Newb to reloading. . .what do I need to get started???

[atomicjoe23]

OK. . .so now I have a nice .22-250 and I would like to eventually get started reloading. . .and playing with ammo. . .

. . .I have looked through the catalogs and there is so much that I just get completley lost in it all. . .

. . .what is the equipment that I will need to get started reloading for my .22-250???

And if anyone can suggest a starter kit that isn't like $500 that would be awesome. . .otherwise I'm going to have to save and buy up one part at a time.

Thanks guys!!!

[JoshT]

For all the dough you just spent on factory loads for your rifle... you could have bought a Lee Anneversary Kit. Throw in some brass/bullets/powder... and a set of dies... you'll be in it under $200. I don't think I've purchased (or even fired) a factory load out of either of the rifles I currently shoot... and I don't remember the last time I shot factory loads at all... even those .22/250 rounds I gave you came from a buddy of mine.

[dbllunger]

Everyone has their likes and dislikes.  I would not use a Lee reloading kit if I had any other choice.  Yes I have used Lee Dies, Presses, and even the old beat them with a hammer dies.  Lee does work and it will reload safe shells just not as good as others IMO.  Personally Lee is no where the quality and precision of RCBS, Redding, Hornady equipment.  I would look at any of the Kits offered by these three.  Not a fan of the RS5 RCBS press even though I used one for many years for the same reason as the Lee equipment.  I would search this request as there has been a lot of the same request and information posted on reloading.  Unless you are going to do a lot of shooting or want optimum accuracy it will take a while to recoup your investment.  Personally I say start reloading immediatly, but from a dollar/time standpoint it does not pay for most hunters.     

[JoshT]

I love it when guys talk trash about Lee products... then I just bust out the .25... and the loads built on my ghetto Lee Kit... seem's like most of the talk stops then (you saw first hand how those loads shoot). My $100 Lee Kit (+ a couple little accessories) has loaded thousands upon thousands of rounds. I could have upgraded several times... but why? I'd rather spend the dough on actuall hunting and shooting... rather than having the coolest green and orange reloading equipment in my garage.

[Curly]

I don't think the Lee trimmers can be beat.  Very simple design and quick to use with a cordless drill.

[bowhunterforever]

How much are the lee aniversery kit? I want to start reloading my .204 ruger! What else do you need besides the kit, to get started?

[dbllunger]

Wow...who talked trash...I just said I would not use one of their reloading kit.  I use a Lee hand priming tool.  Does that make it ok?

[atomicjoe23]

JoshT. . .thanks again for coming through. . .what does the Lee Anniversary kit come with???

.  . .and what would you, personally suggest as maybe a nice add-on. . .

. . .I'm heading to the range in about 2 hrs. . .I'm hoping to have time to stop by SW's on the way and have a quick look around. . .

Thanks again,

Joel

[FrankDown]

I use some lee stuff for reloading 38 and 357.  Ive used the lee handloader to make some rounds when I didnt feel like messing with my RCBS turret for a couple rounds.

Whatever you get, I would recommend that you get a GOOD scale to weigh powder charges with.  I would recommend this be a quality component and get the best you can afford.

That being said, I have shot thousands of 38 rounds with the lee scoop measures.  THey arent as accurate as weighing each charge, but its cheap.  Especially if you can trade stuff for bullets.

For me I started reloading when I got my weatherby 300 mag.  Its a lot cheaper, and it is accurate.

However if you only shoot one box of ammo a year, it doesnt make financial sense to reload.

You can check out craigslist and ebay for some used equipment.

Youll need a press to resize the brass and press in bullets and in and out primers (a hand primer will do this too, lee makes one).  Youll need dies to resize the brass inthe press, you'll need a mic to measure your overall length and various stuff, youll need a scale to accurately weigh powder too.  Theres a couple other things you can get but thats the basics.  The most i portant thing is be safe and pay attention to what you are doing. 

[Ghost1941]

Here's my list I put together after first joining the forum.  You might need to add or subtract a few little things but that's the general run down.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,11990.msg134313.html#msg134313

[catwithboost]

The Lee anniversary kit is under $140.00 shipped on lots of sights. I have had one for a year and it is great.

[fishseeker]

I'm just gtetting back into relaoding after not doing it since 1979. Just bought the Lee Clasic Turret Kit from Cabellas. Figure on Pistol with it. Read alot of reviews on it on alot of reloading forums first. Some guys figure if it ain't blue or green it ain't worth having. Good bang for the buck though! I also picked up a RCBS Rock Chucker for $40 so I have the green covered. Just watch prices on Ebay, Guys are bidding almost new prices for presses + shipping!!

[docsven]

I think the used Rock-Chuck is a great way to get started, and you can buy the dies cheap but I would buy new unless you are buying from someone you know, don't skimp on the scale.  I think the idea of speed shouldn't count for much since you want to take your time and be careful.  No matter how much you shoot, it doesn't take that long to make 100 rounds and if you take your time, they should be pretty close to match-grade.