I went straight into a progressive reloader (hornady lock-n-load), and dont regret it. This picture is an equipment survey from USPSA shooters, most reloaders in this sport use the Dillon. If i could work up a load, and walk into my backyard to test it (which i cant), then i would add a single stage press to my setup. However, I would hate to load 400 rounds on a single stage press.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...22d40d2022.jpg

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I would start with a single stage press to learn the basic's, before getting a Dillion. Decapping, cleaning the brass, sizing, trimming to length, case mouth flaring, priming, powder charging, bullet seating. Dillion's a good company. Great customer service. If you're reloading a lot every weekend (300+). You might get that.

Equipment; Can't go wrong with a RCBS Rock Chucker press (had mine since '79 :eek:). Other presses are out there.
A Lyman Universal Case Trimmer (auto's head space off of the case mouth and base. Something you want to keep an eye on). I'm on my second one. Also use a Wilson for rifle.
Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner (faster and cleans the inside of the case better then a vibrator).
Dies, you have RCBS, Redding, Forster (I have all 3). Take your pick, BUT get carbide dies.

Manuals. Get as many as you can, and up-date them every year. The Lyman manual is a must because it has loads for other manufacture's bullets. Jacketed and cast.

Websites for equipment. Two I use the most.
https://ads.midwayusa.com/
http://www.sinclairintl.com/

Tips.
https://www.shootingsoftware.com/reloadingtips.htm

I also cast my own bullets in 9mm, 38/357, 40/10mm, 44, and 45 ACP.

:iagree:



I started with a RCBS RockChucker press that I still have. IIRC, I bought it some time in 1980 and I've loaded over 3k rounds total between all the calibers I reload. I bought a Hornady LockNLoad a few years back and while it's pretty good, sometimes, it's a little tough to get adjusted. Maybe I need better light. :ugh2:


BTW Rusty, great setup. :tup:

Have you ever reloaded on a single stage press? It doesn't take that long. As mentioned it's not a bad idea to start with as it doesn't cost as much to get started, you get to learn the basics and see if it's for you. Reloading can be dangerous, it's not to be taken lightly, and it's not for everyone. I'm OCD but I can still easily load 100 rounds in an hour on my single stage of 45 ACP no problem.

I do use a progressive press (a Hornady as well) these days most of the time now, but I loaded literally a couple thousand rounds on a single stand Lee press, that I still have. Still works fine. Sure a RCBS press would have been more heavy duty, but for some pistol rounds, that Lee O Press works fine.

On another forum reloading had come up, and I figured up costs associated with it. Now I posted this back in 2013, but should give you a general idea, and still maybe helpful:

Over the years. I bet I reloaded over 60,000 rounds. I have guns that never seen a factory round, only reloads. Have a Colt Gov't Model 70, 45 ACP with 15,000 reloaded rounds through it.

In this picture are my cast bullets. Want to know how many bullets fit into a 3lb coffee can? Cans weight about 50 lbs full. From left to right. 125gr RN 9mm with gas check. 155 gr 38/357 SWC with gas check. 180 gr FP 40/10mm. 225 gr 44 SWC with gas check. 240 gr 44 with gas check. 200 gr 45 TC. 230 gr 45 RN.

This picture is my jacketed bullets. All of the rifle bullets have been sorted by ogive length and weight. All of the rifle hollow points have been pointed and meplat trimmed.

Not a good picture of want I have.

Does that adversely affect expansion?

In this picture is some of what I have loaded. Have more in the motorhome (1500 there). All totaled. 10,000 rounds. Half of it is 22l r. :icon17: When the 22lr was hard to get. Everytime I seen any. I would buy it.

It improves the BC of the bullet down range. What I have found over the years. The Sierra match bullets need the meplat trimmed. It's ragged on the points. Sierra is switching over to a plastic nose tips on the Match bullets now. Never had to do Berger bullets. They have been good.

Next piece of equipment I want is an annealer.

Annealeez.com

That url is dangerously close to an entirely unrelated product :rofl2:

My reloading area is a cluster ATM .... I'm still trying to get organized after moving...:ugh2:



I found an app called "Reloading Inventory" to help me keep track of on hand components and loaded ammo. Now I have to sit down and enter everything I have. :icon17:


I've noticed that the 'big thing' now is to tumble with stainless steel pins. I'm not sure what that is supposed to do, but my Lyman cleaner with walnut media, does a pretty good job of getting the cases clean. I've been pondering an ultra sonic cleaner, I may do some more research on them. Do I need a special solution, etc..... :p


I've pondered getting into casting, but with the price of equipment having gone up considerably since I started reloading, the amortization time isn't making sense. I can buy good cast bullets from folks that are close enough that I can go pick them up, plus it's a great excuse to get the Z out and do some local exploring at the same time. :)

I know. :rofl2:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Anal-Eze-...10ml/186240311

I have te Lyman vibrator too. Found out the red cob cleans better then the green cob. Wife got me the Hornady ultra sonic cleaner for Xmas. It's faster and cleans better then the vibrator. The stainless pins is a tumbler. You have to mix cleaner with the pins. Rinse and dry. About the same amount of time as the vibrator. The ultra sonic. You have to mix a couple oz of cleaner with water. Distilled works the best. No spots. 2 types of cleaner. Brass and gun parts.

For casting. The furnaces got $$$. So did the molds. I used to get old wheel weights and mix some linotype in with it to bring up the hardness. Wheel weights are harder to get now. Have about half ton of bearing babbit I got it from where I used to work at. It has more elements in it. Have to add pure lead to the mix so that the weight of the bullet is close to where it's suppose to be. Otherwise they come out light.