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Posted: 4/12/2005 8:43:16 PM EDT
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Hello to all, I have been thinking about getting into reloadign for some time. Well now I have about $500 saved up to get the kit and some components and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions, prefrences, or ideas on what to get/not get. RCBS? Hornady? With proper attention and understanding, reloading is pretty safe, right? What about saving $$$, does anyone thinkn that with increases in price of 223 that reloading could save money in the long run? Thanks for any comments. |
Reloading is a lot of fun. You have more control over your ammo. You can produce exactly what you want that works best in your guns. It is a relaxing and pleasant way to pass the time. If you follow the directions, take your time, and use common sense, it is as safe as any shooting activity can be -- I mean, guns are inherently dangerous aren't they? The most important thing you can invest in, is your reloading manuals. At a minimum, get the Lyman manual ("48th Edition Reloading Handbook"), the Lee manual ("Modern Reloading"), and some of the manuals published by bullet and powder manufacturers, such as Hornady, Speer or Hodgdon. Not only do they give you "recipes" -- how much of which powder for what size bullet -- they also have good instructions on how to reload safely and effectively. If you run across an old copy of Dean Grennell's book "The ABCs of Reloading" -- can be found on the web via AbeBooks.com or eBay, for instance -- it is definitely worth grabbing. Others probably have their favorites but those are mine. Don't go with a progressive unit to begin with. There is a lot to learn about the basics of reloading, and on a progressive press everything happens at once, which makes it hard to concentrate on the individual steps. Pretty much any single-stage press, from any manufacturer, will get the job done, and will be useful as long as you reload. However, I suggest you consider a turret press, from either RCBS or Lee. A turret press allows you to focus on each step of the process, one at a time, which makes the learning curve easier, but you can still turn out a respectable amount of ammo in a relatively short time. Some people don't like Lee products, but their turret press is a solid and satisfactory piece of machinery. Although I have gone to a progressive press for my high-volume loading, I still use the turret press all the time, for load development, for calibers that I only load a few at a time, etc. I used the turret for many years before getting a progressive so it is a pretty good deal to start with. Saving money? hat Follow the directions, ask questions of other reloaders, and you will have a new, safe, enjoyable hobby that goes hand-in-hand with shooting. Boy, I remember the first time I sent a round downrange from a cartridge I'd loaded myself! |
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