Help novice reloader

[JASON6969]

I am about to move into a house that i am going to turn one of the bedrooms into my reloading room.i plan on reloading .357 magnum,.223,30-06,.40cal,.45 auto .45gap,30-30,.9mm,.44 mag,45-70,.444,.308,.338,.270,25-06,.327,12 guage(bird and buck if possible).i have got good advice in chat room.I know nothing about reloading so i need advice on books,videos and presses to get.I am thinking of getting a lee press.Also i am trying to find out how to load .38special wadcutters not semi-wad cutters thanks in advance for help.

[gandog56]

#1 Get The ABC's Of Reloading. This is a great book for starters. It gives you a good idea of where to start. Also be aware that you will need two presses, one for handgun and rifle, and one for the shotgun shells. You can't use the same one as the setups and instructions are totally different. And you can never have too many reloading manuals.

[wunhunglo]

Go visit Billy & his mate Dillon!

No real difference in loading Wadcutters as opposed to semi-wadcutters or any other type. Basics still the same; maybe need to flare the case mouth a little more to avoid shaving the bullet but I've never had a problem with them. One trick with wadcutters is if you need a crimp on the case, you can run an old (blunt) serrated kitchen knife around the case.

[SwedeSteve]

ABC's of Reloading is definitely the place to start !! In addition, buy a reloading manual from one of the bullet makers like Speer or Sierrra. Go to a local Gun Shop and talk to someone who reloads. See what gear is available in your neck of the woods.

[nathangdad]

I admire your enthusiasm but you are rushing into a pretty big and expensive project when you consider all the loading dies and shotgun
loading equipment you will need.

How about stepping back and doing some research (some of the other posters have suggested material), getting some literature from manufacturers of loading equipment, and visiting people who are actually reloading.

This will make you a much more prepared customer when you go to buy and when you start reloading. Yes, you can do it but you can do it better with some groundwork.

[jimkim]

Originally Posted by nathangdad

I admire your enthusiasm but you are rushing into a pretty big and expensive project when you consider all the loading dies and shotgun
loading equipment you will need.

How about stepping back and doing some research (some of the other posters have suggested material), getting some literature from manufacturers of loading equipment, and visiting people who are actually reloading.

This will make you a much more prepared customer when you go to buy and when you start reloading. Yes, you can do it but you can do it better with some groundwork.

+1 I'm sure there is someone in Vidalia that loads.

[southpawtoo]

Jason, YES, as the other gent said...SLOW DOWN a bit. Get the back ground info first. Also, as far as equipment goes...are you loading for accuracy or just wanting ammo to go bang? Either way, you get what you pay for in equipment. As to LEE products...yes, they are cheaper. But you get what you pay for. Personally I'd recommend RCBS for single stage loading and Dillon for speed. Get several manuals and compare the data. Reloading is NOT a "one size fits all" proposition. I've been casting for42 years and reloading for 38 yrs. And there is still a LOT I don't know and learn more everytime I reload a different cal. for a different gun. Just go easy lad and you'll be fine. SP2

[billy]

Originally Posted by southpawtoo

Jason, YES, as the other gent said...SLOW DOWN a bit. Get the back ground info first. Also, as far as equipment goes...are you loading for accuracy or just wanting ammo to go bang? Either way, you get what you pay for in equipment. As to LEE products...yes, they are cheaper. But you get what you pay for. Personally I'd recommend RCBS for single stage loading and Dillon for speed. Get several manuals and compare the data. Reloading is NOT a "one size fits all" proposition. I've been casting for42 years and reloading for 38 yrs. And there is still a LOT I don't know and learn more everytime I reload a different cal. for a different gun. Just go easy lad and you'll be fine. SP2

S.P. 2
that was a great first post.
you are going to do just fine here.

JASON,
i think you should slow down a bit.
i understand wanting to grab the bull by the horns but.
i have only been reloading for three years
and i am REALLY glad i didnt just run out and buy a progressive press before i got a handle on what reloading is about.
i would have been overwhelmed.
like s.p. said it is an ongoing learning experience.
nobody knows all there is to know about reloading .
and if they claim to.....
be wary!
i started with a single stage (it doesnt matter what brand they all make identical ammo)
then after about 18 months i got a good deal on a turret press.
and learned about that one.
THEN i got a screaming deal on a really nice semi progressive and i love it.
but i am glad that i did it the way i did.
it can get expensive in a hurry because there are all sorts of things you are going to want.
(you may not need them but you will want them!)




p.s.
i have about $1500 into my reloading hobby if i include everything i have bought.
but it has paid for itself already.
i shoot a lot of ammo that is expensive to buy at the store.

[jack007]

These guy are right on the money.

[JASON6969]

Thanks for the advice guys i putting on the brakes and start looking around for help on ground have a nice day.

[Mike Franklin]

A hands on teacher is worth his weight in gold.

[James41]

If you want a single stage press like the Lee or the Lee turret you would be ok, but if you want volume and i assume from that laundry list of cals you gave you do then DO NOT BUY A LEE PROGRESSIVE...

I recommend a Dillon 550B for a progressive. It will handle that laundry list of yours at 250 to 300 rounds an hour without working up a sweat.

[Airweight38]

As someone who just loaded his first batch this week, I feel compelled to give a little advice from the limited knowledge I've gleaned thus far: 1) Start simple and slow down. READ. I read for two straight weeks before I even touched my press. (And I am impulsive to a fault!) One of the other guys mentioned getting a Speer manual. I *just* bought one (thirteenth edition) and it is a GREAT book. I got it for $9 at Cabela's, after reading my Lee book all the way through and wanting a) more complete load data and b) a different perspective on getting started, different theories, etc. Both books are good, but the Lee book has way more rambling and product-pimping than I care for. 2) Go to Cabela's or Bass Pro and talk to the guys that sell reloading stuff. Often the guys that work in those departments are enthusiasts themselves and will be more than happy to answer questions. I had a hard time getting the ones I talked to to shut up! Lots of great advice at those places. 3) Some reloading primers won't tell you you need calipers right off the bat, but I found them invaluable in when determining OAL on my handgun cartridges. 4) Check out Youtube for reloading videos. There are some really good short ones detailing what you need and why and how to use it. 5) Reloading is expensive and if you really want to save money, buy your bullets in bulk. If you only buy enough stuff to make 100 rounds a shot, you won't save nearly as much as if you bought 1000 rounds' worth. 6) Make your first batches small. If you F something up, you don't want to have to pull a lot of bullets. And chances are good you will F something up while you're getting started. That's most of what I have to offer. I'm going to the range tonight to try my first batch myself. If you don't see me on here again tomorrow, you can disregard my advice. Good luck, Jason

[gandog56]

If you go to the Leeprecision.com website, they have many videos on reloading you can watch to get an idea what is entailed. Also Youtube has a lot of videos.