Hi guys, I have been tossing the idea around for awhile. I think I want to start reloading my own ammo. My question is what do I need to get started? I will mostly be reloading .223, .40, and 9mm. I might even want to do .357 mag, and some shotgun shells later. My main round that I want to focus on is the .223 because that is the round I shoot the most of. So what do I need, what brands, and how much. Im looking to get into this for around 500.00 or less if this is even possible. I also need some good literature since I know zero on this subject. 1 more question. Can .22 lr be reloaded, is even worth it if it can be? I shoot alot of .22 suppressed and can hardly ever find sub sonic rounds. Any help on the subject would be appreciated.

Pick up a couple reloading manuals, lots of good info there. You can get into it for way less than $500. Start small, you can load a lot of good ammo on a hand press, it will take time but you can learn the mechanics that way. If you want to get more into production down the road, you can get a progressive but they have a learning curve that you want to have the basics fully in hand before you start making bad ammo fast. It is a lot of fun, except for shotgun, there is no experimentation there, unless you find 2 oz of #9 in a 3" turkey load exciting.

Your on about the best tool for a first step, your computer.

A time saving approach is learn what has to be done, look at price and availability, then determine if its right for you.

Take your time with this and you will make better decisions.


If I could give you the number one pitfall most new people make, it would have to be looking only at which press. Actually sticking the powder in a case and seating a bullet is about the easiest and simplest part. One must first collect the components to be loaded, often have to clean brass then prep the brass, and all before you dump a single load of powder into a case.

Here's a decent site to get a rough idea what has to happen step by step: RCBS Loading Guide

That of course does not include case cleaning but it should give you a first idea. Now depending on what you buy, you start combining those steps.

About the best place to learn what different "Types" of gear is Cabellas follow the links "Shooting Gear" and then to "Reloading". Spend some time learning what those differences are and the strengths and weaknesses of each one. Just keep in mind, a basic setup can do all the things a high priced advanced setup can and just like manufacturing what you are looking at when paying more is time savings. Don't just look at the kits or presses but spend sometime learning dies and the various tools to do the other jobs, what has an advantage and what doesn't.

Once you get to the point, you start seeing the Catch 22s like one should measure and trim used brass after resizing it which sort of defeats the purpose or defines the way a progressive die press should be used and understand that, then you're ready to start shopping in earnest. That's just an example, there are many but the main thing is you'll know when you start understanding what does what and why.

Kits are good way to get started but pay attention to what's in the kit. They often don't match up similar time saving techniques. When shopping and looking at kits its always best to compare individual component costs. Doing that now will help you later on once you start shopping in earnest. Its not uncommon at this stage to start researching different brands and reading posts on forums like this.

Now by this point you should know the different types of presses, why they are different, the different types of hand tools and secondary tools, why they are different, and different types of components (powder, bullets, brass, primers.)

Now its decision time on whether you think you have a good understanding or not. If there's still a doubt, buy a reloading manual first. They all go through the step by steps of what has to be done much better than that RCBS site I linked.

Some people just take a jump in buy a press or kit approach, but I actually (learned the hardway myself) consider that a more expensive approach in either cost or potential. Above all this is a lifestyle choice and unless (nothing wrong with this either) all you want to do is trash out one load on this or that caliber over and over again, no matter what you buy you will be buying more stuff down the road.

As far as aptitude goes, this isn't rocket science though God knows you can apply more engineering than you can imagine to it if you are so inclined. One should however have a basic mechanical aptitude and the more manufacturing experience one has the better. Loading involves a lot measurement and doing repetitive tasks so requires a good eye for detail. If one has an eye for detail and will constantly use that book as a reference on what to do and what not to do, starting out with a cook book mentality is not a bad thing. Like most things in life, the more you do the more you learn.

Once you have an idea of what you want, you can start shopping in earnest and you can even asked more detailed questions in forums like this, like whats the best this type of press or that type or what's the best scale, trimmer, etc. for this type press an these type volumes.

It all seems a bit daunting at first but really one can gain enough knowledge in just a few hours of reading to start making early decision paths and like many things in life you can change down the road once you get a better handle on it.

If one is truly into shooting, loading your own can be the most rewarding experience and decision one makes since they bought their first gun. Besides getting better ammunition for less, it will naturally make you a better shot and increase your entire shooting experience.

Tj

Nice, TJ.

I can add one thing as well. I have the set-up, but no primers or powder, yet. I am eager as all get out to start, but I have to wait until the vultures stop cleaning out the stores. Working with your guns is always fun and rewarding as a hobby or a love for me. The more I get to use them, even if it isn't for shooting is surely a plus and i consider loading ammo like making food for your family. I take pride in my cooking and love to see people enjoy their meals. I will also take the same pride and care feeding my guns. Reloading is another way to spend more quality time with your firearm passion.

I like this book-very informative and helpful. It really gives you an idea of what to do: The ABC's of Reloading

Hey there slickyinc, I too am new to reloading. You have come to the right place. There is a wealth of info here. I just bought the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press Kit for $114.00 at a fun show last week. It has everthing you'll need except for a case length gauge and dies for the caliber you want to load. You can find it here. They also have an Anniversary Kit for a little less. The only different in the two is the Anniversary kit you prime the cases on the press and the other you prime by hand using a hand primer tool. They both use the same press. If you don't like the hand primer you can add the on the press prime later.

And like MontanaLon said, get a couple reloading manuals they will be your best fiend. I bought the Lee reloading manual first and read it to see what I was getting my self into. I liked it because it talks about how to use the equipment as well as having the load data in it. There maybe better equipment out there but for your budget you can get the kit and more stuff ie:primers,powder,cases and more dies and still be with in your budget

I bought the challengers press kit,dies for .223,1000 CCI #41 primers,1 lb. Hodgdon H335 powder,hand bullet puller,250 55gr. FMJ bullets,.223 length gauge,80 pieces of used brass and a tumbler all for $340.00 give or take a dollar at the fun show.

I hope this helps you out

Echoing what TJ said, you're going to invest a LOT of time into this endeavor, and the trick is to not have to spend too much time than necessary. Better tools will give you that option.

I just got into it and am loading .223 only at this point. There are so many little things needed to perfect this craft. Not only the case sizing die but the factory crimp too, swag tool if you're going to reload 5.56 brass, a tumbler and the media associated with it, bullet pullers, either inertial or collet style (get both).

You'll need to get an accurate set of calipers if you don't have a set already.

I've got about 1500 pieces of brass to reload. It's going to take days from start to finish. Case trimming will probably be your least favorite, so get a good case trimmer. Spend a little more and get a powered one if you're going to reload a lot of brass.

I would guess that prep time is probably 80%-85% of the effort.

Thanks guys. Well I guess Ive got alot of research ahead of me, but with all of your help this probably wont be as hard as I thought it would. Thanks.

You might want to get the RCBS Rockchucker Kit, the $350ish one. It has just about everything you need to get started. Including a fine manual you should read. Midway has them, and most fun shops with reloading equipment, too.

Jim

My guess is that you are already in and just want us to assure you, rest assured and $500 is about right, but you already knew that. As Jim said the RCBS is an excellent choice, Cabela's has a Hornady package at $300 with acouple of "buy me" offers. I bought the less expensive Lee kit 8 years ago and stiil use it although I would probably get one of the above if I were to do it again. $200 is the other stuff you will need; tumbler, media and other things you will want, putting you at your $500, add powder, bullets and primers and you ready to go.

The best part is the accuracy you gain and the $ you save, it is like night and day. Aside from Hornaday I think most manufactured rounds are inaccurate and inconsistent at best. I'm no competition shooter but out shoot all that shoot the box stuff, at our range we get a lot of both and I'm always reassured when I just watch the two. So many box shooters think it is them or their optics or their gun why they shoot crappy groups (and this at 100 yds) so I explain it is the ammo, then they look at me like I'm bulling them. I now bring my caliper so they can see the different length of their rounds for themselves, we will group a few by closest length and their groups tighten right up.

The best part is you don't need to work very hard to get loads is you trust experienced loaders (like all the ones here) and good manuals. Keep in mind the tens of thousands rounds they tested for you.

Good luck and better shooting.

Rick

Reloading opens up the world to you in accuracy and reliability. The addition of a new caliber to your playbook is always fun. Some things never change but there are challenges to every caliber ranging from more crimp, less crimp to fireforming or case forming activities.

A good single stage press, scales, calibers, powder measure, scale, case trimer, calipers, THREE reloading manuals and something to mount them on is easily done for under $500. Dies can be mild to wild from the Lees up to the Reddings. $20 to $200+. Start slow, buy QUALITY and ask questions.

Greg

Is the Lee Kit really all that bad?

Nah, not really. Other than their dies which I really like, their stuff just feels like a Suzie Homemaker Oven compared to the other guys stuff but it'll still bake a cake.

I have two of their presses.

Tj

Shake and Bake!!

Greg

PS: I use their Universal Decapper altered for 20 Caliber and their Auto Disk Measures X 3 with ONE set of 32 Winchester Special Dies that I use to load for a friend (He supplied the dies) -- G.