Hey guys, thinkin about reloading for my .45, .40, sks and m44 what equipment and tools do i need to start and is it cheaper than buying preloaded ammo.
dragunovsks I suggest you start out by buying a copy of "The ABC's of Reloading" you can get it off of Barnes and Noble for $19.99 http://search.barnesandnoble.com/bo...6896093&ourl=ABCs-of-Reloading/Bill-Chevalier I suggest you get it fast because when I bought mine I picked it up for $15 off of Amazon , it seems reloading books are getting scarce and expensive . Lee's "Modern Reloading Second Addition" is also good as well as Speer and most other makers manuals . You will save money in a manner it all depends on how expensive/fancy you get with your reloading setup and how often you shoot . For straightwalled case's such as 38/357 , 40 , 45 is pretty simple and you can use what are called Carbide Dies and no lube with the bottle neck cases for rifles you MUST lubricate the cases to run them through a resizing die . You can get started reloading with the least amount of cash layout with Lee equipment I have used it for 20+ years and it gets the job done just fine , it might not get it done as fast as a Dillion but it costs hundreds less . Describing everything you need to do and what you need would make for a hugely long post , you can search the web and find almost anything you need and perhaps print it out and create a book rather than buying one . If you have yahoo messenger with speakers and a microphone I would be willing to voice chat with you and explain most of your questions . PM me if this interests you
Good advice from Big 1. Spend some time reading. Then spend some time shopping. You can pick up a used press, used dies, scales, etc etc. While the equipment can be abused or neglected, it RARELY wears out. Powder and primers carry a HAZMAT surcharge when shipping, so unless you are buying a LOT, buying in person locally will be cheaper. I reload for 6 calibers, and probably have $200 invested in equipment. Could just as easily be $2000. Would suggest you start with a single stage press, rather than a progressive or turret. Yes, is slower. Also less prone to errors. Rolling your own is satisfying- may not be cheaper than MILSURP, or bargain shopping for new ammo- but I like it. PS- Remember hottest load is rarely the best or most accurate, START at lowest load, work up. Change ANYTHING- powder, primer, brass or bullet, go BACK to starting load, work up.
Big 1 suggested correctly - start with the ABCs of Reloading and go from there. Once you get started, prepare to be obsessed with it - it only starts with the purchase of that book. Where it ends will be up to you but chances are, you'll never stop once started. And, it can get expensive in a relative sort of way - you'll save a little bit in the overall scheme of things - but the real reward will be in manufacturing your own ammo according to your preferences. I reload for ten calibers. It started with a $159.00 investment and I have spent literally thousands over the years. Once you compile the necessary equipment - then it is all about stockpiling the necessities ... bullets, brass and powder.
What you need to reload on depends on how much you are going to load. I load on a 550 Dillon, but I have loaded over 4,000 rounds of .223 ammo, alone, in the last year. They are $ 395.95 now for starters. I just got an order for some things I needed to load a couple more round, another $ 275. I probly have over $ 2000 in mine now, but I load for far more different rounds than most people. For a coulpe 1000 rounds a year you can get buy with a single stage press.
