getting started

[merrill hunter]

how hard is it to reload your own? how expensive is it to get started?
how much do you have to shoot for it to be cost effective?

[Hunter333]

First off, welcome, I dont recall seeing you in this forum before..... Perhaps you can do a search in the forum as the topic of getting started and the questions that you have has been talked about for quite a bit around here before. What rounds are you looking to reload? Shotgun, rifle, handgun? It is never cost effective to reload. Once you start, you will simply shoot a LOT more which means you will spend more than you use to shooting. BUT, you will also become more profecient at shooting, shoot a LOT more, enjoy shooting more, etc. If you shoot 20 rounds a year reloading is not a good idea. If you want to shoot 10, 20, 30 times that reloading is the way to go. AGAIN, reloading will not "save" you money when compared to how much you spend to shoot now. Check around and hopefully what I am telling you will make sense :)

[part timer]

I don't shoot a bunch by some standards - 20-30 rounds of skeet/year, bird hunting, a few hundred shots with my rifles. However, I really enjoy reloading. You can get into a functional reloading set up for <$100.

The real fun with reloading is putting rifle rounds together and seeing the difference in the accuracy by changing components.

[Huntsman27]

I just got a few more die sets for loading [25-06, 280, and 6.5x55] once you have the basics just need the dies and ready to roll more. Hope to have the new loads for the new Stevens M-200 25-06 ready to sight in next week. Something to tinker with during the Winter months also. Load up my prairie dog shells [22-250,243] through the Winter for the May trip to Montana. Saves a lot of money over factory ammo!

[Rustyaxecamp]

Reloading also allows you to load the type of bullet you want for rounds that don't have a huge selection in factory ammo. For example I load for my 7mm RUM, 35 Whelen, and my 7mm Mauser. Each of those are very limited in factory selections....

[Northbound]

I am also interested in reloading; primarily pistol ammo then I will graduate to rifle ammo. I would like to find the perfect load for my 30-06.

Is there a good reloading manual anyone can recommend?

Does anyone have a list of all the equipment I would need to get started in reloading ?

Where is the best place to purchase reloading equipment or is it all about the same price no matter where you shop?

[Hunter333]

North, I bought a Lee Anniversary kit 5 years ago for $100. It has everything that one would need EXCEPT the dies. I load for my 06' and love tinkering with changing different components. It is nice being able to get match bullets for my target shooting. Lee is not high end equipment but has done what I need it do for some time now. I cant recall the book that I used when I started, I will have to look when I get home tonight. WARNING, once you start there is no turning back!:)

[Huntsman27]

and as Neal said your pretty much ready to go with the kit except dies, and the trimmer length gauges [to trim cases, they provide the cutter, but you need the specific LG] Youll also need a few loading trays, and a dial caliper is helpful for measuring the cartridges OAL [overall length, to stay withing SAAMI specs]. Pretty simple to do once your set up. Id recommend the Lee book though if your just curious before buying. Its usually about 15 bucks [hard cover] and will walk you through all the ins and outs of reloading. Called Modern Reloading Vol2 Rich

[Randy Peterson]

Hello i am also interested in getting started for a reasonable price, please give me a little input on where to go what to get, we have 2 '06's 1 30-30, and shoot a nosler paartition load now but cannot find decent loads...thanks RP

[Gil Martin]

Northbound,
Regarding your question about reloading manuals, there are several that are available. Lyman, Hornady, Sierra and Speer have good manuals. if you are going to get one, then Lyman would be my recommendation. Read it from cover to cover and it will provide a wealth of information and answer many questions.

If you are reloading rifle or pistol ammunition, you will need a reloading manual, a press, a set of dies and shell holder, a powder scale and funnel, chamfer and deburring tool, a hand priming tool, primers, powder and bullets. There are a number of places that sell reloading equipment such as Cabelas, Midway, Graf & Sons and local gun shops. You just have to look around and compare prices. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

[Huntsman27]

Hello i am also interested in getting started for a reasonable price, please give me a little input on where to go what to get, we have 2 '06's 1 30-30, and shoot a nosler paartition load now but cannot find decent loads...thanks RP
I bought out a bunch below wholesale 16 bucks a box of 50 30 cal/150gr and 270/150gr. Have some left if anyone needs them @ 16 bx.

[Northbound]

Gil,
Thanks for the pointers!

I’ll order a Lymans reloading manual this week. Then begin pricing the equipment. Probably won’t get all of it purchased until after rifle season.

Playing around with different brands ammo in the same caliber and bullet weight I see the advantage of hand loading rifle ammo. Plan to experiment until find the load my 06 likes best.

[Hunter333]

North, you will be amazed at what differences can be had just by changing the powder a little. Different brands, amounts, weights, etc. will have a huge change on how well you are shooting. Find what works best in your gun then tweak it some more. Same weight bullet from different companies will yield vary different results.

[alex-v]

The Lyman is a great manual to get for starters. Read the first couple of sections before starting to look at and dream about the loads mentioned in the second half of the book. Then, re-read the frist half of the book again to learn the things you missed the first time around. Then, read other manuals and magazines. Always keep an open mind to new ideas.

Be willing to start off slow. Some people think that they might as well start off with the "latest and greatest" in powders and other components or in equipment. Sometimes this "latest and greatest" is indeed great but it is also intended for people with a bit more experience under their belt.

Some calibers will not save any you money by reloading for them. But, you can often work up a load that is not available off the shelf. Usually, these are the mild and light shooting loads; the kind you can take to the range and shoot for hours without getting worn out.