Ups and Downs of Reloading...

[Hope]

If you reload, will you please let me know what are the benifits and the down falls? I am thinking about purchacing a reloading "kit" for my husband - but first, I would like to know a little more about it. How long does it take to reload? What is the cost? What do I need to get him started? Thanks!! :)

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The most wild, crazy, shootin' gal in Mid-Michigan! :)

[yoda]

Really no down falls to reloading Hope, I reload for the Rifle and handgun. don't know much about Shotgun reloading. as for getting started, best way to go would be to get a starter kit like the RCBS kit. Let me know what he would be kind of weapons he would be reloading for, and I'll see if I can't point you in the right direction.. :D

[Hunter333]

I havent been reloading too long but I have yet to find a downfall. It is very relaxing. I harvested 3 deer with rounds that I reloaded myself and wow, what a feeling. It also got me more into rifle shooting. As for the "kit".... I asked that when I was thinking about getting into it and got 100's of answers about everything :) I purchased a Lee Anniversary kit and dies from www.fmreloading.com (http://www.fmreloading.com) Everything needed except for the bullets, powders, brass, and primers cost me $100 and I havent had ANY trouble with it. Online auctions are a good place to get brass....keep us posted

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ONE shot, ONE kill..No excuses, no exceptions EVER!!

[Pat Eddinger]

Hope,
The downfalls are few,except possibly the increased time at the range testing loads,fussing for the last bit of accuracy and the better apreciation of good gear,all because you don't have to accept the out of the box stuff.Honestly Hope,reloading cuts ammo cost in half,and folks gain a lot more knowledge about shooting quickly.Practice happens more often because of reduced costs,man,I can't say enough about the advantages.Safety wise,concerns only come up when a reloader deviates through carelessness,or when looking for off the chart performance.Prudent folks don't have much problem.Check with your local gun clubs to see if they have anybody that is a NRA certified reloading instructor,and sign up your hubby if possible.If not available there are several videos available that go into great detail and help beginers get an idea of what's involved before even unpacking the press.You stated earlier that your hubby does the LE thing.I'm willing to bet that there's another guy he works with that reloads,and could be an excellent source of Sneaky info to figure out what your hubby needs.
The Lee Anniversary kit isn't top of the line,nor is it suitable for a guy that needs high volume or benchrest precision,it is however complete minus the individual variables of powder,primers,brass,dies&shell holder,and length guage(For the included trimmer set up.)and bullets.Figure on another 50-75 bucks over the cost of the kit to cover the variables.If you go the Lee Anniversary route and wish to cover all the variables for the cartridges hubby shoots,I would be more than glad to put together a detailed completion list with product numbers and such.I do the gunsmith/sporting goods gig here in Hartford,and have access to the catalogs and numbers so you could walk in to the local shop and just give them the wish list.He will need a bench of sorts,a small fairly heavy table to bolt the press and powder measure to,with enough space,say 3sq ft,to have room for other components while he's loading.Before ya get too far into this,do you folks shoot more than say 200 centerfire rifle or pistol rounds per year?,
if not,it might not be worth the while,but if you do,or plan to,ya gotta reload.
Cheers!Pat

[Hope]

Pat-

We shoot WAY more than that. :) We shoot pistols, shotguns, rifles - Just about anything. My hubby is an X-Marine Recon dude. ;) And, a current police officer. As for me, I just enjoy target practicing... always have. I was raised in a family of police officers and hunters. :)

I think I am going to purchase the kit, if he does not use it - I know I will! :)

Thank you everyone!!!!

[Pat Eddinger]

Hope,
Good ta hear it!If you actually plan on becoming an obsessive reloader consider the basic Redding kit,and accessorize with the good stuff from other makers.Lee makes decent quality stuff at low prices.They are not the finest,but will do just fine untill you or the Jarhead get fussy about neck runout,primer pocket uniforming,and other stuff that makes for brass shavings all over the house!For a first loader the Lee kit will do for most,but one caveat however,the scale that comes with the kit is just flat cheesy,and easy to screw up on the first few times.Triple check the setting every time,and make sure you "Practice" with it a few times using a bullet of known weight compared to the weight set on the scale.The little sliding window is a pain.Just to be sure take a gander at some of the other brands scales,like RCBS,Lyman,Ohaus(They make everybody's anyway!)and Hornady.I have been using the RCBS 5-0-5 for 15 years now,and still like it better than my electronic RCBS.Don't be afraid to holler if ya get into a bind.One thing..when ya hand hubby the press tell him"Sometimes Buddha smiles!"for me.Cheers!Pat

[Hope]

LOL Pat! Will tell! :) :) Thank you for your great advice! :)