Advice for Handloading Beginner

[Bogie35]

I want to start reloading, but I have no idea where to start.
A "How To" would be nice.
What basic (inexpensive) equipment?
I would be loading for my Marlin 336 35 Remington.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
bogie

[WCF3030]

Buy yourself a good reloading manual like Lee or Lyman and start reading and then ask lots of questions.
Good Luck.

[Tycer]

The Lyman 48th has a great primer in the front. Start with a couple of used manuals for reading material. Most all the reloading data you need is on the powder manufacturers' or the bullet makers' websites. Used manuals are cheap.

If you ask at the local shop where you buy supplies, you'll find some old gun crank that'll really dig bringing a new loader into the fold. He'll have doubles and triples of all the equipment you need to get started.

An RCBS or Lee reloading kit will get you started off with most what you need. The RCBS will be more trouble free over a lifetime of reloading.

You can get a Lee loader for $20 and load perfectly good shooting rounds, albeit very slow production.

[marlinman93]

I'll just parrott what the others said about buying a manual. Doesn't matter if it's new, used, what brand, etc. Just get one before you buy any other reloading supplies! Read it, ask questions, and when you find someone close to you, get together at their home and have them walk you through the process. Then once you've done all that you'll be ready to begin making purchases.

[Lefty Dude]

I learned reloading on a Lee Loader 45 years ago. Using my plastic mallet and de-caping & priming by hand. My Rifle was a Savage model 24V, 222 Remington over a 20 ga. I had one of the first made.

When I started loading all Brass 16 ga. shotgun shells, I bought a used 16 ga. Lee loader. And I am still using that same plastic mallet, only now on larger brass. I was in an antique store last year and bought a 12 ga. Lee loader for $5.00. Like new in the original box with the instructions too.
They no longer make the Shotgun reloaders. Stopped when they brought out the Lee Loadall for shotgun.

If you have never loaded Brass shotgun shells before, let me tell ya it is a real hoot. I load em with smokless & plastic wads, don't ya know.

[El Chivo]

you could start with the Lee Hand Press, and see how you like to work, and understand all the steps, before choosing a table press. The Hand Press will be handy afterwards, as well. I still use mine to flare necks, because I have to feel it going in, or I'll ruin the case mouth. Or if you want to do some prep job in front of the TV rather than in the garage, etc. Anyway the hand press is only about $20.

[Bruce Scott]

A Lee Anniversary Kit has everything you will need to get started at a good price. Here's one from Cabelas: http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0003080216577a.shtml

As others have already said you will need a manual.

[TedH]

As others have said, get a manual to start. When you do get started a kit is the way to go. You can't go wrong with the RCBS Rockchucker Kit. The LEE stuff albeit less expensive, is not on par with the RCBS, especially the powder measure that you'll get. Don't be afraid to ask questions, because you can read every book out there and still not know everything.

[Borregos]

What Tycer said +1

[Gobblerforge]

I don't know about where you all live, but the local gun shop near me deals in used equipment also. He always has dies, presses, books and whatever else you might need. Plus knowledge. You don't have to buy right away but it's great to get a hands on look while they explain details. Then you can go home and do a little Internet and ebay research for pricing and more info. Then when you see pictures you can know if it's right for you.
Gobbler

[AJMD429]

you could start with the Lee Hand Press, and see how you like to work, and understand all the steps, before choosing a table press. The Hand Press will be handy afterwards, as well. I still use mine to flare necks, because I have to feel it going in, or I'll ruin the case mouth. Or if you want to do some prep job in front of the TV rather than in the garage, etc. Anyway the hand press is only about $20.

+1 on the Lee "hand press" - it's the one that looks like a 14" long nut-cracker of sorts. It will use REGULAR dies, so even when you later get a tabletop press, you won't have wasted any money on anything you won't use.

I still use mine with a de-priming die and de-prime brass while watching TV; that's about the ONLY part of reloading you can safely do without 100% focus. Then I can tumble/clean/inspect the brass before I do anything else, vs. de-priming on a 'progressive' press, where you don't get crud out of the primer pocket before it's loaded again.

[AJMD429]

Since you're in South Carolina, you should buy a gun this weekend just because it's "no-tax-on-guns" weekend there...!

[44LVR]

As others have said, get a manual to start. When you do get started a kit is the way to go. You can't go wrong with the RCBS Rockchucker Kit. The LEE stuff albeit less expensive, is not on par with the RCBS, especially the powder measure that you'll get. Don't be afraid to ask questions, because you can read every book out there and still not know everything.

+1 on RCBS and the Rockchucker kit to get started. I don't waste my money on Lee.

But I admit I got my start on an old 20ga Lee Loader some 40 years ago!

44

[JReed]

As the other said get as many manuals as you can afford and read them cover to cover. Then get your self a Lee Anniversary kit. It has every thing to get you started and wont break the bank.

Oh yeah ask lots of questions of the good folk here and you will learn lots.

[stretch]

What JReed said.

[Bullard4075]

All previous is good advice.
I would only add , each step learn the "why" of what you are doing.

[Bogie35]

Thank you fellas for your time and suggestions.
I will get a manual(s), then ask you lots more questions!
(However, I may go ahead and find a Lee Hand Press just for fun if it's only $20 or less.)

Sincerely,
bogie

[Rusty]

Bogie,

Be aware that along with the $20 for the hand press you'll need dies with it to make it work. The dies screw in and out so you can use the same press for multiple calibers. A set of Lee dies will run you about another $20 on top of the $20 for the hand press.

A lot of times you can find a used bench press at a gunshow, a pawn shop, or even a yard sale really cheap.

Happy Trails and God Bless,
Rusty <><

[Mitch1352]

I started handloading this year with an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. The first step was buying SEVERAL loading manuals and reading them first. Then reading them again. Once I got an idea of what happens, I started. The R.C. Supreme is easy to use and the service people are great. This isn't an infomercial for RCBS, just that I know about them. I'm sure Lee, Redding and others are good, too. I also have a Dillon XL650 that, although more complicated, is easy to use as long as I pay attention. I load .44 Special and .45 Colt on the Dillon and those plus .375JDJ on the Rock Chucker. You will get a ton of satisfaction shooting ammo that you made. Best of luck.

[mikld]

All previous is good advice.
I would only add , each step learn the "why" of what you are doing.

I think this answer says a lot. Learning the "why" is very important. Each step in reloading can have an effect on the accuracy and SAFETY of the loaded round. Case cleaning/insprction will find defective brass. Improper priming can cause dangerous rounds (high primers). Powder charging with the proper/safe load (read the manual!). Bullet seating depth can cause pressure problems. There are more aspects of safe reloading but this gives an idea of why it is important to learn the "why" of each step.

Go slow and enjoy. Reloading is a very rewarding and fun part of shooting!

[O.S.O.K.]

I will advise that you do what I did over 20 years ago and buy yourself an RCBS Rockchucker Master Reloadig kit - maybe they are called Supreme now - but regardless, the one I bought then is still rocking and rolling.

It wouldn't hurt to purchase Lee's book first and read just because its an excellent guide but the RCBS kit comes with the Speer book and its good too.

And don't waste your money on the Lee hand press unless you think you might want to load at the range and test, load and test - that's what those are for IMHO.

Just go into this knowing that it will grow....

[2571]

http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/reload/reload.pl

When I started 30 years ago, I had no one to ask for advice. Internet is great for asking questions. I like this site best; All business, no bs or nor goofing around and no one will think our Q's dumb.

We all started somewhere. Beware, it's addicting.

[Hobie]

You can never read enough books, or buy enough equipment (it is just plain fun) and you can never ask dumb questions. Get a good manual (or more). I'm for the RCBS Rockchucker but I'm prejudiced, I've been using mine for a heck of a long time.

[DBW]

Now that I'm officially a "levergunner", I've decided to take a look at reloading. I've been buying factory ammo for so long but with the way things are shaping up in the country I want to try my hand at the DIY aspect of this "hobby". My neighbor up here in Sudbury is retired from the RCMP and did much of their armory work for them in this neck of the woods. He's a plethora of information and has a basement filled with reloading equipment and material going back to the '60's. Since he no longer has his firearm collection of several hundred pieces the stuff is just sitting there (silly Canadian gun restrictions being the cause).

When I come up here I hang out at his place for hours listening to stories of when he was in the Mounties and how life in Canada was back then (I left Canada in '69 at the age of five) before guns were pretty much banned. Because nobody in this area has knowledge of firearms or an interest in them my moving up here gave him an outlet to tell the stories which I find fascinating. Although he is 20+ years my senior he's become a close friend. Sadly he has been battling cancer for several years. He's a tough man and has no quit in him... but even he knows that eventually his battle will end. I'm going to miss him.

Anyways, I'm going to tap his mind for information on reloading. It'll be a good way for his knowledge to carry on in the world.

[deerwhacker444]

Good advice so far from everyone. I started with the RCBS kit and went up from there.

One thing you've probably told yourself to get started in reloading is "I'll save money in the long run!".....HA..... this is a lie..!, don't believe it. Reloading is a never ending hole that sucks money from your wallet. Pretty soon you'll pick up 2 cases off the ground at the range and start justifying how to buy a firearm based on your reloading capacity..! It will happen..!

[DerekR]

IMO, the Lee Anniversary kit is a good buy at any stage of reloading. I bought one AFTER I bought a Dillon 550 progressive just to do low volume things on. The Lyman reloading manual was my favorite when I first got started. Go to Lee Precisions website and they have some videos you can download that show how their products work. The first cartridge I ever relaoded was the .35 Remington when I was 14 years old. I had a Marlin 336, a Lyman Kit and a pound of 3031 powder!

[DBW]

Good advice so far from everyone. I started with the RCBS kit and went up from there.

One thing you've probably told yourself to get started in reloading is "I'll save money in the long run!".....HA..... this is a lie..!, don't believe it. Reloading is a never ending hole that sucks money from your wallet. Pretty soon you'll pick up 2 cases off the ground at the range and start justifying how to buy a firearm based on your reloading capacity..! It will happen..!

The reason I've been considering reloading has more to do with supply than saving money. Of course even the ingredients for reloading will be subject to availability should things in the nation go south and be curtailed or disrupted.

[homefront]

1) Get a used single stage press. Gun stores often take them in trade, and I've found them in like-new condition for 1/2 price or less.

2) I have 2 very nice powder measures, bought the same way I got the presses. I also have a Lee Perfect Powder Measure, which throws just as accurately as my RCBS and Hornady, for something like $15 brand new.

3) Get a set of Lee collet dies for your rifle - very good dies, best bang for the buck.

4) The manual which, IMHO, has the most useful information of all, is the Lee. If I could have only one, that would be it. It will tell you what you need to know to start loading, and it contains information you will find very useful as you grow in the craft.

5) Follow the manuals strictly, triple check everything you do, and always err on the side of safety.

6) Start a fund for your reloading room - handloading is very rewarding and you likely will add to your list of calibers and equipment.

[claybob86]

I gotta throw in a plug for the RCBS kit. Started reloading about 18 years ago with it and its still all I use. Over the years, I've needed a couple of dies modified, a few other little things like that, and their customer service is just the best.

[kooz]

I always get a kick out of folks talking down LEE equiptment, the stuff works just fine and is made right here in the good ol USA. All of the brands of reloading equipment that have been mentioned on this thread are of high quality, including LEE. Don't let anyone try and tell you that some other brand will make better or more accurate ammo. After you have been loading for a while you will find that there is no one single brand name of loading tools that makes everything just the way you like it. I use tools from LEE, Lyman and RCBS , nothing wrong with any of it. Good luck with your reloading, there are many experienced reloaders here on the forum and you should be able to get plenty of help with your questions.

[JustaJeepGuy]

I agree with kooz. It's funny how RCBS dies suddenly dropped in price by about 40% once Lee started making dies for presses. And you still have to buy shellholders separately...

[stretch]

What everybody else said!

The Lyman manual was the first one I ever read, and it's fine. The first press I bought was
used, and it still works fine. (Dillon Square Deal) Used equipment can be a good deal. I got
a Lyman kit that was essentially unused for about 50 cents on the dollar. Single stage press,
powder measure and so forth. Look around and you can save a few bucks.

I personally think the Lee manual is the best bang for your buck. Mr. Lee does a great job of
explaining how everything works. Their equipment is also very good value for your dollar. That
anniversary kit seems a good value. Lee dies are fine, as are RCBS.

Read a couple of manuals cover to cover so that you understand what you're doing and why.
Always, always double-check EVERYTHING - especially your powder weights. You'll have a ball,
learn lots, and save some money on ammo.


-Stretch

[Chuck 100 yd]

Enjoy, Read and learn first. I agree that you should not wast money on cheep tools but everyone needs to find the level that is best for him/her.

Sometimes I shoot so I can reload. Other times I reload so I can shoot!! It almost becomes a hobby unto itself.
If you get into casting your own bullets the hobby takes on a whole new aspect of what hobby means. One can get so deep into this hobby you forget they actually do make ammo in factories.

Go slow,be safe and enjoy!

[Griff]

I agree with what most everyone's said before... except savin' money. For some calibers that's absolutely true, but for others like the .30-30, .38Spl, 12guage, not so much; I can often find a sale price lower than my reloadin' costs - IF I want that load. I reload for the versatility I have in "rollin' my own." Plus in those cases where I do save over buyin' new ammo my savings usually go back into shooting MORE!

I consider myself an astute reloader, been doin' it for 36 years;but still maintain I'm learnin'. I've been loading for the .30-30 that entire time, yet each loading session starts by perusing my meager records and a loading manual or two. Even though I'm loading one of the same 3 bullets. If I'm going to experiment with a new ( to me) powder I spend a few hours reviewing loaing data for that powder, in my caliber, before I ever start the press setup. Even if ll I have is a different lot of my regular power, I do a new workup of my best load to ensure the formulation hasn't canged its characterisitcs. The whys of the above will be revealed in your reading.

As for equi[ment - we all have our preferences, sometimes with good reason, sometimes simple prejudice. Much like autos... they build AND different brands and models for the same reasons, tastte, features, price... etc,

Someone once said that reloading is sorts like alchemy... therefore: