Starting to Reload

C

Cordova13

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Minuteman
Dec 1, 2012
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Boise, ID
#1
I want to start reloading but don't really know how to start. Whats everything that I would need to start? Ive read the sticky threads and am reading everything else on here. Are there any good books that are out there that I should read? Is it better to buy a press with a kit or just buy everything separate? I would be starting to reload with a 308.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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#3
Something like the Hornady Classic master kit, or the one from RCBS with the Rock Chucker Supreme are good kits and with coupons, their prices can be reasonable.

You'll need other tools and dies, a tumbler and a trimmer, but they're pretty much turn key.

Chris
 
#4
Basic list:

Press
Dies
Shell Holder
Scale
Case lube method and supplies

You can reload pretty much with just those, but the following make things a lot easier.

Calipers
Case Gauge
Funnel
Hand Priming Tool

And then there are all sorts of fun gadgets, some of which make things easier, some of which are just neat to have.

You can get basic kits that give you pretty much everything you need to get started from all the big makers, Lee, Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, etc. And they all work fine.

Another source is used. Either in classifieds or something like Craigs List. You can get complete setups and save money.
 
#9
ChrisGarrett said:
Something like the Hornady Classic master kit, or the one from RCBS with the Rock Chucker Supreme are good kits and with coupons, their prices can be reasonable.

You'll need other tools and dies, a tumbler and a trimmer, but they're pretty much turn key.

Chris
Click to expand...

If I buy a kit would the scale be of same quality if I bought without a kit?
 
#10
Cordova13 said:
If I buy a kit would the scale be of same quality if I bought without a kit?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the little scales that they package with these kits are beam scales that will do the job for you. You can always buy a nice 'check weight' set and 'know for sure'.

I used a Dillon beam scale that was made for them, like most others, by Ohaus and it still works perfectly, although I've now moved on to the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 electronic dispensing gizmo.

Chris
 
#11
Read this entire thread i started. This should help get you started

http://www.snipershide.com/[email protected]

Cordova13 said:
I want to start reloading but don't really know how to start. Whats everything that I would need to start? Ive read the sticky threads and am reading everything else on here. Are there any good books that are out there that I should read? Is it better to buy a press with a kit or just buy everything separate? I would be starting to reload with a 308.

Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
 
#16
You tube is your friend...Don't take any ONE video as gospel, watch different videos from different people. You will start to see a pattern. There are a variety of ways to get to the finished product, it's all about finding YOUR method.
Combine the videos with the official publications and you will get there.
 
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#17
I started reloading 2 years ago, and before I went out and bought any equipment, powder , or bullets. I got online watched videos, read books and others experiences. I kept a notebook that I kept my notes in along with pictures and load data. after about 5 months of reading and research I finally went out and bought a press and built a bench. The best advice I can give is that reloading isn't rocket science, but at the same time you are controlling so many variables that you need to devote all of your attention to it while doing it. Best of luck on getting into reloading, Its an addiction!!
 
#18
sjb269 said:
You tube is your friend...Don't take any ONE video as gospel, watch different videos from different people. You will start to see a pattern. There are a variety of ways to get to the finished product, it's all about finding YOUR method.
Combine the videos with the official publications and you will get there.
Click to expand...


That's good advice! Thanks a lot!
 
#20
Cordova13 said:
Could someone help with what dies to get and which ones I would need? Could I get explanation on what each one does?
Click to expand...

I've got lots of brands of dies. I like Hornady and now mostly Redding, or Forster.

Full length sizing dies size the case back down in its entirety--the body width and the shoulders. Neck sizing dies (for bolt guns) just size the necks down, to grip a bullet. Eventually, you'll need to bump the shoulders back to chamber the round, so either a FL die, or a body die, like Redding makes, will work well for this stage.

Seating dies have either coarse adjustment bolts for seating depth, or bolts with 40 TPI, for finer movements. The latter make for precise adjustments. Redding Competition seaters, Forster Micro seaters, RCBS Competion seaters and Hornady micro seating stems all achieve this result.

If you want, you can get a taper crimp die, but most of us don't crimp our target rounds for bolt guns and only some of us crimp our rifle rounds for gas guns.

I don't crimp rifle rounds, for either type of weapon.

Chris
 
#21
ChrisGarrett said:
I've got lots of brands of dies. I like Hornady and now mostly Redding, or Forster.

Full length sizing dies size the case back down in its entirety--the body width and the shoulders. Neck sizing dies (for bolt guns) just size the necks down, to grip a bullet. Eventually, you'll need to bump the shoulders back to chamber the round, so either a FL die, or a body die, like Redding makes, will work well for this stage.

Seating dies have either coarse adjustment bolts for seating depth, or bolts with 40 TPI, for finer movements. The latter make for precise adjustments. Redding Competition seaters, Forster Micro seaters, RCBS Competion seaters and Hornady micro seating stems all achieve this result.

If you want, you can get a taper crimp die, but most of us don't crimp our target rounds for bolt guns and only some of us crimp our rifle rounds for gas guns.

I don't crimp rifle rounds, for either type of weapon.

Chris
Click to expand...

That was a very helpful post. Thanks a lot.

About how many firings would you need to use a full length die? How do you tell?
 
#22
Cordova13 said:
That was a very helpful post. Thanks a lot.

About how many firings would you need to use a full length die? How do you tell?
Click to expand...

Many of us who neck size only, will bump our shoulders back when bolt closure becomes more resistant, say 2-4 cycles. It really depends on your brass condition, chamber length, etc., so that's just a guesstimate.

Neck sizing for gas guns is a bit more problematic due to the fact that you can't lock the bolt down, even under resistance, like you can with a bolt gun, so we don't generally neck size for gas guns, instead erring on the side of caution by bumping the shoulders back after every cycle.

Take $45 and buy yourself the Hornady/Stoney Point headspace bushing set. This set attaches to your calipers and measures a fired case for headspace and let's you bump those shoulders back usually .001"-.003". You use the initial fired case measurement to gently turn your sizing die down so that those fired cases read X amount shorter (at the shoulder datum point) relative to fired cases.

The set will work on most all bottleneck rifle cartridges.

Chris
 
#23
Sounds good thanks.

Do you have a good way of finding out the overall length and where your lands are? Ive read the sticky but was wondering if there was another way.
 
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#25
Cordova13 said:
Sounds good thanks.

Do you have a good way of finding out the overall length and where your lands are? Ive read the sticky but was wondering if there was another way.
Click to expand...

Hornady/Stoney Point make an OAL gage, both straight and curved (bolt and semi-auto) that uses modified cases for specific cartridges that we reload and they will help you find the lands with whatever bullet you'll be using.

Chris
 
#26
I have Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, Pacific, Dillon, Lee, Whidden, and Redding dies. They all work. :) To start, any of them will load ammunition that will shoot very well.

Micrometer seating dies are nice if you change seating depth. Bushing dies are nice to control the neck tension. But to get started, I would get a basic set of dies and start loading. Then see what YOU need to feel good about your rounds.

As for where your lands are, what rifle/barrel? If a factory Remington, don't bother measuring, you can't load long enough. :)
 
#28
Pinecone said:
I have Lyman, RCBS, Hornady, Pacific, Dillon, Lee, Whidden, and Redding dies. They all work. :) To start, any of them will load ammunition that will shoot very well.

Micrometer seating dies are nice if you change seating depth. Bushing dies are nice to control the neck tension. But to get started, I would get a basic set of dies and start loading. Then see what YOU need to feel good about your rounds.

As for where your lands are, what rifle/barrel? If a factory Remington, don't bother measuring, you can't load long enough. :)
Click to expand...

Lol it is a Remington. Thanks for all the info.
 
#29
Different people have different learning styles.
I bought a VHS tape 13 years ago from RCBS.
In a few minutes I could see how to reload.

You may learn from books, lectures, or as a group.
I have to see the process.
 
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