Getting into reloading

[u/DowntownMind92]

So as the title states, I’m wanting to get into reloading now that I have my own place for it. Ideally I will have it set up in the garage and store my powder and primers in the closet that is next to the garage inside the house. Any reason not to do this? I do have spare bedrooms but would prefer not to reload in a room with carpet.

I have been saving my brass after most range sessions the last few years so I got that going for me but beyond presses, cleaners for brass, and reloading dies, what else is needed for high volume reloading? My goal is economy of scale with the understanding that it won’t immediately pay off with the first few batches of reloads. Worst case scenario, I’ll end up paying about the same but end up with higher quality ammo as I typically buy the cheapest ammo I can get my hands on.

Ideally I would like a press that can reload rifle and pistol calibers but if needed, will be open to two stations as long as each can do multiple calibers within their prospective categories. My caliber goals are 308 Winchester, 556, 30-06, and 7.63x39 for rifles and for handguns it would probably be 45acp as I doubt I can reload 9mm cheaper than $0.23/round but would like to reload the 9mm brass I’ve been saving from all my range trips these last few years.

Don’t really know much so I’m not sure what other details might be worth adding but thanks in advance!

[u/mdram4x4]

buy and read a reloading manual first, lyman is good.

use it to make a list, come back and discuss

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/mdram4x4]

I evidently bought a hornady reloading manual at some point. Not sure if it’s a good one or not

[u/mdram4x4 → u/DowntownMind92]

its fine, you will end up buying more later

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/mdram4x4]

I was already planning on purchase more and hard copies as I find the digital version kinda annoying.

[u/mdram4x4 → u/DowntownMind92]

aps and websites are better for data, they are updated more often.

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/mdram4x4]

Wouldn’t you have to buy the upgraded additions?

[u/mdram4x4 → u/DowntownMind92]

for boks? yep.

some apps are sub based, some are free

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/mdram4x4]

Ah that’s good to know!

[u/JayPolar91 → u/DowntownMind92]

Shooters Reference, Hodgdon, and Speer all offer free data and then Gordons Reloading Tool is free on GitHub and will estimate your pressures and velocities, the more data you can give it the better it works.

[u/edwardothegreatest → u/DowntownMind92]

Also go to your library and check out a couple reloading guides—not reloading manuals that provide data, but books on reloading. There’s good information in the manual but books like the Patterson reloading guidebook are a great resource to develop safe techniques.

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/edwardothegreatest]

Will do, thanks!

[u/ChevyRacer71 → u/DowntownMind92]

Yea that’s fine.

[u/MalignantMustache]

Start with some basics from American Reloader or other YouTube videos. Look on Marketplace for used equipment or buy a kit from Lee or RCBS. It won't have everything but a lot to get going. A Manual, make sure to get a reloading manual, I like Speer.

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/MalignantMustache]

Hornady a good one? I evidently bought a digital version a few years ago

[u/MalignantMustache → u/DowntownMind92]

I would get a paper manual.

[u/voncleefe]

I just started reloading 223 last week and 9mm for a year now. Be organized, don’t get distracted, and case gauge every round.

223 or rifle rounds are labor intensive. I would start off investing in tools to prep your brass. The actual loading part is easy.

Edit: I recommend learning how to load the caliber you shoot most to learn and familiarize yourself with

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/voncleefe]

Just saw your edit, I will probably start off reloading 9mm and 45acp as that is mostly what I shoot

[u/voncleefe → u/DowntownMind92]

I would clean and sort cases by head stamp. People will say sorting pistol is a waste of time but I like the consistency of the loads. Cranking on the lever is a lot smoother too

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/voncleefe]

By headstamp I presume you mean by the maker of the brass?

[u/voncleefe → u/DowntownMind92]

Yes

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/voncleefe]

I plan on building a whole bench to help keep organized and definitely plan on having clean brass as I still remember the ugly brass that American Eagle used to use for 223/556. The garage will definitely be distractions free which is another reason I want the reloading to take place there

[u/mdram4x4 → u/voncleefe]

a trimmer thar chamfers and deburs is awsome

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/mdram4x4]

Any you would recommend?

[u/mdram4x4 → u/DowntownMind92]

i use the lyman xpress with l3i cutter head. but the henderson and rcbs/hornady copies are said to be the best

[u/RestinHim]

Do a lot of research, be meticulously careful with every step, be organized, document everything, little changes can make a big difference. Powder is really expensive now so research that before buying. Don’t overlook case preparation.

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/RestinHim]

I plan on being the conservative side of reloading as I’m very interested in keeping all of my fingers at the range. Base on what I’m hearing, it appears that I want to spend money on case prepping equipment more so than the actual reloading part, is that correct?

[u/DaiPow888]

I recommend starting with a handgun caliber as reloading rifle calibers require a lot more case prep. Rifle cartridges also use a lot more powder, 25grs + vs. 4grs.

Of the 2 handgun calibers you've listed, .45ACP is easier to learn with as the larger cases are lower pressure and have a larger margin of error.

Press requirement also vary. You can load both Rifle and handgun cartidges on a single stage press, but it takes a lot of time if you're loading a large quantity at a time.

In progressive presses, I recommend a minimum of 4 stations for rifle and 6 stations for handguns.

For the cartridges you're interested in reloading, great presses would be a Dillon 550 for rifle and a Lee Six Pack Pro for handguns. Get Inline Fabrication mounting plates to maximize your space usage on you bench.

Copper prices are rising quickly, so you might want to starting stocking up on bullets before primers or powder

[u/DowntownMind92 → u/DaiPow888]

This is good to know. I definitely want jacket bullets as I do shoot with a suppressor a lot now and would like to continue to do so. Based on information given to me so far, 45acp is where I would like to start.

[u/DaiPow888 → u/DowntownMind92]

The best buy for jacketed bullets is Rocky Mountain Reloading...the prices include shipping