Starting reloading $ ?

[Huey]

How much would it cost to start reloading rifle shells?

[RumRiverRat]

What calibers are you looking to load?

Any reloading experience?

Can be anywhere from about $400 to several thousand dollars depending on your setup.

I have a dedicated setup for loading .50BMG that set me back about $400 just for the press.

I reload thousands of rounds of Pistol, Shotgun and Rifle ammo each week.

You will not save any money reloading, you will just end up with more ammo for the money.

A RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press Master Kit will run you about $325 to $350. It is a great kit for someone just starting. You can sometimes find this kit with dies, otherwise you have to buy the dies for the calibers you want to load.

A RCBS Turret Press Deluxe Kit will run you about $400. It is nice because a quick swap of the turret and you can load another caliber. You just have to buy extra turrets.

I use Dillon Precision Products presses. I have a Dillon Super 1050 that I can load 1000 rounds of ammo an hour with.

I own several Single Stage presses and Turret presses from Lee, and RCBS that I started out with.

My advice is to buy quality once and not go cheap.

[skolfoppa]

You will not save any money reloading, you will just end up with more ammo for the money.

Huh? If you have more ammo for the same amount of $ wouldn't that be a savings? Are you saying its a wash with the time committment?

Not to hj but can anyone recommend a good refernce manual for reloading? Like Reloading for Idiots or the like. Skol.

[troutned]

I think that rumriverrat is implying that you'll spend just as much on ammo, but you'll shoot a lot more (correct me if I am wrong). Skolfoppa, I've found that most data manuals by the major bullet or powder manufacturers have pretty good "how-to" sections in them. They're pretty basic, but adequate. What I mean is: you'll get the basics, but a lot of the more advanced tips and techniques may be omitted. There is a lot of great information in the "Reloading for Metallic Cartridges" thread. As for the original topic of cost, I agree that a person should be looking at spending about $400 initially. Don't buy junk, but you don't need to buy the really fancy/spendy stuff right away. Maybe in a couple of years with a good single-stage press you'll want to upgrade. Beware, however, because it can become a major hobby and like all GOOD hobbies, the sky's the limit and you'll find yourself always lusting after the next tool, gizmo, etc. Happy reloading!

[Phred52]

Huey, I've been reloading metallic cartridge since the late '80's. Prior to that, I reloaded 12 ga., that I started back in the '60's. I'd say for a 'casual' reloader, a single stage press, a good set of dies and a balance beam scale would run about $125. Then, a caliper, primer seater, a 'fair' quality tumbler (that's nice), tumbler media, case trimmer, primer pocket cleaner, powder measure, another $250. Then there's your cases, primers, powder, and bullets, loaded round cases plus any 'extras'. At today's prices, you're looking at a good $450-$500. BUT, After this equipment is bought, (let's say for .308 cal.) Then, To add another caliber say (.243), your investment is minimal. You'll then only have to add dies, cases, maybe a different powder, bullets, that should be all. You'll, no doubt shoot more, you'll be able to develop loads that are dead on for your specific firearm, and that should help you develop your own shooting skills. Personally, I go to my reloading room (read: refuge...savior of sanity)to get away from the 'new season of reality shows' on TV. Wife and daughter just suck that stuff right up! Phred52

[paul pachowicz]

I got started reloading when I was just a young poor GI. However, I had friends that did and that's primarily how I got started. I bought a set of dies bummed some primers, powder, brass and some bullets. The guy that started me off was a stickler for detail and accuracy. I never got to reload anything til he was sure I read the manuals and knew all the nomenclatures of the components and compiled my own checklists to follow. Several years later the wife bought my set up for Christmass with the help of a friend. That's what I would recommend to someone just starting off in the hobby....find a friend that reloads and work with him. Or, go to your local store and browse around and take a look at the prices of set-ups and see if you can borrow a reloading manual. Reloading will make a better marksman out of you and give you a deep appreciation for the sciences of ballistics. Kinda like driving a car, you put in gas, press the pedal but, why does it go forward? I really don't wanna know what I have invested in my set-up over the years because I live by my motto of: "Never, EVER, count the money you spend on a hobby"

[Gordie]

Thats a great motto Paul and good luck Heuy Ive been thinking of it as well but just cant commit just yet.

[Huey]

Personally, I go to my reloading room (read: refuge...savior of sanity)to get away from the 'new season of reality shows' on TV. Wife and daughter just suck that stuff right up! Phred52

LOL.

If I had an extra room, I would start reloading just for that reason. Plus, I think I would enjoy reloading and the extra shooting that would go along with it. I'd like to reload .30-06 and .25-06 shells.

I have no reloading experience. Thanks for the info. It is appreciated.

Huey

[waskawood]

What are you trying to accomplish by relaoding? If you are just looking to find a source of cheap .223 rifle ammo or cheap pistol ammo you may better off buying cheap factory ammunition. Now if you love to tinker and want to see if you can squeeze that last 1/4 inch of accuracy out of your prized rifle then reloading may be a rewarding hobby for you.

Reloading can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. It can also be done with a minimal investment or you can go all out. Most start small and work their way up. It may also mean that you find yourself buying another gun so you can do more "loading"!!!

If it were me, I would do like the others have stated. Start with a good quality single stage press and build around it. If you buy a good press it should last you a life time. I have an RCBS Rock Chucker and a Redding Big Boss II. I like the Redding because of its hollow ram for the spent primers to fall through. The press and a good set of dies will remove your spent primer, install a new primer, resize the brass, and seat your bullet.

You will need a way to dispense powder and measure it accurately. Most use a powder measure and a GOOD scale. The scale is the last place you want to skimp in reloading. Your life, limbs, and eyesight depend on it!!! I use an RCBS Chargemaster Combo. It is an electronic powder dispenser and scale. I love it but it costs about $300 so it can be added later if you so desire.

That makes up the large components of reloading. You will need a caliper to measure brass and the over all length of your loaded round to be sure it is within specs. Case lube, deburring tool, eventually a case length trimmer to trim your brass as it stretches after several reloads, funnel, loading trays. If you are starting with new brass you will not need a tumbler to clean your brass until it is fired. I am sure I am forgetting something. I saved the most important for last. Information. You need good trustworthy loading data. Every manufacturer of powder and bullets prints reloading data. Buy some manuals. Lyman makes a nice one as do all the bullet manufacturers. I like a book called "The ABC's of Reloading". The internet is full of information. Some good and some not so good. Everyone has an opinion on reloading. I just gave you mine. YOU have to sort out all the information and decide what works for you.

I love to tinker so I enjoy working up a load that my rifles love. I load up a few rounds and go see how they shoot. Come home and make an adjustment either to charge weight, bullet seating depth, maybe a different powder or primer, maybe a different style of bullet. Let the hobby take you where you want and enjoy.

[RumRiverRat]

I think that rumriverrat is implying that you'll spend just as much on ammo, but you'll shoot a lot more (correct me if I am wrong).

That is what I meant.

Should have been more clear.

[picksbigwagon]

Paul and Waska have given out a lot of sage advice....I recommend reading at least a couple different manuals before you buy a single piece of equipment. I have been too busy the last few months to do any reloading, but it is on the To do list, but is quickly getting pushed further and further down

Buy the ABC's of reloading and the newest version of Hornady or Barnes or one of the other major manufacturer's. Read my post stickied above about reloading for metallic cartridges, it is basic and not as thorough as others could be.....Good luck

[WalleyeGod]

All good information. I do like the suggestion from Paul to hook up with someone that has been reloading rifle cartridges for awhile and check out their setup and get advice from them.

Read up on it beforehand so you will have somewhat of an idea of what you are seeing in advance of viewing a real working reloading room.

Going in on a kit with a friend looking to do some reloading or teaming up with someone that already is doing some reloading can be a good cost sharing way of getting into reloading. Sometimes it is a space issue too although it doesn't have to take up a lot of room. Mine does somewhat. I have seen them not take up a lot of room to those that have a whole bedroom sized room or bigger designated for the "reloading" room. Some call it their man cave.

One of the best pieces of information extracted from reading material or a manual is the one on safety and keeping a neat and organized bench.

I have expanded on the "cost" factor to include a designated spot to setup a reloading bench. Mine is an extension of my regular garage/shop work bench. Just another thing to consider.

WG

[Code-Man]

for the guy who loves to tinker or is concerned with that long range accurate shot reloading is very important. It is a very slippery slope once you start buying this and that it just keeps going! My dad has all the stuff so cost for me is Powder/Primers/Bullets but for a person getting in it's pretty expensive but you get what you pay for.

[waskawood]

One of the best pieces of information extracted from reading material or a manual is the one on keeping a neat and organized bench.

WG

Now where does it say that??????

[WalleyeGod]

Waska:

Classic, just classic. I do like the Pennzoil garbage can and your "a man's castle is his garage" sign! I don't see any guns in the gun rack?

It is easy to miss that paragraph in the manual.

Granted I am not in the middle/end of a new gun project like you. My primers are on the opposite wall so as to not be near the powder.

WG

[Code-Man]

Was at the old sportsmens last night in Fargo and a guy had a full cart full of reloading stuff. WOW forgot how much it was to get started with everything!