Best starter hand reload kit for beginners.

[Phantom]

I've been having trouble finding affordable ammo lately, so I'm considering hand loading. Would like some  recommendations on  the best kit for me to get started?

 

[dbHunterNY]

20 hours ago, Phantom said:

I've been having trouble finding affordable ammo lately, so I'm considering hand loading. Would like some  recommendations on  the best kit for me to get started?

 

what are you reloading and in what quantity, for what purpose? that will drive what's best to start with.

[Phantom]

33 minutes ago, dbHunterNY said:

what are you reloading and in what quantity, for what purpose? that will drive what's best to start with.

Just  rifle  rounds Weatherby mostly for hunting  dont need anything fast .

[grampy]

Look at the Hornady kit with most everything you will need to start except the dies. It's pretty basic. Most everything but the press will likely be upgraded as you gain experience. My advice is to read manuals specific to what you will be reloading. Nosler, Hornady, Remington, ect. They will give you all the dimensions you will need for each caliber. Lee also makes a nice starter kit

You can get a bunch of great advice from folks right here, to get started. Just like I did when I started a few years ago. Gotta say.....it's really cool to see a critter laying at your feet. That is laying there from a bullet you made up yourself.

[dbHunterNY]

39 minutes ago, Phantom said:

Just  rifle  rounds Weatherby mostly for hunting  dont need anything fast .

sound like you're needing low volume/qty of reloads and precision. turret press would be nice so you're not constantly changing and setting up dies vs a single stage press. you'll learn more by doing more with a single stage though and they're pretty common for that application. single stage is cheaper too than a turret or progessive press. I'd go with any of the common brands. I use an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for just that. slow for loading general purpose FMJ rounds to feed an AR though.

[dbHunterNY]

know you'll probably end up needing more than just what's in the kit when you get into it.

[Phantom]

27 minutes ago, dbHunterNY said:

sound like you're needing low volume/qty of reloads and precision. turret press would be nice so you're not constantly changing and setting up dies vs a single stage press. you'll learn more by doing more with a single stage though and they're pretty common for that application. single stage is cheaper too than a turret or progessive press. I'd go with any of the common brands. I use an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for just that. slow for loading general purpose FMJ rounds to feed an AR though.

Yea the roch chucker is what I been looking at, thanks 

[Lawdwaz]

10 hours ago, Phantom said:

Just  rifle  rounds Weatherby mostly for hunting  dont need anything fast .

Roy is turning over in his grave.

[Bucksnbows]

My father and I used a Lee hand reloader for many years for two different cartridges and we did just fine with it. I still own it, but haven’t used it since he passed 17 years ago. But I may need to reload my .257 Roberts, so I’m keeping it around for now. 

[Phantom]

23 hours ago, dbHunterNY said:

know you'll probably end up needing more than just what's in the kit when you get into it.

. 

Yeah, I figured that.

I've been keeping an eye on the gun and ammo situation and it's not looking good. So, I've made the decision to start reloading my own ammo. It's not because I want to, but because it seems like the only way to ensure I always have enough ammo. Every year, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find what I need in stores and even online. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack. I mean, come on, what's going on? It's getting ridiculous. So, I'm taking matters into my own hands and getting into reloading. I wish I could just go into the local gun shop and get the stuff off the shelf, I wouldn't bother but things ain't looking good and I don't think that's going to be the norm anytime soon anymore I think its only going to get wose !!  It is what it is. Hopefully I get into it in the process.

 

 

 

[Ogee]

You can always find and pickup the hardware to reload, thats the easy part.

What you should be already looking for and signing up for email alerts is powder and  large rifle primers; thats going to be the limiting factor getting going.

Jump on magnum primers if you see them, they are worth gold even if you want to use them for trade.

Brass and bullets you should run into with more frequency.

IMR7828 is a good performer in 270 or 300 WBY. (I use that and Barnes 180gr TSX, although I have a 180gr Partition load for my 300WBY also, Federal 215 primers) I use Norma brass and buy used Weatherby factory brass when I see a good deal (Norma makes the WBY head stamped  factory ammo)

Edited May 4, 2023 by Ogee

[Phantom]

8 minutes ago, Ogee said:

You can always find and pickup the hardware to reload, thats the easy part.

What you should be already looking for and signing up for email alerts is powder and  large rifle primers; thats going to be the limiting factor getting going.

Jump on magnum primers if you see them, they are worth gold even if you want to use them for trade.

Brass and bullets you should run into with more frequency.

IMR7828 is a good performer in 270 or 300 WBY. (I use that and Barnes 180gr TSX, although I have a 180gr Partition load for my 300WBY also) I use Norma brass and buy used Weatherby factory brass when I see a good deal (Norma makes the WBY head stamped  factory ammo)

I always kept my Weatherby brass  just because I always knew it was worth something .  Just need loading  press the caliber  die sets ,  powder and primers and bullets and I'm good to go . 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Phantom

[Lawdwaz]

5 hours ago, Phantom said:

I always kept my Weatherby brass  just because I always knew it was worth something .  Just need loading  press the caliber  die sets ,  powder and primers and bullets and I'm good to go . 

Please keep us posted on your progress.    

[Rob-c]

7 hours ago, Phantom said:

I always kept my Weatherby brass  just because I always knew it was worth something .  Just need loading  press the caliber  die sets ,  powder and primers and bullets and I'm good to go . 

Don’t over look LEE   I’ve loaded hundreds of  7-08/30-30 and 300 savage rounds on a LEE single stage. I’ve also loaded several thousand rounds of 380/ 10mm/ 38/357 and 44 mag rounds on my LEE turret press . I have no problem shooting my SRH 44 out to 100 yards.. 

[Rob-c]

Oh  and right now bullets , brass and powder is available . As others have said it’s the primers that are a bit hard to find and when one does find some  they are priced very high .