want to start handloading
 

i want to get into handloading.how can i learn everthing i need to and is there a good starterpackage. thanks for any help

RE: want to start handloading
 

buy reloading books................all of them, Nosler, Hornady, Lymans, Speer any you can find and read all of the first chapter "introduction to reloading" then after your done reading it, reread it. I had to read mine like 3 times before I started understanding things. Having a friend is another option to use AFTER you read all you can. Sometimes its easier to have a friend explain instead of words in a book. Lastly come on here if steps 1 and 2 dont work and ask alot of questions. I have learned alot from these guys in here and have never came acroosed something that one of them couldnt solve.

*when I started 3 years ago, I bought the RCBS Rockcrusher Supreme Kit, it had almost everything I needed. You will still have to buy extra little gadgets to fit your needs.

RE: want to start handloading
 

What mossy said^^^^^^^^ buy at least one of the big, fat, and expensive reloading manuals. (It sucks, but its worth it) and then read and read until you figure out what else you're going to want to buy. I started about a year ago with the Lee hand press. It's a great beginner's...very affordable.

RE: want to start handloading
 

I started reloading a few years ago. I bought Lee's realoading book and the reloading book that the NRA puts out. The Lee book explains things pretty well and you have all of your load data in it. The NRA manual is great because it's short and for the most part, to the point.

I started with Lee equipment and most of it works fine. The Lee powder scale is junk (IMHO). I used it, cussed it and bought an RCBS. The Lee press is great, I have the turret press. If I ever upgrade, I will go with the RCBS Rockchucker set. I'm not crazy about the Lee Dies. I have a few sets of Lee dies but prefer my Redding Dies.

Hope this Helps. Good Luck!

RE: want to start handloading
 

I AM ABOUT TO PUT A RCBS ROCK CHUCKER PRESS AND MANY ACCESORIES ON E-BAY LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED

RE: want to start handloading
 

Buy the RCBS rockchucker kit. Then find someone trustworthy to show the ropes. Buy all the reloading manuals you can get: Nosler, Seirra, Barnes, Speer, Lee, Hornady...

RE: want to start handloading
 

My advise is a little different than everybodies. Go and buy yourself a Rockchucker kit, and go in head first. It will come with a manual. Cause for me, just having a manual with no toys to play with or have reference too, would be useless.

I would get the kit without the trimmer, and regular ole balance beam. I would purchase along with that, a powder trickler, dies for one caliber to start on (full length), 20-30 dollars set of calibers and a redding trimmer. I hate my RCBS trimmer. I still have a cheap set of cabelas calibers, and they are accurate. I have a proof set from work to check them. I also have a set of mitutoyo digitals and starret micrometers, that I mostly use, but you can get those later. Handy but not a must have.

Then decide on what bullet you will start out loading. I suggest the nosler manual myself. I have them all, and nosler is the most used. If you mostly load hornady, get hornady.

RE: want to start handloading
 

Good info here guys. I am a newcomer to reloading as well and will be following this thread. I am a guy that needs to jump into things head first like bigcountry so that is why I just went with the Lee Classic reloader products and have been truly handloading for the past 3 weeks. It you really want to get into it on the cheep then it is not a bad way to go.

RE: want to start handloading
 

Those classics are pretty neat. I don't know what I was thinking, but I got one for a 270. I must have lost my head, thinking I might need to kick up some quick loads in the field.

RE: want to start handloading
 

I enjoy mine. Although I do see a bench loader in the near future. The Classic has at least gotten me started and a lot better idea of what reloading is all about. You canot beat them for the money.

RE: want to start handloading
 

Zesterhouse,

Mossy oak pretty much nailed it. I suggest that you buy a Lyman # 48 Edition Manual and read it at least 3 times before you start spending money. Ask the questions that you come up on this site. Another excellent site is the Reloading Bench. Anyone who has loaded for very long, will have opinions. Both pro and con. I've been at the loading game for about 54 years. In fact I'm slowly getting out of reloading. I have some friends and adult that will get what's left of my gear. I rate the RCBS Rockchucker press the best one on the market for single station presses. The best dies come from Redding and RCBS in that order. As for the rest of it, it depends on what you're after.

One rule that I think should never be broken is to always buy the very best equipment you can find. If you can't afford it, save your money until you can. any money spent on second rate equipment, or not quite what you wanted equipment, is money wasted. Sooner or later you're going to spend more money on whatever it is you wanted so do it right the first time.

The biggest lie in handloading is, "look at the money I'll save!" That's a lie we use on our mates. Every shooter I've every known has a shooting budget. That's what we spend every payday. I've never known of a shooter giving any back because he didn't spend it.

My opinion about Lee equipment is very bad. I've had problems with their tools, and with their office people when I called about it. I'll never have another Lee tool in my house. RCBS, Dillon and Sinclair on the other hand are excellent.

RE: want to start handloading
 

There are some very good vidios out there to help you get started as well. I think Sierra makes one. You might want to check it out.