I am thinking about gettign started in reloading, I have no knowledge of were to get started i shoot a .243 and is what i will be reloading. I am looking to buy a 25-06 are a 270 wsm not sure what i will get. I shoot the horady light mag loads now and would like to try to load something like it.. what press are a good ones , is there a magazine on reloading are any good books that you can buy that will help a newbie get started?
The best thing you could do is to get a loading manual or two and read the general loading information sections a few times. Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of the process first. Hornady has good manual set with a well written section on just this topic as do the other major manuals. Metallic Cartridge Reloading is a good place to start as well. As far a equipment is concerned the best bang for the buck is to purchase one of the all inclusive kits. Brand doesn't matter, I prefer Redding, but all of the major manufactures turn out functional gear. If you already have a .243 I would skip the 25-06 and forget the .270 WSM and get a plain 'ole .270 win.
Posts: 1244 | Location: Golden, CO | Registered: 05 April 2001
im not sure of cost between redding and rcbs kits but either will get you started with just about all you need. I like that sierra manual and just keep below the max loads. FYI i stared with a rcbs kit and dies. thats great for hunting loads. when i got more serious about accuracy i sold my dies on ebay and bought redding bushing dies. reloading saves you money so you can shoot more. the more you shoot the more the supplies cost. the more you shoot the better you feel...so shoot your every meal.
A good book for starters is The ABCs of Reloading, get that & read it before you buy any equip. Then get 2 good handloading manuals, I like the Nosler & Speer. Read the info. in there too. Then start shopping around for equip. As previously said, one of the kits w/ a press. dies, scale & some acces. is a good way to start & you can add equip. as needed. Ask as many questions as you need, it will save you a lot of greef down the road. Welcome to the site. http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=5
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
Posts: 7752 | Location: kalif.,usa | Registered: 08 March 2001
you might find the first 5 editions of "ABC's of reloading by dean grennel, great resource of information but dated somewhat. also look for "handloaders digest, there is 18 editions. you can buy new equipment or new and used equipment on ebay. i've bought 4 old presses that are in great shape, some powder measures and scales, i like the historical aspect and the equipment works great. a bonanza 68 press, a ch 725 scale and a ohaus duo-measure is a great set up. it's a fascinating hobby, enjoy.
Welcome to AR. RCBS offers kits that are very complete as does Lee and Hornady that I know of. I bought a Rockchucker kit many years ago and still use it today. Nate
As someone fairly new to reloading here is my take. A good manuel is invaluable when your starting out and willl be usefull even when your an expert. As for equipment. Get the best stuff you can afford, which may not be the most expensive becuase the good stuff will last along time and you wont have to rebuy it later on. Now as too which is the best that matter can be a livley debate. There are those that might disagree with me on this but if your careful in what your looking for, I dont think there is anything that is terriable and must be avoided at all cost. Some stuff is better than others but which is best can depend quite abit on what you want to do with it and what your gun likes.
I decided to start out slow on equipment about 2 years ago, mainly to reload for my .300 Sherwood and 380 Long's. I bought the Lee book that came with their free single stage press. Used that and started loading for my '06, 338 Win, 458 Win, etc. and this year graduated to the Lee progressive press, don't count on it being automatic, for $55 the bit that makes the head rotate doesn't last too long so it winds up being a manual progressive. I still use the single stage press at times. And with several sets of dies loaded into their own holders for the progressive I can change calibers in about 10 seconds.
Unless you're trying to load a huge amount of ammo, or some really big stuff, it's hard to beat the Lee for the money.
Browningguy Houston, TX We Band of 45-70ers
Posts: 1242 | Location: Houston, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2002