Going to get into reloading!

[Wolfwood]

i was looking thorugh the antchez catalogue, becasue i am going to start reloading 9mm and 30-06
i saw these little hand loafdiing kits. anyone used these? i saw for 20 bucks they have ones for individual calibers and for 30 bucksd theyve got ones that you can switch the dies on.
i was thinking i could get away iwth getting one for each of those two calibers. atelast until i save the money for a real press.

what do you guys think?

 

[BurkGlocker]

I've used the Lee Handloaders in the past and they served their purpose, but if youre looking to reload for a long time it could be better to buy a reloading kit. It is an investment just like anything that you enjoy. Most of the big name reloading companies offer kits to get you started, but still have to buy the dies for them. If these are going to be the only calibers that you are going to reload for ever, then they will be fine, but if youre going to reload for other calibers in the future youre probably better off with a whole setup.

I've had the same Lee Kit for 5 years now, but before that I had an RCBS kit. The RCBS kit is a little more expensive, but you are paying for quality, and I am not knocking Lee, because I load some very accurate and dependable ammo with it, but for the long term, RCBS or Dillion would be the way to go...

Brad

 

[c_m_shooter]

Get a real press. Lee has a good starter kit for about $100. Start loading the 9mm first, you won't have to mess with case lube with carbide dies, and the brass doesn't need trimmed very often. A pound of powder will last 2,000 rounds of 9mm, and if you use cast bullets you will have your setup paid for in no time. When you start messing with the 30/06 you won't find much cost savings because of the cost of jacketed bullets and the large volume of powder you will go through.( 1 pound will last about 150 rounds)

 

[MadMo44Mag]

I've been loading most of my life and dam I'm old now- LOL!!!
Press's are a preference thing. Some like one brand over another as well as one style over the other.
Consider this; how many pistol rounds to rifle rounds will you load?
If you load more pistol than rifle look at a press better suited for pistol ammo.
If more rifle, look at a press better suited for that.
Most modern press's do a good job going both ways but some are better than others.
With that said get on the net and read and research each brand. Don't let price be the deciding factor!!!!!
Make function the deciding factor!
You're going to have this press many years so get the right one.
Once you have you press and accessorizes start reading every re-loading manual you can find. Each one has something different to offer.
When you set up and start re-loading take your time. Learn the feel, the sounds of the press while it goes through each station because those very simple things could very well help avoid a bad accident!!!
Trust me you re-load long enough something will bite you sooner or later and it is usually because you ignored the basics.
Read and research is your best bet.
I can offer suggestions on brand and types but what I prefer is based on how & what I load.
My Hornaday Pro-Jector is about 25years old so when I say make the right choice in press's it's because it will probably out last your marriage - LOL!!!

 

[TexasRedneck]

One other thing...personally, I'd start with hand or single-stage. There's a lot that goes into reloading a cartridge, and KNOWING each step intimately will help keep you out of trouble.

 

[Texas1911]

You can use a progressive like a single stage, you just put one case on the plate and run it around. Nothing says you have to use it like a progressive.

I personally think if you are going to reload rifle ammo, I'd stick with a single stage and hand measure your charges. If you are reloading pistol ammo in bulk, then I'd go progressive.

 

[T's C6]

You can use a progressive like a single stage, you just put one case on the plate and run it around. Nothing says you have to use it like a progressive.

I personally think if you are going to reload rifle ammo, I'd stick with a single stage and hand measure your charges. If you are reloading pistol ammo in bulk, then I'd go progressive.

I agree, it matters if you plan yo shoot a lot or very little. I have a Dillon 550 and love it, I started with a single stage. The more that I shoot or just want to stock up for when I do shoot makes the progessive my choice, and yes you can reload rifle calibers with the Dillon 550. Rifles do take longer, lube size, clean and check case length.

 

[Ranger60]

I started with the RCBS RockChucker kit, reloaded on it for several years, then went to a Dillon 550. However, I still use the single stage for rifle and calibers that I do not shoot a lot. 550 is for bulk pistol.

 

[Texas42]

I like the Lyman reloading manual. A lot more helpful than my Hornady manual.

 

[res1b3uq]

I have the Lyman and the Speer--I believe the Speer has more good info--O'course a lot of it involves their own products.

 

[MadMo44Mag]

Manuals from each manufacture follow along their own product line. That's why I tell everyone read all you can find. Each manufacture has something to offer. Before I ever bought a press I had read the Lee, Hornaday and RCBS manuals.
That gave me great insight into reloading and the major manufactures products.
I chose my press and it has served me well for 20+ years!

 

[Wolfwood]

thanks for the info guys.
i think im gonan start with the hand loading deal, and move up as i go.
by the time i get profficient ill probabably ahve enoguh saved oup for a cool press.

 

[phatcyclist]

I have a few different Lee Loaders in various calibers and I can say they are neat but not really for someone looking to make a lot of rounds quickly. I have an old RCBS Jr. 2 that my grandfather purchased in the 60's bolted to my bench. It's not a fancy progressive press but I really have only used it to load rifle rounds so I weigh each charge on a scale and make everything as consistent as possible. My father and I share a Lee Reloading Manual and I like it pretty well.

Just be aware, the Lee Loaders will only neck size brass. For .30-06 this is important because chambers will vary enough on each rifle that you could have some issues with feeding. If you only have one bolt-action you'll be good to go though and you'll get better accuracy with fire-formed brass in your particular rifle. You will want to stray away from the Lee Loader for the .30-06 if you have a semi-auto rifle, semi-autos need to have their brass full-length sized because they will stretch brass when fired.

 

[Vash]

Using the brass in only one weapon and neck sizing it will make your brass last longer as well. I forget what the exact numbers are but its very significant, like double or triple the firings before the brass fails.