Thread: So if I start reloading

Moving forward one of the continuing issues will be getting components - brass, primers, projectiles of your choice, preferred powder, some dies and so on.
If my powder supplier is to be believed, and I am seeing similar stories coming out of the states, primers are going to be the next issue.
The recent ADI powder delivery saw types like 2208 sold instantly with no restock to October at the earliest.

All above may or may not affect a new hand loader who may not require larger quantities to get going.
If seriously looking to take up the "hobby" consider getting the components sooner rather than (too) later. Tempered of course by grandpamac's advise about not winding up with a lot of stuff you don't need.

And a pet of mine - buy a decent mechanical balance scale to start out. Just because a cheap digital scale has a digital readout doesn't make it accurate or repeatable. Look out for good second beam balances, Ohaus etc. Again the value of a mentor who can guide you thru all this.

The mentoring idea is excellent, especially if he lives close you can use his kit while you work out what you want, that's how I got started. The bugger also got me hooked on bullet casting and black powder so be careful who you partner with��
Most of my stuff now is lee as it's the best value for money and turns out perfectly acceptable ammunition. I have other makes of die but usually because lee don't make that cal.
You will probably spend the equivalent of 10 or more boxes of factory ammo on gear, then powder and primers and projectiles.
Most people say it's cost that got them started you can or rather could turn out good 308 at around $1 per pop compared to $2 -2.50 buts it that chasing of accuracy and velocity occasionally with no real material gain that makes us do it. That and the satisfaction and calming effect the methodical process brings.
I still remember the sense of achievement when I shot my first animal with a round I had made from scratch an "all my own work" moment only bettered when I did the same thing with a muzzle loader using home made powder and a bullet I had cast from wheel weights.

Originally Posted by Remmodel7

And I buy something like the lee breech lock kit, what else am I likely to need to buy extra. Obviously the consumables and dies. Do I need a 2 or 3 die set?
What measuring gear?
Case cleaning gear? Primer pocket cleaner?
I often hear people say to get a better set of scales.
What about annealing. How often do you need to anneal and what is the easiest way to do this.
I know a lot of this has been over before and I have read the old threads. Just looking at how much this will realistically cost to get going and keep going. I hear it's a bit of a can of worms.


Appreciate any input

I see you are in Rotorua easiest way to learn is joint the Rotorua Deer Stalkers Branch very knowledgable bunch of shooters and hunters
they would be willing to help you out with advice you could score some good used gear, Get the best press dies and beam powder scale you can
the three things that will never wear out with normal use .

I'm going it alone as no loaders near me that I have been able to find. So therefore I'm taking things slowly and methodically.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I'm going it alone as no loaders near me that I have been able to find. So therefore I'm taking things slowly and methodically.

I'm inland from Rangiora. Sing out anytime. I'm not a master reloader but have enjoyed it for 30 years.

Originally Posted by Tikka7mm08

I'm inland from Rangiora. Sing out anytime. I'm not a master reloader but have enjoyed it for 30 years.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

I'm going it alone as no loaders near me that I have been able to find. So therefore I'm taking things slowly and methodically.

I found utube clips helpful for die setup. You should measure the chamber length but I often just load to easy mag length for hunting loads. Chamber a case after sizing to make sure it fits ok.
Others with more experience may be better able to advise here.

A very good book to have while starting out is Modern Reloading (2nd Edition) by Richard Lee. It is not too expensive and readily available. It does bias towards Lee gear (naturally) but is a worthwhile addition to the loading bench for a newcomer and experienced reloader for that matter.

slow methodical and triple check everything......load data three seperate sources of info.....if dont want to ask question in open do it via PM..... or better still phone a friend......

Thank you all for the responses. Im looking forward to the new challenge. Hopefully I can't scape together enough bits and pieces to start loading.
My aim is to produce hunting ammo capable of moa or better at this stage capable of equaling it being factory ammo.
I think I will probably end up with one of the lee kits initially as they seem like a good place to start and should do everything I need. I will keep an eye out for second hand gear or buy better gear if I seen necessary in the future.
I like the idea of a mentor and hopefully can stumble across someone and will definitely be picking people's brains on here and reading a lot

Originally Posted by Remmodel7

Thank you all for the responses. Im looking forward to the new challenge. Hopefully I can't scape together enough bits and pieces to start loading.
My aim is to produce hunting ammo capable of moa or better at this stage capable of equaling it being factory ammo.
I think I will probably end up with one of the lee kits initially as they seem like a good place to start and should do everything I need. I will keep an eye out for second hand gear or buy better gear if I seen necessary in the future.
I like the idea of a mentor and hopefully can stumble across someone and will definitely be picking people's brains on here and reading a lot

You are welcone to shoot across to Te Puke for a look mate. What cal are you loading for? Might have dies here already to get you started

way back before reloading was so common...Mr Nosler made a reloading manual...and the bit that really interested me was they made some amunition using the lee whackamole kit.....not called that but you do use a small mallet.....and the rounds produced were as good if not betterthan the factory rounds of the time.....it shows how far ammunition and indeed our expectations have come....that simple ammunition will still do 90% of job under 300 yards with ease... dont over think it...get a accurate ENOUGH load that on paper is trundling along reasonable fast...not barrel burning case splitting hot...and be happy.

Yes I have seen those and always wanted one but they never had one in a calibre I had. There are some you tube videos of guys using one and shooting very good group's with it. Looks weird wacking the primers in tho.
Yup won't be chasing speed much. Will start just reloading for my Grendel so it's not a speedster anyway.

1st of all, save cash and read an online PDF of Richard Lee's Modern Reloading: http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...%20-%20ocr.pdf

Second, thoroughly digest said manual.

Third, buy a Lee Loader. Bear in mind these will not full length resize bottleneck rifle cartridges, but you will get one or two more bangs out of a spent cartridge from the same rifle.

Fourth, practise. This is the man himself (Richard Lee, RIP) loading up 30-06 on the Lee loader:



Bear in mind that volume does not change so long as density is constant, but weight (which is subject to gravity, not a universal force) does vary by an infinitesimal amount.

If bullets shoot accurate, deer die fast and rifle go boom every time trigger is pulled, be happy!

DO NOT OVERTHINK IT