Ready to take the dive; please help?
 

O.K. As I have gotten a promotion I think I am going to finally find time to do more shooting (more than 20 rounds a year).

Anyway, I want to start reloading, but find it kind of intimidating.

First off, what "starter set" do you guys recommend? I want to start small/minimalistic, but it does not have to be the cheapest. I get discouraged quickly so if something doesn't work because it is cheap that will frustrate me.

Secondly is their any major additions I need to make to the "starter sets". Obviously the dies I want to shoot, but what else?

I will be reloading for the following.

.45 ACP (1911 target shooting)
.223 (AR varmint/target)
.243 (deer gun/varmint)
.30-06 (deer)

I love the idea of messing with loads to get tighter groups, so that is the main reason I am going to start loading. Also I am hoping it will save me some money. All-in-all does it really save money? Or do you guys just end up blowing your money on the newest and greatest reloading equipment.

THANKS!!!

RE: Ready to take the dive; please help?
 

For a starter kit I recommend this one. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712&id=0031353 215764a&navCount=2&podId=0031353&paren tId=cat20847&navAction=push&catalogCode=IF &rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat2084 7&hasJS=true

As you go along you'll find other items to make your loading easier. For instance I have recently upgraded to an electronic scale/dispenser and a motorized station to handle the tasks like chamfering and deburring, cleaning primer pockets, etc. You don't have to spend a lot to get started.

As far as saving money, initially you have a healthy out of pocket expense, once you have your loads worked up that's when the savings start. Say for instance you spend $24 on a box of Winchester supreme ammo, the handloads would probably end up costing about $8 depending on which bullet you use. I see it as more of a hobby than a cost saving.

RE: Ready to take the dive; please help?
 

I recommend as a good starter set but will last you many years is the RCBS Rock chucker supreme kit, other than a few small additional items you wont need to purchase much. I have stayed with RCBS components and found that their quality is outstanding and there customer assisance is top notch. They have 2 girls on their customer service line that are there "top of the line" experts, Dory and I cant remember the others name, these girls know there stuff.....I was amazed after talking to Dory for an hour just how much she knew........I proposed marriage later in the phone conversation, but shes already married. :D

RE: Ready to take the dive; please help?
 

i started off with an RCBS rockchucker kit a dozen years back or so... i still use it today.. it is still as good as new and i've loaded 10's of thousands of rounds of all shapes and sizes...

the ONLY additions i have made to this kit are:

an RCBS hand primer - a hand primer is night and day better than priming iwth the press IMO... a lot of folks love the Lee hand primer...

Digital scale... a good quality digital scale... i'll often use my rcbs 5-0-5 to compare calibrations against the digital... use of the digital is just much quicker and easier for me to use... a good one is not cheap...

Primer pocket and flash hole uniformers... mine are LEE's and i actually take the handle off and chuck em in the electric drill on slow speed setting...

primer pocket cleaner brushes.... use the drill for these too..

actually i use the drill to power my RCBS case trimmer that comes with the RCBS kit

Tumbler and media... there are various ways to clean brass.. viniger, etc etc... i just prefer to toss em in corn cob media and let em go to town for a while... leave it over night and generally the inside of the case and the primer pocket will be clean also... (i deprime and resize before tumbling)...

other than that... i do have a Lee progressive for quick assembly of handgun plinkin ammo...

the rest is all round (or family) specific.... the shell holders and dies that is...

if you cast bullets you can also get a sizing die and punch to put in your press from Lee for sizing of your cast bullets... so it makes things kinda versitile...

any good reloading kit will come with a manual... get one if you are not sure before hand and read it thoroughly.. it'll help you answer some of your own questions youare sure to develop along the way...

RE: Ready to take the dive; please help?
 

First off, DON'T buy equipment first...no starter sets, no flea market/garage sale items. Instead, buy at least TWO general reloading manuals. I would recommend Lyman's current reloading manual, and the book "Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee. Read them, then read them again. THEN start looking at buying equipment.
You can get everything you need at Midway USA http://www.midwayusa.com

RE: Ready to take the dive; please help?
 

I use the RCBS rockchucker press and its been excellent. I would recomend spending a little more money and getting something good like that instead of getting a lee reloading set it may not seem like it at first but you will be happy in the longrun.