Good source(s) for the beginning handloader

[blackwolfe]

I don't reload.....yet, but am planning on getting into it.  I have been doing research on it for awhile now.  I have also been gathering materials, tools, parts, cases, manuals, etc for some time.  Mytwo biggest hold ups are the time to do it and and a adequet place to set it up a reloading bench.

I have several manuals, Lee, Lyman, and Speer for sure come to mind.   I like the Speer a lot with the background info they give on the cartridges.

I do have a cheap Lee single stage press that I got very cheap at a gun show.  I have also been looking at the Redding turret press, but it is expensive.

As mentioned earlier, be careful about what you read on the internet in regards to loads.  I have a friend that is a moderator on another forum and he forbids posting loads unless it is from a published loading manual that is cites with the load.  There are a lot of guys out there that think they have to push loads to maximum and beyond, when less than maximum would give them far better results.

I need to really get into reloading soon as some of my favorite cartridges are kind of expensive when buying loaded ammo off the shelf such as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 45 Colt, 32-20, and 32 mag to name a few.

[fullautovalmet76]

At least with the Lee stuff, your good for .357 & .38 with a single set of dies.  PN90964

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259985805.2366=/html/catalog/dies-pistol.html

Sounds like a real nice setup to me!  Don't forget to pick up a bullet puller, flash hole tool (for inside the case).  I got those and a deburring tool from Lyman.  Their bullet puller has got to be the toughest plastic in all our galaxy!!!  I've pulled many military rounds apart with it and BEAT THE POOP OUT OF IT to get them apart.  Thing has proven super easy / quick to use, and indestructable.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case-prep/case-prep-tools.php

I forgot to mention I have that very bullet puller. And you're right- it is great! I have some old Black Talon rounds and wanted to take a look-see and the puller worked flawlessly. Thanks for the tips on the other stuff too.....

[fullautovalmet76]

I don't reload.....yet, but am planning on getting into it.  I have been doing research on it for awhile now.  I have also been gathering materials, tools, parts, cases, manuals, etc for some time.  Mytwo biggest hold ups are the time to do it and and a adequet place to set it up a reloading bench.

I have several manuals, Lee, Lyman, and Speer for sure come to mind.   I like the Speer a lot with the background info they give on the cartridges.

I do have a cheap Lee single stage press that I got very cheap at a gun show.  I have also been looking at the Redding turret press, but it is expensive.

As mentioned earlier, be careful about what you read on the internet in regards to loads.  I have a friend that is a moderator on another forum and he forbids posting loads unless it is from a published loading manual that is cites with the load.  There are a lot of guys out there that think they have to push loads to maximum and beyond, when less than maximum would give them far better results.

I need to really get into reloading soon as some of my favorite cartridges are kind of expensive when buying loaded ammo off the shelf such as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 45 Colt, 32-20, and 32 mag to name a few.

Blackwolfe,
I certainly do not want to slight anyone about their knowledge about reloading on this board, but there are a few people who come to mind as a great resource:

Badgersmilk, Tom, and M25.

I don't want to jinx him but M25 has given me rock solid advice everytime. As my family from MS. would say, "It look like he's been at this thing for a little while....."

Good luck!

[PegLeg45]

I don't reload.....yet, but am planning on getting into it.  I have been doing research on it for awhile now.  I have also been gathering materials, tools, parts, cases, manuals, etc for some time.  Mytwo biggest hold ups are the time to do it and and a adequet place to set it up a reloading bench.

I have several manuals, Lee, Lyman, and Speer for sure come to mind.   I like the Speer a lot with the background info they give on the cartridges.

I do have a cheap Lee single stage press that I got very cheap at a gun show.  I have also been looking at the Redding turret press, but it is expensive.

As mentioned earlier, be careful about what you read on the internet in regards to loads.  I have a friend that is a moderator on another forum and he forbids posting loads unless it is from a published loading manual that is cites with the load.  There are a lot of guys out there that think they have to push loads to maximum and beyond, when less than maximum would give them far better results.

I need to really get into reloading soon as some of my favorite cartridges are kind of expensive when buying loaded ammo off the shelf such as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, 45 Colt, 32-20, and 32 mag to name a few.

Sounds like we're in the same boat. I have a Lee single stage and a Dillon RL550 progressive and both are still in their boxes. I have dies for .45 acp and .44 Mag/spl in handgun and 30-06 and .243 in rifle. All I need are .308 Win and .223 Rem and I can load for all my handguns and rifles. I have everything to load ammo, but need room to set up a permanent loading center.

[tombogan03884]

 You guys looking for Space to work might try what I did.
I bought a Black and Decker "Work Mate" folding table, I took off the 2 wooden slats that formed the top and C clamped on a thick  (1/2 Inch ) plate of Aluminum, (any metal will work ) and drilled holes to bolt on the press and powder measure.
Make sure you secure the REAR of the plate as the greatest stress on the mounting seemed to be on the downstroke of the ram.

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

You guys looking for Space to work might try what I did.
I bought a Black and Decker "Work Mate" folding table, I took off the 2 wooden slats that formed the top and C clamped on a thick  (1/2 Inch ) plate of Aluminum, (any metal will work ) and drilled holes to bolt on the press and powder measure.
Make sure you secure the REAR of the plate as the greatest stress on the mounting seemed to be on the downstroke of the ram.

Thanks for that idea. I have a workmate bench and had thought of making a 'removable' top because I need it for other things. But after I read your post, I remembered my dad has an old workmate table that needs to have the top replaced. I might see if I can talk him out of it and put a new top on it that suits my needs.

[m25operator]

Several things to start here, reloading is a good thing, recycle, reuse, beautiful.
1) Most loading manuals, if you will take the time to actually read them, describe in detail, what you are doing and why. Things to watch out for, = warnings about certain conditions of brass, powder etc...
2) Dillon has an excellent dvd based how to disc, taylored to their product, but maybe even free if you call and ask.

Toms suggestion of the workmate base is a good one, I am going to add some pictures here, don't laugh, no go ahead and laugh, but look at how my presses are mounted, they have wooden bases they are mounted to, and are able to be C clamped to whatever surface. If you look to the right side of the picture, you will see my 2nd 550b stored via C clamp to an adjoining shelf, this also works for my MEC shot gun press. If you can get aluminum bases cut to fit out of 3/8 plate, even cooler. You can even take this kind of setup to the range, if your range allows it. My Dillon presses came with 1/4" holes and I just tapped them 1/4 x 20 and used bevel head screws countersunk from the bottom of the wooden bases.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1763.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1764.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/Copyof100_1766.jpg

If you look to the upper shelf and right side shelf, I use tupper ware containers, to keep clean and dirty brass, both labeled as such. 45acp clean or 45acp dirty, just helps when you load as much ammo as I used to.

[blackwolfe]

Forgot to mention in my earlier post that frequently corn cob and crushed walnut shells are available at pet stores or in the pet department of some department stores.  It is used for pet bedding and may be cheaper, more readily available and work for tumbling cases.

Also, if there is a range or sportsman club that you belong to, some of the members may be more than happy to help you get started in reloading.  At my club I think I recall a reloading seminar a few years ago.  I know some of the members have offered to help beginers and seem eager to share their knowledge.

[tombogan03884]

When I worked at T/C they used corn cob to tumble brass parts like Hawken butt plates and trigger guards.

[TAB]

adding a little dab of "Nufinish" car polish to the tumbler does wonders for shining up cases.  One of the many useful tips I found on the net from diffrent web sites.