What do I need to start

[Exonautic]

I've read both of the reloading may be in your future threads, but i'm still unsure of a few thing.

1. What should i get used and what should i, at all costs, avoid skimping on.

2. what should i look for in used stuff.

3. what is a good book to start out with.

4. anything else i should know? i'm going to work on setting up my walk in closet as basically a reloading/gun room complete with locks and solid doors, so safe quiet place is all good and set.

 

[Shoots100]

What do you want to load, rifle, pistol, shotgun , all of them ?
What's your budget ?
Where is your location, as I'm sure there may be someone near you that can help you out here ?
Don't buy anything used, unless you can inspect it in person.

 

[Exonautic]

What do you want to load, rifle, pistol, shotgun , all of them ?
What's your budget ?
Where is your location, as I'm sure there may be someone near you that can help you out here ?
Don't buy anything used, unless you can inspect it in person.

Eventually pistol, but i have to apply for my pp first and i cant do that for another few months.
Until than it will be rifle, probably 3006 308 and maybe 300blk.
Thinking around 500 give or take, feel free to tell me if thats realistic or not.
I probably wont have time due to school and work until the summer to get going on this but im down on the island.
And yeah i wouldnt buy anything used without atleast getting a good look at it first.

 

[kev74]

You need a press, dies and a scale. All of those are durable and can be bought used as long as they're not broken or rusted out.

For books, I found The ABCs Of Reloading and Lee's Modern Reloading to be very helpful.

If you want to start on the cheap, check yard sales, craigslist and ebay for what you're looking for. It might be a good idea to read a book or two to see what kinds of equipment are available.

 

[RugerGP]

I started with and am still using a Lee classic turret press and lee dies and I use the auto disk and the lee perfect powder measure. I also use the Franklin Arsenal Electronic scale. I would check out Amazon.

As far as books I read alot online on different forums and bought Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Manual Handbook and
The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition: With Space and Money Saving Tips for Apartment Dwellers and Those on a Budget (ISBN-10: 148207379X).

I like the turret press because I can use it as a single stage if I want or with the automation. Someday I want to go progressive but not right now.

 

[togmaster]

If there is a NRA reloading course available near by you might want to consider it. You will come out with a good understanding of reloading and it will help you decide on what equipment is best for you.

 

[dsdmmat]

Depending on the brand your dies alone will run around 150.00 for the 3 calibers you identified.

Look at used presses, most companies have lifetime warranties on them so used presses are a good way to get into reloading at a discount.

 

[Exonautic]

If there is a NRA reloading course available near by you might want to consider it. You will come out with a good understanding of reloading and it will help you decide on what equipment is best for you.

I will definitely look into this and see if i can find one, that would be great actually since i'm sure the more i know the more questions ill have.

Depending on the brand your dies alone will run around 150.00 for the 3 calibers you identified.
Look at used presses, most companies have lifetime warranties on them so used presses are a good way to get into reloading at a discount.

any specific brand better objectively? or is it like asking someone which phone they like better? i probably wouldnt start all 3 right away, most likely start with 30--06 since it's the most expensive factory ammo and i've kept all the brass i've shot for it.

You need a press, dies and a scale. All of those are durable and can be bought used as long as they're not broken or rusted out.

as far as scales go, are both digital and BB durable, or just the BB ones? i tend to avoid digital when it comes to long term precision use, but i think that's just bias.

 

[MilesTeg]

I would look into a reloading scale of some sort. I prefer beam scales as the primary with a digital backup/checker. Generic scales can be found for a deal but don't measure in grains. This will lead into doing math and you might suffer some precision.

Some people like powder scoops to dispense powder I prefer a powder throw and a trickler.

 

[Exonautic]

I would look into a reloading scale of some sort. I prefer beam scales as the primary with a digital backup/checker.

this is something i would probably do, just for redundancy sake.

 

[kev74]

as far as scales go, are both digital and BB durable, or just the BB ones? i tend to avoid digital when it comes to long term precision use, but i think that's just bias.

I have a RCBS 505 beam balance and a cheapie Frankford Arsenal digital scale. The digital is quicker. The RCBS is more reliable and used when I want to double check something.

 

[squib]

I've read both of the reloading may be in your future threads, but i'm still unsure of a few thing.

1. What should i get used and what should i, at all costs, avoid skimping on.

2. what should i look for in used stuff.

3. what is a good book to start out with.

4. anything else i should know? i'm going to work on setting up my walk in closet as basically a reloading/gun room complete with locks and solid doors, so safe quiet place is all good and set.

How much and what do you shoot? It may not be economical to reload.

Personally I reload for target shooting/competition only. I don't reload for hunting/plinking.

 

[togmaster]

I will definitely look into this and see if i can find one, that would be great actually since i'm sure the more i know the more questions ill have.

Check the NRA website for a list of classes near you.

 

[Exonautic]

How much and what do you shoot? It may not be economical to reload.

Personally I reload for target shooting/competition only. I don't reload for hunting/plinking.

I'd like to shoot quite a bit. Probably nothing compared to some guys on here. biggest thing for me is being able to tune loads for different guns, plus it seems like a great hobby to get into.

 

[Darth]

Buy Lee 49th book. Learn reach step and see why you need a press. Then get one of Lees starter kits.

From there you only need dies and components.

When you understand each step you will quickly see which press suits your needs.

 

[dsdmmat]

any specific brand better objectively? or is it like asking someone which phone they like better? i probably wouldnt start all 3 right away, most likely start with 30--06 since it's the most expensive factory ammo and i've kept all the brass i've shot for it.

I am an RCBS guy, there are many good brands out there but it all comes down to what color you want your press to be.

Dillon - Blue
RCBS - Green
Lyman- Orange
Lee - Red
Hornady - Red

 

[Exonautic]

Buy Lee 49th book. Learn reach step and see why you need a press. Then get one of Lees starter kits.

From there you only need dies and components.

When you understand each step you will quickly see which press suits your needs.

I didn't actually think about getting the book first. seemed like an after-thought but i may just pick it up today.

 

[Big John]

I've read both of the reloading may be in your future threads, but i'm still unsure of a few thing.

1. What should i get used and what should i, at all costs, avoid skimping on.

2. what should i look for in used stuff.

3. what is a good book to start out with.

4. anything else i should know? i'm going to work on setting up my walk in closet as basically a reloading/gun room complete with locks and solid doors, so safe quiet place is all good and set.

Just about anything you need you can buy used. Try E-bay I got my first press there. I don't consider this skimping. If you know how to use things......Scales and such mechanical scales are great for the starter. You mentioned $500.00 budget that is more than enough to get what you need on E-bay, by from someone who has a GOOD rep on there and you should be fine. I prefer Hornady custom Die sets but RCBS will work fine and are less expensive. Books any and all I have some that go back into the 50s right up to Sierra Edition V it is a loose leaf binder and I like that to attach notes of my own in it. If you know someone who has done reloading you might ask if that person(s) has any manuals they are not using that you could read, use for reloading.... Read them cover to cover. P.S. RCBS single stag press is a great way to start, as I mentioned in other threads I only use multi-stage press for decapping.