Reloading Q's
 

I am very interested in doing some reloading, I have nothing and have never done it.

What will I need, as far as equipment (not necessarily components) to actually get started? What kits are recommended, and what else (aside from brass, primers, powder and bullets) will I need/want? What (manufacturers/equipment) is worth buying, what should I avoid?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/461379-rcbs-reloader-any-good.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/519078-reloaders-what-your-workflow.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/534935-do-u-reload-ammo.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/453809-my-new-reloading-hobby-so-far-so-good.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/442181-reloading-what-else-do-i-need.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/402662-best-reloading-press-dillon-other.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/364603-reloading-machine-do-you-have.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/312408-whats-best-reloading-equipment.html

Ok, I knew I was being lazy, and that reloading had been discussed, but I really hadn't been too interested in the subject before, and assumed earlier questions had been by those more experienced in the subject than I. Consider me properly admonished for not using the search function and grateful for the links, great info already here.

Rifle, pistol, or shotgun? Slow by hand limited production, or crank it out for match practices, full auto shooting, etc?

Any which way, you'll need a press (or hand tool), appropriate dies, and measuring equipment.

yea what kind of gun and and how many rounds do u intend to load?

u can do as low as simple handloader if u have lots of spare time, or go with a multiturret if you intend to crank out alot of rounds.

if yer shooting semiauto rifle, should go with multiturret as you're going to blow thru 1000's as opposed to 100's of rounds. if yer doing a revolver or bolt action rifle, u can probably get by with a handloader.

.308 and 30-06 (maybe a .243 in the future), and .38/.357 (maybe a .356 GnR in the future).

Right now I'm shooting quite a bit of .22's and I want to make centerfire shooting more affordable.

I'd get a turret press kit from dillon or rcbs for both, consider actually getting a second press. You'll need dies (get carbide for the pistol), lube, measuring capabilities (decimal grains - 7000 to the lb), micrometer for measuring case/bullet dimensions, case trimmer, loading blocks, etc.

Most important is a good manual or two.

The Lyman reloading manual is considered the bible for reloading.

Dave

All you really need:

1) Press

2) Dies (in the caliber you want to reload)

3) Some method of measuring powder (can be done by volume or weight--by volume is faster, by weight is more accurate)

What I use:

1) I have a turret press, two single-stage presses (one for .50 BMG), and two progressive presses (one for 9mm, one for .223)

2) I have Lee dies for .223, .30-30, .32 S&W Long, .38 Special, 9mm, and .50 BMG.

3) I have a Lyman digital scale, some Hornady powder measures, and a Lyman digital scale/automatic dispenser.

Case prep.

You can get by without prepping handgun cases for a little while, but rifle cases must be trimmed with each firing. You will probably also want to clean them. I have a case tumbler for plinking rounds and an ultrasonic cleaner for competition rounds. I anneal my cases after 3 or so firings. I trim, chamfer, and deburr my cases. I have a tool for checking the concentricity of the bullets. I have a tool for removing military crimps. I sort my bullets and cases by weight.