A new member Wanting to get into reloading

[Bigcountry8530]

This is something I have always wanted to do but did not know where to start. I was wanting a new rifle for longer range shooting and was told to learn to reload first. Here is my question what should I get as far as brand. Should I buy the things sperate or as a kit. What extras would you suggest. I will be reloading for a 243 win being shot out of a Remington 700 ADL with a standard barrel 22 inches long. I will be shooting mostly groundhogs but coyote and deer could also be in the crosshairs of this gun. When I get a new gun it will be varmints and targets only. Any help would be great.

Thanks Brian

 

[Minesweeper3433]

Pick your press first and get as much info as you can on that. Personal preference for me is Forster co-axle press but it may or may not suet your needs. If you are reloading for a single caliber start with one of the many starter kits that are out there just get one without the press. I purchased almost everything I have at yard sales and from friends or on this site. As far as scales go balance beam scales work really great if you are only doing one or two calibers and are not worried about being more involved in the process. Do not scrimp on dies I go with redding for rifles that will benefit from them and redding for the rest but it is personal pref. for the calibers that just blast ammo like an AR or pistol. After you have the basics look into a chronograph as it makes it very easy to get ballistics off of your load from short range testing. Plus a chrono makes me feel better in regards to pressure. If you get into this I will sell you an old powder dispenser that I have for 25 bucks plus shipping. It is still in box and the first one I got at a yard sale never broke on me so I dont need the back up.
You can get into reloading very cheap if you are patient.

Reloading book as many as you can and get more each year or at least check your calibers for updates.
Press
Scale
Dies
Trimmer
Powder thrower/powder dispenser
Powder tickler helps but is not necessary
Case lube of some sorts
Tumbler or polisher. You can also clean cases by hand if you dont worry about the shiny.
Container for the loaded ammo and your emptys.
bullets brass primers and powder.

 

[Rock Knocker]

I got one of the Lee reloading kits for cheap from a local guy and that got me right on my way once i picked up some dies and calipers. I just upgraded my scale and picked up a compirator for my calipers, other wise im still useing most the stuff that came the kit for $80.

There is higher quality stuff out there and if you have a larger budget that what i did it would be even better.

Im sure i will get corected on something i missed here but to get a solid start to reloading all you need is a press, set of dies, a way to prime your cases and a scale. A calipers is greatly recomended and little things like a powder scoop and funnel, Oh almost missed it... a case trimmer will be needed. There are many options, i went the cheap way and everything is done one at a time by hand but it is effective and accurate.

Try and set a "Want to buy" add in the classified asking for the essetials im sure you will end up with some good stuff. Once you start out with what you need you can upgrade to what you want, it can seem like a tricky thing to start but once you start you will hit the ground running, good luck.

 

[TheSnake]

Agree with the prior posts and would suggest you get a kit to start out with. I have and still use the same press I purchased in my kit 30 years ago. One thing I would also suggest is; do you know anyone that reloads and better if they reload more on the accurate side of things. Sitting in on a few reloading sessions (hours and hours) will help you see what it's all about and introduce you to different equipment that is used and needed. The reloading manuals should cover the basics to get you going. Past that, I would suggest getting a reloading for accuracy book and read it after your reloading sessions to learn past the basics. There is also a ton of information on this site you can searh for on specific topics and probably thousands of years of combined experience from it's members that are willing to help.

Just be fore warned, you are getting into a life long passion that will never stop. Best of luck to you and welcome to the sport.

 

[seanhagerty]

Before you buy a single equipment item, spend a few dollars on a reloading manual or two. Lee's and Lymans are two good places to start. Read them over, then ask a few questions on the items you dont understand. Once you get a good basis of knowledge, then figure out what equipment sets you want.

Sean

 

[smokin54]

Before you buy a single equipment item, spend a few dollars on a reloading manual or two. Lee's and Lymans are two good places to start. Read them over, then ask a few questions on the items you dont understand. Once you get a good basis of knowledge, then figure out what equipment sets you want.

Sean

as Sean has stated is always what i suggest for people wanting to get into reloading , Read the manuals and ask the questions . Also if you can find a experianced loader to spend a afternoon with after you have read the manual and you will be good to go. It can turn into a massive hobby all its own . I enjoy it almost as much as shooting itself , i reload in a 8x14 shed with ac and a radio , All that is in there is my loading gear. This is a hobby that has to be done with no interuptions or distractions for safety sake , no TV or kids running in and out while the actual loading is going on . Only one powder on the bench at a time , check data , check data . I shoot weekly and it seems i see at least one gun a year blown up , not always the fault of reload i have to admit but remember that those reloads can be deadly at booth ends.

 

[jmatters]

The Lee Classic Cast Press is the best value in presses. One of the best custom bullet makers in the country uses them for his production.
A really simple tool often overlooked is the chamfer/deburring tool. You will use it every time you trim cases. Wilson's is the best I've ever used. Very sharp and hard. I don't trim a lot of cases, but I do trim frequently. The Wilson case trimmer with the Sinclair "shark fin" made my life MUCH more pleasant. The case holders can be a hassel if you do a lot of calibers, but this manual tool cuts very straight, precise cases.
For a bolt gun, I'd suggest a Redding FL die with bushing, AND a Neck sizer bushing die. (Full length size about every third firing). For priming, I used an old Lee Auto Prime that works off the press and never really had any issues. But I went to the new handheld design, and I'm not as happy with it as I thought I would be. So see if someone else has a good suggestion on priming tools. Oh, and get a GOOD Competition Seater die if you're SERIOUS about LR accuracy. (Forster or Redding) For hunting/plinking, it may not be worth the added expense.

 

[7 loader]

Agree with sean. I read 2 manuals before starting and asked alot of weird questions. No question is stupid in loading, Safty is first.

 

[DennisH]

I have spent a lot of time on "You Tube" watching reloading videos. There are some very good ones out there.

I personally like RCBS equipment and Redding dies!

If you go to RCBS's site, I believe they have videos you can watch. I also have 4 reloading manuals. Everything will come into place quicker then you think!

 

[FryeGuy]

I agree with most here. just check out the ad listings here and you can pick up just about everything you need. I am/was a big fan of the RCBS rockchucker press. The new "supreme" rockchucker 4 that I just bought, I don't really like at all. Here is why: they redesigned the primer catch, and I don't know who thought it was a better idea than the last press, but it's not. The part that sticks up that the primers kick into gets in the way of putting a case in there, especially shorter cases (.308 win and shorter). primers miss it about 1/8 of the time or more, and when you try to remove it, half the primers fall out anyway because of the way you have to turn it up and back to remove it. I am on the verge of removing it and just sweeping the floor when I am done. only problem with that is I have a 18month old, who is at my feet constantly, and I don't want him eating one. I will not buy another RCBS press like this one. the old rockchuckers are awesome. By the way, do you want to buy a barely used RCBS press??? ha ha. I went on this rant to say one thing, look at the little stuff, it matters. redding makes a nice press, so does Harrell's. redding has a really nice primer catch tube that kicks them directly into a trash can if I read their add correctly.