Thinking about reloading

kx592 · October 7, 2010, 11:36 AM

Well im thinking for xmas this year ill give in to reloading, I really only need to do bird shot 12ga. .223 and .40cal. What all is involved and does anyone make a kit that can get me started? I really dont know where to start.

rtpzwms · October 7, 2010, 11:40 AM

Start by reading this. And you might ask to have this moved to the reloading section. Your choice.

**Aguila Blanca** · October 7, 2010, 01:13 PM

Lee offers kits with both their single stage Challenger press and their Turret press. RCBS and Lyman both offer kits, as well, but they are a LOT pricier than Lee.

The first question for yourself is how much you really expect to load. If you intend to produce a lot of ammo for plinking, then you will want at least a turret press or possibly a progressive. On the other hand, friends who reload rifle cartridges for accuracy (for example, a friend who is a varmint hunter, typically shooting at 300 yards and out) use a single stage press for the critical ammo even though they may have one or more other presses for volume production of handgun fodder.

oneounceload · October 7, 2010, 02:11 PM

First, you cannot use the same press for 12 gauge and metallic reloading. MEC makes very affordable single stage shotshell reloaders that turn out a quality round every time, and the 600 Jr, used, can be found in many places for about $50-$75. Then you'll need recipes to match the components properly. Reloading shotshell really pays off for non-standard loads and when you buy components in bulk. If you're not shooting too much, it might be better to just buy the wally world stuff or catch a sale at Dick's or other similar big box sporting goods places.

You WILL need a scale for both metallic and shotshell reloading, and manuals for both as well.

READ the stickies at the top, read the past threads, read the manuals like those by Lyman.

The overall process is not rocket science, but it does need to be done properly to avoid dangerous situations.

Good luck!

g.willikers · October 7, 2010, 06:16 PM

At the risk of sounding like a looped tape:
Ammosmith.com.
They have loads of good info, a youtube channel and two reloading dvds they sell.
All good info.

jmortimer · October 7, 2010, 06:59 PM

I would, as many others, recommend the Lee Precision Classic Turrert
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...mart&Itemid=41
and the Lee Precision Load All for 12 guage.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot..._SEQ_104568480
You can use the Classic turret as a single stage as I do or in "turret mode" with the auto index. Get Lymans reloading manual and Modern Reloading by Richard Lee especially if you decide to use Lee Precision equipment as most people do. Also, check out owner reviews on Cabelas and Midway USA and you will learn what to buy and what to avoid. The owner reviews are very useful.

Jim243 · October 7, 2010, 11:15 PM

You will need two different types of presses, one for shot shells and one for metalic cartrages. They do not work for both.

Jim

BigJimP · October 8, 2010, 01:49 PM

Both MEC and Dillon have good websites ...and good general info / about how to select a good press.

http://www.mecreloaders.com/ ( for shotshells )

http://www.dillonprecision.com/ ( for metallic - although they have a shotshell press, personally, I don't like it )...

Most everyone making presses these days, makes good equipment. One thing on metallic - on progressive presses, some of them have the ability to have a "powder check die" in the press - so the press checks your powder drop to see if its within tolerances. It adds a lot of security - because it virtually eliminates a "no drop" squib round / or a "double charge" - both of which are very dangerous in handguns or rifles .... I would not buy a press without it ...but thats a personal choice. It doesn't mean the presses that don't have it are dangerous - just different.

With Shotshells ....you will need to identify a specific hull you want to use / you can't mix and match different hulls from different mfg's. For 12ga, I'd recommend Remington STS or Remington Nitro hulls - they use the same recipe. Primers in shotshells are not all the same - even if they are numbered 209's / like they are in metallic ( where everyone's small pistol primers are basically equivalent ) ........

There is lots of good used equipment out there / but you have to know what you're buying. I see guys buying old, beat up junk, at the gun shows all the time - thinking they got a deal .... and its sad ... But I picked up a MEC Grabber model, 12ga, recently in excellent shape for $100 ...and its worth at least $ 250 ...( guy never put more than 10 boxes thru it / had it for 15 yrs ..) ....wanted it out of his garage ...( so I bought it for one of my boys ..).

Lemmon · October 8, 2010, 03:19 PM

I see by the previous replies to your request that you have received a number of good suggestions. I suggest that you pick out which round you reguarly shoot the most to start reloading. I choose in the beginning pistol (38/357) as my first and later rilfle. Then even later I started loading 12 gauge shotgun. Never really shot the shotgun much and only loaded about 500 rounds of 12 gauge and have not since. Take your time and think though each process until you have it down pat. Have fun.... Lemmon

October 7, 2010, 11:36 AM	#1
kx592 Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2009 Posts: 645	Thinking about reloading Well im thinking for xmas this year ill give in to reloading, I really only need to do bird shot 12ga. .223 and .40cal. What all is involved and does anyone make a kit that can get me started? I really dont know where to start.

October 7, 2010, 11:40 AM	#2
rtpzwms Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2010 Location: OTS Posts: 1,035	Start by reading this. And you might ask to have this moved to the reloading section. Your choice. __________________ Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

October 7, 2010, 01:13 PM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,041	Lee offers kits with both their single stage Challenger press and their Turret press. RCBS and Lyman both offer kits, as well, but they are a LOT pricier than Lee. The first question for yourself is how much you really expect to load. If you intend to produce a lot of ammo for plinking, then you will want at least a turret press or possibly a progressive. On the other hand, friends who reload rifle cartridges for accuracy (for example, a friend who is a varmint hunter, typically shooting at 300 yards and out) use a single stage press for the critical ammo even though they may have one or more other presses for volume production of handgun fodder.

October 7, 2010, 02:11 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	First, you cannot use the same press for 12 gauge and metallic reloading. MEC makes very affordable single stage shotshell reloaders that turn out a quality round every time, and the 600 Jr, used, can be found in many places for about $50-$75. Then you'll need recipes to match the components properly. Reloading shotshell really pays off for non-standard loads and when you buy components in bulk. If you're not shooting too much, it might be better to just buy the wally world stuff or catch a sale at Dick's or other similar big box sporting goods places. You WILL need a scale for both metallic and shotshell reloading, and manuals for both as well. READ the stickies at the top, read the past threads, read the manuals like those by Lyman. The overall process is not rocket science, but it does need to be done properly to avoid dangerous situations. Good luck!

October 7, 2010, 06:16 PM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	At the risk of sounding like a looped tape: Ammosmith.com. They have loads of good info, a youtube channel and two reloading dvds they sell. All good info.

October 7, 2010, 06:59 PM	#6
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	I would, as many others, recommend the Lee Precision Classic Turrert https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...mart&Itemid=41 and the Lee Precision Load All for 12 guage. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot..._SEQ_104568480 You can use the Classic turret as a single stage as I do or in "turret mode" with the auto index. Get Lymans reloading manual and Modern Reloading by Richard Lee especially if you decide to use Lee Precision equipment as most people do. Also, check out owner reviews on Cabelas and Midway USA and you will learn what to buy and what to avoid. The owner reviews are very useful.

October 7, 2010, 11:15 PM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	You will need two different types of presses, one for shot shells and one for metalic cartrages. They do not work for both. Jim

October 8, 2010, 01:49 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Both MEC and Dillon have good websites ...and good general info / about how to select a good press. http://www.mecreloaders.com/ ( for shotshells ) http://www.dillonprecision.com/ ( for metallic - although they have a shotshell press, personally, I don't like it )... Most everyone making presses these days, makes good equipment. One thing on metallic - on progressive presses, some of them have the ability to have a "powder check die" in the press - so the press checks your powder drop to see if its within tolerances. It adds a lot of security - because it virtually eliminates a "no drop" squib round / or a "double charge" - both of which are very dangerous in handguns or rifles .... I would not buy a press without it ...but thats a personal choice. It doesn't mean the presses that don't have it are dangerous - just different. With Shotshells ....you will need to identify a specific hull you want to use / you can't mix and match different hulls from different mfg's. For 12ga, I'd recommend Remington STS or Remington Nitro hulls - they use the same recipe. Primers in shotshells are not all the same - even if they are numbered 209's / like they are in metallic ( where everyone's small pistol primers are basically equivalent ) ........ There is lots of good used equipment out there / but you have to know what you're buying. I see guys buying old, beat up junk, at the gun shows all the time - thinking they got a deal .... and its sad ... But I picked up a MEC Grabber model, 12ga, recently in excellent shape for $100 ...and its worth at least $ 250 ...( guy never put more than 10 boxes thru it / had it for 15 yrs ..) ....wanted it out of his garage ...( so I bought it for one of my boys ..).

October 8, 2010, 03:19 PM	#9
Lemmon Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2009 Location: Rural South Carolina Posts: 445	I see by the previous replies to your request that you have received a number of good suggestions. I suggest that you pick out which round you reguarly shoot the most to start reloading. I choose in the beginning pistol (38/357) as my first and later rilfle. Then even later I started loading 12 gauge shotgun. Never really shot the shotgun much and only loaded about 500 rounds of 12 gauge and have not since. Take your time and think though each process until you have it down pat. Have fun.... Lemmon