New Reloader

[bghunter20]

What books or links does everyone recommend for a good detailed list of all the tools/equipment I need to start reloading and quality reloading practices? I'm not looking for the cheapest way or the "good enough" approach. I just want a good setup that will have my hunting rifles shooting as accurate as they can be so long as I do my part. I've invested a good amount into firearms and don't feel factory ammo does them justice. Any help getting started on this journey would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Read lots of reloading manuals, notable publications come from Nosler, Sierra, Speer, Lee, Lyman and Berger.
Then, for load information, look at powder company literature, there are ample publications to research.
Good press kits are available from Redding, RCBS, Lyman, Forster and others.
I recommend solid largeish single stage presses.
Big Boss (II) Rock Chucker, Ammomaster and the like are excellent. Currently have Rock Chucker Supreme, Rock Chucker Grand and a few turret presses, T7 and RCBS Turret.
If you buy a kit, you will have the basics, scale, powder thrower, funnel and loading block which you can add to later. You will need a case trimmer, so add that to your list.

Cheers.

 

[Tiny Tim]

A belated welcome to the forum. @MagnumManiac stated it all well. Spend a little time and effort up front to recognize what you really hope to accomplish and understand the process as well as you can so you don't end up purchasing something of lesser quality that you will replace soon after.

Most of us old school people like the manuals that powder and bullet manufacturers make. They typically have a great section on reloading practices. There is a wealth of info on-line as well, but the sources don't always know what they are doing, so it takes knowledge to spot their shortcomings. Most manuals are written by people in the know and while not always perfect, they are generally very good and their practices safe.

 

[FEENIX]

What books or links does everyone recommend for a good detailed list of all the tools/equipment I need to start reloading and quality reloading practices? I'm not looking for the cheapest way or the "good enough" approach. I just want a good setup that will have my hunting rifles shooting as accurate as they can be so long as I do my part. I've invested a good amount into firearms and don't feel factory ammo does them justice. Any help getting started on this journey would be greatly appreciated.

You have been provided excellent advice thus far. Contrary to what you might have heard, there are no shortcuts; we all have different learning curves and budgets. Take your time, and enjoy the learning process.

 

[xsn10s]

When I first got started decades ago the Hornady reloading kit came with a manual and a video (VHS). Sierra at the time (1980's) also made a video that I bought. Ken Water's "Pet Loads" has been a great guide, but they are out of publication and cost hundreds of dollars. I think you'd be better served with several manuals from the manufacturer of the bullets you will be using. Nosler, Sierra and maybe Hornady used to list there most accurate load for each cartridge so I'd try to get that as a guide, not gospel. RCBS has videos on the basics of reloading on youtube and they are well made. It sounds like you have the right attitude on reloading. I cannot stress enough about learning the fundamentals first and then move on to more advanced practices. Things like "starting low and work your way up" or "when you change a component start your load workup all over". Don't reload when rushed or distracted especially when priming cases or charging cases with powder. Have only the components that you are using for each load on the table. That mean only the primers, powder, bullets, and cases for that load. And double check the powder since some manufacturers make the canisters look the same. That makes for choosing the wrong powder which can be very dangerous. Take good notes and document your loads.

 

[xsn10s]

Here are some free links:

RCBS Reloading on YT:

Nosler Reloading: https://www.nosler.com/load-data/caliber-and-cartridge-data.html

Hodgdon reloading: https://hodgdonreloading.com/

 

[Seabeeken]

In addition to all the above, I recommend finding a local handlloader to mentor you personally. An experienced loader was invaluable to me when I started back in the early 70's.

 

[xsn10s]

A decent single stage press, an electric powder scale (I think mine is a PACT), I have a beam powder scale as a backup, decent dies with the same manufacturer shellholder, dial calipers, micrometer, loading trays or blocks, chamfer/ deburrer, and a case trimmer. Don't deprime inside the house as the residual powder from the powder contains hazardous material/ lead. In the garage or outside with a handheld press or deprimer is what I do. Then I resize inside the house. My press is a RCBS single stage, but a turret press or Forester Co Ax would be nice.

 

[xsn10s]

In the beginning I wouldn't get caught up on ladder tests or other esoteric load work up methods. I'd do a simple 3-5 rounds of a starting charge in a load manual and shoot a group. Then increase at work up in .3-.5 gr at a time, depending on the cartridge size as needed according to the manual. You'll learn as you go smaller cartridges require only smaller charge increase increments for velocity/ pressure increases. And study how to read pressure. Concentrate on primer flattening, cratering, or in worst case scenario rupture. Look up what ejector marks look like and if you get a stiff bolt lift definitely stop. I'll stop now as I'm getting carried away. Don't get overwhelmed, just go slow and pay attention.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

In addition to all the above, I recommend finding a local handlloader to mentor you personally. An experienced loader was invaluable to me when I started back in the early 70's.

This is what I was going to say. ^^^^^^^

Mentor will help gaining knowledge quicker.
ABC OF RELOADING is a great book.

 

[HandgunHTR]

Start here: https://www.lymanproducts.com/catal...51st-edition-reloading-handbook/category/931/

Read the first sections of the book a couple of times so that you understand the basics of what each thing does. Then watch some YouTube videos to determine what you think you will need. Then scrounge around the various forums and websites to purchase what you want.
Then start loading.

 

[LouisianaHunter]

What books or links does everyone recommend for a good detailed list of all the tools/equipment I need to start reloading and quality reloading practices? I'm not looking for the cheapest way or the "good enough" approach. I just want a good setup that will have my hunting rifles shooting as accurate as they can be so long as I do my part. I've invested a good amount into firearms and don't feel factory ammo does them justice. Any help getting started on this journey would be greatly appreciated.

I learned a lot (still have a lot to learn) from watching a series of Youtube videos by a guy who calls his channel "Panhandle Precision" . You need to go back to his early videos .

 

[WMDM]

Was in the same boat a year ago. I found it was like firewood. Figure what your time and financial budget is and double it. Then you may be comfortable.

Add in the learning curve and equipment/component quality issues and the juice hasn't been worth the squeeze for me. YMMV Good luck!

 

[ntsqd]

FWIW I'm finding Ken Waters' excellent book Pet Loads at amazon & Midway for $65. I found it for a lot less, but at a vendor whom I've never seen before and don't trust.

If a lot of load development is in your future you may want to think about how you might make your equipment portable. Unless you have your own range.