New to reloading - Need advice

[AdamJacksom]

I am wanting to start loading and reloading and will be soon purchasing a progressive press. I think I have decided on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP. My reason for a progressive press is to allow me to quickly turn out 100-200 rounds for shooting sessions.
So, since I am new at this, I have a few questions;

To start reloading, along with the Press and bullet components, what other equipment will I "NEED"?

What other equipment will I "WANT" to make my life easier?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ORD]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

Here are a couple of links for you to get started.

This first link is to the Sniper's Hide Reloading Forum dedicated to questions like yours and all things reloading (also within the Reloading forum is the Depot which contains tons of good reloading data):

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=13&page=1

Next is an excellent write-up by Hide member doc76251 which specifically addresses your question:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=96660&page=1

Also, as a cautionary tale...I would advise AGAINST getting a progressive press as a first setup unless you are loading pistol ammo in bulk. Precision reloading for long-range accuracy requires a single-stage press in my experience and opinion.

Hope the links help and welcome to the wonderul world of reloading!!

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

ya,,,,,skip the go fast progressive.....


what you want is good ammo, that takes consistent repetitive accurate gear that can only be achieved by doing it the way champions do it.....one at a time.

balance beam technology is the most accurate

single stage press is the way to load

micrometer seating dies produce intended results

invest in a chronograph

find a mentor

 

[AdamJacksom]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

thanks guys. I have a good friend who is big into long range shooting and reloading and he is constantly putting me rounds together to try in my HS HTR.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also, as a cautionary tale...I would advise AGAINST getting a progressive press as a first setup unless you are loading pistol ammo in bulk. Precision reloading for long-range accuracy requires a single-stage press in my experience and opinion.</div></div>

ORD, my primary reloads will be bulk pistol for target practice (.45s, 9mm). But I also plan on reloading 5.56 and .308 for target practice. The 5.56 will not be accuracy critical, and will most likely be 55gr FMJs. The .308 will be shot out of my SASS and accuracy out to 300 yards will suffice.
So, in your opinion, should I not try to reload the 5.56 and .308s in a progressive press?

 

[ORD]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AdamJacksom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ORD, my primary reloads will be bulk pistol for target practice (.45s, 9mm). But I also plan on reloading 5.56 and .308 for target practice. The 5.56 will not be accuracy critical, and will most likely be 55gr FMJs. The .308 will be shot out of my SASS and accuracy out to 300 yards will suffice.
So, in your opinion, should I not try to reload the 5.56 and .308s in a progressive press? </div></div>

I didn't convey my last point all that well. I'm not saying that reloading precision rifle ammo on a progressive press is impossible or ill-advised. All I am saying is that being a new reloader and not ever having done this before, trying to use a progressive press as your first press is going to be a big enough learning curve in and of itself and may not be the best option for you because not only do you have to get the reloading fundamentals down pat, along with safety, basic operation/processes of the press, etc., but you have to do that in a multi-tasking fashion with the speed/complexity of a progressive press. It is easy enough to make a mistake and a porgressive press with a new, inexperienced reloader can compound those mistakes in a hurry. On top of that, you are wanting to have a press that will allow you to reload bulk pistol and rifle plinking ammo, along with precision rifle ammo as a "do-all" setup. I think for your purposes, you'll probably be "ok" with a progressive press since you aren't going to be striving for the pinnacle of accuracy loads based on your description, but I generally advise those who are new to reloading to stick with a single stage press for their first press to learn/grow on and then once they have a clue what they are doing, move to a progressive later down the road if their needs dictate the speed of a progressive.

 

[AdamJacksom]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

Thanks for the help guys. After reading your comments, and thinking it over, I think I am going to go with a single stage press. That will allow me to learn and get familiar with the basics, and then progress from there. One of my fathers good friends is an avid loader and long distance shooter and has offered to help me get started.

For loading bulk pistol ammo, well, that's why I have a great job which allows my great wife to stay at home. I think I could probably have her doing the prep work at least.
Thanks again

 

[TCA4570]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

I have a loc-n-load, but use it as a glorified single stage.
At the time it was 1000 free bullets.
Ended up costing me about $100.
I just do one thing at a time.
Basically the same as a little Wilson arbor press, but we can FL resize.
As we get more dies they go into their own bushing, and set.

Attention to detail is important.
We keep our brass separated in 100 lot boxes.

And yes, we load some pistol ammo with it.
One stage at a time.

Powder is Always weighed.

TC

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: New to reloading - Need advice

AdamJackson:

Good choice. You will not regret having a single stage. Even those who use the big progressive presses generally use single-stage presses for load development, short runs, testing, etc.

There are times when you want to make 10 or 15 of a test load, ratcheting up the powder in small increments. Or test seating depth. All manner of experimenting to get that perfect round.

Once you find your load (pistol or rifle), then you can turn out multiples on the progressive, unless you are doing really heavy duty benchrest stuff.

As several folks have said, a single stage also lets you practice each step as a new reloader w.out the complexity of the progressive. You get a feel for sizing, seating, what can go wrong with each step. And in the early stages of learning... you will stick the occasional case, fold a neck, break a primer pin (or several), etc. It's a lot easier to sort out and learn your technique on a single stage.

I've reloaded nearly 30 years... since I was a teenager, I still use the same $25 Bonanza press I bought in high school. My investment is in the best dies! I've turned out countless rounds of all types. Including a lot of bulk reloading.

Oh and ORD is right on: listen to Doc76251. He'es on the reloading section a lot and he knows his stuff!

Cheers,

Sirhr