Reloading - where to start

[Pete_Cambs]

With my FAC freshly granted my brain has already turned to start thinking about reloading, 6.5cm, .308, .303 and .223 and try CF calibers I’ve been granted so I want to be able to cover all eventually.

Obviously a lot to learn but I figure the starting point will be what kit to actually buy? Can anyone recommend a decent but sensibly priced starting kit? Something together learning and where the core components of press and dispenser are good enough to be able to upgrade / add to in future.

 

[Brighty3006]

I started reloading about 10 years ago and brought RCBS. Press and dies but have mixed other smaller items. Suggest you watch lots of YouTube as I did to learn a lot. I did have an experienced mentor when I first started but probably like me your will get hooked. Remember my first hinds with my own bullets and it still gives me a buzz. Enjoy

 

[grandad of the woods]

So I have only just started with the reloading, I looked at buying all new gear but found it overwhelming, with no mentor and having to self teach from YouTube and on here,
Decided to find someone selling the whole kit that way I knew I'd have everything I needed to make a round start to finish with the plan I can upgrade or swoop out as I need

 

[Lever357]

It's a rabbit warren once you start!!!
There are complete kits you can buy, such as Lee and RCBS, but they usually contain some stuff you would not use, eg the Lee beam scales are apparently terrible. Join other forums - Pigeonwatch and Full Bore, and watch out for kit coming up secondhand.

Google "RFDs near me" and you may find some that trade from home that may have second-hand gear available from time to time.
See if there are any target shooting clubs locally you could join and you will probably find a lot of their members reload and be willing to help you.

From my own experience, Lee presses and dies are fine but not their hand primers or scales. RCBS is good gear.
Don't bother dry tumbling - I did then switched to wet tumbling and realised I'd wasted the last 6 years dry tumbling!

I'm no expert but feel free to private message me with any questions etc

 

[Liveonce]

buy once cry once, for what you want to do buy a decent press like rcbs or lyman, it will last a life time and once the price is forgotten you will not regret it.

 

[Demetrius]

Or, you could do a reloading course......I think the NRA runs one at Bisley.
What I would say is concentrate on one calibre for starters, and get a ballistic chronometer of some description. (It doesn't have to be a garmin, but it's nice if it is...).
Muzzle velocity will tell you how consistent your ammo is, and group sizes will tell you how consistent you are,

D.

 

[Rutland lad]

It's a rabbit warren once you start!!!
There are complete kits you can buy, such as Lee and RCBS, but they usually contain some stuff you would not use, eg the Lee beam scales are apparently terrible. Join other forums - Pigeonwatch and Full Bore, and watch out for kit coming up secondhand.

Google "RFDs near me" and you may find some that trade from home that may have second-hand gear available from time to time.
See if there are any target shooting clubs locally you could join and you will probably find a lot of their members reload and be willing to help you.

From my own experience, Lee presses and dies are fine but not their hand primers or scales. RCBS is good gear.
Don't bother dry tumbling - I did then switched to wet tumbling and realised I'd wasted the last 6 years dry tumbling!

I'm no expert but feel free to private message me with any questions etc

I can only say that in my experience the Lee beam scales are accurate enough. I made lots of ammo with mine before moving onto electronic ones.

If the OP wishes to contact me I have a set of Lee scales and a Lee press I can pass on to him if he wishes. I’m don’t think he’s far away.

 

[grandad of the woods]

I can only say that in my experience the Lee beam scales are accurate enough. I made lots of ammo with mine before moving onto electronic ones.

If the OP wishes to contact me I have a set of Lee scales and a Lee press I can pass on to him if he wishes. I’m don’t think he’s far away.

Another reason why I love this forum

 

[Brighty3006]

And I'm only in Lincolnshire and would be happy to talk

 

[Pete_Cambs]

I can only say that in my experience the Lee beam scales are accurate enough. I made lots of ammo with mine before moving onto electronic ones.

If the OP wishes to contact me I have a set of Lee scales and a Lee press I can pass on to him if he wishes. I’m don’t think he’s far away.

Many thanks buddy

 

[finnbear270]

If you are a complete beginner, Start somewhere like this?

Redirect Notice

The Reloader's Bible: The Complete Guide to Making Ammunition at Home: Geary, Don: 9780668060257: Amazon.com: Books.

 

[Rutland lad]

Many thanks buddy

If you want any of my excess kit, PM me

 

[Sniper308]

While you don’t need the very best kit, I would recommend you go for decent quality. I’d certainly stay away from “kits”
Secondhand can get you some really good stuff at sensible prices.
I’d recommend a co-ax press for sure. Solid reliable and repeatable.
Dies, I’d recommend ones with micro adjustments- it’s just so much easier to get to where you want, I like redding.
Scales- choose wisely with the scales, not cheap, but vital bit of kit. I have got the Rcbs digital scales that pour out the powder itself. It’s so easy and reliable! I have never tried the beam scales but I genuinely don’t believe I would have the patience to do it.
Brass- there’s many out there. I chose Lapua to start with, and stuck with them ever since. Quality control seems top notch and most places stock them.
Bullet heads- Hornady sierra or Berger are a good starting point. Hornady are probably the most well stocked
Powders - again many different varieties out there, however vit seems popular stock- and it’s not ideal to be Changing powders all the time when you can’t get hold of what you want.
Primers- at this moment in time it seems to be getting harder and harder to get, I prefer cci, although the last I bought was £200 for a 1000- I don’t think I’ll bother again. Far too expensive
Reloading is a massive rabbit hole, many things you “need” but may want. The big three that you will need are; press, scales, dies. These are the three things that I would recommend “spending your money on” Lee do some very reasonable priced items that will get you started - trimmers etc.

 

[CNN]

Or, you could do a reloading course......I think the NRA runs one at Bisley.
What I would say is concentrate on one calibre for starters, and get a ballistic chronometer of some description. (It doesn't have to be a garmin, but it's nice if it is...).
Muzzle velocity will tell you how consistent your ammo is, and group sizes will tell you how consistent you are,

D.

I was in the same situation so did the Bisley reloading course as a starter, so I had a baseline of information and practical experience on how to do it, then looked around to slowly build up the kit needed, which can be more than you think. Definitely some good channels on YouTube for research.
As @Sniper308 points out, some items you should spend money on, the phrase "buy once, cry once" seems to apply on various reloading forums on this topic

 

[CNN]

Regarding powders, Vihtavouri seems to be readily available and N555 was specifically formulated to accommodate 6.5 Creedmoor so I have bought that.
If useful, here is the comparison that I put together of their powder and Hornady bullets across bullet weights and powders and the direct link.
Vihtavouri rifle powder search data
Given the need to move to non-lead ammunition, I might suggest looking straight at those bullet types as part of this process. I simply decided on N555 because I could use it across the bullet weight range that I wanted for deer and target shooting and addresses the key risk that you would not accidentally mix powder types->

 

[Demetrius]

I'm a Reload-Swiss man myself.......their range covers everything I want to do.

D.