Getting started loading 45 Colt.

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

I want to start reloading. Can someone outline everything I would need to get started?
Not looking for top of the line stuff, yet. Just a basic set up and all the kit I need for 45 Colt.

Thanks

[marinakorp]

I want to start reloading. Can someone outline everything I would need to get started?
Not looking for top of the line stuff, yet. Just a basic set up and all the kit I need for 45 Colt.

Thanks

That's kinda a (re)loaded question.

It gets down to how much you shoot, and if 45 colt will be all you are intersted in re-lioading.

Basically speaking, higher volume would like to have a progressive press (more than one task at a time is executed in the press)

You will need

1 - Press... pick one
2 - Scale - Measures / validates powder / bullet weight
3 - Dies (depends on which type of press...sort of)
4 - Micrometer (measures size of bullet)
5 - Tumbler (for cleaning brass) and media
6 - reloading manual
7 - search you tube for your press and find a video of how to set it up and use

There are some nice to haves not listed (bullet pullers, case gague, etc) that are not necessary for day 1... but the above is pretty close to what is needed daily

Not included are:
Primers
Brass
Bullets
Powder

Depending on if you plan on re-lioding different calibers, and how often can drive which press system to use (to a point) and how convenient you want it to be to switch between..etc

I chose a dillon 550 B... works GREAT. a BIT pricey, but good

[budman46]

berks iraq vet,

reloading is like racing...$$$=speed...how fast do you want to go?

your post sounds like you'd like to get your feet wet...i agree with your approach.

i think the best way to see if you want to get involved without spending a fortune is the classic lee loader. this kit and all the stuff you need to reload a single caliber...anywhere...can be transported in a lunch pail for less than $50. with practice you can load quality ammo at a rate of 40+ rounds per hour and the kit will always be useful, i.e., you can take it to camp and reload on a picnic table.

fortunately/unfortunately, reloading is addictive; i started with the lee loader and now have $$$ invested in reloading and casting equipment servicing nearly 40 calibers and 80+firearems.

marinakorp is right with respect to involvement, but we all start off crawling, so don't be put off by the cost of the equipment you might come to possess. i rationalize my costs by savings over factory ammo...much not even available for some of my military surplus arms.

i doubt i actually save any $$$ by reloading...i just shoot lots more.

budman

[JoeWilliams]

http://ingunowners.com/forums/205598-post8.html

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

Thanks everyone for the input. Looking forward to getting started.

[unclesam099]

I have the Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit (I think that's what it was called) and it has pretty much everything you'd need. The only extras that I got were dies, a tumbler, and a kinetic bullet puller. I did add some plastic boxes for finished rounds later. That's really all you need.

That being said, I wish that I had got the Lee Classic Cast Turret and am looking at getting one soon. I could've learned it as a single stage at first, but the kit was pretty appealing. The single stage will always be nice to have though.

[MrBlackHawk]

I'll second the Lee Challenger Kit. Great way to get started. Get the Carbide dies also. My next press will be a turret, but the Challenger press works great.

[dewalt-2]

Get the Classic Turret, and get the Autodisc powder measure(you'll need the riser to go with it), and the adjustable charge bar. Get the Safety Prime system, or the hand held, I have both, your preference. I'd reccomend an electronic scale, and/or a Redding beam.
Bullet puller, calipers, reamers, etc. Try to match up what you buy with the deluxe kit.
You'll want a faster system than a single stage after you load up a couple of thousand, might as well start with one.

[Dave_n]

For the old BP revolver rounds (and that is almost all of them), I use four single stage presses in a row (Lee) and the four die sets in carbide that include the crimp die. Not fast, but no squib or double loaded cases. It really "upsets your day when you have one or the other". A bulged barrel in the first case, and perhaps a broken (read blown up) chamber in the other. Dave_n

[brian]

what type of gun are you shooting?
there are typically two sets of load data for the 45 colt.
one for the old and repro guns and a set for the ruger and t/c guns.
the rugers and t/cs can get loaded uber hot and work well with smokless powder.
the older and older styled guns can NOT handle those loads.
as a result smokeless powder tends to not work as well with them.
the case is cavernous(1.93cc's) and the powder charges small(most are less than 0.9cc with few over 1.3cc) it's hard to get consistent burns.
those guns do however handle blackpowder loads just fine. with the bp you fill the the case, in fact you want to compress the charge a little. these loads are nothing to sneeze at either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypdp_l9mvlI