im looking to start reloading my own ammo for my ar as its next to impossible to get any nowadays. any good recommendations on reloading packages and which company to order from? don't need to be top of the line or the cheapest. something in between is fine. i want quality and ease of use as this is the first time im doing this. thanks!
Seems like everybody is out of everything in reloading presses. But a manual turret press from Lee or Lyman is a good choice, and they have reloading kits with the presses.
Dennis: "Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you." Monty Python and The Holy Grail
Not to be dismissive, but this isn't the first time this question has been asked.
And answered.
Do a forum search on 'reload' and you will no doubt find a lot of information already available. Also, get a good reloading manual and start with that. My personal preference is the one printed by Spear, but there's a number of good ones. They will give you the basics of reloading, as wel as provide tables for safe loads for all of the commercial chamberings.
As for equipment, I'm partial to the RCBS single stage press. I've had one for years, and it's been as good as gold.
Jerry
The age of reason...when excuses become reasons.
Reloading wont solve that. All the components are sold out as well, as are reloading presses.Originally Posted by mooseslayer71
Welcome to our brave new world!
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
Dagnabbit, Bullsi! I was trying to break the news gently, and there you go and dash him in the face with a bucket of icewater!
In the short term, it's not going to get better. The shortage of loaded ammo, and reloading equipment and components will continue for a while. Situation stinks; this is the THIRD DANGED TIME in the last 20 years that this has happened, and two of those times were in the last five years! Just hang in there, check the suppliers regularly, and try to get several quotes on prices on the websites before buying.
FWIW, a local gun store has a pretty good supply of ammunition and components, at 3Xthe price before the stampede. And they raised the prices on all their pistols and long guns to usurious prices. I won't darken their door again, EVER! Even though they have a good supply of stuff, their parking lot is almost empty most days according to my friend who drives by there several times a day on a delivery route. Word got out about their gouging on prices and their business has plummeted.
Dennis: "Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you." Monty Python and The Holy Grail
If you can find a RCBS master kit start there. Like others have said finding componants is near impossible right now you might find primers but no powder or bullets or brass. The local reloading shop here is keeping 223 brass locked in a glass case with a sign that sez limit 200 rounds per customer, when they have brass.
Try gun shows also went to one awhile back and they had most everything for reloading. Some were charging premium prices.
look on ebay or forums for gently used presses. There are some bargains out there if you are patient
Andrew
Start with the Lee Aniversary kit. It's inexpensive and it works. Roberts Lees book is entertaining and informative. I haveLee equipment that I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds thru and though I have an RCBS press I haven't moved it to the bench yet. Midway, Brownells, or Cabela's will have it.
I like Elmer Keith; I married his daughter
thanks guys! hopefully these shortages go away soon. I've always wanted to reload. with current events i want to even more so i don't have to go thru this the next time. i can stockpile once i get going.
That's a good plan. Once you're up and running, you can pick up components whenever you see them. If you spend $20-40 on components whenever you're at the LGS, gun show, ordering from Midway, whatever, you'll soon have a good supply. Plenty to get you through times like these.
Forgot. I'm an RCBS fan, and their supreme master kit is a great way to get started. They've been on sale, and there's a rebate, with makes them pretty affordable.
I'm a RCBS fan also because I picked one up used when I statrted reloading. I had to buy a part recently and their customer service was good.
Randy
Rank does not concur privileges. It imposes responsibility. Author unknown
I've used Lee equippment for 20+ years, but I did get a Lyman turrent press at a flea market that I use regularly...
........ditto......... Again....
Bakerman formerly known as Bakerman
...good place to start, if you're not loading a lot of large magnum cases...
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/857...tage-press-kit
...I prefer the smaller press for reloading pistol & small rifle cases, loading large cases or forming cases, anything that requires leverage, I'd step up to something like this...
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/857...tage-press-kit
...while some things are scarce right now, the "Component Picture" is probably not quite as dire as some suggest, you do some shopping around, pick up what you can when you can, try not to "feed the frenzy"...
I have never really used much from anyone but RCBS. Oh I have a couple of non RCBS die sets, but my press and other equipment, other than my Lee Auto Prime are all RCBS. I like it but then as for presses and other things, I've never used anything else. They work so good I don't see any use in trying anything else. I do have a Forster Case Trimmer, a Lyman Die Set, and a Forster Outside Neck Turning tool, but everything else is RCBS. And I don't think it costs enough more than Lee to be worth shopping around. Just my opinion.
Also, Tools like I mentioned made by Forster are the best. Their other reloading equipment is top of the line, but i don't think it's enough better than RCBS to be worth the extra cost.
Last edited by snake284; 02-23-2013 at 03:26 PM.
I only have YOU guys to blame if things don't work out as planned.
hi mooseslayer. depenmds on your wants and needs. i shoot my .44 mag rilfe,30-30 and -06 targets in the off season and enjoy it veyr much. all 3 are easy to find componets for and easy to work with. i jusst started using lead cast bullets in all and find that rewarding. the yshoot great in every thing but the .44. accurate and cheap to work with . if you are a pistol shooter the n maybe a turret press if you like to shoot volume. look at lots of stuff before you jump. and enjoy.
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