Reloading: How does a newbie get started?

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Cullen

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Hi gents,
This is my third post today - sorry if I'm wearing out my welcome. I've only been on TFL for a short time and I've spent that time diligently reading the posts that others have written. I've learned a lot I must say. One day I might know enough to take sides when Pluspinc and other professionals begin the technical debates.

My question here is about reloading. My gun was expensive, but it's paid for now. The range fee is $10/hr, but I don't own land so what can I do? About the only thing I can think to do to save money is to reload my brass, but it's a little intimidating. I don't want to blow myself up, ok? How hard is it to learn to reload? I would like to find out some basic references so I could read up on the subject. How expensive is it for the initial setup? What is the cost to reload, say, 500 rounds - everything included? My .40 ammo is about $12-13/box, so factory ammo would run me $120 + tax. (I know I can get it cheaper on the net). Are there any questions I have failed to ask?

All responses appreciated.
 
Cullen,
I just started reloading myself (well, 6 ago, and have only been around firearms for 1 year). So, I can give you a newbie impression of the whole mystique of reloading. First off, let me say that it is VERY EASY to learn...provided you do your homework ahead of time. Before I ordered my first reloading set I purchased a very good book entitled "The ABC's of Reloading" by C. Rodney James. This provided lots of invaluable info for someone new to reloading. This book is available from Amazon.com and many largeer book stores.

Here is what I spent when I first got started:

Lee 35th anniversary reloading kit: $67 (Midway)
Calipers- $23 @ midway
work bench- $65 from Home Depot
Tumbler with sifter- $79 from Midway
1 set of Carbide pistol dies: $21 @ Midway
1lb Unique powder- $16.00 + tax Locally
1000 CCI pistil primers- $19.00
1000 bullets (jacketed) ~ $45
brass- find for free at your range
good reloading manual - ~$25 or so Get a couple (Speer and Hornady make a good one)
plastic ammo boxes for your rounds- $3 a piece

That pretty much covers my initial expenses:
The Grand total was ~ $328 for EVERYTHING
Depending on how much you wanna reload, you might wanna consider a turret press or a Progressive system. If I had known what I know now, I would have jumped immediately on a manual indexing Lee turret press Kit rather than go the single stage route.
I started out reloading 45 acp, as the cheapest place in town had 45 for 23cents per round. Buy reloading myself, I have cut that down to 10.8 cents per round. Let us know if you have any further questions. I have no affiliation with Midway USA, but have received FANTASTIC service from them, so continue to use them.

Nathan
 
Cullen, I have a Lee turret pistol reloading kit. Midway sells them for$99.99. Good starter kit. 3 pulls on the handle and you have a finished round. Takes 20 minutes to a half hour to make 50 rounds. Real easy to change calibers. Not as fast as a progressive press, but alot cheaper.I also have a Lee reloading manual, they definately help. With this press you also need a set of Lee carbide dies. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy.
 
Contact www.dillonprecision.com and have them send you a copy of the Blue Press. I have used their Square Deal B for 7 years and it is great for loading handgun rounds quickly. Dillon equipment might cost a little more to start with than those single stage presses but it is well worth the extra $100.00 or so. Dillon gives a life time guarantee and they stand by their products with a great customer service department. Loading is almost as much fun as shooting and I can't say enough good things about the Dillon company. Oh yes I forgot to mention the beautiful models that are on the front cover of every Blue Press catalogue. Dillon is the best! P.S. I don't work for the company or own stock
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I agree with sigman i strarted out on a Lee and quickly decided to go buy a DIllon 1050 and it is the best investment ive ever made.I would look at the square deal b or the 550 for the best deals unless you shoot a lot then i might would go with the 650. Dillon`s customer service is fantastic also i broke my decap pin (my fault) I called dillon to order a replacement and they sent it out at no charge.Ive had the press for 4-5 years and have loaded over a hundred thousand rounds on it easily !


killer45auto
 
as for the price part
45acp = 3.00$ a box
.40 about 2.00$ a box my cost!


the dillon 550 is 325$
the Square deal b is 225$
add a scale and a few reloding manuels and your set id say a good estimate would be about 500$ to buy all your gear and the raw components .


killer45auto
 
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