where to start for a beginner reloader

[hoosier85]

I am officially new to reloading now. where do i start, its tough because right when something looks good I read 5 bad reviews about the product. Like all the loading manuals. I will only be doing 243 win and 270 win. Should I buy one of those complete starter kits that are on sale or just buy everything separate? hhhhhmmmm where to start.

[grundy53]

i'm in the same boat... 

[Bob33]

The starter kits can be a good deal.  You have to see what is in them.  For example, an accurate powder scale and dispenser comes in very handy. If your kit includes a cheaper one, you'll end up throwing it away and buying a new, better one.  In that case you might have been better off buying the individual components.

As for reloading manuals, the rule of thumb is that you can't have too many.  Try to look up loads in several as a starting point.

If I were starting out, I would buy a good press and build around it.  It's not that complicated.

[testar77]

Start with the book "The ABC's of reloading"  It is about the most informative book out there.  I would recommend getting yourself a Single Stage press to start with, especially if you are only doing rifle.  Most use single stage for rifle anyway, even if they use Progressive or semi Progressive for handgun.  It will force you to learn slowly, rather than jumping in and trying to whip out cartriges.  Most of us reload rifle for accuracy, not just for cost savings.  For sure start with the book I mentioned.

Toby

[gasman]

As for reloading manuals, the rule of thumb is that you can't have too many.  Try to look up loads in several as a starting point.

If I were starting out, I would buy a good press and build around it.  It's not that complicated.

Could not have said it better my self.

I did this (when you buy indavidual pieces, you get what you want, not what is iin teh kit) and I have two manulas that I refer to.

[6x6in6]

I 2nd the reading first and also the single stage press.
Also what Bob said too about what's in the kit vs what's not.
I went for accuracy of loads over production loading.  Spent the money on a good scale, case trimmer and a very good quality dial calipers for example.

Enjoy!!  

[NRA4LIFE]

Buy the RCBS Rockchucker kit.  You will not regret it.  And at least 2 or 3 reloading manuals.  Speer and Hornady are both great manuals.  They've been my bibles for 25 years.

[Skillet]

Buy the RCBS Rockchucker kit.  You will not regret it.  And at least 2 or 3 reloading manuals.  Speer and Hornady are both great manuals.  They've been my bibles for 25 years.

+1

[huntlakewood]

I bought the Lee kit it is pretty reasonable from Cabellas right now. I bought a digital scale witch I perfer.
I use a lee die for my 44 mag and it works great. I have hornidy dies for my 270, 243, 25-06, 308. And I all so agree with others pick a book up first and read about it. It is not the most exciting reading but it will give you a lot of info. Presses is all about your preference. I have put a lot of bullets through my lee press.

[cwuwildcat]

I've got both the RCBS rockchucker kit and a LEE turret press.  I bought the turret press after I started with the RCBS kit.  The RCBS kit is great, and so is the press, but I wanted the turret for another reason.  I hate putting in the sizing/depriming die, making sure its set up correctly, working the brass and then having to unscrew the die and start all over with the seating die, and then the crimping die.  Too much of a hassle for me, and I never trust that the die hasn't adjusted/moved in some way as I was removing it from the press. 

With the Turret press, you can still use it as a single stage press, but because it uses the removable quick change turret that holds all of your dies, when your done with the sizing/depriming die you can just rotate the turret 90 degrees and use the next die already adjusted from the last time you used it.  If you reload multiple calibers, you just get extra quick change turrets and leave each set of dies in them, ready to go the next time you need them.

[carpsniperg2]

Buy the RCBS Rockchucker kit.  You will not regret it.  And at least 2 or 3 reloading manuals.  Speer and Hornady are both great manuals.  They've been my bibles for 25 years.

x2! Very good point to start. i like a elec scale myself. You can add one for around 100.00 and have a killer kit, or just use the beam scale that comes with the kit. I am also a big speer and hornady manual fan, and have multiple of both.

[GWP]

Lots of info on line for load data, but the paper is handy for a quick look up. Get the free manuals and store them when you are done. DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY! Sooner or later you will need the old info for yourself or someone else. Most of the loading books have a pretty good instruction section in them. Even the old Lee load all kit instructions will give you an idea of what to expect. I would guess there is someting on line as well. If you have not loaded before, get with someone and load a box with them. Most reloaders are pretty good about that sort of thing. You will see what it is about, and get a better idea about it. Can't go wrong with a single stage though, they will always be handy at some point. Just to mention it, you will probably end up reloading a larger variety then you think. I was going to do just a couple, and now can do what, 23? Yeah, it starts small...  

[fishnate]

As stated the rockchucker kit is great if you also buy a digi scale.  I use the nosler book.  Most of there so called most accurate loads seem to work great for me.   

[royalbull]

I prefer old school scale over the digital electronic scale, my digital scale varies as much as 1 grain, took a while for me to figure out why my loads were getting worse

[Gutpile]

I hate my digital scale. It loses zero constantly. I prefer the "old school" type myself.