I am brand new to this. Have been around shooting sports my whole life but never re loaded. Starting to build some rifles and want to learn about re loading. Is there a book or manual that you would recommend starting with? Also, what is my initial investment on equipment?Thanks for any suggestions.
Help out a newbie please
- Thread starter Dave G
- Start date
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
This can vary over a wide range of pricing depending on the level (low end to top end) of equipment you buy.
A good starting read for someone entering the reloading world can be found here:
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230171
Dave,
The new Sierra Relaoding manual is a great start.
they also have some videos and or dvds
YouTube has some great stuff also.
A mentor will be the best resource.
If I were to list the equipment and associated costs that are in my little slice of paradise it would surely frighten the both of us, so I wont.
If someone doesn’t come along soon with a basic list of equipment, I will gin one up.
Welcome to reloading.
CW
Buy a reloading manual , Hornady , Sierra , Lyman , Speer and read the beginning of the book until you understand it... If you already have the equipment to reload you can do some trial and error on junk brass.... It's not hard or dangerous as long as you follow a few safety rules you won't have any problems..... I tought myself just like your trying to do and if I can you can....
Some basic rules...
NEVER have more than one powder on your reloading bench at a time....
ALWAYS take a flashlight and look inside you brass to insure the powder level is all the same visually before you seat bullets...
CHECK and double check everything.....
ALWAYS get your data from trusted sources , IE reloading manuals or powder manufacturers web sites... Don't trust other people's data...
ALWAYS start low and work up powder charges till you get what you want...
AND this is my advice... If something doesn't feel right or your gut tells you something isn't right...STOP.
Reloading is a safe hobby if you do your part.. You are the quality control and safety person so it's all on you....
My advice is get your equipment and a box of junk brass and after reading your manuals and watching some you tube and asking what questions you have here , just start resizing brass and practice... When you get it down to were your comfortable you can try a few live rounds.... Don't be in a hurry... There's nothing about reloading thats fast and you never master it you just get better...
I started with the RCBS rockchuker supreme kit myself and it's a good one... You will need a good scale and that's a whole nother rabbit hole to go down... Use the search function here , there's a ton of info on almost every subject already here...
EDIT.. the kits come with a scale , but you will probably upgrade your scale later on... Kit price is around $300 plus bullets , primers and powder.... Your beginning is expensive but the equipment should last a lifetime basically....
Some basic rules...
NEVER have more than one powder on your reloading bench at a time....
ALWAYS take a flashlight and look inside you brass to insure the powder level is all the same visually before you seat bullets...
CHECK and double check everything.....
ALWAYS get your data from trusted sources , IE reloading manuals or powder manufacturers web sites... Don't trust other people's data...
ALWAYS start low and work up powder charges till you get what you want...
AND this is my advice... If something doesn't feel right or your gut tells you something isn't right...STOP.
Reloading is a safe hobby if you do your part.. You are the quality control and safety person so it's all on you....
My advice is get your equipment and a box of junk brass and after reading your manuals and watching some you tube and asking what questions you have here , just start resizing brass and practice... When you get it down to were your comfortable you can try a few live rounds.... Don't be in a hurry... There's nothing about reloading thats fast and you never master it you just get better...
I started with the RCBS rockchuker supreme kit myself and it's a good one... You will need a good scale and that's a whole nother rabbit hole to go down... Use the search function here , there's a ton of info on almost every subject already here...
EDIT.. the kits come with a scale , but you will probably upgrade your scale later on... Kit price is around $300 plus bullets , primers and powder.... Your beginning is expensive but the equipment should last a lifetime basically....
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mjl650
Gold $$ Contributor
I was in the same spot you are now four months ago. Not much more I can add. I read 2 different reloading manuals, a book dedicated to reloading 2 times, asked others at my range that reload questions, watched numerous youtube videos and lurked here and other sites for awhile before buying my 1st piece of reloading equipment. All great info here in the above posts and a wealth of info on this site. I don't want to scare you with what I've spent so far, sometimes I wonder if its worth it given the quality of factory ammo. Everyday is a learning experience and a confidence builder plus being in the golden years it keeps my mind active.
Above all is safety first.
Above all is safety first.
Just two pieces of gratuitous advice:
1. Purchase two reloading books, one certainly Lyman, ignore the folksy stuff about cousin Jim killing 30 squirrels and making a great stew after the "hunt, ignore the reloading data until you thoroughly understand the reloading process and dangers therein, then go to the data section for the rounds you will be reloading.
2. Buy a reloading kit, not individual and much more expensive items separately. Within a year or two you will be replacing a lot of the items in the kit for what you have discovered you don't like for one reason or another. You could spend $300 or less on the kit at the starting gate or spend (and then not use more expensive items, as I did, and switch to other items later on more to my liking and preferences. I spent north of $2,000 when I started on recommendations from others).
1. Purchase two reloading books, one certainly Lyman, ignore the folksy stuff about cousin Jim killing 30 squirrels and making a great stew after the "hunt, ignore the reloading data until you thoroughly understand the reloading process and dangers therein, then go to the data section for the rounds you will be reloading.
2. Buy a reloading kit, not individual and much more expensive items separately. Within a year or two you will be replacing a lot of the items in the kit for what you have discovered you don't like for one reason or another. You could spend $300 or less on the kit at the starting gate or spend (and then not use more expensive items, as I did, and switch to other items later on more to my liking and preferences. I spent north of $2,000 when I started on recommendations from others).
Not YouTube.
. Too much bad advice.But I will say that YouTube is a great way to better see/understand specific techniques.
David
There are a couple of fine basic reloading kits available online, in stores.
https://www.amazon.com/hornady-reloading-kit/s?
k=hornady+reloading+kit&tag=accuratescom-20
https://www.rcbs.com/kits/16-9354.html
There should be some good deals or premium kits coming soon for Christmas. Keep an eye out.
You'll also need some good measuring instruments and tools. Headspace comparator, OAL gage, see first link I provided. Get a good digital caliper or two.
I'd recommend you start with a single stage press, as there is a steep learning curve ahead and difficulty goes up as cube root with a multistage press when you're new to it.
One more thing you'll need is a good endoscope/borescope. The ability to look down the bore and confirm your cleaning methods is paramount.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTQF24F/?tag=accuratescom-20
Eventually you'll want to clean your dirty brass.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=rock+tumbler
Stainless steel media
https://sleepinggiantbrass.com/node/170
As for cost, figure on $1200 to start, or more depending upon what deals you find. All of the bottom end components listed are adequate for doing the job and cost is minimal.
Powder, primers, bullets costs will depend on where and how you purchase them, and what your needs are. The average shooter will never 'save' money by hand loading, but you can realize much better accuracy and fewer delays due to stock depletion.
If you want to shortcut the load development task, or are having trouble finding a good load, try one of these. It's the cat's meow.
http://harrellsprec.com/index.php/products/ar15-tuner-brake
Welcome to the rabbit hole!
https://www.amazon.com/hornady-reloading-kit/s?
k=hornady+reloading+kit&tag=accuratescom-20
https://www.rcbs.com/kits/16-9354.html
There should be some good deals or premium kits coming soon for Christmas. Keep an eye out.
You'll also need some good measuring instruments and tools. Headspace comparator, OAL gage, see first link I provided. Get a good digital caliper or two.
I'd recommend you start with a single stage press, as there is a steep learning curve ahead and difficulty goes up as cube root with a multistage press when you're new to it.
One more thing you'll need is a good endoscope/borescope. The ability to look down the bore and confirm your cleaning methods is paramount.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTQF24F/?tag=accuratescom-20
Eventually you'll want to clean your dirty brass.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=rock+tumbler
Stainless steel media
https://sleepinggiantbrass.com/node/170
As for cost, figure on $1200 to start, or more depending upon what deals you find. All of the bottom end components listed are adequate for doing the job and cost is minimal.
Powder, primers, bullets costs will depend on where and how you purchase them, and what your needs are. The average shooter will never 'save' money by hand loading, but you can realize much better accuracy and fewer delays due to stock depletion.
If you want to shortcut the load development task, or are having trouble finding a good load, try one of these. It's the cat's meow.
http://harrellsprec.com/index.php/products/ar15-tuner-brake
Welcome to the rabbit hole!
And as above, be careful of You Tube. Any drunken jackass can post a video on what he has done. The one that comes to mind is the blowtorch annealer (you need not know about annealing right now, it is a joy unto itself) and got .223 brass white hot close to the melting point instead of about 750 degrees F.
Also do not joke about things with wife/other/family when asked where you are storing your powder. Do not erspond on the burner for the oil furnace so it stays dry. Don't ask how I know not to do that ............. again.
Also do not joke about things with wife/other/family when asked where you are storing your powder. Do not erspond on the burner for the oil furnace so it stays dry. Don't ask how I know not to do that ............. again.
As was said, buy a kit first. You don't need to spend a lot initially. Buy only the items you need. For instance, you don't "need" a tumbler or other type of cleaner. Assuming you will be reloading the brass that you shoot and is not full of dirt you only need to wipe off the outside of the brass. You don't "need" a trimmer as long as you measure your brass on reload only that which is within spec. You can put the brass that has grown too long back to be trimmed when you do get a trimmer. I started with the Lee kit and still use most of it today. The Lee Safety Scale is inexpensive and is very accurate. If you add a stronger magnet to help the scale settle faster it is easier to use. If you use a balance scale it is good to have level place for it that is solid and isn't prone to vibration from activity in the building. A cover of some sort (I made a box type cover from plexiglass that works well) to keep any air movement away from affecting the scale.
Try to find someone in your area that can show you the basics. If you can't find anyone then as was said earlier, find some youtube videos. Start with basic reloading techniques, take good notes, add more advanced techniques as you master the basics. You will add more tools as you progress, but you really don't need to spend over $500.00 to get started, and you can get started for less. With the Lee kit and a set of dies you can load you your first rounds with under $200.00 in tools/equipment. Add a pound of powder, a box of bullets and a 100 round card of primers and you will still be under $300.00. Now you will soon spend more if you like what you are doing and like the results, but you CAN get started on a budget if you want. I think that the notion that HAVE to spend over $1,000.00 just to see if you like it keeps many people from trying. Start small, build as you go.
It is not difficult to master the basics in reloading/hand loading as long as you are careful, follow directions and take good notes. I would suggest that you prepare a chart that lists the steps and have it available when you start to process your first brass. Once you master the basics you can start learning more advanced techniques. How far you go, how precise you want to be is up to you.
Buy several reloading manuals and read them thoroughly. I like the Berger manual and the Lee manual is a really good resource to have on hand.
Try to find someone in your area that can show you the basics. If you can't find anyone then as was said earlier, find some youtube videos. Start with basic reloading techniques, take good notes, add more advanced techniques as you master the basics. You will add more tools as you progress, but you really don't need to spend over $500.00 to get started, and you can get started for less. With the Lee kit and a set of dies you can load you your first rounds with under $200.00 in tools/equipment. Add a pound of powder, a box of bullets and a 100 round card of primers and you will still be under $300.00. Now you will soon spend more if you like what you are doing and like the results, but you CAN get started on a budget if you want. I think that the notion that HAVE to spend over $1,000.00 just to see if you like it keeps many people from trying. Start small, build as you go.
It is not difficult to master the basics in reloading/hand loading as long as you are careful, follow directions and take good notes. I would suggest that you prepare a chart that lists the steps and have it available when you start to process your first brass. Once you master the basics you can start learning more advanced techniques. How far you go, how precise you want to be is up to you.
Buy several reloading manuals and read them thoroughly. I like the Berger manual and the Lee manual is a really good resource to have on hand.
I posted this 30,000 foot overview, a while back:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/my-get-into-reloading-newbies-post.3987035/
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/my-get-into-reloading-newbies-post.3987035/
dcali
Bullet Maker
Buy a copy of the Lyman manual and read it before you get anything else. It has the best description of the process for beginners. Start slow and follow the instructions. Once you understand what's going on, you can get into more advanced practices. Don't do anything unless you understand why you are doing it.
There are a million opinions on the best gear, and very few examples of bad gear out there. If you're the particular type, take some time to look at what the various manufacturers offer. There are subtle differences between them, but they will all work.
Some will disagree with me, but I would not go down the "buy once cry once" path. This stuff gets really expensive really fast, and starting slow will not cost you much in the long run. For example, don't start with a $500 lab grade scale. A cheap digital will get you going even if you replace it later (you may find you don't need to). You do not need or want to start with a $300+ set of custom dies. One of the reloading kits from RCBS, Redding, etc will do the job and point you in the direction of the gear you will want to get. A lot of reloading gear choices are a matter of personal preference.
I wrote this a while back for some general beginner/intermediate equipment advice. It's a tad out of date, but mostly still good. https://bisonballistics.com/articles/beginner-s-guide-to-reloading-equipment
There are a million opinions on the best gear, and very few examples of bad gear out there. If you're the particular type, take some time to look at what the various manufacturers offer. There are subtle differences between them, but they will all work.
Some will disagree with me, but I would not go down the "buy once cry once" path. This stuff gets really expensive really fast, and starting slow will not cost you much in the long run. For example, don't start with a $500 lab grade scale. A cheap digital will get you going even if you replace it later (you may find you don't need to). You do not need or want to start with a $300+ set of custom dies. One of the reloading kits from RCBS, Redding, etc will do the job and point you in the direction of the gear you will want to get. A lot of reloading gear choices are a matter of personal preference.
I wrote this a while back for some general beginner/intermediate equipment advice. It's a tad out of date, but mostly still good. https://bisonballistics.com/articles/beginner-s-guide-to-reloading-equipment
ckrifles gives good advise. Find yourself a good mentor in the area. Who knows what is going on. They not only know how to reload, but what they are doing and why. The target says it all. Your bill fold will be a lot heavier if you find some one. Don,t ask me how I know about the money part. Lot,s of good advise on this forum. But getting to watch some one and ask questions in invaluable. You won,t absorb all in one session. Hope this helps.
John
John
JMayo
Silver $$ Contributor
Get something to write in that stays at your bench. Write in a way you can come back and understand what you written.
*Be Organized*
I haven't loaded pistol in years. I can go to my note book and do as it says, get my rhythm back, not fear shooting them.
For pistol and large quantities of rifle I suggest a turret as first press.
For precession - a single stage with an arbor press for seating.
*Be Organized*
I haven't loaded pistol in years. I can go to my note book and do as it says, get my rhythm back, not fear shooting them.
For pistol and large quantities of rifle I suggest a turret as first press.
For precession - a single stage with an arbor press for seating.
dcali
Bullet Maker
These are words of experience.
Read on here ALOT. And search for each new thing you find out about. Everythings on this site and been discussed. Ask questions!!!!!!!!
Initial investment is not cheap if you do it right from the get go. Save you money long term though... but depends what your after. Best you can do and good enough for hunting is very different and a big price difference.
Initial investment is not cheap if you do it right from the get go. Save you money long term though... but depends what your after. Best you can do and good enough for hunting is very different and a big price difference.
If at all possible, find a mentor. Someone local to you who already knows what they are doing. You can buy books, watch videos, and surf forums but having someone you can text or call with questions helps a lot.
I actually took a NRA basic reloading class years ago when I was starting out. You might see if anyone offers that class in your area.
I actually took a NRA basic reloading class years ago when I was starting out. You might see if anyone offers that class in your area.
So here's my useful version of a reply. I apologize but going from zero to precision handloading in two years, I still have some appreciation for coming into this game absolutely new.
(I will use the term handload because reloading is just handloading with a used piece of brass, and handloaders going for accuracy prefer used brass)
I have four loading manuals with very good front matter about the handloading / reloading process. Lyman, Nosler, Hornady, and Lee all have decent instructional content. No two will tell you the same steps, because each has their own starting process and not all cartridges are hand loaded the same way. Lee tend to be focused on low cost, Lyman and Hornady on accuracy on a budget, and Nosler maybe a bit more oriented toward hunters. I found their different reloading processes to be confusing until I got familiar with them.
Anyway, if you share what cartridge(s) you intend to load, we can probably agree on some basic steps that will work for that cartridge. I load for my 6PPC and 6BRA. The bare minimum process is to size the brass and push out the old primer, load a new primer, fill with the correct measure of powder, and seat the chosen bullet.
Any other processes serve to make the basic steps go better / more consistently or to maintain the brass as it withstands multiple firings. Trimming, cleaning, uniforming, annealing, sorting, full length sizing, neck turning, etc etc each have their place depending how many times you reload a piece of brass and how uniform (accurate) you want the ammo to be. These supporting methods really do vary depending on the cartridge. The value of these supporting methods vary with the distance you'll be shooting and the level of effort you want to invest in obtaining accuracy.
I started with an RCBS "Supreme Master" kit. The Lyman and Hornady kits look similarly good. They tend to have great discounts this time of year if you watch for them. If you're looking to load modern rifle cartridges accurately, it's a very good start. I immediately bought a Chargemaster Lite scale, which really helped because a manual scale is useful but when its your only scale, slows you down greatly. I also recommend immediately buying a good dial calipers and a base-to-ogive measuring kit and base-to-shoulder measuring kit. The Hornady Lock-and-load kit is very good for the money.
People will tell you that you'll re-buy most of the tools you started with and this is true. As you slide down the rabbit hole, you'll upgrade tools for either more speed, more precise results, or both. But it should not turn you off, because the basic kit parts remain useful in their own way for a long time.
(I will use the term handload because reloading is just handloading with a used piece of brass, and handloaders going for accuracy prefer used brass)
I have four loading manuals with very good front matter about the handloading / reloading process. Lyman, Nosler, Hornady, and Lee all have decent instructional content. No two will tell you the same steps, because each has their own starting process and not all cartridges are hand loaded the same way. Lee tend to be focused on low cost, Lyman and Hornady on accuracy on a budget, and Nosler maybe a bit more oriented toward hunters. I found their different reloading processes to be confusing until I got familiar with them.
Anyway, if you share what cartridge(s) you intend to load, we can probably agree on some basic steps that will work for that cartridge. I load for my 6PPC and 6BRA. The bare minimum process is to size the brass and push out the old primer, load a new primer, fill with the correct measure of powder, and seat the chosen bullet.
Any other processes serve to make the basic steps go better / more consistently or to maintain the brass as it withstands multiple firings. Trimming, cleaning, uniforming, annealing, sorting, full length sizing, neck turning, etc etc each have their place depending how many times you reload a piece of brass and how uniform (accurate) you want the ammo to be. These supporting methods really do vary depending on the cartridge. The value of these supporting methods vary with the distance you'll be shooting and the level of effort you want to invest in obtaining accuracy.
I started with an RCBS "Supreme Master" kit. The Lyman and Hornady kits look similarly good. They tend to have great discounts this time of year if you watch for them. If you're looking to load modern rifle cartridges accurately, it's a very good start. I immediately bought a Chargemaster Lite scale, which really helped because a manual scale is useful but when its your only scale, slows you down greatly. I also recommend immediately buying a good dial calipers and a base-to-ogive measuring kit and base-to-shoulder measuring kit. The Hornady Lock-and-load kit is very good for the money.
People will tell you that you'll re-buy most of the tools you started with and this is true. As you slide down the rabbit hole, you'll upgrade tools for either more speed, more precise results, or both. But it should not turn you off, because the basic kit parts remain useful in their own way for a long time.
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