Reloading Equipment/Procedure Basics For Beginners - Read This First!

[Kemosabe1951]

Thanks for the suggestions on reloading manuals and online data sources. I looked at the loaddata.com site and it is pretty interesting. I'd have to pay to get the powder charge information, which I may do. I'll also see if I can pick up a few of those single caliber books. I think I saw some at the last gunshow I attended.

[Plain Old Bill]

Great Job! I'd add a bullet puller - probably a kinetic type- so one is not tempted to shoot his or her mistakes.....

[Kemosabe1951]

I hate to show my ignorance, but how do you pull a bullet? I believe I seen a device that you put a bullet into and whack like a hammer and the bullet separates from the case, is that what you're talking about?

[BerksCountyDave]

Originally Posted by Kemosabe1951

I hate to show my ignorance, but how do you pull a bullet? I believe I seen a device that you put a bullet into and whack like a hammer and the bullet separates from the case, is that what you're talking about?

Yep, that's a kinetic bullet puller. There are also die setups to do it, but the kinetic works just fine.

[andrewjs18]

Originally Posted by BerksCountyDave

Yep, that's a kinetic bullet puller. There are also die setups to do it, but the kinetic works just fine.

Make sure when you do do this, you use a very hard surface. We've put the bullet puller through dresser tops before.

[VariableFeedback]

Originally Posted by andrewjs18

Make sure when you do do this, you use a very hard surface. We've put the bullet puller through dresser tops before.

The end grain of a 2x4 works well.

[JDePietro]

I have a newb question...

Why are single stage presses considered the best way for a new reloader to start out?

Perhaps it is just my thought process but I would think that adding steps to a process only complicates it. Kinda like adding variables to a math problem, I can devide and subtract like no ones business add in some letters and pi symbols and solve for x becomes the focus instead of the actual problem.

I have gotten increasingly interested in reloading mostly because as some have noted ammo is wacko expensive and yet more troublesome is that it is becoming harder to find.

I have had the pleasure of attempting, my best, to following along with someone who reloaded using both types of presses. I picked up on the progressive stage press very quickly, it appeared that once you have the setup you desire you can make ammo extremely easy. The single stage press had me seriously reconsidering the whole idea. So many mistakes could happen if you just got a little distracted and honestly as a volly FF/EMT and a man living with a woman I don't see having 2 uninterupted hours to load 20 rounds.

I am not trying to be glibe its just that I am looking and the further I delve into the reloading arena everyone wants to point me towards a SSP and honestly it looks harder. Am I missing something???

[Jake Mc.]

In my opinion, the single stage is the best to start out on, but it's definately not set in stone. I've used a single stage (actually 2 of them) for years and have had no problems. I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds with it, and I feel I've learned a lot from diong it "the hard way".

When I started, for $150 I got everything I neded but the bullets primers and powder. After reading the book, it took only a few sessions and I was banging out 100 rounds in an hour. The single stage let me take my time and learn each step one at a time. It also raised a few questions that a little research cleared up. In other words, I LEARNED a lot!

A progressive on the other hand does it all at once, and it does it all for you. I firmly believe in multitasking, but for a beginner, doing it all at once is alot to keep an eye on. Even with a good setup strange things can happen. One little mistake could lead to alot of pulled bullets, or worst case, a trip to the ER. If you have the money, and someone to help and teach you, then sure, go for it and get the progressive to start out.

But I still believe nothing beats the experience you get from starting out "the hard way"!

[imp81318]

I looked at a few of the products recommended by the OP quickly. My question is, are there any good package deals or starter kits available to help get all the pieces, and also maybe save a little coin in the process? It seems there are so many components to consider, with several brands and types and various options for each piece of equipment that one could spend months researching to try to make an informed decision, and likely not really know what the differences "mean" until after they've been doing it for a bit...

[tl_3237]

Originally Posted by imp81318

I looked at a few of the products recommended by the OP quickly. My question is, are there any good package deals or starter kits available to help get all the pieces, and also maybe save a little coin in the process? It seems there are so many components to consider, with several brands and types and various options for each piece of equipment that one could spend months researching to try to make an informed decision, and likely not really know what the differences "mean" until after they've been doing it for a bit...

There are many starter kits that will get you everything you need except the supplies (powder, primers, bullets, casings) and dies. The dies are readily available and the de facto standard threads is 7/8-14 which will fit in most all singkle stage and turret presses.

Some examples: www.midwayusa.com

Thread down to:
Reloading > Metallic Reloading Equipment > Reloading Presses > Single Stage Reloading Presses & Kits > Presses Without Die Sets

Of course, there are other sources than Midway. Not advertising the company itself but I've use them often with good results.

Kits available from Lee, Lyman, Hornady, etc. The quality will vary as will the price but if you want the lowest cost its Lee (not the best but does the job).

There may be some things in a kit that you may want to eventually replace but for a start, its the way to go and you'll be able to make quality reloads in no time. LIke any hobby you'll find yourself expanding into bell and whistles but the kits are a good point of departure.