Reloading for the beginner

[wrenchman]

i started loading with 2 friends one had a lee starter kit the other had a nice lyman press and they both worked the lyman was nice the lee would flex.
i have a lyman press and i have a lot of lee dies and other stuff lee will warrenty all there stuff.
if you are just starting i would say get the lee kit and you can buy things you want as you go along.
youtube is great for how to stuff i dont have any friends to go to any more they are gone i started with rifle stuff i didnt do hand gun rounds to my son wanted to load so i youtube for info.

[ScottyD]

How to get started without a lot of cost is often asked. This is my suggestion but it is “horses for courses”
Google RCBS-Introduction-To-Handloading to down load some basic instructions in the form of a pdf manual

Loading data is available at the ADI web site. Here http://www.adi-powders.com.au/

What you need to start.

You could use a Lee Classic Hand loader but most use a press. Lee re-loading kits are very popular. (There are plenty of others)

But if you want to built up your own gear as you need it here is some help/guidence. Best to buy a Reloading Manual but the one above will get you started. Some can be down loaded for free off the www if you search.

YOU WILL NEED

Sturdy bench.
O frame (prefered ) or C press. There are many brands to choose from.
7/8” dies. Lee makes RGB dies. These are FLS only but do the job for most. Neck size are also popular.
Scales-I prefer Beam Balance but many use digital scales.
Reloading blocks, buy or make.
Priming. A method of priming cases. Some presses come with these. The Lee classic loader relies on using a punch believe it or not. Hand primers are very popular.
Powder dippers, buy or make. A cut off case makes a good dipper.Just add a handle.
Trickler. But can just use an empty case to trickle powder into scale pan, or even a tea spood to start
Powder funnel

OPTIONAL OR GET LATER
Case Trimmer. You wont need this till cases have been loaded a few times.
Vernier Calipers
De-burrer. But a sharp pocket knife and very fine file will do the job, but pretty slow.
Primer pocket cleaner comes in handy. Buy or make.
Powder thrower. Lee are very popular. Next step up on dippers.
Case cleaning equipment but this is certainly optional.

MATERIALS
Empty cases
Powder
Primers
Projectiles
Case lube buy or DIY
Steel wool

Great share, really helpful.

Thanks for that.

[TassieTiger]

A friend who helped me - showed me how he started in the 70’s, with a small cylindrical contraption that you put the case into then seated the bullet using - a f***ing vice!!!!

[Oldbloke]

Here are 3 videos that seem to cover most of the basics. Should be enough to get started. If you get into it in a big way there is heaps more to learn. Especially for long range target shooting. (Not my area. Lol)

https://youtu.be/uumuh1ZN8no

https://youtu.be/LttBArZcQ9g

https://youtu.be/yQVpuY9WV60

[Oldbloke]

An old thread. But thought I would add this link. About setting up a reloading bench if you are short of space.

https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2019/8/1 ... ist-setup/

[boingk]

Good one on the loading bench.

I've done a similar thing so I can slide my press under the table, or simply move it around at my convenience.

I bought a sawhorse at the local hardware, it was about $15. While I was there I got an offcut of 8" wide, 2" thick pine board for another $5, fasteners and a bracket for $10, and a 30kg temporary fence footing block which was about $20. They're big orange plastic containers filled with concrete.

I redrilled the bolt holes for the legs mounts so that concrete footing block with fit under the legs with about 50mm to spare either end, mounted the board to the sawhorse with 12g wood screws, then the press to the end of the board so the sawhorse extends straight out to the rear of it. I cut the excess length off behind the rear sawhoarse leg mounting point and suspended the block underneath with rope lashing.

Solid as a rock, won't move, can easily be taken apart, doesn't get in the way, and only cost about $50.

I'll post pics when I can if anyone is keen.

- boingk

[Oldbloke]

I'll post pics when I can if anyone is keen.

Sounds good

[Oldbloke]

I think you could use one of these. I made a shooting bench with one. So could use for boths shooting and reloading with a bit if thought.

20200630_212827.png (199.19 KiB) Viewed 3512 times

[boingk]

Wow, that's an unreal price for one of those. My father still has one of the original Workmates from god knows when... I'll have to go buy one of those for each of us.

Thanks!

[Oldbloke]

That price is about 18 months old at Bunnings. But check them out.

[boingk]

That price is about 18 months old at Bunnings. But check them out.

The price is now $18.50 and the product is black not orange but otherwise looks the same. Yeah I'm off to Bunnings next chance I get.

[Oldbloke]

That price is about 18 months old at Bunnings. But check them out.

The price is now $18.50 and the product is black not orange but otherwise looks the same. Yeah I'm off to Bunnings next chance I get.

Lol, just bolt a solid piece of ply to the top and away you go.

[TassieTiger]

I screwed in a piece of 2 x 3 along my shooting top - (kind of like a rudder) that allows the clamping feature Of the cheap work horse to pull up tight onto my shooting table - pull on / off in 15 secs...just makes it easier for transport.