Best way to get started reloading?

[Titan_Bow]

Hey guys, I’ve scrounged up the dies, powder, bullets and primers for my favorite little AR cartridge, 6.8 SPC. Haven’t taken the actual plunge into the actual hardware necessary to begin however.
For someone starting out, with a primary focus on producing good accurate hunting cartridges for my rifles, currently that’s 6.8 SPC, 6.5 CM, and 270 WSM; what is the best route? Would I be better served buying a press and components separately? Or just buying one of the kits like the RCBS, Lee, or Hornady kits?


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[wildwilderness]

You should really try to find a mentor with a reloading set up. They can help pick your hardware. I have noticed people have different methods and levels of consistency for the process. Try to find someone who knows what they are doing (bench rest shooter for example).

If not, a kit would be easier for you to not forget anything

 

[Elk-fanatic91]

RCBS rock chucker supreme kit is a great little set up to start with and just add to it as you go. You can usually catch them on sale for a decent price. They come with a reloading manual, which is a huge plus. For just starting out, I would recommend getting a digital scale to use along side of your balance beam scale to verify your weight. You can pick those up for $20-30. (I would not use this as my primary scale though).

 

[35remy]

I started reloading by accident. I bought a smokeless muzzleloader, and so I needed a few pieces of gear to get going with it. By the time I bought a Lee hand press to size my bullets, a hornady scale to weigh my charges, and a few other pieces, I figured I had everything I needed other than dies to try my hand at reloading. I started with 45-70 because it is very forgiving and extremely easy. After I read as much as I could from different manuals and purchased some load data on my phone, I gave it a try. Everything went well, and I now reload for 6 of the calibers I own, including my .35 Remington (which is great because I cannot find much factory ammo for it anymore).

 

[Lawnboi]

I’ll start by telling you it’s possible, you just need to start. It seems like a bigger jump than it is.

There are plenty of awesome resources online. Most manufacturers will openly give you free data over the phone as well.

I don’t have a mentor (wish I did) and never have bought a reloading manual.

I’m pretty deep into it now. If you understand what your doing, and why your doing it, it becomes easy.

As for equipment, good luck. You will get many answers and a lot of it depends on the volume you wish to produce, along with the quality. Id happily give you some starters if you give me a round count you plan to load a year? Also your expectations?

Oh and start buying components yesterday.

I wouldnt buy a kit regardless.

 

[menhaden_man]

Check out the series of videos RCBS has online - they could be helpful for a guy just getting started.

 

[PRC_GUY]

Do not buy those reloading kits, because you don’t want to buy item in the kit you never use it. If you could , I buy good reloading components.

 

[willtim]

Get a RCBS kit. It will have all of the basics. Start there and you will learn what else you would like.

 

[Slugz]

To highlight some info from above.

Establish your goal with reloading. Example: ES under 40 and 1MOA? The best bang for the buck load ? This goal cant be bigger than your gun either. " You cant reload your way out of a bad barrel"

Mentor Key to getting started. At least have someone to talk with.

Kits The Rock Chucker is hard to beat. Others are good starters also. They are starters though.

Equipment The kits tolerances are bigger and lower on the quality end. Example the RCBS Chargemaster scale is good to .1gn which could produce a 4-8 kernal difference in some powders. A scale that is accurate to .02 gn will register each kernal and produce a significantly lower ES.

Education Watch some quality stuff on You Tube made by professionals. I'll plug two. Sam Millard at Panhandle Precision. Read his stuff online. Watch his videos. Repeat. Take notes. Watch and read again.
Unknown Munitions. Look em up. Their class at the facility is world class and undervalued for price. I think they are gonna start some online stuff also soon.


Feel free to PM with any questions you may have. Id be glad to help with what I can.

 

[SDHNTR]

My advice…. Don’t! It’s a gigantic rabbit hole. I wish I’d never started. I’m serious, it will suck a lot of time. My wife sure isn’t happy about it either.

 

[11boo]

My advice…. Don’t! It’s a gigantic rabbit hole. I wish I’d never started. I’m serious, it will suck a lot of time. My wife sure isn’t happy about it either.

you have no idea.
Already have two Dillon on the bench, one is getting sold. Make room for this.

 

[WKR]

https://m.youtube.com/c/PanhandlePrecision

If you don't have a mentor check this guys videos out. You will learn a thing or two about handloading.

 

[5MichaelBoys]

#1 tip would be find someone who will teach you that already reloads. There is a ton of good data online that will help and a few good YouTube videos as well. I helped my friend load my son 50 rounds 2 years ago. That started the rabbit hole. I pieced my setup together instead of buying a kit. But the others above said it correctly, DON'T! Especially if you like to save money! It will suck you in and you will have a new hobby forever!