Beginners' Guide to Reloading

[recgamer45]

I've been shooting for a while. Now I'm getting more interested in the details. I'd like to learn about reloading. What kind of supplies will I need? Where's a good place to start? Maybe we could compose something like a beginners guide to reloading...

 

[gotcha]

Reloading can be a rewarding & enjoyable hobby which can easily tax your $ rescources if it gets out of hand. Just ask me Go to Midway usa & get a quality R/L manual (or two) Hornady & Lyman come to mind. Familiarize yourself w/ terms found in glossary. Lots of R/L videos on you-tube also. Mfg.'s will naturally tout their own tools & equipment. (R/L manuals) Try to keep an open mind when selecting a Press or tools. Go slow (& safely).... Opinions are cheap, you can get plenty right here. Welcome to the world of conflicting opinion & minutia! Seriously, if you enjoy working w/ your hands you'll love reloading. WELCOME

 

[nhm16]

I've been shooting for a while. Now I'm getting more interested in the details. I'd like to learn about reloading. What kind of supplies will I need? Where's a good place to start? Maybe we could compose something like a beginners guide to reloading...

I've only been reloading for about three years. I got started with The ABC's of Reloading and the instructions in the beginning of the Lyman Reloading Handbook (though I also bought most of the other reloading guides too, this one had the best instructions for a beginner, and have already passed it on to a friend who has started reloading). I soon also bought the Precision Shooting Reloading Guide to learn advanced techniques, as well as reading this board and the reloading board on snipershide.com.

 

[ddkearney]

I agree with Gotcha's advice. Especially, the YouTube videos are pretty good in that they show a variety of equipment and the time commitment involved with reloading. When viewed as 'general info' they're fine; biased, I'm sure as to who thinks what equipment is the best. Don

 

[Killshot]

If I were to buy only one manual, I think it'd be the Lyman (current issue I think is still the 49th?) manual.

There is a wealth of info here under the "Articles" section.

While some of this is a little over the head of a beginner, this link to Varmint Al has a lot of detail for rifle handloading. http://www.varmintal.com/arelo.htm

I can start the list of equipment...

Press
Dies
Calipers
Comparators (for measuring of cases for headspace and bullets for ogive)
Case Trimmer (depending on cartridge, some elongate more than others)
Case Cleaner (this can be an alcohol-soaked rag, a vibratory tumbler with dry media, a rotary tumbler with wet stainless steel media- lots of ways to skin that cat)
Casemouth Chamferer
Priming device (most prefer a hand-operated type)
Primer Pocket Cleaner/Uniformer
Bullet puller (you'll need one to take apart mistakes or loaded rounds that don't merit further testing)
Powder thrower/measure
Scale for weighing powder, cases, bullets
Powder Trickler
Powder Funnel/drop tube
Loading Blocks/Trays
Boxes for loaded ammo


Best advice I got was to just read for a couple of weeks before buying anything.
Also, see if there's anyone in your area who is experienced who can show you the ropes

 

[Martin52]

if you can, pick up some range brass in the same calibre that you want to reload and practice on that first. Clean it and experiment with your full length resizing die so you get to understand how to measure and bump back the shoulder, this might take some time before you get it right. Goes without saying - do this without inserting live primers, leave that for later when you can resize your brass properly. You will need a caliper (I suggest digital) and comparators that screw on to the caliper blade eg Hornady, Sinclair with inserts to measure shoulder bump and later, bullet seating depth. Search this site using key words, you will find all the info here eg "seating depth"

Martin

 

[K22]

The Lyman Manual is the best one I've ever seen for beginners.

With today's technology, having a video that demonstrates each step would be an excellent addition to the Lyman Manual. There are a number of sources for these - Midway, Sinclair are a few.

 

[radshooter]

I suggest trying to find a friend or fellow shooter who is experienced reloading and watch them a few times.....much more efficient than merely reading and the old trial and error method. Reloading manual: $40......wasted brass...$50.......wasted powder and primers....$18.....finding someone who knows what they are doing to show you the ropes....PRICELESS....
Good luck and welcome to the black hole of reloading!

 

[Glenn Powell]

Practicing with range brass is probably one of the best bits of advice I have heard. I ruined a good bit of good brass when I first started, and that was for my .357 revolver. I also did not have a mentor, just read and apply. You would be surprised at how many guys at the range would be willing to give you a hand, look for plastic ammo cases, not store bought ammo, and strike up a conversation. Guys love to talk about there toys, just like with cars, guns are no different. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi gamer

Well,that's a good idea you have,and the other good idea is to ask your question in this here forum,the best on the net no prob!!!As to your quest,welcome to reloading,it's a hell of a nice hobby. Now what you need to do is get one or two good reloading manuals(I do like Lee's manual,it feels like your uncle or grandpa is explaining it to you,but the advice is still very good and sensible,I also like the Sierra manual even though it's a big mama to handle. As to equipment to begin with, a single stage press(Lee Breechlock-$70,or Lee Classic cast $100,Lee collet dies,Forster seater dies,and RCBS or Lee FL dies(one size bigger than your cases ie 7-08 for 243,270 for 25-06,these will be your body or shoulder bump dies)a good powder dispenser(Lee is too cheap to pass it by)a good scale(Gem Pro 250 or Gem Pro 500),the Lee trimming system is hard beat in terms of efficiency and low cost,any neck chamfering tool you want,the rest because there is an awful lot more,will come when needed.Be patient,read,think,go slow,listen to your elders advice,stay safe,and ask questions,people here love to be asked,they're truly great. Enjoy the ride in such a dedicated company.Welcome to the forum.

 

[navyrad8r]

recgamer,
radshooter said it best...try and find a mentor to help you. and the rest of the forum is spot on, do ALOT of reading before buying your gear. dont be afraid to buy used for alot of stuff. GO SLOW and pay attention. When my friends want to start loading, i have the come over for a session and we load together. once they make their ammo and shoot it, they are usually hooked hard. Good luck to you If you are in the Annapolis MD area, look me up, shoot me a PM and we will get some bench time.
Cheers,
Doc

 

[Outrider27]

I had a mentor when I started reloading in 1971, and I would like to add one item to the exellent list of equipment in Killshot's post. When I was accumulating my first batch of equipment, he said to add an RCBS stuck case remover to my order, with the comment, "You'll need it someday". 17 years later, I had an "incident" : - it was really neat, after all those years, to pull out the box, set up the hardware and remove the stuck case. 5 minutes later I was back in business. Like my buddy Bill said, you'll need it someday.

 

[DennisH]

YouTube has several great video's to help guide you through reloading. Several companies also have their video's there as well. Just go to YouTube and type reloading, many will come up. Just start going through them. It helped me a lot after reading the book, then the only friend I had was YouTube to help me understand certain steps to reloading.

This one will give you the basic steps of reloading, but look at more of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnG3dL5Cv-Y

 

[fdshuster]

As others have said, the Lyman #49 Reloading Handbook is one of the best for someone getting started in reloading. The first 115 pages are filled with knowledge & very well detailed pictures of all the important steps of the whole reloading process.

I really like their reloading information as they relate to bullet and powder choices. They make neither, so are not locked into one brand of powder & bullets, as do the powder & bullet manufacturers loading manuals. Yes, they will show Lyman made reloading tools, but you are free to buy any brand (RCBS, Redding, Hornady, etc.) of tools & equipment.

Pickup the Lyman or whichever you choose and read, read, read, in addition to talking to others who have experience in reloading, ( you will soon be able to seperate fact from fiction), before making any purchases. To jump in and start buying, based on the advice of a store clerk, is not the way to go. Some of them were working at McDonalds last week, have read one issue of "Guns and Ammo", and are experts. Just ask them.

When ready to buy, there is a lot of high quality, used equipment that can be bought at a fraction of their new costs. Most are so well made, they will last thru several owners. Things like heavy presses (RCBS Rockchucker), Redding & RCBS die sets, etc. are an example.

More "delicate" items like powder scales or anything that could be easily damaged, may be best if purchased new.

As careful as you are, there may still be "things" you will buy today, and they will end up sitting in a dark corner gathering dust, and you'll say to yourself, "Why did I buy that"?

Been reloading since 1960 and still refer to the Lyman loading handbook on occassion.

 

[DaveMarine1]

I read and read and read articles in magazines for about 2 years, just trying to figure out what is what and what I want to get. Finally, I just took the plunge with a Hornady kit and things have been going good so far. Like the others say....if you are not carefull, it will hit the wallet hard and keep you up at night wondering how to squeeze the last 1/4" outa that group. ha!

 

[DennisH]

As others have said, the Lyman #49 Reloading Handbook is one of the best for someone getting started in reloading. The first 115 pages are filled with knowledge & very well detailed pictures of all the important steps of the whole reloading process.

The weather was bad around here yesterday. I cleaned up my reloading room.

I then picked up my Lyman's reloading manual and read the front section. I can't tell you how many times I have done this, but it's a good refresher. I also watched some YouTube video's on reloading. I believe Midway and Sinclair both have video's on reloading, and I think they are on YouTube as well. Most are good.

Take care, Dennis

 

[Juma]

I've been shooting for a while. Now I'm getting more interested in the details. I'd like to learn about reloading. What kind of supplies will I need? Where's a good place to start? Maybe we could compose something like a beginners guide to reloading...

I've only been reloading for about three years. I got started with The ABC's of Reloading and the instructions in the beginning of the Lyman Reloading Handbook (though I also bought most of the other reloading guides too, this one had the best instructions for a beginner, and have already passed it on to a friend who has started reloading). I soon also bought the Precision Shooting Reloading Guide to learn advanced techniques, as well as reading this board and the reloading board on snipershide.com.

Good advice probably supplemented by Glen Zediker's book after you have read the others.

 

[dogdude]

my advice is to write IT ALL DOWN!!! a SINCLAIR log book is nice ,but a pieice of paper will do. all best dogdude

 

[stinnett1981]

YOUTUBE. type in "how to reload accurate ammo"
The guy how 6 videos in a row. Each video is about 10 minutes. Its pretty detailed step by step.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id think he found some by now but thanks ms reseller.