Wondering about reloading equipment

So I am wanting to look into buying reloading equipment for ammunition, mostly for handgun reloads (9mm or 45) but I dont know where to start. I was told by the local gun shop that the initial investment is about $400 but it is worth it.

What kind of equipment is out there tho? Do you have to buy a bunch of stuff or is there an 'all in one' machine that does mostly everything for you?

Check out the Dillon 550. It's great and comes with just about everything you'll need to get started. Dennis D. Carter

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i'm happy with my dillon 550. try this link: http://www.dillonsales.com/page/page/158142.htm

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If you go to the Lee Precision web site you can get a reconditioned Pro 1000 press of your choice in handgun calibers for $80.00. Then all you will need to start reloading is the powder, primers, bullets and brass. Go to catalog and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Surplus. They have other Second and reconditioned presses listed also. I am getting back in reloading and ordered a Pro 1000 in 45acp. I liked it so I have another one coming in 9mm. Going this way the whole press is about the same price as changing the press over to another caliber.

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Start with the RCBS Master Reloading Kit. It is not very expensive and has all you need to get started. You will also find out how much or how little you like reloading (and scrounging for your brass) before putting down more money on a progressive press from Dillon or some other outfit.

Even with a progressive press in your inventory, the single stage Rock Chucker press will be useful for load development.

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For starters it sounds like your looking for a progressive press. you will need some stuff besides the press. Scale, calipers a book or three of load data. a tumbler. I would suggest you ask at your local range for help and guidance. people that shoot a lot generally end up reloading. most are willing to help a beginer get started. I would also suggest you start with a single stage or turret press until your familiar with the process. Lee and RCBS make some excellent starter kits that contain most of what you need. you will get lots of suggestions that this or that brand is the best/worst, best value. as they will be not in agreement you can figure that their opinion is worth just what you paid for it. I would say that the big three are Lee RCBS and Dillon, not in any specfic order. Dies are another issue. If your just looking to make a lot of cheap ammo that doesn't need .5 MOA accuracy any major brand of Dies will do. so I would start with low end kit. everything you need excluding bullets powder and brass shouldn't cost over $200. If you go progressive the price can go up to the roof. price the Lee kit vs a dillon 1050 and you will get the idea.

I own a Lee Loadmaster and it has Lee dies and I can put out lots of .45ACP in short order. I also have a Lee turret for load development for my rifle stuff.

# So I am wanting to look into buying reloading equipment for ammunition, # mostly for handgun reloads (9mm or 45) but I dont know where to start. I was # told by the local gun shop that the initial investment is about $400 but it # is worth it. # # What kind of equipment is out there tho? Do you have to buy a bunch of stuff # or is there an 'all in one' machine that does mostly everything for you?

Another word of warning. this reloading stuff is habit forming. Just like peanuts, pop corn nobody and own just one. it gets to be a hobby unto itself. one that you can sink a bundle of booty into. generally speaking it takes at least 2000 rounds to amortize your initial costs. # So I am wanting to look into buying reloading equipment for ammunition, # mostly for handgun reloads (9mm or 45) but I dont know where to start. I was # told by the local gun shop that the initial investment is about $400 but it # is worth it. # # What kind of equipment is out there tho? Do you have to buy a bunch of stuff # or is there an 'all in one' machine that does mostly everything for you? #

Hi,

#What kind of equipment is out there tho? Do you have to buy a bunch of stuff #or is there an 'all in one' machine that does mostly everything for you?

I own something of most every brand, and am not really prejudiced (I think). Every brand has at least one thing they do better than the rest, and several things as well as the rest. You will find some zealots of one brand in particular (of a blue shade), that doesn't mean there aren't other good (and bad) choices out there.

RCBS is the medium-quality, medium price brand that you can't go wrong with (with the exception of some older PiggyBack progressives). Pretty much the same can be said of Hornady.

Dillon is the progressive press leader.

Lee is the low-cost leader.

The first three (RCBS, Hornady and Dillon) have exceptional customer service. Lee has merely adequate customer service. Lee equipment works and they have some outstanding stuff (pistol Factory Crimp dies and their mandrel rifle neck sizing dies, for example), but their progressive presses are better suited to the mechanically inclined. Lee makes the only presses (I know of) that can actually be broken.

For dies I prefer Redding, though most dies are more than 'good enough'.

I would not start into reloading with a progressive multi stage press for the simple fact you have to learn more. Start out with a single stage press and all the equipt. get reloading manuals and a beginners book and read take your time.You can get a 100 or so done a week If you want to really make alot of loads then get into a progessive press after your comfortable with single stage. You can always sell your press the measure, scale,funnel,caliper,ect. you will always need. Ive been reloading for 25 years Im still learning new tricks, with benchrest NBRSA shooting my rifle loads have to be highly accurate I do many steps alot of reloaders dont do. Handgun loads you dont have to as quite accurate Take your time its fun. Brunno

Bruno wrote:

I would not start into reloading with a progressive multi stage press for the simple fact you have to learn more. Start out with a single stage press and all the equipt. get reloading manuals and a beginners book and read take your time.You can get a 100 or so done a week If you want to really make alot of loads then get into a progessive press after your comfortable with single stage. You can always sell your press the measure, scale,funnel,caliper,ect. you will always need.

I have to agree.
I don't reload myself and know very little about it but always support reading and learning about what it is you're doing. Not jumping the gun - so to speak.
It would be really great if you could do a post with your recommendations in greater depth.