Handloading Start-up Tips? - The Firearms Forum

Sandman · 11-03-2009, 09:41 AM

I used to reload shotgun shells, but have never gotten into handloading for my rifles. I am thinking about it now, though, with the cost and availability issues of ammo these days. I know next to nothing about it, so if some of you can provide some basic start-up tips as to what I will need, costs, and some do's and don't's I would appreciate it. Anything that would help with the go / no go decision.

RandyP · 11-03-2009, 09:47 AM

Here you go, from another reloading web forum:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

Also, the first thing to do is buy or library loan a few manuals and read them cover to cover.

zkovach · 11-03-2009, 10:28 AM

buy the new lyman and nosler book!!!

312shooter · 11-03-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zkovach

buy the new lyman and nosler book!!!

+1!!!

The reloading hobby is fun and rewarding as much or more to some as shooting. Some of the issues you find with ammo availability carries over to reloaders as well. Primers and powder are in high demand and pretty scarce. Not to say you cannot get them,or offer a discouraging word here but I suggest to a new reloader that you get your books first, read the data of which calibers you will be reloading and backorder the appropriate components. By the time you have made decisions on your equipment and have chalked yourself full of knowlege, your primers and powder should be arriving.

Price is almost a "sky's the limit" situation but $300 on the low end.

myg30 · 11-05-2009, 06:44 PM

I started years ago with a lee hand loader for my only hunting rifle.At $18 back then it was a deal. If you shoot lots you will want another type of press. You tube is a good place to get some basic looks at reloading but like said above, READ a good reloading book cover to cover first. Then read again.
You can find some for sale in the reloading forums from time to time at a reasonable price used. ABC's of reloading,lymans 48th etc all good !

Mike

Gearheadpyro · 11-07-2009, 04:38 PM

+1 on buying a manual. I recommend either the Lyman manual, or the ABC's of reloading.
Also might be worth checking out my website on reloading http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading.com

Sandman · 11-09-2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks for all of the info guys. I am looking into all of it. I won't be doing a high quantity, so I don't need to go to fancy.

woolleyworm · 11-09-2009, 09:38 AM

A good single stage press or turret press will do you just fine. Keep an eye out in the WTS section and online. A good single stage won't cost much and will serve you for years. I'd go with Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press or a Rock Chucker; more depends on your budget. Both are solid presses, the chucker has a little more leverage and smoother stroke.

11-03-2009, 09:41 AM	#1
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Handloading Start-up Tips? I used to reload shotgun shells, but have never gotten into handloading for my rifles. I am thinking about it now, though, with the cost and availability issues of ammo these days. I know next to nothing about it, so if some of you can provide some basic start-up tips as to what I will need, costs, and some do's and don't's I would appreciate it. Anything that would help with the go / no go decision. -->

11-03-2009, 09:47 AM	#2
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Handloading Start-up Tips? Here you go, from another reloading web forum: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214 Also, the first thing to do is buy or library loan a few manuals and read them cover to cover. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

11-03-2009, 10:28 AM	#3
zkovach Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,005	Re: Handloading Start-up Tips? buy the new lyman and nosler book!!!

11-05-2009, 06:44 PM	#5
myg30 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nash,TN. Posts: 25	Re: Handloading Start-up Tips? I started years ago with a lee hand loader for my only hunting rifle.At $18 back then it was a deal. If you shoot lots you will want another type of press. You tube is a good place to get some basic looks at reloading but like said above, READ a good reloading book cover to cover first. Then read again. You can find some for sale in the reloading forums from time to time at a reasonable price used. ABC's of reloading,lymans 48th etc all good ! Mike

11-07-2009, 04:38 PM	#6
Gearheadpyro V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 110	Re: Handloading Start-up Tips? +1 on buying a manual. I recommend either the Lyman manual, or the ABC's of reloading. Also might be worth checking out my website on reloading http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading.com __________________ www.southernmarksman.com Owner of & Chief Instructor for The Southern Marksman, LLC NRA Life Member, NRA CRSO, Multi-Discipline NRA Certified Instructor

11-09-2009, 08:43 AM	#7
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: Handloading Start-up Tips? Thanks for all of the info guys. I am looking into all of it. I won't be doing a high quantity, so I don't need to go to fancy.

11-09-2009, 09:38 AM	#8
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Handloading Start-up Tips? A good single stage press or turret press will do you just fine. Keep an eye out in the WTS section and online. A good single stage won't cost much and will serve you for years. I'd go with Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press or a Rock Chucker; more depends on your budget. Both are solid presses, the chucker has a little more leverage and smoother stroke. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .