Rookie Reloader

stickman61

stickman61

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I'm just getting started on getting components together (so far I have powder LOL) my Brother-in-law has a press and some bullet molds (pistol only). I'm not in a big hurry but I'd like some info on dies and bullet molds.
I see full length dies, seating dies, standing dies (ok, not really but most of this is greek to me). I plan to have him show me how to do this safely and stand by while I'm reloading but would like to get the correct dies before I bother him much.
Should I get full length dies for 308, 3006 and 45? Does a standard die set do everything needed?
I plan to get bullet molds for 308 and 45 also, I'm assuming I'll also need sizing dies? I haven't found any local to Hickory.
I realize demand is through the roof right now but I'm being patient and trying not to pay outrageous prices. (I bought 8 lbs of Universal pistol powder today for $180, I think that's a pre-panic price?)
Thanks in advance, I really am ignernt when it comes to reloading. :confused:
 
45ACP, I'm going to reload 9mm as well, I've just got to get everything together.
 
There's a gent on here that hosts a reloading class. Great place to start if you're a true newbie and have zero understanding. Right now is NOT a great time to start getting into it, but if you have a list of everything you need and you're patient, you can eventually find what you need. Primers, then a desirable powder will be your largest hurdles.
 
"Should I get full length dies for 308, 3006 and 45? Does a standard die set do everything needed?"

Yes. Get the FL dies. A standard die set will do everything you need to do but perhaps not some of the things you eventually may want to do. Among those may-want-to-do things for pistol rounds is seating and crimping in two separate steps. An extra seating/crimping die or one that is strictly a crimping die is quite helpful. I have always been partial to RCBS and Redding for my dies and have never been disappointed. Other brands also work fine. Keep in mind that Dillon pistol dies do not have an expander die if you happen to run up on some of their very good dies.
 
Get a copy of the Lee Reloading manual and read it before you start doing anything. It has a lot of good info and once you get the basic information in your head, find someone with a similar press that you intend to buy and watch them load some rounds. Then get started. It will say you a lot of time down the road and probably answer 90% of the questions you have now.
Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition Revised Reloading Manual (midwayusa.com). Its on backorder at Midwayusa but I'm sure you can find it online somewhere
 
Regular full length regular base rifle cartridge dies should serve u well. For the 45 and 9 mm carbide pistol dies will save you time , they do cost a few dollars more. Lots of sources for good used dies out there. Watch the process and read before sinking a lot of money into it. The bullet molds are another topic all together. Its not too hard either just read up on it. and find a source for suitable metal/lead. I would stick with purchased bullets jacketed or lead until you are comfortable with the process. The primers will be the toughest right now.
 
Thanks guys, I'm planning on picking up a manual and some equipment soon. I've had several people tell me that studying was the 1st step.
I may have to badger nick9 or quikcarl into showing me how it's done lol.
 
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Start with 45acp as suggested above, it’s easy to work with and you can get either large or small primer brass which is a huge advantage right now.

I suggest that you get a little hands on time, or at least watch a few videos, and then start reading. It all makes a lot more sense once you’ve seen the process. It’s not hard, but you must be focused and meticulous if you expect to keep all your fingers!
 
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I picked up several of the big pieces i need to get started. An RCBS Rock Chucker press, Competition Powder measure, Powder Trickler, Automatic priming tool, M500 mechanical scale, Stuck case remover, 30-06 dies, a Lyman reloading manual, several shell holders and a few other assorted parts.
Still no primers or bullets and I still need reloading dies and shell holders in several calibers but I'm getting there.
 
Just write out the wish list. Then prioritize said list. Then write out spending plan. If you win the lottery buy it all. Now all joking aside. It's took me 30 plus years to accumulate what I have. A piece here a piece there. I could still spend some serious money if I had it to spend. But what I do have will put out quality ammo. That's the bottom line. You'll get there. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
 
stickman61 said:
I picked up several of the big pieces i need to get started. An RCBS Rock Chucker press, Competition Powder measure, Powder Trickler, Automatic priming tool, M500 mechanical scale, Stuck case remover, 30-06 dies, a Lyman reloading manual, several shell holders and a few other assorted parts.
Still no primers or bullets and I still need reloading dies and shell holders in several calibers but I'm getting there.
Click to expand...
Suggest a caliper next. On bottleneck rifle cases you need to watch your overall length. I didn't get a case trimmer till 30 yrs later. Course didn't reload much rifle until then. 98% handgun.

CD
 
The Hornady reloading books have a lot of great information on reloading. There are a lot of people getting into this as Dillon now has a Facebook page. Some of the people scare the hell out of me with what questions and things they are doing. They are jumping in head first with XL750 progressive loaders, very bad idea to learn on. I would suggest starting with a single stage and master each and every step before moving to completely automated progressive. Once you have it mastered and learn the science of it you will be amazed at what you can do with hand load rifle rounds for precision shooting. It is an addictive science!!
 
@stickman61 when you get ready to actually start pulling the handle, message me. I will give you 200 large pistol primers, 200 45 boolitz, 200 pieces of brass, and 1/4 pound of Winchester 231 powder.

Of course, if you’ve found the stuff by then, you won’t need mine. LPP’s are out there, and powder is out there. You just gotta be ready to jump on it when you find it.

I’d give serious thought to cutting teeth on reloading THEN worry about casting. Both are TONS of fun, but they both require a lot of time and practice. Just my humble opinion.

Stuff to get, priority listed:
-Manual. More than one. Lee and Hornady are my faves
-Good quality scale, and a second decent quality scale
-Digital caliper
-Turret press (you can operate these as single stage presses until you get your teeth cut)

That’s the basics in my world. Read. Study. Watch videos from ALL the manufacturers on every part of the reloader’s world. Start easy and work into it. It’s like eating a whole elephant: one bite at a time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
.45cap & 9mm-Do your future self a great big favor, and buy Carbide die sets. Cost a little more to go 1st class, but big time saver, and cleaner by far. IF you expect to shoot lots and lots of Pistol ammo, take the plunge and buy a Dillon 550. 500 rounds per hour is easy with the .45. If a box or two is all you shoot up on range days, save your money and use the RockChucker. If you need .45 cases, I’ll send you a flat rate box full of them from a Camp Perry match, once-fired and clean, gratis. I quit casting due to high pB levels in my blood. IF you decide to cast, and wanna have working sperm, get a baseline Lead blood test, and check your pB levels regularly, about every 6 months. Oh, and you better have some nice ventilation at the casting site, and goggles and a pair of welding gloves. Personally, I just buy 5,000 lil coated red hard-cast bullets from SNS CASTING and have Mr. Mailman drop them at the door. Good luck casting such quality bullets for less 💴 🤡
Have fun & practice well and often.
 
Combat Diver said:
Suggest a caliper next. On bottleneck rifle cases you need to watch your overall length. I didn't get a case trimmer till 30 yrs later. Course didn't reload much rifle until then. 98% handgun.

CD
Click to expand...
If you end up doing a lot of rifle rounds, in the thousands for an AR platform a case trimmer is a must. I just bought my first one because hand trimming is time consuming and a pain in the wrist. I purchased the Lyman Case Trimmer Express, it comes with collets for many rifle calibers and you can adjust it in .001 increments. It is very fast and does a great job at that and is rather cost affective.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020728567?pid=258707
 
Don’t forget a Primer Pocket Swager, unless you spring for a Dillon 1050 which has one built-in🥳
This RABBIT HOLE IS DEEP & EXPENSIVE, NOT TO MENTION YOU WILL BE OCD AFFLICTED IN THE END, MAYBE EVEN AN ADDICT🙈
 
Amanda4461 said:
Don’t forget a Primer Pocket Swager, unless you spring for a Dillon 1050 which has one built-in🥳
This RABBIT HOLE IS DEEP & EXPENSIVE, NOT TO MENTION YOU WILL BE OCD AFFLICTED IN THE END, MAYBE EVEN AN ADDICT🙈
Click to expand...
Yep. Reloading is a hobby for people who like to take notes for entertainment.
 
Combat Diver said:
Suggest a caliper next. On bottleneck rifle cases you need to watch your overall length. I didn't get a case trimmer till 30 yrs later. Course didn't reload much rifle until then. 98% handgun.

CD
Click to expand...
I have a dial caliper, so I'm covered there. I appreciate you mentioning it though. I'm sure to forget (or not know about things). I have a tumbler, a bullet puller and a few other things.I'm going to try to get everything needed before I start but I might start getting cases cleaned and sized before I get all the components.
1911gobang said:
@stickman61 when you get ready to actually start pulling the handle, message me. I will give you 200 large pistol primers, 200 45 boolitz, 200 pieces of brass, and 1/4 pound of Winchester 231 powder.

Of course, if you’ve found the stuff by then, you won’t need mine. LPP’s are out there, and powder is out there. You just gotta be ready to jump on it when you find it.

I’d give serious thought to cutting teeth on reloading THEN worry about casting. Both are TONS of fun, but they both require a lot of time and practice. Just my humble opinion.

Stuff to get, priority listed:
-Manual. More than one. Lee and Hornady are my faves
-Good quality scale, and a second decent quality scale
-Digital caliper
-Turret press (you can operate these as single stage presses until you get your teeth cut)

That’s the basics in my world. Read. Study. Watch videos from ALL the manufacturers on every part of the reloader’s world. Start easy and work into it. It’s like eating a whole elephant: one bite at a time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I appreciate the offer, I may have to take you up on it. I'm not in a hurry, just hoping to be able to round up what I need sometime soon.
I'm going to try the rock chucker for a while, I can always upgrade later if I want to speed things up.
Amanda4461 said:
.45cap & 9mm-Do your future self a great big favor, and buy Carbide die sets. Cost a little more to go 1st class, but big time saver, and cleaner by far. IF you expect to shoot lots and lots of Pistol ammo, take the plunge and buy a Dillon 550. 500 rounds per hour is easy with the .45. If a box or two is all you shoot up on range days, save your money and use the RockChucker. If you need .45 cases, I’ll send you a flat rate box full of them from a Camp Perry match, once-fired and clean, gratis. I quit casting due to high pB levels in my blood. IF you decide to cast, and wanna have working sperm, get a baseline Lead blood test, and check your pB levels regularly, about every 6 months. Oh, and you better have some nice ventilation at the casting site, and goggles and a pair of welding gloves. Personally, I just buy 5,000 lil coated red hard-cast bullets from SNS CASTING and have Mr. Mailman drop them at the door. Good luck casting such quality bullets for less 💴 🤡
Have fun & practice well and often.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip on carbide dies and SNS Casting. I have plenty of brass and plan to keep collecting what I shoot but I appreciate the offer. I don't plan to start casting anytime soon, just trying to prepare.
When I start casting, it'll be in a well ventilated building with plenty of air moving. I don't have to worry about the swimmers, I got neutered long ago :D
JPhillis said:
If you end up doing a lot of rifle rounds, in the thousands for an AR platform a case trimmer is a must. I just bought my first one because hand trimming is time consuming and a pain in the wrist. I purchased the Lyman Case Trimmer Express, it comes with collets for many rifle calibers and you can adjust it in .001 increments. It is very fast and does a great job at that and is rather cost affective.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020728567?pid=258707
Click to expand...
Thanks for pointing that out, I completely forgot about a case trimmer, it's going on the list.
 
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