Looking to get started. Advice?

Pinebox

I'd be better off
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2017
Messages
107
Location
Vale, NC
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
I'm looking to start loading/ reloading 5.56, 9mm, and a few others. I know nothing about it.
Any advise on good beginner equipment or anything of that nature?
 
I’ll say it depends.

I began reloading a few years ago (9mm only) and everyone said do NOT start with a progressive. Probably the most popular recommendation was to start with a Lee Turret, which I did. It’s easy to use, caliber changes couldn’t be easier, and I was loading about 200rd/hr.

In hindsight, I wish I had started with a Square Deal B (pistol only), because I am very detail oriented and meticulous. I appreciate the 3x efficiency of a progressive and don’t mind the additional homework needed up front.

Fast forward a bit, I use a SDB for pistol and Hornady progressive for rifle. I never got rid of my Lee Classic Turret, though, it’s really a great press for lower volumes IMO.
 
I started with the same RCBS kit. Still have it and use it. Glad I cut my teeth on it before getting a progressive press. Also, get a few different manuals for reference. Ultimate Reloader (website and YouTube) are also great resources.
 
Last edited:
I’ll say it depends.

I began reloading a few years ago (9mm only) and everyone said do NOT start with a progressive. Probably the most popular recommendation was to start with a Lee Turret, which I did. It’s easy to use, caliber changes couldn’t be easier, and I was loading about 200rd/hr.

In hindsight, I wish I had started with a Square Deal B (pistol only), because I am very detail oriented and meticulous. I appreciate the 3x efficiency of a progressive and don’t mind the additional homework needed up front.

Fast forward a bit, I use a SDB for pistol and Hornady progressive for rifle. I never got rid of my Lee Classic Turret, though, it’s really a great press for lower volumes IMO.
^^^^ This.

I started with a progressive (Dillon 550) and don't regret it, as I had a mentor to help get me started. But, I have a Lee Classic Turret on the other end of the bench that I use more than the Dillon. A progressive is nice for loading lots of rounds, and I use mine mostly for 9mm, 40, 45, and 10mm. But I load about a dozen different calibers on my LCT and have no plans to change that. I just like sitting down in front of it and pulling the handle.

If you talk to most reloaders, they will have more than one press, and usually have a single-stage or turret press of some sort. If you start with the turret, you will always have a use for it even if you decide to step up to a progressive press, so I usually suggest starting with the LCT. The only time I don't suggest it is when a person is only interested in loading precision rifle ammo, in low quantity, and for that I recommend a really good single-stage press.

For 223, it depends on the quantity you want to load, but I think the LCT would be a good fit. I generally size my brass, then do all the prep (trim, chamfer, etc) and then go back to the press to finish the rest of the steps. I generally run in batch mode (complete one step on all the brass, before going to the next step).

But, to more directly answer the question, the best place to start is a good loading manual. I like the Lyman and Speer manuals. The whole front sections are basically tutorials on reloading. Read through once or twice to get a good understanding. Then you will have a better idea about how you want to proceed. And forget any notion that you are going to save money - you will just end up shooting more. :)
 
Last edited:
Give us an estimate how many rounds you expect to shoot in the next year? How much you can spend on equipment?

Ill bring some gear to LFI and show you how it works if you like.
 
Last edited:
The RCBS Rockchucker kit is a good one to start on (and stay on). Has everything you need to start except dies/shellholder, brass, primers, powder and bullets.

I started on an old Pacific single stage a few days ago (lol)....been assisting in and reloading for 35 years.

I shoot a lot, but still load on a single stage. I’m a bit OCD, so a progressive would not really benefit me all that much. I tumble my cases before resizing, deprime, clean the primer pockets, trim, hand prime and load.

Get several reloading manuals so you can compare data. The Sierra manual would be my first pick and if you get the Rockchucker kit, it’ll come with a manual (Nosler, IIRC, but it may be Speer).

There’s a good number of folks on here who have probably forgotten more about reloading than I’ll ever learn, so if you have questions or need help, you’ve found the right place.
 
WATCH CLASSIFIED ADS FOR DEALS!!! A lot of people think they are going to be big into handloading but a big portion never really take to it and you can get a great deal on lightly used equipment if you have a little patience and carefully watch for a deal. If you buy Dillon, Hornady, RCBS or such these manufactures give excellent support even for 2nd owners ... some even years later.

I started on a Chucker years back, I bought my Chucker in the early 80’s, for loading for rifles ... more for pet loads than for quantity ... so Chucker was fine for my precise type loading. A bolt action rifle, single shooter and a Chucker are a great setup. When I started going thru larger amounts of handgun rounds and my kid started really interest I lucked up and found a Dillon 550 setup a guy bought with every extra and sets of dies for the high volume stuff I was looking for but never pull the lever once ... just opened the boxes and then sat them in his garage. His wife wanted it gone ... he named a stupid low price for the press and threw in all the other stuff for free. WATCH THE CLASSIFIEDS!
 
A Dillon 550 is a smart choice to start with. I think there is one for sale here or on that CSC forum. I started on a 650 and never looked back. Today, I’m load on a Dillon 550, 650 and a 1050. I use a Forester for precision reloading but a Dillon 550 will do just as well and that is why I recommend it first.




Sent from my Star Trek Communicator using Tapatalk
 
WATCH CLASSIFIED ADS FOR DEALS!!!

If you buy Dillon, Hornady, RCBS or such these manufactures give excellent support even for 2nd owners ... some even years later.

I bought a RCBS press from the classified here that was made in 1968. RCBS sent me some warranty parts free to get the press back in working order. Best $25 I ever spent.

Best piece of advice is get with a reloader and watch and ask questions. Once you start reloading then you'll want to learn to cast your own bullets.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
 
Asking about the best reloading equipment for a beginner is about like asking for an opinion on what the best handgun caliber is. Lots of advice and end the end no final answer and almost anything can be justified, especially by owners of said equipment.

I would advise reading a couple reloading manuals and find someone in your area that reloads and can show you the basics. Then decide exactly why you need to reload, how much you need to reload, and just how fast you need to do it.

Answer those 3 questions and we can give you much better advice.
 
I would suggest finding a local mentor first.

I’ve hated 2 presses, an RCBS green machine that I threw away not knowing that they are somewhat collectible, and a Lee 1000 something that I threw away but them fished back out and gave to a member here that wanted it. Otherwise they all work and they all have their quirks.
 
I started reloading several months ago and my first setup was a Lee Anniversary kit, the only thing that didn’t work in the kit was the pos scale that came with the kit, I already had a couple of scales that I use for mixing Cerakote so it wasn’t an issue for me.

You can pick up a cheap digital scale under $20 from Amazon, just make sure it will measure “grains”, also get a decent caliper to measure brass and seated bullets.

With the Lee kit you just need to get dies, a case trimming die (the trimmer itself comes in the kit, a better scale, calipers, primers, brass, powder & bullets.
 
Last edited:
I started reloading several months ago and my first setup was a Lee Anniversary kit, the only thing that didn’t work in the kit was the pos scale that came with the kit, I already had a couple of scales that I use for mixing Cerakote so it wasn’t an issue for me.

You can pick up a cheap digital scale under $20 from Amazon, just make sure it will measure “grains”, also get a decent caliper to measure brass and seated bullets.

With the Lee kit you just need to get dies, a case trimming die (the trimmer itself comes in the kit, a better scale, calipers, primers, brass, powder & bullets.


^THIS....

The Lee 50th is a good cheap way to get your feet wet. You can make great ammo on it and decide on the cheap if it's for you or not. If it is and you upgrade, you'll always have a use for a spare single stage set up...

Beyond that, read, read, read...
 
Oh man. I have thought about reloading for about a year now. I have so many questions and don't know where to start.

Thank you for posting the Hickock45 video above. I just watched the first 16 minutes and thought, "Oh hell. That's enough. It's easier to just order ammo online. "

Yes I might save some money by reloading, but the amount of time it would take me to reload is not worth it. Especially if i can't drink beer while I'm doing it. Hahaha.
 
Oh man. I have thought about reloading for about a year now. I have so many questions and don't know where to start.

Thank you for posting the Hickock45 video above. I just watched the first 16 minutes and thought, "Oh hell. That's enough. It's easier to just order ammo online. "

Yes I might save some money by reloading, but the amount of time it would take me to reload is not worth it. Especially if i can't drink beer while I'm doing it. Hahaha.
For 9mm it’s not worth the money and time.
For rifle, and uncommon/expensive rounds it’s worth it. 300BLK, 44mag (and 50AE). Not to mention being able to choose the bullet you want and tune it to your gun.
I’ve a Sako M75, the best group with 5 different brands of premium ammo yielded 2 3/4”. Following the recipe, my first hand loads produced a 5 round 3/8” group.
I was hooked.
PM me if you want come by. I got my Dillon 550 in 1999 and it still runs like a sewing machine.
 
Last edited:
For 9mm it’s not worth the money and time.
For rifle, and uncommon/expensive rounds it’s worth it. 300BLK, 44mag (and 50AE). Not to mention being able to choose the bullet you want and tune it to your gun.
I’ve a Sako M75, the best group with 5 different brands of premium ammo yielded 2 3/4”. Following the recipe, my first hand loads produced a 5 round 3/8” group.
I was hooked.
PM me if you want come by. I got a Dillon 550 in 1999 and it still runs like a sewing machine.
You've been to my house (thank you again). Maybe I should come to your house for a lesson. I'd appreciate that, but I'm not in a hurry. Life is crazy busy right now with work, wife, kids, goats, chickens, etc.
 
You've been to my house (thank you again). Maybe I should come to your house for a lesson. I'd appreciate that, but I'm not in a hurry. Life is crazy busy right now with work, wife, kids, goats, chickens, etc.
I was hoping you would also bring the 50 so we could shoot it :D
 
I was hoping you would also bring the 50 so we could shoot it :D
When I picked it up, I also bought a box of 20 Hornady critical defense .50ae rounds. That was the only box of .50ae they had in stock. And that's the only .50ae ammo I have seen for sale in the last 6 months. I have shot about 15 of those rounds. You are welcome to the other 5. Then, the deagle will be a paperweight, sitting in the safe. Hahaha.
 
Oh man. I have thought about reloading for about a year now. I have so many questions and don't know where to start.

Thank you for posting the Hickock45 video above. I just watched the first 16 minutes and thought, "Oh hell. That's enough. It's easier to just order ammo online. "

Yes I might save some money by reloading, but the amount of time it would take me to reload is not worth it. Especially if i can't drink beer while I'm doing it. Hahaha.


Uhhh I always have a beer or 7 while I’m reloading lol.

There are “beginners tricks” you can use to make things a bit safer while you’re learning.

For instance, when I first started I used powder that was big and fluffy enough to make it impossible to double charge a load without having to compress the powder while seating the bullet.

My 9mm loads use 5 grains of Uniqie and the powder fills the case up to the seating depth of the bullet, if you try to fill a case a second time the powder will spill out and you’ll know pretty quick that you’ve screwed up, now that I have a little experience I’m trying other powders that don’t give me as much of a case fill but a double charge will still run out of the case.

Also you can use a system that makes a double charge really tough to do, like rotating the brass in specific ways so you know what step you’re on etc, even if you’re really distracted, hand loading sounds WAY harder than what it is and once you do it a time or two it becomes second nature, in a lot of ways safely reloading is exactly like shooting safely, as long as you don’t get complacent and stick to hard factual data you’ll be fine, people don’t get into trouble until they start doing stupid shit like skipping a safety process, checking, double checking and triple checking everything, after you get the hang of the process you’ll normally know when something doesn’t look, feel or sound right.
 
Last edited:
When I picked it up, I also bought a box of 20 Hornady critical defense .50ae rounds. That was the only box of .50ae they had in stock. And that's the only .50ae ammo I have seen for sale in the last 6 months. I have shot about 15 of those rounds. You are welcome to the other 5. Then, the deagle will be a paperweight, sitting in the safe. Hahaha.
Take your last 5 rounds? No way. That’s like coming over and taking your last beer.
 
Take your last 5 rounds? No way. That’s like coming over and taking your last beer.
I've got lots of beer and lots of bullets for the important guns. The deagle is just a range toy and should be treated as such. I would happily let you shoot me last 5 .50ae rounds.
 
I've got lots of beer and lots of bullets for the important guns. The deagle is just a range toy and should be treated as such. I would happily let you shoot me last 5 .50ae rounds.
Too kind, maybe just one. Get a conversion kit and dies, we’ll get you into reloading.
 
If you start reloading, you can indulge in all the fun & esoteric chamberings. I started reloading when I got my 1st .41Mag & can load accurate, quality hunting type loads for 17.5 cents/rd, vs. the dollar+ per round for store bought. 'N I get to play with cool stuff like .357Maximum, 'cos I'm not dependent on store bought ammo. I can go to the range & fire 300+ rounds in a session without breaking the bank.

I'm also a bit of a science nerd & I like to geek out & test different loads for accuracy & velocity, finding out which gun shoots which load best.

ABCs of Reloading is a must read, along with a handful of quality loading manuals. Believe I have 'em from Lyman, Speer & Hornady, along with Lee's "Modern Reloading". I'm a big fan of the Lee Classic turret press. You can run it as a 'semi-progressive' or as a single stage, though I run it like a single stage like others have mentioned, doing each process in batches. Plus, with the turrets, you can set one up for each chambering & simply swap turrets for a caliber change. I've got 3 set up for .45ACP, .41Mag & .357Max, complete with powder measure & have everything needed for .357Mag & 9mm, but not yet setup/assembled.

I get a sense of accomplishment makin' my own ammo & while you will not actually save money by reloading, you will get to shoot a whole bunch more for the same $ outlay.
 
If you start reloading, you can indulge in all the fun & esoteric chamberings. I started reloading when I got my 1st .41Mag & can load accurate, quality hunting type loads for 17.5 cents/rd, vs. the dollar+ per round for store bought. 'N I get to play with cool stuff like .357Maximum, 'cos I'm not dependent on store bought ammo. I can go to the range & fire 300+ rounds in a session without breaking the bank.
Kinda where I am now. I started out loading 9, 380, and 40, but now I am getting into 50AE, 450 Bushmaster, 460 S&W, etc. I think I am up to 17 calibers now. Once you have the equipment, the cost of adding a new caliber becomes minimal.
 
Last edited:
Give us an estimate how many rounds you expect to shoot in the next year? How much you can spend on equipment?

Ill bring some gear to LFI and show you how it works if you like.
I might take you up on that in a few weeks or so. If I can take myself away from the tree stand.
 
I'm looking to start loading/ reloading 5.56, 9mm, and a few others. I know nothing about it.
Any advise on good beginner equipment or anything of that nature?

The first question you have to ask yourself is how much do you shoot? Do you shoot 1,000+ rounds a month or do you shoot 200?

The second question you have to ask yourself is do you like tinkering with stuff? Do you want to develop the perfect load for each of your guns and or favorite caliber? Will you enjoy the hobby of reloading?

To me these are the fundamental questions you should ask yourself before you start reloading. Also you will not save any $$$$. Those who tell you that you will are laying. LOL
 
That's the lie you tell your wife.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

You do not save any money you just shoot more. Everyone had a "Shooting" budget that they max out. LOL
 
I don't shoot enough handgun ammo a month to justify reloading. I'm trying for one box a month just to say I pulled the trigger 50 times on some basic drills. I buy it on sale whenever I get the chance. Generally less than $20.00 a month. If you plan on shooting more than 100 rounds a month then you may think about "rolling your own", especially if you shoot several calibers.
 
Still using my rock chucker supreme for everything..9, 45, 38, 223, 308, 3006. 9mm is one I am looking to drop for now just since it is fairly cheap, and my time is short these days. 223 seems still worth it..not found cheap factory ammo that outperforms what I reload.

223 is easy to do. Get yourself a swaging set for military brass. Work in stages. Label things well.

Buy in bulk when you can, and stock up for rainy days. Remember 2013 post sandy hook? No 9mm, 223, etc. Anywhere...hell, powder and primers were hard to come by in my old AO.

Work up loads carefully, no immediate need for a chronograph, but they do help.

Good luck, and remember all the resources here.
 
Buy in bulk when you can, and stock up for rainy days. Remember 2013 post sandy hook? No 9mm, 223, etc. Anywhere...hell, powder and primers were hard to come by in my old AO.
Yes, I remember well. I had just gotten my first press right before that happened. Luckily, I was able to snag primers and a 4lb jug of Power Pistol, enough to get me started. Small pistol primers evaporated for a while, and when they started to reappear, then pistol powder became scarce. Now is the time to stock up on supplies, prices and inventory are good right now. I generally buy twice as much as I will immediately use, and have built up enough to last me several years now - my goal is to have enough to last through 8 years of a liberal administration.
 
Back
Top Bottom