Thread: Starting reloading

Hi guys,
I am looking to move on from the 270 to a magnum or short magnum caliber and was thinking of potentially looking into some reloading. The hornady classic lock n load kit looks like an option but though people might know of better sets in a similar price range
Cheers

The Hornady is a good choice RCBS do one as well it may be a bit pricer you can't go wrong with either a lot of people rate the Lee kits
the problem with Lee is you will start replacing some of the kit almost straight away the Hornady and RCBS you will not need to replace anything
just add more specialist tools.
Hard hat on

Don’t bother with a kit, buy things as you need them. Every brand has its weak bits, or you’ll just find you don’t like a particular something.

Pick a press and more importantly decent scales and have at it!

So with scales, press, dies and then the materials of the bullet is that all I would need to reload?

Originally Posted by High Country Boy

So with scales, press, dies and then the materials of the bullet is that all I would need to reload?

To start with, yes, with the addition of some case lube (imperial sizing wax), and assuming you can prime on the press, which most can. Some way to trim cases would come next...

If I was starting again I would get a Lee classic cast press (not the challenger), and some Ohaus scales (usually branded RCBS or Lyman, but made by a proper balance manufacturer). Dies come down to personal choice.

And a decent set of verniers!

Primer pocket cleaner, inside outside case neck chamfer.

Originally Posted by 7x64

To start with, yes, with the addition of some case lube (imperial sizing wax), and assuming you can prime on the press, which most can. Some way to trim cases would come next...

If I was starting again I would get a Lee classic cast press (not the challenger), and some Ohaus scales (usually branded RCBS or Lyman, but made by a proper balance manufacturer). Dies come down to personal choice.

Are ohaus scales beam scales?

Originally Posted by High Country Boy

Are ohaus scales beam scales?

yes. the lee beam scales are awful. The classic cast turret press is great. Ive been reloading for 10 years and still use it.

Digital scales are hit and miss at the cheap end. and the good ones get VERY expensive.

Originally Posted by stug

Primer pocket cleaner, inside outside case neck chamfer.

You’ll get away with a small screwdriver to start with for the former...

So would the rcbs m500 or the Lyman pro 500 be adequate as they look to be in my price range

Best thing to do IMO when starting out is to buy a good reloading manual, I've got the lyman one - but there are numerous other good ones. They'll provide a good detailed explanation on what you need and why. Then go forth and buy what you need when you've good solid understanding of the process, starting with a decent press.

I've bought the majority of my reloading gear mail order through sinclairs in the states.

Originally Posted by High Country Boy

So would the rcbs m500 or the Lyman pro 500 be adequate as they look to be in my price range

Lyman 500 scales are good, I paid $170 for mine in the early 1990s and they are still working perfectly.
I finally splashed out on an electronic Hornady scale a few weeks ago, at one point they were reading 4 grains light, so everything still goes onto the Lyman scales to check.
Get the Lyman EZ-EE case length gauge too, very quick to check cases and does heaps of calibres. You will need a case trimmer at some point, but not until your cases are too long. You should chamfer and deburr every time, Lyman do a good handtool for this.

Originally Posted by High Country Boy

So would the rcbs m500 or the Lyman pro 500 be adequate as they look to be in my price range

Good starting point, look after them and they’ll do you a very long time!

If you are just reloading for hunting out to 500 you can get away with very minimal and basic gear. You can make supprisingly good ammo. Once you start making a lot of ammo though, I make and shoot 2000 rounds for some of my rifles a year, you want a digital powder thrower. I don’t use anything I started with once upon a time. My one bit of advice would be to get a press that you are able to set your die up once like the Lee rotary press or the one that has the removable collets that just twist and come out, I think a hornady or Lee one. I used to use the Lee 100 and was good. Now use the Forster co-ax.
The amount of ammo most hunters shoot. And with company’s making ammo with pretty good bullets. You only hand load if trying to get super accuracy and shooting extended range, making a lot of ammo or doing a calibre and bullet type that is hard to obtain.
300 wm will still cost you 2-2.50 a round incl brass to make.