Getting into reloading

Like the title says, looking to get into reloading a little later this year (read my wife said I could spend some of the tax refund). I'll be reloading .40 S&W, .380, and the ubiquitous .223. Eventually I will include .30-30 or .30-06 I've done a little research but would like some input from people that reload regularly.

I'd like to buy used if possible, new will work however. My question revolves around the simple, "What the hec do I need to get?!?!" I don't really mind the work of a single station but would prefer a progressive press. Everything I have found online gives a brand based "buy my stuff" list. I'm not brand loyal, I want what works, and works well. Other than the press, what do I need?

Just something to google, I'm not expecting more than a simple list to point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

Kenny

I have a dillon 650 and have been very happy with it. I haven't used any other brand so I can't compare them. But with Dillon being local and the warranty they have seems like a no brainer to me. I have loaded over 40k rounds and I bought it used and they have replaced any parts that have broke or worn out. I enjoy reloading but don't think I could handle a single stage press unless I was doing really low volume precision only loading. I just searched Craigslist and back page until I found one.

Your first press should be a single stage. Don't start with a progressive because there are too many things going on at one time making it easier to make a mistake. In reloading, mistakes can range from "Oops..." to "CALL AN AMBULANCE!!!". Dramatic? Yes. Over-dramatic? No. I know someone who accidentally double-charged a rifle case resulting in the gun blowing up in his face damaging his eyes, etc.

Look at the starter kits from RCBS, Lyman, etc. that include everything you need to get started. That money will not be wasted.

I started with a Lee Turret press which, considering how often it didn't work, was about the same as a single stage. From there I went to the Lee 1000 then to a Dillon XL650, which I've had for probably 25 years or so. I have an RCBS single stage on loan to a friend but I plan to load 300WM, 7mm RM and even some .308 and 5.56.

Can't go wrong with a RCBS single stage and very good value for the money. Lee has a all inclusive starter kit at Sportsman Warehouse for about $150 pretty much everything you need except the dies.

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I'm ordering a Lee classic indexing turret. It's not a progressive, but is still quicker than a progressive. It's right around $200 without dies. I would recommend getting a reloading manual first, usually the first half of the book is all the basics and talks about all the operations that need to be done and the tools needed to do them.

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A single stage press is a good place to start but you can always set up a progressive one die at a time and run it like a single. Just pic the brand you like the best. I got away from Dilllon simply because of the cost to change calibers. i personally went with Hornady LNL Ap and i have been very happy with. i load all my match ammo on a lee single stage. You will want to get at least 2 reloading manuals because they will very, you will probably want to pick up a good trimmer. You will probably want to get a good digital scale also. i started with beam and it just takes to long. i recommend the Myweigh gem pro 250 or 500. you will want a tumbler and media as well. Dont forget a good bench, as for dies i use lee for everything. Do a bunch of research before you start making purchases so you only have to buy once. Fell free to shot me a message and we can discuss further over the phone. I am also fairly new to reloading, only about 4 years but i made a lot of purchasing mistakes until i figured out exactly what i wanted. Good luck.

If you are interested, I have a beginners basics book around here you can have. I personally use the crap out of my second-hand rcbs rockchucker. Its the best single stage i have ever used, and been using it since 1999. I have loaded several thousandrounds through it with out a single problem. I use a rcbs 505 scale, a little slow but accurate and dependable.

Buy the lee single stage kit it has most everything you will need. don't waste your time with a vibratory tumbler just get the Frankfort wet tumbler kit. I have a bunch of projectiles i sell if you are near Prescott Valley.

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Originally Posted by "omegaman"

Buy the lee single stage kit it has most everything you will need. don't waste your time with a vibratory tumbler just get the Frankfort wet tumbler kit. I have a bunch of projectiles i sell if you are near Prescott Valley.

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Are you referring to http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arse.../dp/B00HTN4R6O?

Thank you all very much for the input so far. It has helped me already and I'm sure will continue to do so!

Yes that's it; hot water cap of dish soap and tsp of lemi shine 30min like new inside and out

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Originally Posted by Ken

Your first press should be a single stage.

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Take it from another reloader, he is 100% correct. If anyone tells you different they are wrong.

For what its worth I have a year reloading under my belt and I'm still on a single stage.

As stated above, starting with the single stage is a good idea. You will gain an understanding of how each step works and why it is important. The other thing you will gain from it is a feel for when something is right and when something is wrong. Without learning the feel on a single stage it will be difficult to tell by feel what is wrong on a progressive. It will make safely transitioning to a progressive much easier. I've seen a lot of new reloaders jump to a progressive and then have lots of problems. The other thing that makes a difference is good lighting. Make sure you have a clear view of every part of your operation. The Lyman reloading manual is a good general manual with a good explanation of the step by step process. It is a good place to start and then buy brand specific manuals later as needed.

I strongly recommend Dillon presses. Primarily for their customer service and their warranty. No metter if you buy one used from ebay or brand new they offer a lifetime warranty on their equipment. An example of their customer service: I started reloading about 2 years ago using a Dillon Square Deal B progressive press. At the time the only information I had about reloading was from watching you tube videos. The set up of the press was fairly easy even with an issue with the reloading rod. The pin hole for the connector was drilled slightly off causing the mechanism to bind up. I called them describing the problem, they offered to mail me a new part at no cost, since their main office is right here in Phoenix I asked if I could just go up there. I took my defective part up there they looked at it and said yup, its wrong, handed me a new piece and asked if I needed any other help. No hassle no fuss, just great service. My suggestion, go with a dillon, you wont regret it. Just take your time, watch their videos, watch everything you can online. Ask around if you have questions, and finally use your brain, if it doesnt look right dont force it, easiest way to keep things from going BOOM!

Aside from the press, For a reloading desk, since I dont have a garage to work in, I went to Goodwill where I found a good old heavy hard wood desk. It works great for my reloading bench. I had also thought about picking up a regular work bench, but this was able to pick that up for $15

It is helpful to have a nice compact bright light that you can angle over your work area, on my dillon press I aim it over the 3rd stage where the powder is loaded so I can see inside the case to verify the powder has dropped, and the amount of powder looks correct. I found a nice desktop LED light at Ikea for about $10. It throws off very little heat so I am not concerned about it getting to hot being near the gun powder. You will need a good little digital scale for measuring powder, and set of calipers. I found both on Amazon at better prices then what I could find locally. Also you will need a bullet remover - for the mistakes you make. They look like a hollowed out hammer. I think we picked that up at cabela's or Bass Pro. For cleaning my cases I use the Hot water, salt, vinegar & Dish soap method. Here's a video on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8vJ7MiHAuI It cleans the brass just fine although it doesnt give that shiny look as you get from using a tumbler. I have a couple of old cookie sheets lined with tinfoil that I use for drying after cleaning it. To keep from getting in trouble with the Mrs I picked her up a couple of new ones BEFORE I stole the old ones. If you are planning on reloading rifle brass you may need a case trimmer, I cant speak to that as I only reload straight walled handgun ammo. Hope this helps. Oh the most important thing you will need, it is essential to your success in reloading. LOTS and LOTS of patience.

Dillon Precision. Excellent manufacture, lifetime warranty. Knowledgeable people can help with anything you need. Hornady for other accessories and bullets if you need anything more than round nose.