How to get started

[Hamifd#189]

There may be an older forum post like this. I am doing some research into reloading and wanted to see what the consensus was for equipment. I haven't committed to buying anything yet due to the shortages. I can't find any .357 ammo and am thinking about reloading. Thanks for the feedback

[BigAl52]

Get a single stage press like a Lee or RCBS. Some guys here like the turret type press as it allows you to leave your dies in a turret head adjusted and you swap the entire turret. Powder measure of some kind digital scale and you will need something to clean cases. You can choose media case cleaner or one that uses a solution and stainless pins. Most of that stuff is by choice and most of the products out there are pretty good. That being said primers and powder for reloading are limited. Check Foundation Pawn in Loveland,Colorado they have Reman 357 ammo on there armslist page. https://www.armslist.com/posts/13699723 ... -t-last--- Price isnt real good but they have it. Also try ammoseek. I have seen some on there. Have any questions about specific equipment when you decide lots of good people on here just ask away

[BigAl52]

https://www.laxammo.com/fiocchi-357-mag ... 57d-detail More 357 ammo at a better price.

[Rifletom]

Primers, as you may well know, are the hardest to find. Bullets seem to be getting easier to find. Cases and powder will be right behind primers.
This is a tough time to get into handloading, but, it can be done. You must keep searching. loaders on this forum will generally let you know when they find a source. For instance, cast bullets: Missouri Bullets and T & B Bullets are two. There are others for more cast and jacketed bullets. Good luck in your search.

Edit: Saw that Al mentioned a single stage press to start. Good advice right there. Keep it simple to get started.

[runnin n gunnin]

Anyone who also loads for shotgun, Midway just stocked bricks of Federal 209A primers @ 74.00 per brick. I just jumped on 2 of them.

[runnin n gunnin]

So Big Al and Rifle Tom said it all. I started with a Lee Classic Loader in 45 Colt, I think I paid $12.00 for it in 1970, I think they are around $40.00 now, to see if I would like loading. I did and in six months stepped up to a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker that served me for 40 years. I then stepped up to a Redding Turret press and a Hornady Progressive loader because of the increase in shooting.

I started small to see if it fit me, then started upgrading.

One note on primers and powder. Yes, they are a significant issue. However, I have had good luck in the last three months. I am in a remote area and it is a 100 mile trip to a LGS. So instead, I rely on Midway USA, Grafs & Son, and Mid-south Shooter. In each case I mark each type of primer and powder I want and place myself on the notification list. They are all great at sending an email when things come up in stock, however you have to act QUICKLY. I have received a notification and by the time I logged in the primers were gone.

By doing so, I have been able to score several bricks of small pistol, large pistol, small pistol magnum, shotgun 209s (this morning) and so on. Same with powder. You just need to be patient. I have been waiting for the shotgun primers for six months.

When you get ready to make the leap, jump in the forum and you will find all hands are at the ready to support you in any way they can. Rifle T and Big Al are OG's and have been doing this for a day or two and area great resource, as are Vaquero, Old Brass, Forty Shooter, Broken Marine Ranch Roper and dozens of others.

Good Luck and good hunting for the components ! ! !

[leverjc]

Midway has several starter kits that come with press, scale, and most of the other things you need to get started. You will still need dies, cases, powder, primer and bullets. Good luck finding what you need. Reloading for me has rewards above being able to shoot more for the same dollars.

[Rifletom]

Forgot to mention an important part: A good reloading manual. Lyman #50, latest Hornady or Speer are all good.

[fortyshooter]

When I got into reloading I looked at the different setups available at the time and also the ease of switching calibers and setup procedures.
I then decided to go with the Dillon 550 and now load for all my revolver calibers and .45-70. Don't forget to look at how you will want to clean your brass. I started with a Hornady sonic cleaner and then later to a tumbler using crushed walnut which seems to work much better for me.
To better streamline to loading process I set up an old RCBS press for the deprime which I do in my shop. Then I clean the brass in the tumbler and then all the loading is done in a special area inside the house. All priming of brass is done with a RCBS hand primer.

[Oldbrass]

Things are starting to trickle in.. If you just want to get your feet wet on a light budget LEE makes this handy little loader, it's slow but quite satisfying, you will get a press but these little kits are great to have. Just wanted you to know another option..OB

[Rifletom]

Ha! Have one of those for my 30-30. Right there in the cabinet.

[runnin n gunnin]

That's the one I started with OB, 12 bucks back in 1970 !

[wolfman]

Another press option, if you don't have a dedicated loading bench, would be the Lee hand press:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013017453

Have been loading 357 Magnum on mine for 9 years now, probably 12,000 plus rounds. As simple to use as a single stage bench mounted press, but a bit more work since you don't get the same leverage. If you have the space for a dedicated bench, a mounted single stage is probably a better choice; have had a bench for several years now & I'll be getting one soon to make things a bit easier on my hands & forearms.

If you're anywhere near northern Kentucky, I could set you up with some brass, coated lead bullets, and enough powder to get started.

[Vaquero]

Forgot to mention an important part: A good reloading manual. Lyman #50, latest Hornady or Speer are all good.

I was wondering when someone was going to mention the manual.
When I was asking about getting started, several said first thing , "get a manual, and start reading it".
Most all of the loading companies have one, then bullet and powder manufactures have theirs also.

RP

[Rifletom]

Another press option, if you don't have a dedicated loading bench, would be the Lee hand press:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013017453

Have been loading 357 Magnum on mine for 9 years now, probably 12,000 plus rounds. As simple to use as a single stage bench mounted press, but a bit more work since you don't get the same leverage. If you have the space for a dedicated bench, a mounted single stage is probably a better choice; have had a bench for several years now & I'll be getting one soon to make things a bit easier on my hands & forearms.

If you're anywhere near northern Kentucky, I could set you up with some brass, coated lead bullets, and enough powder to get started.

That's a heck of a nice gesture wolf. OP is getting some good info here.

[Travlin]

There is a lot of good advice here. However is funds are a little tight, I would not get too worried about a lot of $$$ spent on cleaning brass If you are mostly loading .357 . I started in 1969 and loaded and shot thousands of .357 rounds without anything more than a rinse in some denatured alcohol. Don't forget if you load any straight case, 357, 45 A.C.P. , 9 mm etc get carbide sizing dies for each caliber. You will not need to lube the cases .See if you can find a friend who is a reloader to help you get started. I like to use the Lee powder dippers instead of a powder measure but I always check them with my powder scale.

[Hamifd#189]

Thanks for all of your great reply's. My local range has a lot of spent brass that they recycle. Any thoughts if I should pick out brass from their buckets and re use it?

[BigAl52]

Range brass works great. Throw out the nickel plated a steel case stuff but for target shooting it will work.

[wolfman]

Range brass works great. Throw out the nickel plated a steel case stuff but for target shooting it will work.

Agreed on all counts. Nickel can be readily reloaded, but tends to split mouths much sooner than brass. Good chance some of the nickel would be from the flex tip loads (Hornady I think?), good stuff but shorter than other cases to accommodate the extra bullet length added by the flex tip.