the experience of hunting and shooting.

One truth is handloading does not save money, but it does produce more and better ammo for the same budget and thus allows more shooting for the same budget.

 

[teklanika_ray]

I started +30 years ago with an RCBC rock chuker press. It is slow, and purposeful, but you should go slow and purposeful when reloading. Especially in the class of cartridges you are reloading. Start with a simple starter kit, dont get to big to quick.
Never reload with distractions, if you have any doubt that you got the load wrong, wrong primer, skipped a step, anything. Stop, take it all apart and start all over. No room for maybe in reloading. That said, when you start to understand the basics of reloading. You will realize the possibilities of wild cat cartridges, improved performance, cost savings at checkout, and availability of ammunition during periods of diminished supplies, and a great deal more. The benefits of reloading are to great to articulate. Its like finding a really great steak. I can make a superior steak at home when compared to the local offerings (I do live in Fairbanks Alaska, and fine dinning is not an option here). You probably are not goring to out perform Kynoch, but you can develop some pretty dang good dullets at home