Reloading first time

[pdog shooter]

my trouble started when I bought something like this

 

[cornshank]

My RCBS rock chucker has been plenty reliable over many years.

The RCBS dies have been fine , and beam scale also.

I have one small piece of unsolicited advice , when you get started sizing and seating , I always take the first finished round and make sure it fits in the magazine and chamber and ejects perfectly , before I load up a bunch ,only to find out they don't fit !

 

[6pakzak]

I would like to start reloading did some research need recommendations. Will start with 270
308
6.5 Creedmoor.
What equipment will I need and what is the most reliable brand.

I would start with a single stage press like rcbs rebel, very strong and precise press and even if you get turret press later you will still use this press, if you do one process at a time like size them all then go on to next step it will be just as fast as turret. I bought some good fl sizing does and found that I never use them anymore, if I was to do it again I would buy a Redding body die which bumps shoulder and sizes body, doesn't touch neck, then I would size neck with lee collet die and lastly get a good seating die to seat bullet, I think this is probably the least costly way to make quality ammo, all you need are these 3 dies, I'm not saying this is the best setup but you can get all 3 dies for the price of one good bushing die which gives you more control on neck sizing, I use these dies I suggested and all my bolt guns shoot half moa at 100yds so I feel no need to start messing with bushing dies, if I got into serious competition maybe I would go down that rabbit hole.

 

[Lee7588]

I would look at buying used equipment on some things such as manuals, etc. You can pick some good things up at estate sales. Some like new. And bullets, powders, primers. I would be careful when buying powders though. You just never know. It could be something it's not supposed to be. I have bought some like this. Can was marked different. But still not sure if it is, what it is supposed to be. A little caution here but otherwise just make sure you don't spend more than it's worth. I have got LEE, RCBS, LYMAN calipers for less than $7.00. I have seen dies go cheap. But again inspect what you're bidding on. Older manuals are nice to have. I saw an all but new RCBS press sell for $109.00 last weekend. It also had the trimmer, & other RCBS equipment go with it as a package. This was RCBS newest trimmer. I'm not sure on your financials ? But doesn't everyone likes to save a dollar ?

I'm with you on buying powder from places other than retail or online locations. To buy some from a garage or estate sale you just don't know for sure on what you are getting. One may think they are using one powder and it be something different and blow up the gun in their face, could be fatal.

 

[6pakzak]

I'm with you on buying powder from places other than retail or online locations. To buy some from a garage or estate sale you just don't know for sure on what you are getting. One may think they are using one powder and it be something different and blow up the gun in their face, could be fatal.

I'm with you on buying powder from places other than retail or online locations. To buy some from a garage or estate sale you just don't know for sure on what you are getting. One may think they are using one powder and it be something different and blow up the gun in their face, could be fatal.

Now that you bring powder up it reminds me that I haven't been able to get primers for almost a year now so step one in reloading is buy primers, as many as you can get, can't reload without them

 

[RidgeTop]

Welcome to reloading. The way I started 60 years ago was I saved my 30-06 brass and then loaded my brass, bullets and powder on a friends set up, and under his superviion. I then knew what I wanted to look for in equip.
So, how much do you shoot, how many calibers, handgun or only rifle? You can always start basic rifle and add as you learn. For this reason I chose not to buy a kit.
Get some current manuals and also the 'ABC's of Reloading' and read through them.
I load about 3,000 per year, mixed rifle & pistol in 17 different calibers and still do it with the RCBS Rock Chucker which was my first press. I am only now looking at a Lee Loadmaster progressive press.
Available time is one factor to determine equip you will get. The Lee press is good for 700 .357mag per hour. Do you need high production? Or more individual production with emphasis on precision specifications? Like I mentioned, see if you can find a mentor with experience.
Remember, follow directions and recipes and no experimenting on your own. Be Safe and enjoy the process. BTW, this site has people with thousands of hours and years experience wiling to help. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Jim

 

[Eric H]

All are great inputs and lot to digest. Take a look here as it may help point you in the direction you want to go.https://youtu.be/6rDppDH1IN4

 

[7mmTikkaShooter]

I would like to start reloading did some research need recommendations. Will start with 270
308
6.5 Creedmoor.
What equipment will I need and what is the most reliable brand.

Something like this is a great place to start.

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Press Kit

The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press is designed to last a lifetime. The Rock Chucker Supreme Press features easy operation, ambidextrous handle,...

www.midwayusa.com

RCBS is one of several good brands to pick from so I wouldn't get hung up on that per say. I'll recommend getting a digital scale. Some may argue but I think most would agree that's a really nice upgrade. A decent set of calipers is a must. A cartridge specific case length headspace gauge, and a caliber specific bullet comparator are also very useful. After that it's just cartridge specific dies and shell holders. I recommend full length resizing. You can pick up a set of dies relatively inexpensive. I will say that this is an area that you could look to go higher quality/price from the get go. Better quality components will make life easier in the long run. Don't mix brass...ever. That's a safety thing as much as an accuracy thing. Follow the book and start low. The obvious components of primers, brass, bullets, and powder of course. If you can find those somewhere, I'm sure a lot of folks here would love to know where, so keep us informed. Best of luck and stay safe.

 

[FlyGuy11]

I would like to start reloading did some research need recommendations. Will start with 270
308
6.5 Creedmoor.
What equipment will I need and what is the most reliable brand.

Most of the advice here is solid but I would NOT get a beam scale. Beam scales are a pain in the *** and would recommend if on a budget Lee Dippers, a trickler, and a digital scale; if you truly want to buy once cry once get a better powder drop/trickler all in one like a charge master. I don't know your budget but I have an auto-trickler V2 which is overkill but to each their own. I have been reloading for over 20 years and Eric Cortina has a great video series on reloading but you would have to pay for the series. I would recommend paying for the series and then making gear selections on your accuracy goals.

Step 1. What is your budget
Step 2. What volume are you shooting (Progressive VS Single-Stage)
Step 3. Watch some reloading videos: https://www.patreon.com/ErikCortina
Step 4. Get your gear, set up, reload, and enjoy shooting.

PS: Buy better dies with a micrometer this will save you time when testing seating depths.

 

[M1A1ABRAMS]

Now that you bring powder up it reminds me that I haven't been able to get primers for almost a year now so step one in reloading is buy primers, as many as you can get, can't reload without them

Are you not allowed to purchase in another State ? Such as PA. Or is that to far to drive ? If it's illegal ? I would be moving, FAST. I would think about an Estate sale if that is legal ? Estate sales in rural NY may be worth your time. You can pay cash but they will still want a copy of your drivers license. How they list the product will be on the auctioneer. Mine usually say primers. But doesn't specify. Pump primer ? lol

 

[dirtball]

RULES: While reloading.

1) NO tv, NO radio, NO distractions (could save your life)
2) ONLY ONE can of powder on the bench at a time. (Make sure it is the one for the load you are using)
3) Get a routine for loading and always follow it.

These may sound obvious and routine, but the internet is full of the results of NOT following them.
I have used these rules since I started reloading in the mid-60s and have never had an incedent.

Good luck, have fun

Dave

 

[michaelfelix13]

Thank you all for your help. Could not do it without you

 

[Steve Hannon]

The basic tennet of "buy once cry once" definitely holds true for reloading, particularly if you're reloading for accuracy. At the most basic, you'll need:

Press, something like an RCBS Rock Chucker is reliable and won't need upgrading.

Powder throw: almost any will do

Beam scale: RCBS 5-0-5 is a personal favorite

Dies: full length sizing is easiest to start with. I like Redding but everyone has brand preference

Manuals: buy a few, read them

Priming Tool: personal preference is for the Frankfort Arsenal hand priming tool

Cleaning device: I like wet tumbling with steel pins, this is very arguable though, everyone has something that works for them. Frankfort Arsenal work for me here as well.

Annealing device: a hand torch and Tempilaque is a great start, I use an annealeaz personally but an Annealing Made Perfect device would be better

Calipers: the best you can afford but any will get you started

Shell Holders: Any

Lubricant: I like Imperial Sizing Wax. Many good options here, I know lots of people use a lanolin/alcohol mix that you can spray on.

Case trimmer: Many good options. I use an L.E. Wilson trimmer

Case chamfer tool: Any VLD chamfer tool will work. Helps the bullet seat into the case mouth without catching on the rim

Powder trickler: dispenses powder slowly to help you get the exact amount you want

I would have to argue the point on annealing. It's an advanced part of reloading, IMO. Just starting out is a big expense when you're already looking at $400 for a press set.

I was given good advice. Start with a press kit, like Lee or RCBS, and work with it. If you're still doing it a year later, then deep dive into it. Nothings worse than dumping a veritable crap ton of money into a hobby you ultimately discover you don't like.
Since then, I've upgraded to a T7, forester and Redding dies for my bottle neck stuff, and still going.

I do completely agree with the rest and second the "buy several manuals" note. Read them once, and repeatedly afterwords. After 5-6 years, I still make sure I'm doing basics right because I'm fallible.

 

[Mmac52280]

I would like to start reloading did some research need recommendations. Will start with 270
308
6.5 Creedmoor.
What equipment will I need and what is the most reliable brand.

Just a suggestion based on personal experience, but in my life I have found that canvassing for old timers in your area to glean any and all of their knowledge they have, to be a virtual life saver. Internet advice is fine, but won't hold a candle to hands on instruction. Recently, a just retired friend gave me an old Mac jr 20 gauge press he hadn't used since he was in boy scouts. Had stored it in his attic for over 25 years. There was also a nearly full box of old primers, with contact explosive salt all over the box. I stopped him from grabbing the primer box that day, asking him not to do that while I was standing there.
Bribery helps, and sometimes it's required.