going to start reloading

[CrimsonSoul]

So I decided with this tax return to buy reloading equipment and start reloading my ammo. Thing is I have no idea where to start. Would someone be willing to post links of what I need to buy. Keep in mind I'm trying to keep cost to around 1k

[xring]

Wow that's a good way to start an online debate. First you need to decide why you want to hand load. if you do a little shooting with a lot of different firearms you may want different equipment than if you do a lot of shooting with one firearm. If the former is your situation you may want a single stage or turret press. If you shoot a lot with one caliber then you might want to jump into a progressive. I think a good way to start would be a BL 550 Basic Loader its kind of a half way progressive that can be upgraded to a full progressive. Either way you will at least need a reloading manual, a scale some calipers reloading dies a powder measure case lube and a way to clean cases. Most manufacturers have a lot of good info on their websites. You will never go wrong with quality equipment and we handloaders are sometimes very opinionated about our choice of equipment. What I have found is that many times a certain manufacturer makes an item that makes handloading easier than sticking to one brand for everything.

xring

[CrimsonSoul]

I'd be looking to load 5.56 rounds .40 and .45

[Beiruty]

I'd be looking to load 5.56 rounds .40 and .45

Get the Dillion Super 1050 or so does my bro recommend.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/conten ... Super_1050" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[xring]

I don't have a 40 but I know the 223 and the 45 use different primer sizes so switching between primer feeds is a little time consuming, at least on my 550 on a single stage its not an issue. I plan on getting a second 550 just so I don't need to change them.A Dillon 1050 is overkill for most re loaders you could get 3 550's or almost 3 650s for the price of 1 1050.

[CrimsonSoul]

I'd be looking to load 5.56 rounds .40 and .45

Any of the turret and progressive presses out there can handle those calibers - question is, how quickly do you need to crank rounds out? Do you plink every so often, want to shoot often or competitively? The more expensive presses crank out rounds faster - not really relevant if you want to shoot 100 rounds per month.

You'll need at least:
A reloading manual (ABC's of Reloading is excellent)
A press
A set of dies per caliber
Powder-measure
Reloading scale
Case-trimmer (when it comes to reloading bottlenecked cases ie. typical rifle cases, a case-trimmer is needed as those cases stretch under firing)
Components - cases, bullets, primers and powder
Calipers for measuring

That's the list I needed sounds like a lot of stuff lol and yeah I'm thinking like around 100 a month or so

[CrimsonSoul]

I like the way Andy thinks, Also, that 2nd youtube video is sexy.

[Beiruty]

Dillon's super Machine:
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=VCYGeB5B7dk[/youtube]

[Piney]

Greetings--

In the past, I'd (slowly...) reloaded rifle and some pistol on a single stage press and shotgun on a turret-style. I'd stopped, sold it all over the years-- then decided to start up again.

One suggestion many will give is to start out on a single stage, or at most a turret-style for simplicity's sake. I can appreciate that line of suggestions. Reloading isnt difficult, but it should be done carefully. Simple press=less confusion.

I tend to have a bit of a different take. I will suggest that new loaders look at a mid-range progressive. My thinking is why buy one, then decide to again spend $$ to upgrade it. If one takes their time, reads the manuals, YouTube videos, and asks folks, one can be successful with a progressive as a first press.

One consideration is how many rounds per month-week-day you plan on loading and how much time you have to devote to preparing that amount. A few hundred rounds a month=smaller setup. Another consideration is how many different cal. you plan to load and how often that changes. Some machines are troublesome to change, others are easier.

This being said-- many of the other items one needs are usable by any press setup. Previous posters have a good listing. I'd add a spare parts kit that many manufacturer's offer. Its frustrating to have a spring break and then have to wait several days for the part.

I'm a Dillon user. I bought my 650 press from Brian Enos' web site. I currently only load 9mm so changing isn't currently an issue. A number of various forums' members tout Dillon's 1050 setup for rifle and pistol.

[ffemt300]

I'm new to reloading as well. I spent a good 8 months or so researching it and watching how to videos, etc. before i committed and bought anything. I too was advised by an experienced friend who loads to begin with a mid-range progressive. I had planned to start with a single stage. I find I get more consistency in the rounds with the progressive, assuming you QC every 10-15 rds or so. Depending on component prices I have gotten .40 rds at 10-12 cents a round. Definitely a savings for me. So frugality and just the enjoyment of making ammo does it for me. Best wishes as you get started.

[CrimsonSoul]

Thank you all so much for all the info by the way

[77346]

I've decided to get into reloading as well... my motivation is not simply to save money, but to be able keep my stock during times like this.

I've decided to go with a single-stage press because of several reasons. First, I think you learn the basics better that way... second, my impression is that I would do much better QC on a single-stage than on a turret or progressive. Another reason was simplicity... single-stage seems to be a simpler device than turret or progressive... so, less moving parts, less things that can break, less things to maintain/replace.

I don't intent to load thousands of rounds per week, and I am looking at this as a hobby, so I don't really care if I can churn hundreds vs dozens of rounds per hour.

I plan to start with 9mm... I've accumulated over 1,500 pieces of brass of which about 1,250 have been fired once. Later I would do 30-06 and may buy another press if needed...