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Tips for beginner

2K views 24 replies 16 participants last post by  Old Guns 
#1 ·
Hello all,
I've recently gotten quite a bit more serious with my shooting. Between practicing myself, and my fiance just took an interest in firearms, the ammo price has taken its toll. I've been considering reloading. It would mostly consist of 9mm, .40 s&w, and .357, (38 special for the lady.) As of now the only other round I'd load is 6.5 creedmore. I just picked up a kimber 84m chambered in 6.5, and I'm quickly learning the capabilities of this caliber. I'm impressed by the available ammo over the counter, but I'd love to see what it can do with some tweaking and handloading.

My question,
What's a good kit for a beginner? I've done some reloading in the past as I used to shoot a lot of trap/skeet, but to my understanding shotgun shells are a far easier process. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
 
#2 ·
You are going to get differing opinions but I would recommend either a Dillon or RCBS progressive kit. You can pay a bit more for these and only buy once or you can spend less and soon want an upgrade. Loading for a pistol you will want a progressive press. Most of these will handle rifle rounds as well. READ all you can and go slow. The learning curve is not too bad and if you are careful you will have fun and learn easily.
 
#3 ·
I’ve only ever had a single stage RCBS (last 25 years) and for my needs it’s fine. BUT......I can see where having a progressive would be beneficial if a feller shot a lot of pistol ammo, and in your situation X’s 2 people. I can attest that RCBS makes quality equipment and as Old Guns said, and I trust his opinion, Dillon makes a nice press.
 
#4 ·
Been loading on a single stage press since about 1968, rifle's and handguns. Got a Dillon Sq Deal in 9mm and couldn't get it to work well at all. Sold it and back to single stage and no problem. I am not a high production shooter either but if I was I'd look at something other than a Dillon. Most likely I just used a single stage press to long. I don't buy the buy once cry once theory. Problem is far to many people have bought equipment the buy once cry once crowd condemn and have been using it happily for years. What ever the problem, I don't know. I think some people would have you believe they get only the best of anything and any thing else is junk, not true. They should make an auto press the same way a shotgun shell press is made. I don't have a problem with them. Get the press you can afford and go for it. I recommend single stage any brand you like.
 
#5 ·
I had a Dillon 650 with all the bells and whistles. It ran just fine. I ended up selling it due to the fact that I have enough pistol ammo to last the rest of my life. I kept a single stage Rock Chucker because I do have some rifle and pistol rounds that are extremely expensive to buy or are not commercially available. I have had a Lee Turret and it worked just fine but some of the stuff ( not the turret press ) Lee makes now is just plain junk.
 
#7 ·
Were I still shooting a lot of handgun, as you and your SO evidently are, I'd have a progressive. These days just a progressive press would not be practical nor of much use for me.

First off, invest in a couple books on reloading then read, read, read and read some more. As with many things, when reloading the devil is in the details. As so many recommend
"The ABC's of Reloading" it must be good though I am ignorant of it. I like the Lyman manual and nearly all the bullet makers put out their own book.

I expect about any brand would suffice for your needs. Lee equipment is serviceable and I own some of it but it's never my first choice. RCBS, Lyman, Pacific and Forster are good choices. I can't speak to Dillon or Hornady as I've never owned or used any of their equipment except for two sets of Hornady dies....and I don't like them. Their sliding bullet seating stem drives me to distraction.
 
#8 ·
For progressive I would recommend a Dillon 550C. You'll be able to crank out pistol ammunition at a respectable rate, while also being able to work more carefully with 6.5 Creedmoor loading.

Beyond that, like several have said before me: Get books and read them. Also watch some YouTube videos, I'd recommend Ultimate Reloader. He gives overviews on many presses in addition to showing setup, etc.
 
#9 ·
I know you asked about reloading but there seems to be a void in your collection, no 22lrs. Make no mistake they are not toys. With the cheap price, low report and recoil many find them valuable tools to enhance their skill level with. An older fella once told me " show me a man that only shoots magnums and I'll show you a flincher". Not to mention they have a useful spot of their own other than trainer. If that's not enough some find them just plain fun. Ya the boomers are great but sometimes a 22, a brick of ammo and an afternoon is just the ticket:D
 
#10 ·
As has been stated above they are all solid recommendations, as you see it becomes a personal preference, I do not compete but I love to shoot and I use a single stage press. My press is a Forster, for me this is the best when it comes to changing calibers of similar diameters as you do not have to change shell holders every time.
 
#11 ·
Start here; ;https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/reloading-where-to-start-manuals.76152/ Plus there are several good stickies above. Another good text is "The ABCs of Reloading".

If you ask reloaders what equipment to start with you will get suggestions about every type manufactured today, kinda like "which car is best?". Owning/using reloading equipment is very personal. I started with a Lee Loader and 30+years later I still use a single stage and a Lee turret (hand indexed) as a progressive machine doesn't fit my lifestyle...

My suggestion would be any of the name brand single stage presses as you will be learning to reload ammo, not operate a reloading machine. After reading the ABCs you'll have an idea of which equipment fits your reloading needs.

The revolver rounds you mention will be the easiest to start reloading as the two, 38 and 357, are very forgiving and straight forward, Besides these two have been reloaded 18 bizillion times and all problems have been worked out and solutions are easily found.

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...
 
#12 ·
All good information, especially the "go progressive" posts. I loaded with a Lee single stage for 35 years and when I decided to go progressive, I bought a Lee LoadMaster. Because of that piece of crap, I almost gave up on progressive loading. I sold the piece of crap and bought a Dillon RL550B (now 550C) and am so glad I did. I do still use a single stage for all of my rifles but all of my pistol ammo is done on the Dillon.

The only advice I will give you, other than buy some reloading manuals, is stay away from the Lee Progressive presses, the price is tempting, but you do get what you pay for!!
 
#13 ·
Welcome to the forum and welcome to one of the most addictive habits( not involving drugs) reloading.
I would suggest trying to find a used single press, you can always upgrade. The read as much as possible an ask all the questions you can think of, no one here will talk down to you.
Having a shooting partner is a plus and if she becomes excited about expanding her involvement, reloading is a natural progression.
I have not been reloading for decades(actually only one year on my own equip), but the hobby is very rewarding.

Good Luck, keep us posted.
Larry
 
#16 ·
Ive just picked up a copy of the abcs of reloading. My local gun store had a copy, and sell all the reloading supplies/kits, but theyre very pricy compared to what I've found online. I having decided if I want to go single stage or progressive yet, hiwever I'm kinda leaning towards single stage for now because as mentioned I can always sell it and move up if I decide to advance. I really like alot of the RCBS and dillon kits. Its actually not even as expensive as I had in mind!
 
#17 · (Edited)
I started on a single stage, got a Dillon Square Deal, got a 550 and a CH 3-postition. Still have them all, use them all for different stuff. The SD I use for 40, 9, 45, 380 and 38 spcl. I use the 550 for 308 and 223, I still single stage small lots of my other calibers like 44 Mag, 357 Mag, 7 Mag, etc.
The powders that my 7 Mag likes, are the long extruded powders, so I use a powder measure to throw a low charge and trickle up to the desired weight. When I load the 40, 9, 45, 380 and 38 rounds, I usually load from several hundred to a thousand rounds, so I use the Square Deal. Same goes for the 223 and 308, except I use the 550.
I guess what I'm saying is that for large volume loading, buy and use a progressive (Dillon), if you are only going to load a maximum of 100 or so at a time, a single stage (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme) would probably do you fine. A good turret press is kinda like a compromise between the two, but I can't say much about them because I don't have one.
 
#18 ·
Take your time and look and wait for sales. About 2-3 times a year the starter kits go on sale. Natchez, Precision Reloading, and amazon are good places to shop. Even the big box stores (Cabela’s) have good deals every once and a while.

I started with a Hornady Classic kit, and it works great for me. But as everyone has mentioned you can’t go wrong with RCBS, DILLON or the others mentioned.

Good luck and have fun! It’s addicting!
 
#19 ·
I didn't know any reloaders and just a couple shooters when I started reloading. In '69, as I emptied the cylinder of my 38 I thought "I wonder if I can reuse these?". I did research then bought a Lee Loader. This taught me the principles of reloading and kept me shooting for about a year. I went to a single stage and reloaded with one for prolly 22 years then got a turret (and I disabled the auto index). I now own the best single stage press designed, a Forster Co-Ax, and have no need to pump out 1,000 rounds per hour as I enjoy reloading...
 
#20 ·
I started with a hornady lock-n-load progressive and am glad I did. It was a challenge to get it setup correctly, but thanks to the highboy videos in the sticky section of this forum I was able to crank out some good ammo.

My opinion: if you're doing semi-auto pistol ammo, you're going to want a progressive.

I eventually bought a cheap lee single-stage press to deprime (and have since been given a nice older rcbs single-stage). I now deprime on the single-stage using a universal die and reprime using a hand primer. I find that if I'm going to hang up the progressive, it'll be while depriming or repriming.

There are other tools you're going to need just to start. Off the top of my head: digital scale, calipers, and a bullet puller.

This forum is, IMO, the best one online for help.

Go slow and good luck!
 
#22 · (Edited)
If you have a friend who reloads, ask to see his setup. See if he will let you use it to load up some of your ammo before you buy your own equipment. Ask him to mentor you. If you don't know anyone who reloads, post your approximate location, and maybe someone on this forum will take you under their wing.

Midway is having a sweepstakes to win an entire reloading setup if you want to enter it.
https://www.midwayusa.com/sweepstak...t=crossSell-banner-two&utm_campaign=reloading
 
#23 ·
not too long ago brownells had a special on a breech lock kit for $100 shipped, boy was I tempted, there were other things I wanted more but that would be the perfect deal to get started, I reload on a single stage, I usually do a lot of the same operation, I'll save my cases and do a lot at a time, when the cases are all prepped and primed, than I may do a couple hundred rounds, charge and seat
 
#24 ·
I just loaded my first 12 rounds. 158 grain bullets at 13.5 grain with alliant 2400. Simpler than I expected actually. The 3 die system isn't horrible, I seated and crimped seperetly, but played around with a few dummies. I'm confident that I can seat and crimp in one shot with my next batch. Thanks for all the help!!! I love this forum and so the good advice
 
#25 ·
Great to hear you are up and running. Reloading is a very rewarding experience. I used to do a lot of it before I more or less stopped shooting. However reading all the shooting posts on here may get me started again. I need a distraction from guns so to speak.
 
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