Getting into reloading

[madcow]

Agree with everyone else this is a bad time to start reloading. BUT, if I was going to start in this climate, I would start with 7.62/308 and have a goal of loading Match Ammo or Premium Hunting Loads. This would be your best return on investment

Pick up a good used single stage press, case prep tools and some quality dies.
Large Rifle primers are usually cheaper than small rifle and pistol primers. Say about $200/K
A pound of powder should cost $35/avg load, top end about 45 grains
Scrounge up some once fired brass, zero cost.
premium quality bullets. 175gr SMKs currently at $50/100 at Midway.

Cost on Ammo components around $1.20/round, this is better than the going rate for $2/round for match ammo if you can find it.

 

[Freshly Minted Georgian!]

Get yourself a single stage or turret and learn the basics there. Components are hard to find right now but not impossible and even finding the odd 100 primers here or there will allow you to get started. Pick an easy caliber to start with......small pistol cartridge is good. For that you can use shotgun powder which is relatively easier to find right now. On pistol start with one that headspaces on the rim if possible, then move to an auto-loader caliber when you have comfort. When you are good with that move up to bottleneck. You can still find decent prices on loading presses if you keep your eyes open. If it sticks, if you like it, you'll eventually move on to a faster press, Dillon is about king of the hill at the moment. It's easier to master the basics on a more basic press for starters though.

I've been loading since the 80's but some of the guys here on ODT have me beat by decades. If you hit any snags reach out for advice.

 

[optimumdetails]

@Nuke And Juke had 1000 primers, 1000 cases and 1000 bullets for $400+ not too long ago. That honestly isn't bad post Covid prices. If you are close to me I will gladly give you a sleeve or two of primers, some cases and some bullets of either 9mm, 223, 308, 40 or 6.5

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[palmettomoon]

Start slow with a few components. Don't buy bulk until a.) you are certain you'll gain long term benefits such as controlling quality, speeds, bullet types/designs for specific shooting, etc. and b.) prices stabilize back in a reasonable range. Loading for economy is not possible now unless you get lucky with components.

 

[EMC45]

I will offer this advice:.....Short of buying powders and primers and cases etc. and/or fretting over their unavailability/prices, I would recommend getting a reloading manual and reading it. When you're done reading it, read it again.

Lyman, RCBS, Lee etc all have pretty darn good reloading manuals.

Upon reading the manuals and soaking up the information, you will then know what powders go with what calibers and primers and bullets etc. This way you won't end up with a pound of Hogdon 50 BMG along with a thousand 209 primers trying to load 9MM..........

 

[DickyRivers]

This might seem dumb but: talk to your acquaintances or friends of friends about reloading. Just in the last month transferring to a new boat, I’ve come up with a few people who actively reload or have equipment and have in the past. I’ve resized some .358s to .357 and gave a batch to a guy up who wanted to load 9mm that I only found out he had a shortfall because we stopped to chat. Passed along some stuff to a couple others. Went over to another guys house this past Sunday and sorted a big plastic bin worth of range brass and walked away with a couple hundred loaded rounds of 9mm and .38... 500-1000 .38 and .357 cases and some odds and ends for my time and company. He didn’t load .38/.357 anyways so it was a win-win for the both of us.

You may find out that guy you pass by who you say hi to but don’t know well is an avid reloaded and would take you under his wing and teach you on his equipment and might have a progressive he uses now but has a single stage in a box he started on but hasn’t used in years he’ll let go to you for a bit. You’d be surprised how many people do reload. I’m one of 3 in a group of 6 in a small hunting lease. The other 3 benefit greatly from our company.

 

[rightway1974]

it will be years before you will find reloading supplies at a near normal price. Unless you know someone who has plenty and will sell you some, you will quickly be in the poor house trying to buy primers and powder.

 

[fastfish66]

Any one have any advise for someone just getting into reloading? I will be reloading 7.62/308, 5.56/223, and possibly a few different handgun rounds. I'm wanting to start the process but have no idea where to start. Thanks for any and all advise.

Any one have any advise for someone just getting into reloading? I will be reloading 7.62/308, 5.56/223, and possibly a few different handgun rounds. I'm wanting to start the process but have no idea where to start. Thanks for any and all advise.

RUN FOREST RUNNNNNN!

 

[Boomstick Brass Rain]

I have plenty of materials, just not sure what i'm doing and don't trust myself with the videos i've watched. I guess i'll wait and study more before starting.

 

[Please Delete]

I have plenty of materials, just not sure what i'm doing and don't trust myself with the videos i've watched. I guess i'll wait and study more before starting.

what press will you be loading on? what handgun calibers do you have dies for?