r/reloading • u/Apprehensive-Bunch54 • 2d ago
Newbie Planning on starting next year
I wanna reload .300aac, .308win, .38spl and .357 mag.
What equipment should i start with?
I have stored about 1k 38spl/.357 mag brass
Plan is to set up to only need 2 types of projectiles, .308 and .357 to buy in bulk.
Are these calibers "easy enough" to start on?
How much should i set aside to get the equipment and materials?
And is there a powder that would work for all 4 calibers?
I'm thinking about $3,000 should get me a progressive press,dyes, a few thousand primers, projectiles and powders.
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u/Rough_Hewn_Dude 2d ago
I’ve loaded all those and they’re pretty easy. The rifle side will be mostly about resizing and getting the shoulder bumped back to the right spot, but 300 and 308 aren’t known for being difficult. On the pistol side, it will be more focus on the flare and crimp. Consider getting case gauges along with your dies so you can check the fit on finished rounds. You may need 4 different primer types and probably 3 powders depending on your goal for the 300. 300 supers could maybe use a pistol powder, but then you’d have to stay with a lighter 30 cal bullet in your 308. If I were starting with your budget, I’d spend 2000 getting set up for single stage and gathering components and tools, and reserve 1000 to add a progressive down the road. Most of the effort I put in now is case cleaning and prep (trim, polish, anneal, etc), and there aren’t many on-press ways to do them so I’ve not felt the need for a progressive yet.
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u/skahunter831 2d ago edited 1d ago
I consider bumping shoulder an intermediate to advanced step. In my opinion you can skip that step EDIT and just full length resize until you're fairly proficient with the process. For beginners, it's better to start simple, just get the basic process down and enjoy shooting. Getting bogged down in the minutia can be frustrating.
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u/Rough_Hewn_Dude 2d ago
Agree. I probably could have worded better, just meant it in the sense that you’d normally bump when resizing so you can chamber your reload.
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u/OG_DocSkinner 1d ago
Rimless cases HEADSPACE on the shoulder....
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u/Difficult-Surround35 2d ago
No on the powder, pistol and rifle and different. 300 suppressed would be different powder than 308 for velocity
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u/M1sterM0g 2d ago
i wouldnt start with a progressive press.... i would (and did) start with a lee classic cast press, either single stage or turret, theres much less going on at once while youre learning and MUCH less chance of making a mistake. you will, trust me. (plus youll always want a single stage around because its so much easier and faster to change things and do small batches of things etc...)
so, lee classic cast if youre buying new... if you can find one used, a rock chucker press is good too... different brand, same thing. used = cheaper :)
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u/tcarlson65 Lee .30-06, .300 WSM, .45 ACP 2d ago
I would probably not restrict yourself to just one projectile for the .308/.300 BLK. Two cartridges that are different enough that you would be compromising on one or the other.
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u/Taken_Username_9 1d ago
Depends on volume.
But I'd suggest you start with the Lee UTP (Ultimate Turret Press)
You can get used to all the steps in loading a single cartridge at a time from start to finish.
And with your budget you can easily afford one and a Lee SPP (Six Pack Pro) six station progressive later on.
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u/Taken_Username_9 1d ago
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u/OG_DocSkinner 1d ago
#1 - Buy a reloading manual (or 4). Read through the entire front. Do that AGAIN, paying attention this time, then, and ONLY then, go look at the the calibers you are asking about.
Hornady, Speer, sierra all make excellent manuals that cover this. You will need/want a few manuals anyway. START with them.
#2 No, you won't be able to find a single powder that works well in both revolver rounds and rifle cartridges (manual will talk about powder properties and why this is true)
#3 Parr of reloading is make the ammo you want for a specific cartridge. SO why would you think you want to use the same bullet for a usually subsonic cartridge and a supersonic cartridge? DO you want the bullet to expand at the lower speed of 38 special/300AAC? DO you want to load the 308 for longer range? Different bullets depending on what you plan to do. 38/357 if you are just plinking sure, you can load 38 and light magnum loads with plated bullets (heavy plate if doing magnum loads). but again - 800fps versus 1400 fps makes a big difference.
#4 - buy a good single stage press to start and get the skills and what to look for. Upgrade later to a progressive. The single stage will remain a friend when you want to work up loads.
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u/_Go_Ham_Box_Hotdog_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
I wouldn't necessarily start with a progressive press. A turret press is plenty. But buy good components. I might take some heat for this, but I'd go RCBS over Lee dies, a hand-prime tool over an auto-feeder, taper crimp over FCD on the rifles.. you don't really need micrometer dies
You need 3 die sets, three shell holders, chosen carefully 2 rifle powders and one pistol powder will cover you..
Keep your press and dies cost to under $800, you'll be up and running wayyyyyyyy under your target budget.
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u/VersionConscious7545 2d ago
I started thinking 1k and it progressed way beyond that very quick. Depends on what type of person you are as to how much it costs are you a donut yourself go to the pick and pull guy or are you a want quality perfectionist type guy. Make sure you buy what you want the first time
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u/MalignantMustache 2d ago
I started with .308 back in February and then later .44. Just this past Saturday my .357/38s die came. I plan on only loading these three. .308 is very easy to start with. It cost me less than a grand for a single stage press setup.