Reloading.... Where To Start?

[JaredC]

Where should one start to learn how and begin reloading their own ammo?

I know very little, but am at a point where I can pull the trigger and start buying equipment to get started.

What press is a good beginner press? Do I buy a single stage, super simple press and set up just for 1 caliber to teach myself on? Or do I just go ahead and buy a multiple stage press (buy once cry once) and learn on it?

Ammo I would primarily reload is 9mm, 45, .223, .308 and Im sure a few other rifle calibers that Im not thinking of.......

 

[OHJEEZE]

Buy a kit with a loading manual and go!

Thats what I did, long before the internet.

Had a dealer that I used to frequent that sold Redding, so thats what I bought!

Boss pro pack kit but got the rcbs pistol dies.

It was all down hill after that.

 

[Aries]

You'll get a lot of opinions, but this would be my best advice.

Get a single stage press to start with. Progressive presses may cause so much frustration you may give up, but even if you graduate to a progressive or turret press, a single stage will still be useful forever. Lee makes inexpensive equipment, it's not as good as RCBS, Lyman, or Hornady but it's a fraction of the cost and will work just fine. There are several "kits" that will have a lot off the accessories you need and will last you for years.

Or go ahead and get a turret press to start on... most of them can be set up to use as single stage until you get used to it, then you can use it as a turret when you get some experience. But I would definitely suggest starting with a single stage, or a turret set up as single stage.

If the kit does not include a good reloading manual, get one. It will have several chapters in the front with detailed, step by step instructions for reloading. Keep it as a reference while you are starting out so you don't forget a step.

Ask questions here. No one minds helping someone get started out, and you'll get a lot of good advice.

Take your time, double check everything while you are loading, and keep notes with details about what components and how much powder you use, etc. Pay very close attention to minimum and maximum loads, and don't deviate from what the manuals recommend.

Chances are someone here will invite you for some personal mentoring. Take advantage if you can depending on location, etc. There is nothing like someone with experience coaching you through, but a good second option is just get, read, and follow a good manual closely.

 

[Cat City Slim]

I highly recommend finding a mentor if you can. If you are local I’d be happy to help you walk through the basics.

 

[dlbleak]

The Lee or the hornady kit with a manual. Read the manual first an then set your press up. Understanding what the dies do and the basic process is a key to overcome issues that might come up. There are some good vids on YouTube about loading or fixing a particular problem. Like Aries said, you’ll get a lot of opinions because we all load for different reasons based on what we’re shooting or how much.
I have a single stage, a turret and a Dillon on my bench. Most of what I do is on the single or the turret.

 

[rickm]

The first thing i always suggest to someone wanting to get started is get a reloading manual ( I usually suggest Lee since it goes into detail more than some of the others) and also the ABC's of reloading sometimes you can find it at your library so you can check it out and not have to buy it. I always start a newbie out on a single stage and even if you want to upgrade later you will always find a use for the single stage

 

[SiGArmed]

The first thing i always suggest to someone wanting to get started is get a reloading manual ( I usually suggest Lee since it goes into detail more than some of the others) and also the ABC's of reloading sometimes you can find it at your library so you can check it out and not have to buy it. I always start a newbie out on a single stage and even if you want to upgrade later you will always find a use for the single stage

Been thinking about grabbing a RCBS single kit to learn on and have something "firearm" related to do during the week. If I could do like 100 rounds in an evening a few days a week that'd handle my shooting, lol.

 

[Hangfire]

I can't recall what I paid back then but when I started reloading back in the mid 80's I purchased the single stage Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit, that I still use, and it had everything in it I needed........of course you're also going to need brass, primers, powder, bullets, dies and a shell holder to get started.

Factory loaded ammo seems to be a little more available now than it was a few months ago but reloading components like powder, bullets and especially primers still can be hard to locate and can be pretty costly when you do find them compared to pre-Wuhan prices.

If you're thinking about starting reloading just to save money on store bought ammo by the time you purchase the above kit, dies, shell holders, powder, primers and brass etc you'll probably be out $600.00 to $700.00 so unless you plan on doing a lot of shooting or plan on loading wildcat ammo I'd venture to say that it will take several thousand rounds before you'll see any actual savings on your initial investment.

I've always really enjoyed reloading and I'm not trying to discourage you from starting but things are a lot different today cost and availability wise than they were a year or two ago and back when I started reloading.

I didn't do much research / price shopping and pretty much just clicked on the first thing that came up but here's the current price on a RCBS reloading kit.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023389781

 

[Aku]

I would also recommend a mentor. Going through the basics with someone is a great start.

 

[Hangfire]

I would also recommend a mentor. Going through the basics with someone is a great start.

I totally agree.