Reloading 101

[AFJailor]

I was thinking of getting into reloading this year and I have done a little research and decided that Dillon seems like a good place to start. I want to master reloading .45 ACP first then move on to .223. Any suggestions on what brand/type of equipment to get, atleast just to get started? I'm not looking to go the cheapest route on equipment but I would like to try to save money where I can.

Also, where to you guys have your rig set up at? I live in base housing so my space is limited and the garage is FREEZING cold 8-9 months out of the year, so I am not exactly sure where to set it up at.

[longtooth]

Search for a thread here on Show your reloading bench or something like that.
there were several with Very limited space, appartment dwellers, young families.
Some good ideas on take down & storage. You should find help on how to do it in the warm area of your housing.

[KD5NRH]

I was thinking of getting into reloading this year and I have done a little research and decided that Dillon seems like a good place to start. I want to master reloading .45 ACP first then move on to .223. Any suggestions on what brand/type of equipment to get, atleast just to get started? I'm not looking to go the cheapest route on equipment but I would like to try to save money where I can.

You're dealing with high-volume calibers, so I'd say you will be wanting a progressive within your first year. If you have something you'll reload less of, you'll still have a use for a single-stage though, so it might not be bad to start with. The kits, while rarely "complete" will still save you a good bit over buying a press, scale, etc. separately.

For single stage, this kit is a pretty good start:
Lee Anniversary Reloading Kit

For turret, try this one:
Lee Classic Turret Kit

Adding to it, I would pick up a good electronic scale (Cabela's usually has one cheapie for around $30 that's fine as long as you keep good batteries in it) a good powder funnel (handy if you want to forego the powder measure and load up a few with individually weighed charges) a case trimmer (I use a Lyman Universal, but the ones Lee offers are probably fine for small lots) caliper/micrometer set (check the Grizzly catalog - they had a 6" dial caliper/vernier micrometer set in there for under $40 not too long ago) and a tin of Redding's Imperial Sizing Die Wax. (really easy to use when you just want to crank aout a dozen or so rifle rounds - the little tin lasts nearly forever if you're not doing massive production)

Also, where to you guys have your rig set up at? I live in base housing so my space is limited and the garage is FREEZING cold 8-9 months out of the year, so I am not exactly sure where to set it up at.

See if you can find a really sturdy folding workbench or table, and something insanely heavy to stabilize it with. Failing that, you may have to look for a spot where you can discreetly run a couple of lag bolts through into the studs for stability. (The holes should be no worse than good drywall anchors would leave, so a bit of spackle will fix things up when you're ready to move. Another option would be to build it into a closet and bolt the workbench to the floor. If you can hit the joists, or if you drill and set bolts into a slab, it's about as stable as you can possibly make anything - this leaves surprisingly little damage to the carpet, and inside a closet it's unlikely to ever be noticed. If bolting to a slab, leave the studs sticking up and call it a feature; preexisting anchors for a closet safe.)

I built a big, ugly table from scrap wood and keep a lot of assorted junk on the far end to hold it down while resizing rifle rounds - the press attaches to two thicknesses of 1x6 bolted to the near end, and I can still rock the whole thing pretty hard when sizing .30-06.

[HighVelocity]

Dillon has THE BEST customer service of ANY company that I have ever dealt with. If you call them on monday and tell them what you want to do, they'll tell you exactly what you need and won't try to sell you a bunch of stuff you won't use.

Since you're going to do pistol and rifle, go with a Dillon 650. It's all the press you'll ever need.

[nuparadigm]

Dillon has THE BEST customer service of ANY company that I have ever dealt with. If you call them on monday and tell them what you want to do, they'll tell you exactly what you need and won't try to sell you a bunch of stuff you won't use.

Since you're going to do pistol and rifle, go with a Dillon 650. It's all the press you'll ever need.

This is very true about Dillon. Their CS the the absolute best around. It's also true that, since .45 and .223 are what you're to be going after, the 650 is what you'll need. Some may flinch at the price tag - but you'll only have to pay for it once.

[Target1911]

Dillon has THE BEST customer service of ANY company that I have ever dealt with. If you call them on monday and tell them what you want to do, they'll tell you exactly what you need and won't try to sell you a bunch of stuff you won't use.

Since you're going to do pistol and rifle, go with a Dillon 650. It's all the press you'll ever need.

This is very true about Dillon. Their CS the the absolute best around. It's also true that, since .45 and .223 are what you're to be going after, the 650 is what you'll need. Some may flinch at the price tag - but you'll only have to pay for it once.

I will even go further and say that the 650 can be used to load most any high volume caliber. I have 2 of their Square Deals.....i called Dillon because I need a few parts. The ONLY thing I PAID for was the locater pins and shipping. The rest of the parts I needed was covered by their warranty.

[Mike1951]

I have a 550B, so I'm not against Dillon.

But I am against anyone just starting out trying to learn reloading on a progressive.

My opinion will be disregarded, as usual, but you need to learn reloading one step at a time, slowly and surely.

There is an excellent reloading article in the March issue of Shooting Times, written by Lane Pearce. The title is "Learn to Walk Before You Try to Run".

And no, I don't buy the argument about using a progressive to do just one operation at a time to learn.

Buy a strong single stage press to start with and you will use it forever even after buying a progressive. I loaded all of my ammunition needs for 30 years with a single stage.

[AFJailor]

Thanks so much for the advice guys, Ill keep everything your saying in mind, though most of it is still a little alien to me.

[Mike1951]

First, buy this book!

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... t=11082005

It is not powder brand or bullet brand specific and includes almost everything you need to learn to get you started.

When you start reloading, you should always research several data sources. Never assume a load is safe, just because you saw it in print. Never start with maximum loads. Start at 10% below and work up, if you need to.

[KD5NRH]

But I am against anyone just starting out trying to learn reloading on a progressive.

My opinion will be disregarded, as usual, but you need to learn reloading one step at a time, slowly and surely.

I'd have to agree, and add that a single-stage or turret will always serve you well for working up loads and any other low-volume tasks. Setting up to run ten rounds on a progressive is like warming up the car to drive from the garage to the front door. Besides, most of the accessories you buy for single-stage work will help with the progressive when you get it anyway.

As for the single-stage vs turret question, the turret will save room over setting up two single-stage presses (not at all necessary, but it is a nice arrangement to save swapping out dies; you can expand, charge and seat pistol rounds, or seat and factory crimp rifle rounds in a quick process) whereas the turret I listed in my previous post has some advantages you don't get in the single-stage without adding more stuff. (and swapping dies/accessories even more)

[AFJailor]

What about this kit?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

Anyone have any experience with Lyman? The kit seems to include everything that I would need besides the Dies.

[Mike1951]

What about this kit?

The components are top notch.

It took me several years to warm up to digital scales, but if calibrated often appear to be quite accurate.

You'll need reloading trays to hold the cartridges cases during the process.

You'll want other sources of reloading data. The Lyman book is most useful. Before buying other manuals we can come up with links to data from the powder companies. The bullet companies aren't quite so generous. Hornady is my recommended next buy for a reloading manual.

I'm not sure that that is the best price for that kit and I might still shop some.

But those components represent a very good start.

[Mike1951]

I found a kit on Lyman's web site that appears to be the same but with a balance beam scale.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/index.htm

Expert Kit includes:

• Choice of T-Mag II or Crusher II Press
• Universal Trimmer with Expanded Pilot Multi-pack
• Pro 500 Reloading Scale
• #55 Powder Measure
• Universal Priming Arm
• Primer Tray
• Auto Primer Feed
• Extra Decapping Pins
• 48th Edition Reloading Handbook
• Primer Catcher
• Deburring Tool
• Powder Funnel
• Quick Release Turret System (T-Mag Press only)
• Case Lube Kit
• 7/8" x 14 Adapter
(mounts #55 powder measure in press turret)

T-Mag Expert Kit
No-Cal Version (most popular)
Purchase Dies and Shellholders separately. T-Mag Expert Kit-No-Cal (29 lbs.) Item #7810140

I checked Graf & Sons and found it for $290.99 or $251.99 dealer price.

So someone with a C&R license could order it for the dealer price.

[Mike1951]

Another source with the balance beam scale for $279.99

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0157810140

And with the digital scale for $299.99

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... 0157810142

[tomneal]

Start with the best.
You won't need to upgrade later.
I started reloading with a Dillon 650. At least 50,000 rounds later. I have no regrets about the press.

The only thing I might use a single stage press for is a bolt action rifle. I have a single stage. I reload for my .243 bolt action with the 650.