Hey guys, I want to take up reloading as a new hobby to achieve the best possible accuracy for my rifles and to be able to shoot more. I understand all of the components and equipment necessary to reload, what are some of your recommendations for beginner manuals and equipment? Thanks!
New To Reloading
- Thread starter kdykstra97
- Start date
What’s your budget?
Do you have someone local that is a precision shooter?
here is my set up
Press: CO-AX
Dies: Redding bushing FL match
Calipers: Mitutoyo
Powder scale: RCBS Chargemaster (autotrickler will replace eventually)
Annealer: AMP
Brass prep: rcbs station to chamfer and debur
Primer: forester bench primer
Tumbler: stainless wet tumble from STM
Measurement tools: Hornady headspace and bullet comparators
Lube: one shot and imperial sizing wax
should be about it lol
Do you have someone local that is a precision shooter?
here is my set up
Press: CO-AX
Dies: Redding bushing FL match
Calipers: Mitutoyo
Powder scale: RCBS Chargemaster (autotrickler will replace eventually)
Annealer: AMP
Brass prep: rcbs station to chamfer and debur
Primer: forester bench primer
Tumbler: stainless wet tumble from STM
Measurement tools: Hornady headspace and bullet comparators
Lube: one shot and imperial sizing wax
should be about it lol
I am the one shooting lol. I don't want to keep purchasing factory ammunition. I want to reload so I can shoot more. I don't need a progressive press as I don't shoot every week. I will be reloading mostly for my 6.5CM, .30-06 and .300WM.
Also budget isn't too big of a worry for me I just don't want to buy too advanced equipment lol I was looking at the Hornady Lock N Load
I was asking if you had a precision shooter local to you because they can be great mentors. You go see what they use and what they recommend.
www.youtube.com
Long Range Precision Reloading
This playlist contains videos about reloading for long range shooting and hunting. Using tools from Redding, RCBS, and Sinclair, Sam demonstrates how he relo...
www.youtube.com
I have a Hornady Lock N Load Classic Kit that was $350 and came with rebate for 500 bullets. I've been very satisfied with the quality of the press. The hopper throws powder well and fairly consistently for the calibers you mentioned. It throws A1680 perfectly/consistently for my .300 Blk reloading. Some powders are just too big to throw perfectly every time no matter what the price of the hopper. That being said, I'm sure someone can suggest an automated unit for $1000 for you that gets damn close 
I like the quick connect collars Hornady offers. They stay tight and seem consistent. I use Lyman manual calipers but you can get digital Mitutoyo for about $150. I like the Lyman trimmer w/ drill motor axle and Hornady Duo-Case prep to speed things up. Best bang for the buck to get a tedious, yet necessary, job done quickly and accurately. I prefer Hornady One-Shot spray lube for convenience and not interfering with powder or primer. I use a Lyman Turbo Sonic cleaner as opposed to media. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg if your're not competing in BR shooting. RCBS Rockchucker and parts are excellent as well as mentioned above. Hope this helps.
I like the quick connect collars Hornady offers. They stay tight and seem consistent. I use Lyman manual calipers but you can get digital Mitutoyo for about $150. I like the Lyman trimmer w/ drill motor axle and Hornady Duo-Case prep to speed things up. Best bang for the buck to get a tedious, yet necessary, job done quickly and accurately. I prefer Hornady One-Shot spray lube for convenience and not interfering with powder or primer. I use a Lyman Turbo Sonic cleaner as opposed to media. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg if your're not competing in BR shooting. RCBS Rockchucker and parts are excellent as well as mentioned above. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the input I will check all of those items out. This was the press I was looking at https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101693119?pid=353329I have a Hornady Lock N Load Classic Kit that was $350 and came with rebate for 500 bullets. I've been very satisfied with the quality of the press. The hopper throws powder well and fairly consistently for the calibers you mentioned. It throws A1680 perfectly/consistently for my .300 Blk reloading. Some powders are just too big to throw perfectly every time no matter what the price of the hopper. That being said, I'm sure someone can suggest an automated unit for $1000 for you that gets damn close
I like the quick connect collars Hornady offers. They stay tight and seem consistent. I use Lyman manual calipers but you can get digital Mitutoyo for about $150. I like the Lyman trimmer w/ drill motor axle and Hornady Duo-Case prep to speed things up. Best bang for the buck to get a tedious, yet necessary, job done quickly and accurately. I prefer Hornady One-Shot spray lube for convenience and not interfering with powder or primer. I use a Lyman Turbo Sonic cleaner as opposed to media. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg if your're not competing in BR shooting. RCBS Rockchucker and parts are excellent as well as mentioned above. Hope this helps.
If your going to load for 2 or 3 calibers get you a redding T-7, love mine and you can buy extra tool heads as you go.
A good set of scales is a must.
You can prime with a hand primer,no big deal
And some good dies, I use Forster.
I used to use a single stage press but got tired of setting up different dies all the time.
A good set of scales is a must.
You can prime with a hand primer,no big deal
And some good dies, I use Forster.
I used to use a single stage press but got tired of setting up different dies all the time.
This is what mine looks like but that should do the trick. Buying the “classic” kit gets you a few necessary items like a digital scale, primer loader, trickler and maybe some other things without unecessary fluff of the “deluxe“ kit
Attachments
It sounds like you aren’t restricted by a budget, and sounds like you’ll likely want the better equipment as it’s a second hobby. I’d advise to try to link up with someone to make 100% sure you’re gonna like it. A lot of guys absolutely hate loading.
If you want to make the best possible ammo you can in a single stage setup, here’s a decent list:
Press: Forster Co-ax (look at prazi press for gucci)
Scale: fx120 w/v3 auto trickler or a Prometheus
Annealer: amp
Neck turner: 21st century or IDOD
Trimmer: henderson or Giraud
Primer seater: Primal Rights CPS
Seating press: hydropress
Caliper/inside mic/outside mic: mitituyo
Bullet and brass comparators: short action customs
Mandrels: 21st century
Pin gauges: any from amazon work fine
Dies: redding/Forster/warner
You’ll only but once cry once and be able to make better ammo than you can shoot with this setup.
If you want to make the best possible ammo you can in a single stage setup, here’s a decent list:
Press: Forster Co-ax (look at prazi press for gucci)
Scale: fx120 w/v3 auto trickler or a Prometheus
Annealer: amp
Neck turner: 21st century or IDOD
Trimmer: henderson or Giraud
Primer seater: Primal Rights CPS
Seating press: hydropress
Caliper/inside mic/outside mic: mitituyo
Bullet and brass comparators: short action customs
Mandrels: 21st century
Pin gauges: any from amazon work fine
Dies: redding/Forster/warner
You’ll only but once cry once and be able to make better ammo than you can shoot with this setup.
Hello, try this for equipment options...
I loaded for a decade on a Lee Classic Turret for everything. Did everything I wanted it to do. I recently got a Dillon 450 which is probably older than me, but I'll be damned if she don't churn out some fantastic ammo. I also have a Lee Classic Cast O frame for assorted tasks as well.
Books: pick 2 or 3 of whatever is out there. I have the Modern Reloading 2nd Ed. By Richard Lee and the Sierra Reloading manual.
