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Post by gunmutt on Apr 29, 2012 14:47:23 GMT -8
ok the price of ammo keeps going up and is getting scarce. i have thought about reloading but have always just spent to money on something else but now i think its time. What are everyone recommendations on a good starting kit. I know single is where i need to start but have heard many things about one or another on being bad. I dont want my first experience to be a frustrating one. right now i only shoot 9mm and 5.56mm but one day plan to own other flavors, next which is either going to be 300 blk or .308. So all advice and recommendations are welcome.
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Apr 29, 2012 19:38:43 GMT -8
Look at the Lyman T Mag kit. That will be a good start. I have lots of ideas but that is the best distillation of them for a beginner.
Greg
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Post by bhwoodsman on Apr 30, 2012 9:16:15 GMT -8
Sets save money and time locating all the tools. But, they can include some things you may not use. You may find that other manufactures scales, powder measures, priming setups work better for you. So if you don't use those items I'm not sure about the savings.
A good stout iron c-type press can be found previously owned. They are out there. Any of the major brands would serve well. Mine is a 38 year-old Rock Crusher. Cleaned and lubed occaisonally they will last a long long time.
I'm a little leary of used balance beam and electronic scales. They require careful handling to ensure their accuracy new and with continued use. My Ohaus was not cheap and was my second one as the first scale was not reliable and the dampening system was intolerable. You learn these things.
Drop type powder measures vary greatly by manufacturer. My favorite, and very accurate, is not the same brand as my press.
The rest of the stuff included in the kits will be comsumed. You will replace and add to this collection as you learn and figure out what you want to do and your process.
Not putting a damper on sets, just sharing some experience with reloading and the main tools of the task, hobby, or even an obsession. Not sure where I'm at with this.
Welcome to reloading. You'll thoroughly enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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Post by gunmutt on Apr 30, 2012 14:51:03 GMT -8
I understand your idea of piecing a kit together rather than buying a complete set. I am doing the very same with my AR. I have never seen the point of buying a group of items only to replace part of them due to being of poor quality or usefulness. Therefore I might try to build my own. I feel the need for at least a turret press so the need to change out dies is reduced to caliper changes only. I also feel a hand priming tool seems to give a re-loader more control over the primer and less chance of over or under seating. It also seems the most people purchase a scale other than the one that comes with a set. So does anyone recommend any items in particular?
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Apr 30, 2012 15:29:25 GMT -8
I understand your idea of piecing a kit together rather than buying a complete set. I am doing the very same with my AR. I have never seen the point of buying a group of items only to replace part of them due to being of poor quality or usefulness. Therefore I might try to build my own. I feel the need for at least a turret press so the need to change out dies is reduced to caliper changes only. I also feel a hand priming tool seems to give a re-loader more control over the primer and less chance of over or under seating. It also seems the most people purchase a scale other than the one that comes with a set. So does anyone recommend any items in particular? The T-Mag II , Lyman, will do what you want for under $200.00 You also might look at the Redding T7. I use an RCBS hand primer at times. IN reality you can crush a primer with any of them but that is a rare deal once you get the "feel "for it. Powder measures are mild to wild. The old RCBS Uniflo is still a good $$ value. The Reddings are also nice. Scales look at a decent priced electronic rig from a RELOADING company. I like the PACT others like any of the other big three. Stay out of the head shops and don't scrimp on this. I use Hornady One Shot. others hate it YMMV. Get a case trimmer. The Forster is a god one and you can add power to it. The LYMAN makes a good unit and if you want to drop the coin look at a Gracey or a Giraud. Lots of reloading books. Lyman #49, Sierra , Hornady and the ABC's Of Reloading. All from AMAZON. The ABC is the one NOT written by Lee. Dies are mild to wild from the Lee's for $20.00 to the Reddings at $150+. The Hornady New Dimensions are the best buy on the market IMHO. Look around the forum and you can find a few pics of reloading rooms. I'm sure mine are in here somewhere, Lava light and Garfield included. Let us know how your thoughts are running. Greg |
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Post by ttmr on May 8, 2012 10:34:38 GMT -8
I have thought about buying reloading books, but an iPad next to the press is much faster. However my reloading area lacks the athsetic of my fathers rimed with book shelves  |
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Post by GLSHOOTER on May 8, 2012 11:14:26 GMT -8
I have thought about buying reloading books, but an iPad next to the press is much faster. However my reloading area lacks the athsetic of my fathers rimed with book shelves I'm old school. I have as many as four books and powder site data that I have printed out when I start researching a new cartridge or load. I want to see the trending of the suppliers and how their assessment of a given round parallels or diverges from each other. I go so far as to copy articles on a hot topic like the 20 Tactical so I can set in bed at night and compare the different things. My bedtime reading currently is Handloading for Competition by Zediker. www.zediker.com/books/handloading/hlmain.htmlHe takes all aspects of the process down to the minimum and then brigs it up to speed. I've read it about three times now and I am still earning from it. I know you can have several pages opened at the same time but I want to actually see the numbers on a piece of paper. Greg PS: My eyes don't run on batteries either!!  PPS: One other thing that I am set on is actually shooting my rounds over a chronograph at paper. I can't go with the Virtual Shooter approach of using a QuikLoad program to tell me what my rifle is doing. In a discussion I want hard facts to support my opinions not a print out that says what it should be. I deal in what is not what maybe. (Personal rant there, sorry.  ) |
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Post by ttmr on May 8, 2012 11:23:38 GMT -8
You won't find me subbing computer generated data for real world test results |
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2012 13:26:55 GMT -8
Books? What are these books you speak of?  |
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Post by GLSHOOTER on May 8, 2012 13:44:52 GMT -8
Books? What are these books you speak of? Nancy Drew for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greg |
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Post by gunmutt on May 16, 2012 6:34:59 GMT -8
so i picked up a redding press on ebay for around 70 bucks. now im looking for a good scale. I hear a great beam scale is way more accurate( especially reloading in a garage) than a low priced digital. any ideas of what is a good brand and what is not
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Post by GLSHOOTER on May 16, 2012 8:37:36 GMT -8
so i picked up a redding press on ebay for around 70 bucks. now im looking for a good scale. I hear a great beam scale is way more accurate( especially reloading in a garage) than a low priced digital. any ideas of what is a good brand and what is not OK, what kind of press? The beam works well but believe it or not the scales from Frankford and MTM are pretty good. I prefer a bigger electronic like the PACT or the other mainstream brands but I also teamed one of my PACTS up with the electronic powder dispenser. It makes making up these test loads so much faster. Now you need a powder dispenser. An RCBS Uniflo with a micrometer upgrade is a great way to start. IMHO Greg |
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Post by gunmutt on May 17, 2012 6:08:00 GMT -8
I got a redding single stage. Should be here today
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Post by GLSHOOTER on May 17, 2012 12:54:45 GMT -8
I got a redding single stage. Should be here today Match that up with some good dies and you can make some good shooting ammo. Go slow and ask questions. I'm sure someone around here can help if you hit a snag. Greg |
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Post by gunmutt on May 19, 2012 6:05:12 GMT -8
I am still researching dies. What is the difference in 2 die set and three die set? Does anyone recommend a good .223 and 9mm
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