Let's say for a minute that I want to start loading my own rounds. Since I have absolutely no knowledge of loading processes or equipment, where would you suggest a person in my position start. I have two reasons for posing this question. 1) I am having a very difficult time finding factory ammo loaded for my needs. 2) Have you seen the prices of some of that stuff? I do very little rifle shooting at this point, but my pistol collection has quadrupled in the last two years. All are straight wall rounds. I have three revolvers and an autoloader. I would like to start loading for the revolvers since I am hunting with them.
As usual, I am interested in your opinions and experiences.

Thanks
Regnets1

absolutely, start reloading, been rollin my own for thirty years. shootin gets real cheap when you start reloading, which makes participating in shooting games possible, which makes your shooting better which means heads on the wall. Start by getting a couple of reloading manuals. Hornady for one has step by step instructions that lead you thru the basics, it's not rocket science, and places like this can help you out with questions. most important if you don't understand something, ask someone for clarification. little mistakes can have big consequences, but reloading is probably the one activity that will have the biggest impact on you shooting career.

GO for it!! I enjoy reloading almost as much as hunting and shooting. It's true that reloading can save you lots compared to factory ammo. But I sometimes wonder if I save that much. I like to try all the little gadgets and new things to come along.

As mentioned, first thing is to get a couple good loading manuals. I think the Hornady and Sierra are the most extensive out there. Then get one of the "starter" kits, take your time and enjoy. If you have any questions just ask the guys on the board. We are all willing to help. Just remember the only stupid question is the one not asked.

Several years ago I did short two part series of the reloading process. I did it for those interested in reloading and wanted to have a better idea of what they are getting into before ever having to buy a manual. I have a ton of manuals and keep them all next to my loading bench. They are great reference tools!!

Reloading Part One

Reloading Part Two

This last link is just about test shooting loads after you have a batch ready to go.

Test Shooting Handloads

regnets1,

By all means, start reloading. It really adds another whole element to the shooting sports. If you choose to start reloading, straight walled cases are the place to start. The process is straight forward (with less complications) and tools can be limited to the necessities to start. The reloading manuals are a great source of information and offer a "soup to nuts" discussion of the process and the tools needed.

Tigger's right, reloading adds another dimension to the sport. It's good therapy plus it adds a tinker factor I really like.

One book I recommend is John Wooter's book, The Complete Book of Practical Handloading. It's an older book from Stoeger's Sportsman Library. If you can't find it and are interested, send me an e-mail, I'll let you borrow mine.

I found a Hornady Manual on Ebay, but it was printed in 1973. Is there a reason why I should purchase a 2003 copy instead of this one?
Dan, Thanks for the links, I am reading your articles right now (well in between work distractions ) Thanks for the info and encouragement! Could anyone ballpark the cost of starting this endevor? I need to find out how much money I have to launder from the wife.

I'll give you an old Hornady manual...don't buy one. It would be good for the mechanics of reloading but I don't think I would use a lot of the data.

So the old manual will give me an idea of the necessary equipment I need to buy and the physical mechanics of loading a round, but I should buy a new manual for the load data and ballistics information?

Dan, Thanks! I really appreciate your offer! I sent you a PM about the manual!

Is there a brand of equipment that is either the best, or the best value for a beginner? I am going to be loading 357 magnum, 38 special, 41 magnum and maybe 9mm (those are still very cheap and all I do is plink with it, so I won't be loading those right away.) So I would want to set up for the 357 and the 41 for now. Dan, from your articles, it sounds like I have a lot of equipment to get my hands on. I think I am getting ahead of myself, I suppose I need to read a manual or how to book before I start looking at the equipment right?

There are some good "starter" kits sold by various manufacturers. Those come with a press, scale, trickler, funnel, and a few other items. I've never looked into them just because I have no need for a kit like that. I got into reloading by buying literally a truck FULL of dies, brass, parts, powder, primers, etc.

The old Hornady manual will provide a description of the mechanics of reloading. Over the years some blends (batches) of powders will change and data will be adjusted accordingly when new issues of the manual are released. The new Seirra Manual is great. The Hornady is ok...has good data but a lot of typos in the text...that ios the red covered version. A newer version is out with new colored covers and the corrections may have been made.

Got your PM but send me your address and I'll get it in the mail Thursday or Friday.

The "newest" Hornady manual is the 6th edition. It's a two book set. Book one is the load data, with book 2 being a full balistics table for every bullet Hornady makes. So for the price of the manual you get a "free" balistics program.

The "newest" Sierra manual is the 5th edition. I my opinion it covers the most calibers and larest selection of bullets available. The loose leaf style is nice, in that you can take the page right out of the book and place it on the reloading bench.




Lee makes a starter kit. Midway has it for $81.99.



RCBS makesa starter kit. Midway has them for $229.99.


As long as we are talking about buying reloading supplies, there are lotes of good places to buy components. The one I like the best is Midway USA

my favorite source is http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
their prices are hard to beat and their service is top notch, cabela's has been scoring well lately, and one item that works very well for me, after you get your starter kit is a Lee Hand Press. At less than twenty bucks, its a great portable press, that I can carry with me. For resizing and case belling large quantities of brass while waiting to pick up the kids from piano or dance class. I never hear others talk about it but it sure has worked well for me. And as for new versus old manuals, the powders available are constantly changing as well as the bullets available so for starters, get a new one, but snatch up the old ones if they are at good prices. Incidently, I try to use load data for a specific bullet from the bullets manufacturer.

I'm with Tigger on the Lee set. Add a set of Lee dies for your caliber, powder trickler, a pound of powder, a box of bullets, & a box of primers & you've got your 1st hundred rounds loaded for under $150.00. The next couple hundred will only cost you the price of bullets & the primers, hen it'll be time for another pound of powder.
The Lee stuff is good quality & will last you a long time.
The next caliber will only cost you the price of a new set of dies, & the expendables.
And there will be a next caliber .....

I loaded alot of shells of all calibers on a Lee hand press. They work very well and a cheap way for newcomers to reloading to get started.

Well I am pretty much sold on the lee press, but I have a question. Are the Dies interchangeable form press to press and manufacturer to manufacturer? for example if I buy the lee starter set and some lee dies and in a year I want an RCBS press, will I have to buy new dies? additionaly if I buy the starter kit and then later want to upgrade to the progressive press, if I stay with Lee will the dies still work?

THE LEE AND RCBS USE A 7/8 DIA DIE. i think its a pretty standard size for most of what i've seen. i have used the a lee press. it is a good starter press if you plan to buy something else at a later time. the lee i've used came with a reloading book for about $30. its not the same quality as my rcbs but you get what you pay for. the thing i like about the rcbs is they replace parts for free for life of the press. i bought a 4x4 from an estate sale. it was missing a few parts. when i called rcbs they sent me every thing i was missing at no charge whith no questions asked.

reloading is alot of fun. helps make the time fly by between seasons.

good luck
john

John is right, all standard presses use the same dies regardless of brand. There are a few "wierd" setups that some benchrest shooters use, but Lee dies will work in any "normal" Lee, RCBS, Lyman, Redding, etc. press.
I also agree with John that the quality of the RCBS may be better than the Lee press that's in the kit (the new Lee Classic cast iron is probably just as good & still less expensive than the RCBS Rockchucker), but I've probably got several thousand rounds on mine with no problems. I the past when I shot IPSC & NRA action shoots competetively I had two of the Lee Progessive 1000 presses that I used for my reloading for 2-3 yrs. I preobably loaded between 50,000 & 75,000 rds with them with no problems other than normal maintianance, before I moved & sold them.
I'll probably upgrade presses again someday, & it'll probably be a Lee turret with the cast frame ($84. from Midsouth, my favorite mailorder place) & several sets of die holders ($9. each) so I can leave the dies adjusted & in place & just switch heads.

save money by reloading

oh, you'll save lots of money.....






If you pick one load and stick to it, don't experiment, and don't buy extra toys, I mean tools.

What really happens is you can shoot more for the same money. I have brass and dies for stuff I've never owned and/or no longer own because it was cheap and/or I might buy another/first one someday.