Reload wanna be seeking answers

M

MINSH101

New member
I would like to get into reloading, however I don't know where to begin. Seeking recommendations to which brand of press would be best? As I sit here today I plan on just 9mm, .357/.38 and 45 ACP rounds since that's all I have at this time. Would like to expand my collection into rifles, but for now I just have pistols. Have pretty much decided to get a progressive press as opposed to a single stage based solely on ease and (apparent) speed of progressive presses and lack of handling each round so many times. Thoughts on my decision? I haven't set that choice in stone, so I can be persuaded with a well stated argument to the contrary.

Thanks in advance
 
As for for I say get yourself a reloading manual and read it Lyman is the one that will give you all the information you need on doing all you want to do and as for press.I say you are best to start with a single stage since you never had any back ground of reloading.Also it will be easyer for doing test rounds also.On the type you are talking about is good for when you know what load will shot the best in your gun and just need to run them.I have a single stage and a T press and I use the Single stage mainly to resize my brass and the T press for the rest that way I do not have to change dies.Just turn the turret to the next die.I started off with the T press but I seen how some of the brass I was resizen was getting too much on it then I got a single stage I got it used and took care of the problems I was haven .This is what been working for me.
 
Start with a manual and the ABCs of Reloading (book). This will let you get a familiarization of different presses and the procedures.

There's two trains of thought on what a beginner should start with. I'm of the thought that a beginner should start with a single stage, in order to learn the reloading process first, before jumping into a progressive. Jumping straight to a progressive would be like learning how to drive, by driving a race car. I was very glad that I started with a single stage, it made learning to use a progressive very easy to do. Plus later on, you'll still be able to use the single stage for rifle reloading. There's always use for a good single stage press.

Just my .02.
 
Not reading ALL the detail in a comprehensive reloading manual like Lyman or Lee BEFORE you start reloading (or even buying equipment) would be the worst mistake you could make.

Do be aware that all the comprehensive reloading manuals have a bias towards a particular brand of equipment - this is ESPECIALLY true about both Lyman and Richard Lee's books. The books just cannot stop trying to sell you their particular brand of product. That shouldn't get in the way of the important info you will absorb; just do not fall for their sales pitch. Every brand makes some good stuff, and for the basics, like a single stage press, scale (NOT digital to start!!!) and powder measure, you can probably buy simply on price and get a quality setup. Entry level reloading kits by the big name players are an excellent way to start. Look at places like Cabela's. Midway, or MidSouth Shooter's Supply for prices and options.

The second worse mistake? Starting with a progressive press! A good single stage press like an RCBS or Lyman will do everything you need, last forever, and you will always turn to it for some things even after you have moved on to a fancy progressive later. You will need a good single stage, especially for rifle cartridges, so be smart and start with it.

Even for pistol loading, a good single stage setup can crank them out quite fast. I only use my progressive and turret presses to do large volume stuff that I stockpile, like .40 S&W and .38 Spl plinking loads. I still turn to the old RCBS Rock Chucker for all the Magnum and hunting loads, and it is very easy to load up a couple of boxes of anything in less than an hour.

So you need to learn and understand the principles and potential dangers BEFORE you start, then buy basic equipment and GO SLOW until you are comfortable with what you are doing. There are lots of places you can make mistakes if you are inattentive or do not understand the underlying principles. NEVER compromise safety by cutting corners! Good luck (and Welcome to the forum).
 
Start with a manual and the ABCs of Reloading (book). This will let you get a familiarization of different presses and the procedures.
Click to expand...

^^^^^This^^^^^

This should be mandatory reading for anyone who's thinking of reloading before they even get started.
As for a progressive press, some will say they learned on it but IMHO there is just too much going on for someone who is just learning. You may want to also consider a turret press such as Lee's LCT. By simply removing the rod in the middle it becomes a single stage press. Once you have the basics down and feel you can move up or on as a turret press it will easily do 150+ an hour.
 
A progressive press can be very frustrating at times, I still do all of my load development on a 30+ year old RCBS Rockchucker as well as most rifle rounds. I did get into the progressive press finally this year (Dillon XL650) and it took me a while to get comfortable with it. So, if you are a patient person just realize that a progressive might test your patients, if you are not patient - it might be trying at times.

Brian Enos (brianenos.com) has a forum with a press section, might want to jump over there and see some of the interesting threads on Hornady and Dillon equipment. Seems it is almost like a religion! Since you mentioned 9mm might want to read some of the threads on how the shell plate on some of the presses snap and cause powder to jump out of the brass... He also has a guide to round count and different calibers for press selection vs cost of changing calibers.

If you decide to go single stage, it is rather simple - a press, dies, powder drop (not essential but nice), scale, and maybe a few loading blocks.

Always start low and work your charges up, use either powder manufacturers data or bullet manufacturers data (don't take data off the forums). A chronograph is a nice to have to make sure you are within the values you should be getting according to the data you are using.

Be patient and be safe!
 
Just started myselft

I just started reloading a month ago and I'm using the lee loader set. It's a great place to start and really easy to use as long as you are shooting bolt action, if you are shooting semi-auto you will need a press that does full case resizing. The best thing I did was find a store that sells loading equipment and talk to the people there. Reloaders tend to be really happy to give advice and getting it in person is a great help.

Anyway, here's my equipment:

Lee loader
Lee case trimmer
RCBS scale
Caliper
Lyman case prep tool
Plastic hammer

With that I have reloaded several hundred rounds that shoot great. The hammering gets to be old after awhile so if you can go directly to a real press, that's an advantage. I just don't have space for a full press so the lee loader works out well.

I have the Lyman manual, but all manuals have limitations. I couldn't find the load information for my Nosler Custom Competition bullet in any manual. Fortunately, Nosler has all the information on their website. I don't know why the other bullet makers don't make it so easy to find. The lee loader comes with loading information for common bullets though.

Hope that helps.
 
I have both a single stage and progressive press. I still use the single stage a lot. I use the progressive press for loading bulk pistol ammo. I use the single for rifle and pistol load development.

Just last night I loaded 100 rounds of 40 with the single stage. Five rounds each of different powder/powder loads. To me the development of the loads is one of the best enjoyments of reloading.

I think you will be missing a lot by not starting with a single stage press.
 
I have been reloading for a while, used an RCBS rochchucker for years. Two years go I bought a Lee Classic Turret press, thinking I would like a bit more production. I do like it, it does have a learning curve, I suspect a progressive would have a very steep learning curve.

That being said, I am going to go back to my rockchucker for most reloading tasks, using the turret press for .223. My shooting demands are less now, I do not need to crank out 300 rounds per hour. I really like the batch type procedure, where I size 100 or 150 or 200 cases, then maybe a few evenings later prime them, then flare all of them. I charge them and seat at the same time, then crimp them, if they need a crimp.

I guess I am just an old fashioned guy, sticking to what has worked well for me. For rifle, the rockchucker, or any good single stage press is the way to go in my opinion.

David
 
In my view, there is nothing wrong with starting with a progressive press...with all presses you need to understand what is going on ..but its no more difficult to learn on a good progressive than it is on a single stage.

For me the deciding factor would be to have a press that has a "powder check die" option...as an extra safety factor against a low or high powder charge / and a couple of presses that fit that criteria are the Hornaday LNL and the Dillon 650 - both are good presses / but different in several ways - and both have their fans - personally I like the 650. Both presses will handle handgun and rifle calibers.

Reloading, to me, is a big part of the hobby ...but its not for everyone. You need to have attention to detail - and good and methodic work habits on the press...keep a clean and organized reloading bench ..( and read and understand - every last paragraph in the manual !! )...

ABC's of reloading is a good book ....but you can also download the manuals for the Dillon 650 and the Hornaday LNL ..and read them as well ( even before you buy a press). Talk to a lot of guys at your local range...find out what they're using - and why - and would they buy it again / maybe find someone locally that will offer to mentor you a little on how to load, how their equipment is set up, etc.

Your goal should be high quality and consistent - and safe ammo within specs of the published loading tables / not cost savings - although that will come as well.
 
The big difference, IMO, of starting with a single stage press vs. a progressive press is on a single stage you are learning to reload ammunition. On a progressive your are learning how to operate a multi-function machine, which happens to produce ammo...(plus I like the analogy of learning to drive in a Toyota with auto trans vs. a Lotus Indy car :D)

I too, would suggest The ABCs as a starting text, not only for the "How To" of reloading but information what equipment will fit your reloading needs. A reloader's library shouldn't consist of just one or two books, but several texts and manuals for reference and cross checking load data. Some manuals combine an excellent "How To' section with the data section which can be invaluable to a reloader (at least mine are after reloading for a couple decades).
 
"...the load information for my Nosler Custom Competition bullet in any manual..." You don't need manufacturer specific data. You need data for the bullet weight.
Absolutely start with a manual and the ABC's of Reloading then look into one of the Beginner's Kits. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. The brand really doesn't matter much. Partial to RCBS myself. Bit more expensive, but their warrantee is on the kit, forever. Even if you buy used.
And speed with a single a stage press is about technique.
 
I get flamed every time I post but here goes. This exact question was asked here every month ... ample reading on pros and cons. If you really want to read the cons just find the posts I've written. In short:

Factor in the honest time/cost savings using an "opportunity cost" economics model. Reloading may not be the cost savings you think it might be.

Enjoy either way, just be informed.
 
I bought my first press a little over a year ago, after reading and studying the subject for several months. Buy and read at least one manual, and preferably two or more, cover to cover, at least a couple of times. Read and study the excellent information here, especially the stickies on equipment. The websites of some of the equipment manufacturers have some excellent information.

After doing all that myself, I ordered a Lee Classic Turret Press from Kempf Gun Shop. You can find them online. They offer a kit that is not the standard Lee kit, but includes the LCT press, the Lee disk powder dispenser (for which the upgrade to the Pro is inexpensive and desirable), on-press primer tool, and your choice of Lee die sets for the caliber you want to start with. They also throw in a couple of ammo boxes to get you started. Add a scale of your choice; the beam scale that Lee includes in their kit gets mixed reviews. With a place to mount it and your components, your are ready to start loading without having the bill jacked up by a bunch of extraneous stuff.

The LCT lets you watch and monitor each step, but allows you to keep your settings on each of your dies once you have them adjusted. To add a caliber, you only need to buy the die set and the turret plate. The turrets change out in just a minute or two and retain the die settings. Lee also makes an inexpensive box that allows you to store the turret and dies; I have one for each caliber that I load.

Like you, I only load handgun calibers. I can make a box in 20 minutes working at a leisurely, careful pace. Other folks report being faster, but I don't like to rush that or any other hobbies; I have hobbies to relax, after all.

You might choose another press and do fine, but the LCT is definitely worth considering for your purpose. It has been over a year and I am completely satisfied with my choice.
 
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Same weight bullet

"...the load information for my Nosler Custom Competition bullet in any manual..." You don't need manufacturer specific data. You need data for the bullet weight.
Absolutely start with a manual and the ABC's of Reloading then look into one of the Beginner's Kits. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. The brand really doesn't matter much. Partial to RCBS myself. Bit more expensive, but their warrantee is on the kit, forever. Even if you buy used.
And speed with a single a stage press is about technique.
__________________
Spelling and grammar count!
Click to expand...

True, but in none of the catalogs could I find a load for a 140 grain .308 bullet.
 
My first gear was:

THE INTERNET - It's your friend when it comes to reloading. There's tons of info out there that should give you ideas, and tons of knowledge from those who have been there and done that. Just make sure you don't take what you read as gospel, because I've seen some things that would surely cost some fingers or eyes.

I own mostly Lee stuff because I have more time than money, and honestly, I can say after tens of thousands of rounds, I'm confident I made the right choice for ME. Others will say Dillon, others RCBS, etc, etc. Make your choice based on what you feel is right for YOU.

Lyman Manual - Free from a friend
Lee Manual - Free from a friend
Lee Hand press (came with priming tool, lube, funnel) $60.00
Dies for calibers I wanted to load (at that time 45ACP (used/cheap), 38/357 and 223) $30 or so per set
Lee case trimmer for each caliber - A few dollars per caliber.
Digital calipers
Scales (bought 2 and used one to verify the other) $60 or so for both.

I started with the straight walled pistol cartridges, then moved on to bottleneck rifle stuff. I did it all wherever I wanted to. That's the joy of the hand press. Kitchen table while the snow flies, at the range working up loads a few at a time, etc.

So I had MAYBE $175 tied up in my stuff and loaded thousands with it. I still use the hand press for small batches of .45-70 and such and I also still use it to work loads up. After I find a load I like, then I move on to the more speedy stuff I have since acquired over the past few years.

I now use a Lee Classic Turret. It self indexes so I can get some speed with straight walled pistol stuff and I can use it as a single stage for rifle, since I have some off the press case prep after de-capping.

It all a matter of how deep you want to get. I am totally happy with my investment, and I now have all of my stuff in a dedicated place in the shop building, and winter with the wood stove is where I begin tinkering for the next shooting season in the spring.
 
I loaded mostly rifle for 20 years with a single stage press. In the past couple of years I bought a semi auto 9mm and upped my ammo output.
I purchased a Lee Classic Turret press with the thought of possibly upping to a progressive. So far no need as the Classic Turret will crank out 100 rounds in 40 minutes or less which has given me more than enough ammo than I shoot.

It is simple to operate, can be converted to single stage mode in a matter of 10 seconds. It did take a bit of tweaking to get it operating as it should but after thousands of rounds and two years of use it is running smoother than ever.

Also if you have an extra auto disc measure and a spare turret you can swap cartridges quickly. Just pull the turret, drop in the new one and away you go.
 
All excellent advice above. I am new to reloading too having begun only a month ago. I'd suggest sitting down in person with someone locally who reloads. Check with a local gun club or gun shop for a reference and watch the process. The NRA offers a course in reloading. You can check to see if there is a class in your area.

http://www.nratraining.net/#/metallic-reloading/4529044871

I'd also suggest watching various YouTube videos. they removed the cloud of mystery as to how the process worked. The best one I've seen is this one in high def. He methodically goes through all of his equipment and each reloading step in detail. It helped me finally put it all together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyFbNd7bBro
 
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