[Kamarathin]

Hello all,

I grew up with my dad reloading his shotgun shells, but I never had a chance to do much more than watch at the time. Now I'm looking at setting up a reloading bench and doing my own reloading for .38 spcl and .45 acp.

I am looking for any and all advice, recommendations and suggestions for all aspects of the process.

Thank you in advance.

 

[mountainman13]

Need more info. Are you looking for advice on what to buy (press etc.) or how to reload?

 

[Kamarathin]

Yes, to both. From beginning to end of the entire process.

Starting with what to buy and then how to go about installing the press and any accessories and then the recommended usage of them.

 

[mountainman13]

How much are you looking to spend on the press? I would suggest lee if you have a budget and rcbs if you can afford it.

 

[Kamarathin]

Definitely on a budget, what kind of $ are we looking at?

 

[mountainman13]

That depends. Are you looking for a progressive press or single stage or something really cheap just to get by with?

 

[Kamarathin]

Progressive. Definitely.

I don't mind paying for quality. I hate having cheap gear, regardless of what it is. But I am on a budget...or actually, I will be on a budget once I work one up.

 

[mountainman13]

I would recommend a lee progressive press. They are relatively cheap and well made. Go on YouTube and you should be able to find some videos on it.

 

[ktmboyz]

First off you want to get a book like the ABC's of reloading and read it cover to cover, then read it again. Then research some more on presses, dies and accesories ect.

A lot of people bash lee but thats what I started with and have no regrets at all. There stuff might not be as rugged as some of the others, but like Richard Lee states in his reloading book, they don't overbuild things. They use enough materials to get the job done and hold up to the stresses of reloading. They were not building a press to put rivets in truck frames.

The thread in the top of the reloading section by Capt tango is a great read on picking a press and some of the differences between them.

Then come back here and fire away with the questions, there as a ton of members on here with years of relaoding experience and were a huge help to me when I was getting started a few years ago.

One word of caution though its addicting and Dont go into it thinking you will save money, sure it helps to justify it but the money you save you will probably be spending on more reloading stuff and components. On a brighter note though you will always have ammo and better quality than you can buy. Good luck

 

[Kamarathin]

There seem to be a few books with the same name. Is there a particular one of these you recommend?

 

[mountainman13]

I have the lee reloading manual and the lyman. Both are good

 

[ktmboyz]

They are all the same just get renewed every couple years, I have to top one which is the 9th edition. Any of the later and you should be good to go.. The info gets updated but the basic theory is still the same.

 

[Kamarathin]

Groovy. Thanks for the info. I am off to read and read and read.

 

[robocop10mm]

I recommend the 49th edition of the Lyman manual. The ABC's of reloading (pistol,rifle version) is very good also.

For a beginner, an RCBS, Lyman or Lee single stage or turret press are very good. There is only one name in progressives though, DILLON! I cannot tell you how many friends started with a Lee progressive and switched to Dillon w/in a year or so. Well worth the extra bank.

 

[ktmboyz]

I recommend the 49th edition of the Lyman manual. The ABC's of reloading (pistol,rifle version) is very good also.

For a beginner, an RCBS, Lyman or Lee single stage or turret press are very good. There is only one name in progressives though, DILLON! I cannot tell you how many friends started with a Lee progressive and switched to Dillon w/in a year or so. Well worth the extra bank.

robo is spot on there !! I did just that, started with a single stage, then got a Lee progressive and then my eyes were opened to Dillon Precision. They are the best of the best hands down and their customer service is second to none with a lifetime warranty on their products ( except the commercial reloader 1050 )

 

[Nickwashere]

I have the lee anniversary set ,a tumbler, media for the tumbler, 9 millimeter dies from lee, lymmn's 49th edition reloading manual, 200 bullets, powder, primers, the material to build my workbench and I am about 300 dollars in and will be reloading for the first time this weekend finally.. I still want to have a digital scale along with a bullet puller and obviously a few more sets of dies.. reloading is not cheap I can tell you that already and I haven't reloaded 1 bullet yet.. however I did not full of myself into believing I would save a lot of money I just think it's going to make a fun hobby.. and hopefully I can shoot a little more

 

[Axxe55]

i agree very much with KTM and Robo on this. get the newest version of the ABC's of Reloading, very good book for beginners and veteran reloaders. Lee's Modern Reloading manual also has lots of good information in it that is good for a beginner, as well as being a load data book.

i would also usggest as a beginner to start with a single stage press for starting out to help with learning the basics of reloading and to help avoid potential mistakes and problems.

above all, read and pay attention to the safety procedures and practices. they will keep you from either gettin hurt or ruining a firearm. reloading is very safe when done correctly, but can be dangerous or even deadly if don't do it safely. adhere to the load data and don't deviate by trying to experiament with making up your own loads.