Reloading getting started...

[GeekyGunman]

So lets say I'm thinking about starting reloading 9mm and/or 38 special. To avoid derailing my own thread to a split, I'll just start here to begin with.
A progressive press seems way more complicated than I'm ready to get into. Single stage is probably a bit slow, so I'm thinking of going to a turret press.

This is what I THINK constitutes a basic "starter" kit.
Note that I've never even seen anything besides a shotshell reloader and that this what I cobbled out of information from few websites.
Hence the post here to check for accuracy/sanity. I'm sure the thread has been done before, but my use of the forum search didn't really turn up anything useful. (Surprised there isn't a "getting started" sticky.)

If anything looks especially like a pile of junk and should be upgraded/swapped, or simply isn't necessary, please do say so.

Press kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=622290
Powder measure
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=548630
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=114080
Primer Feeder
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=548630

9mm Dies
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=885350

Manual
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=484416
Loading block
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=767946
Case Lube
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=438512

Case Gage & Cutter
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=439386
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=476992



** I found a site that seemed to imply that the chemical cleaner would do just fine. If so, is a tumbler really necessary?
Is it worth going to an ultrasonic cleaner?

Cleaner/Tumbler
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=888624
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=910617



** On these especially I have no freakin clue.
At the very least, is the pricing ballpark? With the hazmat shipping fees I'll likely try to stick to buying this stuff locally.

Primer, powder, bullets
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=733657
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=689851
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... 1050526034

and finally...

How much does the ammunition that you start with really matter? I would likely load WWB if it's not important.
Otherwise, are there specific brands that you should stick to? How many times do you generally get out of a particular casing?


On the math end I see this as about $300 for "getting started".
Then for consumables about $150 per 1000 rounds. Compared to $220 for WWB factory.
So I would have to shoot over 4k rounds to recoupe my investment. While not a bad deal by any means, this doesn't exactly strike me as "raining gold".
Am I missing something obvious somewhere?

Now, since the cost seems about the same regardless of caliper, I can see how .45 and .38 super might make more sense... but not so much 9mm.

[wrench]

Hi geekygunman,
Others with much more experience than me will be along, but I reload lots of 9mm, so here's my take.
The Lee turret press is fine. I have one, it works great. Not as fast as a progressive, but much faster than a single stage. The powder measure it comes with works fine, primer feed system is clunky, but again, works fine for me. The scale it comes with, IMO, is junk, but will probably serve you in the short term. With the Lee autodisc system, once you get the powder measure set, you only have to check it once in a while.
You don't need case cutters, most of us don't trim pistol brass. Also don't need a loading block, with the Lee turret, you put in a piece of brass, and when you take it out, it's done, throw it in a box or tub.
I like a tumbler to clean brass before I load it, but you can find a less expensive one than the one you linked to.
Don't need case lube either, with carbide dies.
Lee dies are fine.
Primers, powder and bullets you can source locally to save hazmat fees.
Bullseye shooters supply in Lake Elmo, and The Wolfs den in hugo are both near you, and sell reloading supplies. Or, take a little field trip to Minnetonka, and see John at the Gunstop-he will hook you up, seriously.
I've only been reloading for a few years, but it's fun, and most importantly, lets us shoot more for the same cost.
You can cut down your price per 1k by buying supplies in bulk, or shooting cast bullets if your guns allow.
Good luck!

[livnlg55345]

You will always need a loading block. Especially when you are working up loads it helps keep the different charge wts seperated. Get a couple more reloading manuals. The ABC's of Reloading is a great book to have on the bench. The Lyman 49th is mandatory for loading hangun rounds especially as it is the best source of data for hard cast lead bullets.

[diskdoctr]

I like the Lee manual you chose. It is a good resource. I would add the Lyman 49th Edition, it is great too. Sometimes you find conflicting info in manuals so I like to have a few to consult. Just my .02

[Pat Cannon]

Hi & welcome aboard.

I've had my Lee turret press just over a year now and I like it. Here's my list and cost breakdown from back then.

I haven't got a tumbler yet either. I've tried a couple of the homemade cleaning solutions, basically hot water, detergent, vinegar and maybe salt (don't know why salt, abrasive?), and they've worked fine.

Be careful and have fun!
Pat

[JoeH]

You are missing a couple of things.
1) Reloading is a fun hobby. It makes the entire activity of shooting more enjoyable for me.
2) You can shoot the loads that you like best for you and your needs. Want light target loads? Make some. Want heavy hitting hunting loads? Make some. Want 10mm the way God intended? Make some.

I've never calculated ROI on my reloading investment. I never will. I take too much pride in it and enjoy it too much. I can't put a dollar value on that.

[livnlg55345]

You are missing a couple of things.
1) Reloading is a fun hobby. It makes the entire activity of shooting more enjoyable for me.
2) You can shoot the loads that you like best for you and your needs. Want light target loads? Make some. Want heavy hitting hunting loads? Make some. Want 10mm the way God intended? Make some.

I've never calculated ROI on my reloading investment. I never will. I take too much pride in it and enjoy it too much. I can't put a dollar value on that.

Most excellent post! Reloading is hobby just an extension of shooting. I wonder if people do the ROI on 30,000 Ski Boat and 4.00 a gallon gas at the marina?

[GeekyGunman]

@ Case Trimmer & Lube
Ah, thanks, though not expensive at least an extra step less.

@ Lyman 49th and Lead
I've heard quite a bit about this... and that the manufacturer doesn't usually recommend it. How does one know when it's ok to load lead?

@Tumbler
I did see some cheaper, but not exceedingly so, and that one has an auto drain for the media.

@Fun
I can certainly see that being a factor, but it's still grueling machine work. I would (on balance) agree that it's a contributing "plus" to reloading, but if there wasn't any cost benefit I don't think I would bother.

[livnlg55345]

regular loading manuals like hornady, speer, sierra, nosler have jacket bullets or they have cold swaged lead bullets, not cast bullets. So, the best and only real source of data is the Lyman 49th, it is only 20 bucks best money you will ever spend.

Auto Flo is over rated as it does not totally get all the media out of the cases. Get a case seperator like the RCBS.

[user293]

one more thing that you probably have around anyway (maybe not) that you will need is a good set of calipers.

[Stradawhovious]

One more thing that would be extremely valuable is to have a sit down with someone that has been reloading for a while. Run through a couple of hundred rounds from start to finish with someone looking over your shoulder. It makes a world of difference, and there are a whole lot of people on this board that would probably be thrilled to volunteer.

[1911fan]

yup, asking for help is the big thing. There are lots of us on here more than willing to help out. just holler.

[cocked&locked]

I have a 7 position redding press that would be the perfect starter for ya. It's in perfect shape and it's smooth as butter between stages. I went from single to turret to Dillion. I wish I would have started with the redding first. I don't ever use it anymore and would be willing to let it go for the same price as a nice single. How's 100.00 cash sound. If I can save you a step and get ya into a great press, I'd be glad to help. Check out there web page and pm me if your interersted. I live in the nw metro and work down town.

[DeanC]

If you don't jump on that you're a fool.

[ScatterGun4015]

When I started reloading, I went to a reloading class. They are free depending on where you find them. I went to one at Bullseye Shooter Supply in Lake Elmo. It was very informative and made starting out less scary