Newbie to reloading

[Calamity 223]

I am sure there are places on this forum where i could find every bit of info on the question that im about to ask, but lets get real here im too lazy to look and you all like to spill your expertise! So here it goes, im thinking about getting into reloading, i want to as a hobby and a way to save a little in the long run (i hope). i plan on just starting with a single stage press (any advice on which one), and just reloading 9mm and 223 for now. i have been collecting my brass for a little while now in anticipation. I guess my biggest question is what do i need to research, it seems very straight forward, pop the old primer put in a new one fill with appropriate amount of powder and seat a bullet, but i know there is way more to reloading than that! Which brass is worth keeping which is better, powder preferences, die and press prefferences? Like i said very new to reloading, only loading ive ever done was shotgun shells with the boy scouts! Im not looking for extreme accuracy or anything like that, just another hobby that keeps me busy!
thanks for any and all advice!

[OldmanFCSA]

Your best advice is to come see me as I teach reloading.

Others can chime in here about the training they received from me.
Also I will soon have an extra RCBS RockChucker press from a complete package I purchased.

Although I live in Osceola, WI the drive will more than easily pay for itself as for when you leave, you will know how to setup and load each cartridge safely. Bring your guns with so we can shoot your first reloads. You will go home with some of your own reloads, for both guns.

Think about it.

[LarryFlew]

Oldman is right, nothing is better than a mentor. If not the place to start is buying a few books and reading them cover to cover before you even decide on a press. IMO for the 2 you plan to reload a Lee turret press would serve you best. I will leave my suggestions at that point until much later when you might have specific questions.

WAY too many variables to not do your searching and reading since doing almost anything wrong from powder to bullet depth can have disastrous affects.

[grousemaster]

Oldman is right, nothing is better than a mentor. If not the place to start is buying a few books and reading them cover to cover before you even decide on a press. IMO for the 2 you plan to reload a Lee turret press would serve you best. I will leave my suggestions at that point until much later when you might have specific questions.

WAY too many variables to not do your searching and reading since doing almost anything wrong from powder to bullet depth can have disastrous affects.

I picked up a classic turret, it's fast....much faster than a single stage but it's no progressive...well, it sort of is I suppose. I'm about 1/4 of the way through this 3 inch thick reloading manual, and plan to get started tonight...so get ready for some more n00b posts

[rottenit]

Ive trained with Oldman, its 100% worth it!

I had 0 experience when I started and with his help felt comfortable when I left to reload on my own safely.

[BigDog58]

I too have taken OldmanFCSA's instruction and it is invaluable. When I left there I was confident that I could SAFELY load any ammo I chose to load. On top of that, he's a great guy to get to know.

I started with the Lee Classic Turret Press and my suggestion (for what it's worth) would be to seriously consider it. The advantage of it is you can remove the indexing rod and it works just like a single stage. Put the rod in, and it is similar to a progressive, just not as fast or complicated. You will like the ability to change the speed when you go from rifle to pistol cartridges.

One more suggestion. Get the Classic Turret NOT the Deluxe Turret. Mainly because of the difference in the way the Classic disposes of the used primers. Less mess.

Good luck amd welcome to the wonderful world of reloading.

[Duff-Man]

My advice, don't be "scared," but if something does look, feel, or seem "right" stop and ask someone (people are quick to respond here).

[Calamity 223]

thanks oldmanfcsa, that sounds like it would be the best thing to do! Ill probably start off with the suggested reading of books (any in particular?), im in the middle of planning and paying for a wedding so im not necessarily looking to start the actual reloading now, more like figuring it all out and slowly buying all the needed equipment. I started watching some youtube videos to get some of the general concepts but i definitely want to have a hard copy of all the info in front of me! Thanks for all the advice so far!

[Evad]

thanks oldmanfcsa, that sounds like it would be the best thing to do! Ill probably start off with the suggested reading of books (any in particular?), im in the middle of planning and paying for a wedding so im not necessarily looking to start the actual reloading now, more like figuring it all out and slowly buying all the needed equipment. I started watching some youtube videos to get some of the general concepts but i definitely want to have a hard copy of all the info in front of me! Thanks for all the advice so far!

Buy components, they will be useful later.

I have the ABCs, Lyman's 49th and I couple I read on the kindle I don't recall the name of.

[Scratch]

Wow.... A novice reloader thread, with like 7 replies... and nobody jumped down his throat, yelled at him, or made him feel like an idiot and leave!

I'm impressed MnGun talk...!

Good job!

[selurcspi]

Wow.... A novice reloader thread, with like 7 replies... and nobody jumped down his throat, yelled at him, or made him feel like an idiot and leave!

I'm impressed MnGun talk...!

Good job!

Sam Hasn't been by yet

[Duff-Man]

Wow.... A novice reloader thread, with like 7 replies... and nobody jumped down his throat, yelled at him, or made him feel like an idiot and leave!

I'm impressed MnGun talk...!

Good job!

Sam Hasn't been by yet

Sam usually waits till they do something dumb, or at least waited till I did something dumb.

[bpacman]

Yeah, if we had a dollar for every time he told the story were he was 3ft from a 44Mag squib load, we can fund this forum for another year or two.

[20mm]

I guess my biggest question is what do i need to research, it seems very straight forward, pop the old primer put in a new one fill with appropriate amount of powder and seat a bullet, but i know there is way more to reloading than that! Which brass is worth keeping which is better, powder preferences, die and press prefferences?

Sounds like you have it all figured out, all that other stuff doesn't matter. Have fun and take pictures!

[george]

This Lee works as a cheep starter kit and you will always use it even after going to a progressive. I use the press for my
primer pocket swagger for my .223 and my .40 bulge buster. It also works good to fix those mess ups every once in awhile. The scale can be set and easily pull a charge and check, I use it all the time even though I have the digital scale.
The hand primer is hard to beat.
Look it over. You can start reloading even before the kids get out of college. Have fun & good luck.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-kit