Most of the things you will need to get started can be purchased as a kit from various makers, this will generally include a scale for measuring powder as you adjust your powder dispenser, The dispenser,and a press, most presses include a priming tool You MUST have a current reloading manual which is basically a Recipe book for loads. You MUST have some reference information explaining how to SAFELY proceed.You will also need some things that are caliber specific, such as the die set for your caliber, shell holders for your press and priming tool if you do not do that in the press and a Dial or digital caliper for measuring case length and length over all of finished cartridges. The volume of reloading you wish to do will govern the type of system you use, ( single stage or progressive) for a beginner the best way (IMO) to begin is with a single stage press, I recently got back into reloading and what I did was to gather the materials I needed for the caliber I wanted to load, , shell holders, dies, etc.Then I sat down with a book for beginning re loaders and read it then when I actually began reloading I kept the book open to the section on what I was doing ( Lubing, De priming, cleaning primer pockets,Priming, setting powder scale, dispensing powder, seating bullets.) so I could refer back to it as I was performing the action, I also kept my reloading manual open so I could refer back to THAT for case lengths, and cartridge length information.
You are on the right track by asking for advice on this forum, Some of these guys have been reloading for decades and will happily give you far more detailed information than I can as my experience is limited. The best advice I can give you is 1) get a good book on reloading basics 2) ONLY use loads from published reloading manuals. 3) Get some one with experience to walk you through your first attempts. 4) before you EVER punch out the first primer, you should know EXACTLY what you need to do in what order.
As for space, I have my press set up on an 18 x24 inch work table with another 18 x18 end table for storage, my base is a Black and Decker work table, I replaced the top with a 1 inch thick sheet of Aluminum, and BOLTED my press to that, the press MUST be solidly anchored.
As you gain experience you will probably want to up grade to a progressive reloader as that will speed up the operation greatly.
One other thing that based on personal experience I must stress, Keep a note book of your loads and how each performs in YOUR firearm, and as you reload IDENTIFY YOUR LOADS, put a slip of paper in the box or write on the box things like caliber, bullet weight, powder and charge weight. That way when you go to the range you don't wind up shooting heavy bullets with hot loads with sights set for light bullets or light loads.
I hope this helps, I hope it's clear enough to make sense but it is late and I might be babbling.
Have fun and be SAFE.
MBTV
Forum Index
Help
Calendar
Contact Info
Register as a member
