Want to start reloading

[nhyrum]

Imagine that... "More than one way to skin a cat"



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[TBHasler]

Not trolling just trying to open your mind and make your life easier. Just give it a shot. Like I said I shared the same opinion as you until I tried it. Elevate your skills and take advice from people who’ve already done it. If it isn’t hole in hole groups there is always room to improve. Chargemasters might be easier but that doesn’t make them better or faster.


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Shoot, I don’t reload but will start immediately if THATs what gets me shooting hole in hole groups. Plus, I can save tons on buying the teeny weeny targets with groups like that

 

[lennywd87]

Shoot, I don’t reload but will start immediately if THATs what gets me shooting hole in hole groups. Plus, I can save tons on buying the teeny weeny targets with groups like that

Ha ha you buy targets? I just draw a cross on some of the wife’s parchment paper


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[Hschweers]

Somewhat unrelated, but what’s a ballpark cost to get in to reloading? Basic equipment and tools, not bullets/brass/powder. I reckon I could take the time to look up the cost of each piece mentioned, but I figured someone knows offhand +/- $100.

 

[nhyrum]

Somewhat unrelated, but what’s a ballpark cost to get in to reloading? Basic equipment and tools, not bullets/brass/powder. I reckon I could take the time to look up the cost of each piece mentioned, but I figured someone knows offhand +/- $100.

I haven't looked, but most tht manufacturers sell kits that come with most everything. I'd say probably about 4-500 depending on which brand you get. Could be less, could be substantially more.

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[lennywd87]

Joking and $h!t slinging aside. A set of Full length sizing dies would be best place to start with a bullet seating die. It’s all I’ve used from standard to custom/improved chamberings. Just get started and learn what works for you, you’ll find what you like most. Reloaders tend to get critical and over analyze everything. That’s part of the fun.


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[lennywd87]

@Hschweers This set will take you as far as you want to go. I trust the balance beam with my life. Gravity doesn’t lie. The other sets come with low grade digital scales and shouldn’t be trusted whole heartedly when hold something that explodes next to your face. Just stay away from the rcbs dies. Get Lee, Hornady or Redding dies just my opinion. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023389781?pid=345426


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[Hschweers]

@Hschweers This set will take you as far as you want to go. I trust the balance beam with my life. Gravity doesn’t lie. The other sets come with low grade digital scales and shouldn’t be trusted whole heartedly when hold something that explodes next to your face. Just stay away from the rcbs dies. Get Lee, Hornady or Redding dies just my opinion. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023389781?pid=345426


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Much appreciated! What’s everyone’s reason for reloading? Cost savings, desire for better performance, for fun, etc?

 

[Zappaman]

Find a grumpy old guy with 10 times more then he needs and buy some stuff off him. Local connections are best... I've bought 1/2 my stuff (40 years worth) through people nearby just selling out (Craigslist and now Facebook or whatever). The local gun stores (what's left of them) also will have consignment stuff at times too. Just let it be known your looking and you might find a seller in your own backyard (or a few hours away anyway). Advice: start with one (or two) guns and learn on them. Take you TIME

 

[lennywd87]

Accuracy and consistency for me. Your building a bullet for the rifle so performance doesn’t get much better. Cost savings tend to get countered by equipment costs and “improvements” to the process if you get sucked into it like we all tend to. Like I said above I’m going for hole in hole groups and have multiple rifles that group less than 1” at 200 yards with minimal effort off bipod and a bag. That’s what turns my crank with it!


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[nhyrum]

Well, for me it started out to be "cost savings" but they ends up not being completely true. You'll still spend just as much, if not more reloading. What you do get, is more shots per dollar. On top of that there's the customizability and it doesn't limit you to shooting something that you can find ammo on the shelf for. Where the real cost savings come in is the big, and less common stuff. I can reload my 454 casull for about 20 cents a shot and my 300 rum for about a buck 50. That's 30 bucks for a box of 20 match grade 300 rum. Good luck finding anything NEAR that.

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[nhyrum]

Also, a pointer, if you're in no hurry to get your stuff, as was alluded to earlier, buy what you can used. People upgrade she look to sell off their starter equipment all the time. Look at what's in those kits she see what you can get. Unless you get some old, obscure boat anchor relic press(which I like) they're pretty much all the same, just sometimes there might be stuff like on press priming equipment that's missing, bit 99.99999999% all take the same dies and shell holders, they're basically just painted a different color. I bought my first press (the Lee classic cast turret press, I recommend that as well, it was great) and scale used.

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[nksmfamjp]

Hey all. I want to start reloading my own ammo. I’m gonna be doing 7mm rem mag and 300 wsm. What re-loaders do y’all use and what do y’all recommend? I’ve seen several brands out there but I’d like to get your opinions on where to start and what to get. Thanks I’m advance!


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There are no primers and powder is harder that hell to acquire! So, take time and collect the ”right stuff”. Like…..

Dry tumbler or ultrasonic
Sinclair CBTD and CBTO tools
Basic digital calipers
Basic micrometer
MEC Marksman
Redding or Forster Die sets
shellholders
case trimmer….I like Wilson for bolt rifle.
digital powder scale you can trickle into or just go A&D fx-120i and Autotrickler V4!
With powder dippers or powder measure
With powder trickler
or powder dispenser
boxes and labeling

 

[lennywd87]

Not trying to start something again but, you don’t need the majority of the stuff listed above besides the calipers and a comparator to load accurate rounds. I don’t have half of that and am more than happy with the accuracy I have as discussed above. It’s getting a little extravagant for a new comer to put hundreds of dollars into an auto trickler and a tumbler isn’t necessary unless your are loading bulk. I assume with the cartridges listed you are focused on hunting.

Primers and Powder are becoming more available if you are willing to extend outside your comfort some. My local sporting goods store shelves are packed with vihtavuori which my ackley eats up. I’m finding bricks of primers as well granted they a $100 compared to $30 like they used to be.

Side note: That mix for bulk resizing lube from above is 10/1 isopropyl alcohol to lanolin oil (saddle oil).


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[optimusprime]

Is a tumbler worth having? I’ve read that you wanna clean the brass before using it again.

Concerning powders, is it only certain kinds that are hard to find? My local shops seem to have lots of different ones available. Granted I haven’t begun my research on what powders are good so I’m not sure if they obly stick crap.


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[nhyrum]

It’s getting a little extravagant for a new comer to put hundreds of dollars into an auto trickler
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I'll agree with you on that. To be honest, I love my auto trickler, but I lucked out a bit when I got mine. And they're more than a couple hundred. With the scale they're around a grand. But if you got the money to spend on one, I highly recommend it.

My main reason for recommending a beam scale to newcomers is not because I think all digitals are crap, but using a beam scale helps build good habits and forces you to slow down and think about what's happening. Plus they're usually pretty cheap, and no batteries. They've got their own quirks too, and try weight sorting components on a beam scale... Yeah, no thanks

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[lennywd87]

You can just soak brass in vinegar and wipe them down with a rag and brush. Let them dry and be good. It’s more labor intensive but accomplishing the same task. If you limit yourself to one or two specific powders it’s just that limiting your load development. You could be missing something even better getting stuck on H4350, H1000 or whatever.


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[lennywd87]

I'll agree with you on that. To be honest, I love my auto trickler, but I lucked out a bit when I got mine. And they're more than a couple hundred. With the scale they're around a grand. But if you got the money to spend on one, I highly recommend it.

My main reason for recommending a beam scale to newcomers is not because I think all digitals are crap, but using a beam scale helps build good habits and forces you to slow down and think about what's happening. Plus they're usually pretty cheap, and no batteries. They've got their own quirks too, and try weight sorting components on a beam scale... Yeah, no thanks

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Cheers to that! I have an auto trickler as well but get by great without it. I love throwing ball powder but auto trickling stick is convenient.


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[nhyrum]

Is a tumbler worth having? I’ve read that you wanna clean the brass before using it again.

Concerning powders, is it only certain kinds that are hard to find? My local shops seem to have lots of different ones available. Granted I haven’t begun my research on what powders are good so I’m not sure if they obly stick crap.


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Yes and no about the tumbler... Pretty brass doesn't shoot any better(measurably at least) I much prefer wet tumbling with stainless chips. I got the harbor freight dual drum rock tumbler, and I've loaded that thing way over what is supposed to take, and she's still ticking away. The one thing with wet tumbling is you MUST be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that every single case is bone dry.

There are, and kind of always will be certain powders that are hard to find, and they'll charge from time to time

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[optimusprime]

Are those certain powders hard to find because they are superior or just something more exotic and “kewl”?


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