Hello everyone, I see that there are a lot of helpful people that frequent this site!! I would like to ask help from you all in getting started with reloading. I've been keeping my brass for a while now and would like to get started reloading and wanted to know where do I start. I am looking to reload 9mm, .45, 556 and 223. I would like to know what are good value equiptment I should get. It doesn't have to be high volume auto reloading (which I understand can get pricey) but i don't want cheap stuff. What should I buy first? Should I attempt to do rifle reloads (as I been reading you have to be pretty accurate with this)? It's just for shooting paper, nothing competition grade. I'm just looking for a starting point. Mahalo guys!!

Hello everyone, I see that there are a lot of helpful people that frequent this site!! I would like to ask help from you all in getting started with reloading. I've been keeping my brass for a while now and would like to get started reloading and wanted to know where do I start. I am looking to reload 9mm, .45, 556 and 223. I would like to know what are good value equiptment I should get. It doesn't have to be high volume auto reloading (which I understand can get pricey) but i don't want cheap stuff. What should I buy first? Should I attempt to do rifle reloads (as I been reading you have to be pretty accurate with this)? It's just for shooting paper, nothing competition grade. I'm just looking for a starting point. Mahalo guys!!

My opinion is that the products put out by Lee are probably the lowest priced products you'll find generally speaking. If this is where you are heading then you might search for a complete reloading package that Lee puts out. My issue with Lee is that every product I have ever purchased of theirs has broken or worn out fairly quickly. With the exception of the turret press I bought used. But even then the indexing piece that turns the turret broke on me a few weeks ago. And with the exception of their dies. Their dies are pretty good. I would say their products are of decent enough quality. I personally purchase mostly RCBS products because I feel that RCBS provides the best combination of quality versus price. That is not to say other products by Lyman, Hornady, Redding, Dillon and others are not great. I just find the prices of RCBS to be about what I would look to pay and the quality appears to be as good or better than most comparable products. Each of these companies I mentioned offer complete starter packages for decent prices.

Thank you Inspector....helpful stuff!!

Welcome to the forum. Go to tbe introduce yourself thread and tell us about yourself.
...
To start, tell us
1. What caliber would you use most?
2. What firearm would that be?
3. How many rounds would you like to shoot every month?
4. How much money can you drop just to get started?
5. How much free time do you have to reload per week?
6. Do you have a space with a bench to set up a loader?
7. Do you have a good buddy that already reloads?

There are many knowledgeable people here and I do have a standing invitation to newbie reloaders to drop by the house to chat.
Answering those few questions will help keep the replies on target.

Welcome to the forum. Go to tbe introduce yourself thread and tell us about yourself.
...
To start, tell us
1. What caliber would you use most?
2. What firearm would that be?
3. How many rounds would you like to shoot every month?
4. How much money can you drop just to get started?
5. How much free time do you have to reload per week?
6. Do you have a space with a bench to set up a loader?
7. Do you have a good buddy that already reloads?

There are many knowledgeable people here and I do have a standing invitation to newbie reloaders to drop by the house to chat.
Answering those few questions will help keep the replies on target.

1. Let's just say I use .45 the least
2. Glock 9mm, AR-15, Para USA 1911
3. Never really took count
4. After researching probably wouldn't mind 700-1000 to get started
5. LOL what is FREE time?
6. I do have a bench set up already
7. I have a friend that does but he lives in Vegas

If you only want to buy one reloading machine, then buy a Dillon.  Many people start with something else then later say "I should have gotten a Dillon" and buy another machine.
The 550B is probably the best value and reloads everything.  Dillon not only has the best warranty but also has the best resale value. Compare eBay to new and you'll see.  If you decide to get out of reloading, you'll get most if not all your money back selling a Dillon.
jmo.....

I'd say get a progressive.I Started loading 9mm on my single stage and got tired of it real quick.LoL,now I buy 9 in bulk during sales for target/plinking

1. Let's just say I use .45 the least
2. Glock 9mm, AR-15, Para USA 1911
3. Never really took count
4. After researching probably wouldn't mind 700-1000 to get started
5. LOL what is FREE time?
6. I do have a bench set up already
7. I have a friend that does but he lives in Vegas

...
2....try 9mm first. Conventional pistol is easiest.
3...how many do you DESIRE to shoot per month. 100, 500, 1000?
5...
6...
7...consider my standing invitation.
Both inspector and muffin offer good advice. I know both of them personally.

I would say the best thing to buy "First" is a reloading book or two. Definitely one from a projectile manufacture like Hornady or Sierra, and maybe a Lyman book.
Read them twice till terms like "Ogive" or "OAL" and the benefits of a "Single stage", or a "Turret" or "Progressive" Presses start to have meaning, rather than other peoples suggestions.
This will also greatly help your learning curve when you get advice from other members and their words make a lot of sense.
There are great members here to give you hands on advise and being able to relate to their advise rather than a crash course will be a big plus for your reloading experience.

BTW, I reload the same calibers as your needs on a Turret Press. If you are venturing on that direction, give me a shout, I can give you some tips.

Hello everyone, I see that there are a lot of helpful people that frequent this site!! I would like to ask help from you all in getting started with reloading. I've been keeping my brass for a while now and would like to get started reloading and wanted to know where do I start. I am looking to reload 9mm, .45, 556 and 223. I would like to know what are good value equiptment I should get. It doesn't have to be high volume auto reloading (which I understand can get pricey) but i don't want cheap stuff. What should I buy first? Should I attempt to do rifle reloads (as I been reading you have to be pretty accurate with this)? It's just for shooting paper, nothing competition grade. I'm just looking for a starting point. Mahalo guys!!

i believe sometime in the next month or so, prime sports hawaii is going to be starting some reloading classes

Get a Dillon 550B. I believe they have the best "no bs" customers service. By once, cry once. Then later, once you get the hang of reloading. Upgrade to Dillon 650 and sell the 550. Someone will buy it from you.

My opinion is that the products put out by Lee are probably the lowest priced products you'll find generally speaking. If this is where you are heading then you might search for a complete reloading package that Lee puts out. My issue with Lee is that every product I have ever purchased of theirs has broken or worn out fairly quickly. With the exception of the turret press I bought used. But even then the indexing piece that turns the turret broke on me a few weeks ago. And with the exception of their dies. Their dies are pretty good. I would say their products are of decent enough quality. I personally purchase mostly RCBS products because I feel that RCBS provides the best combination of quality versus price. That is not to say other products by Lyman, Hornady, Redding, Dillon and others are not great. I just find the prices of RCBS to be about what I would look to pay and the quality appears to be as good or better than most comparable products. Each of these companies I mentioned offer complete starter packages for decent prices.

I agree 100%, I bought a RCBS press kit. I waited until it went on sale at Midway and also took advantage of the $50 rebate and ended up with a really good deal. I looked at Lee Presses but being aluminum was a no go for me. I do have a Lee hand press though. I use Lee Ultimate Dies for rifle. Most of my stuff is RCBS (swager, bullet puller, precision mic, etc...) I do have Redding, Dillon and other accessories though the majority of my equipment is in green boxes. I did a lot of homework before buying and wouldn't change anything.

For me my primary reason for reloading was #1: Accuracy, #2: not being reliant on factory ammunition, #3 cost saving was just a bonus. Your reasons to start reloading may be different.

I would say the best thing to buy "First" is a reloading book or two. Definitely one from a projectile manufacture like Hornady or Sierra, and maybe a Lyman book.
Read them twice till terms like "Ogive" or "OAL" and the benefits of a "Single stage", or a "Turret" or "Progressive" Presses start to have meaning, rather than other peoples suggestions.
This will also greatly help your learning curve when you get advice from other members and their words make a lot of sense.
There are great members here to give you hands on advise and being able to relate to their advise rather than a crash course will be a big plus for your reloading experience.

BTW, I reload the same calibers as your needs on a Turret Press. If you are venturing on that direction, give me a shout, I can give you some tips.

Thanks Fabtek, that sounds like a good plan...btw I shot the friggin gong pin out again. I'll text you later when I have time to meet up lol!!

Thank you to all for your advice, it is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks Fabtek, that sounds like a good plan...btw I shot the friggin gong pin out again. I'll text you later when I have time to meet up lol!!

Thank you to all for your advice, it is greatly appreciated!!!

Not a problem, I'll get you fixed up and back on the range in no time.
If you have the time, you can come by my shop and we can talk some reloading.

I agree 100%, I bought a RCBS press kit. I waited until it went on sale at Midway and also took advantage of the $50 rebate and ended up with a really good deal. I looked at Lee Presses but being aluminum was a no go for me. I do have a Lee hand press though. I use Lee Ultimate Dies for rifle. Most of my stuff is RCBS (swager, bullet puller, precision mic, etc...) I do have Redding, Dillon and other accessories though the majority of my equipment is in green boxes. I did a lot of homework before buying and wouldn't change anything.

For me my primary reason for reloading was #1: Accuracy, #2: not being reliant on factory ammunition, #3 cost saving was just a bonus. Your reasons to start reloading may be different.

As a pretty new reloader myself, I agree the RCBS kit is a good start and  good value. Even after you move on to a progressive press, you will still find the single stage press and most of the accessories useful.  The one thing that many kits don't have is a dial or digital caliper which is important to have but doesn't have to be expensive.  I use a RCBS single stage for decapping and load  rifle rounds and a Dillon 550B for pistol (.357 mag, 9mm).   
For me and my level of ability, I wanted to get the basics and stages of reloading with something simple (YMMV).  As others stated you don't have to be loyal only to one brand but buy what gives the best results for you, blue, green or red and to get some reloading manuals.  Ask questions here to the experienced guys even if you think the answer MAY be obvious in your mind.   

I'd say get a progressive.I Started loading 9mm on my single stage and got tired of it real quick.LoL,now I buy 9 in bulk during sales for target/plinking

You gotta teach me how to do 12 ga, 7.62x39 and 54R

As a pretty new reloader myself, I agree the RCBS kit is a good start and  good value. Even after you move on to a progressive press, you will still find the single stage press and most of the accessories useful.  I use a RCBS single stage for decapping and load  rifle rounds and a Dillon 550B for pistol (.357 mag, 9mm).   
 

Get a Dillon 550B. I believe they have the best "no bs" customers service. By once, cry once.

As you can see from some of the posts many have started out with something else and then got a Dillon.  Like I said.....if you only want to buy one press, get a Dillon. You're never be disappointed when you buy the best.
jmo

As you can see from some of the posts many have started out with something else and then got a Dillon.  Like I said.....if you only want to buy one press, get a Dillon. You're never be disappointed when you buy the best.
jmo

True addiction. I started with a RCBS, learn to reload. It will tell you if you have patience or not.  I sold it, replace with a 650, add 550, sold 550, add another 650, need a single press for 338 and bought back the 550. Endless reloading nights. Now have a kid, my reloaders are very lonely.

I found the most helpful all around general reloading books are the Lee Book and the Lyman book. Then if you start getting into a specific brand of bullet you can get their particular book such as Sierra, Hornady, Berger, Nosler, etc. I own several books myself including some specialty reloading books such as for AR, Black Powder and lead bullets.

I suggest picking up a Lee hand press.  you can buy all the fancy stuff too, but the hand press is still nice to have for sitting in front of the tv and seating/crimping rifle rounds.

it's also nice to take to the range if you decide that you want to do load development at the range.