Posted: 1/30/2013 3:03:28 PM EDT
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The bff has decided she's finally ready to consider reloading as long as it doesn't take up much space. So, you reloaders, what kind of space is required to have a reloading setup and does any of the equipment require electricity? What equipment will I need and what kind of cost am I looking at?
Here's the main calibers we shoot so that's probably be what we start out with: 5.56/.223, .45acp, 9mm. Additional calibers we use are .357mag, .44mag, .45LC, 6.5 Grendel, .50 Beowulf and .45-70 Government (low pressure) but these are the least used we have. |
| I bought a dillon 550 I think it was a little over $400. Dies, tumbler, case trimmer, bullet puller, I bought a primer pocket cleaner can't remember what the dang things called. But a lot of the .223 primer pockets I couldn't get a primer in them due to a crimp or just really dirty. I also got a quick change so I can do .45 without having to set every up over and over |
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dillon 550b press then.
course you could go with a lee turret press for a bit less, but the dillon has a much better powder drop system then there is the hornaday lnl progressive for about the same money as a 550b, but the lnl has a auto shell plate index opposed to the 550b's manual shell plate index. my experience has been that I started with a lee challenger kit, added a lee 1000 for pistol a few years later, then replaced the challenger press with a rcbs, then bought a 550b, added another lee pro1k I got for cheap. I load the majority of my rifle and pistol ammo on the 550b, some on the rcbs single stage and got the pro1k set up permanently for 9mil and 40 smith and the other lee 1000 set up as my case prep press. |
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The bff has decided she's finally ready to consider reloading as long as it doesn't take up much space. So, you reloaders, what kind of space is required to have a reloading setup That depends on exactly what kind of setup you want to have. You can get by with a couple of square feet of clean space on a kitchen table, or you can dedicate an entire room to it. and does any of the equipment require electricity?
If you get an automatic case feeder (such as is available for the Dillon 650), or if you use a digital powder dispenser or digital scale, then yes, you'll need electricity. But you don't NEED any of those things to reload. What equipment will I need and what kind of cost am I looking at?
First and foremost, you need reloading manuals (yes, plural, at least 2, 3 or more is better). Not only will they give you the data you need to select the right components (powder, primers, bullets) for reloading your cases (and you should start picking up your used brass now if you haven't already), but they also give step-by-step instructions on how to reload ammunition. Speer and Lyman are good places to start. After that, it depends on how much you plan on reloading. Because you mention rifle ammo below, I'm going to say "Avoid the Dillon Square Deal B". It's a great system, but it is for handgun cartridges only, and it won't do 5.56/.223. Beyond that, it goes something like this: If you're just going to do a box or two of each type per month, a Lee Hand Press is fine. If you're going to do 5-6 boxes per month and have a little spare time, any single-stage bench-mounted press will do, and better than the Lee Hand Press. If you're going to be doing hundreds or thousands of rounds at a time, you want a progressive, in which case, I highly recommend Dillon. Equipment you need: Reloading manuals A press (several brands and styles available) A scale (for measuring accurate charges) A way to dispense powder Dies for the cartridges you are reloading Lube to keep the cases from sticking in dies (not needed for straight-wall pistol cases, but a must for bottle-necked rifle and pistol cases) Components (cases, primers, powder, bullets) A distraction- and flame-free environment to work in (no smoking while reloading, and you must be able to stay focused on it while you're working) Beyond that, it's really hard to give specific advice. If you want to keep space down, you can go to Sears and get a Black & Decker Workmate bench to mount your press to. I bolted a couple of sheets of plywood to the top of mine to firm up the bench and to give me a little more table surface to work with. Here's the main calibers we shoot so that's probably be what we start out with: 5.56/.223, .45acp, 9mm.
Additional calibers we use are .357mag, .44mag, .45LC, 6.5 Grendel, .50 Beowulf and .45-70 Government (low pressure) but these are the least used we have. Plenty of money to be saved with most of those. Last I checked, there wasn't much money saved by reloading 9mm (outside the panic buying crunches, of course), but getting components can often be easier than getting loaded ammo, so it helps availability. Quoted:
course you could go with a lee turret press for a bit less, but the dillon has a much better powder drop system Which they licensed from Lee, interestingly enough. |
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course you could go with a lee turret press for a bit less, but the dillon has a much better powder drop system Which they licensed from Lee, interestingly enough. yep, I've used both systems and the dillon is much more refined; plus it don't leak ball powder all over the place like the lee does |
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I'd recommend you find someone on here that reloads and see if they will let you try theirs before you take the plunge.
I'd hate to see you go through the expense to find out you don't like it. It does take dedication and full attention or you could cause yourself great harm or someone around you when you touch one off improperly loaded. I started with a Rock Chucker, and progressed to the Dillion 550. The Dillion is the way to go if you do decide to reload and have the funds for it. |
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I'd recommend you find someone on here that reloads and see if they will let you try theirs before you take the plunge. I'd hate to see you go through the expense to find out you don't like it. It does take dedication and full attention or you could cause yourself great harm or someone around you when you touch one off improperly loaded. I started with a Rock Chucker, and progressed to the Dillion 550. The Dillion is the way to go if you do decide to reload and have the funds for it. Bought my RCBS Rock Chucker forty years ago. I think it will outlast me. LOL......... 
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I'm really just setting up to get started. I pumped out a few 9mm a couple of years back, got busy on other stuff, then had to dismantle everything to move.
Started on Saturday by cutting down our old front door (which was replaced  ) and re-decking one of our old workbenches. Then I did a little drilling and test-fitting outside to mitigate the mess inside the house.
I then took 1x3 select pine and did a finish edge with about a 1/4" lip on the perimeter, and whittled some for the swage. 
kicked a pickup bed load of junk out of my bedroom and set everything up as best I could in a tiny modular home bedroom and yes, the flag was already there.  Still need to get a trimmer.
Tore apart my vibratory tumbler, wired and installed an on/off switch so I don't have to fumble with the power cord every time. Of course, I did this just in time to get the bug for a rotary tumbler to run wet + SS.  
We've probably got way too much $$ in it, but we wanted to get good equipment while we are able, as its not only to save $$ but also for SHTF |
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I mounted my Dillon Super Swage on a 2x4, the 2x4 is the same length as the tool, and when I want to use it, I just clamp the 2x4 in the vise mounted on the bench. It makes it a real convenient height and very handy to use since you can rotate the vise to whatever angle you like. I like to use it mounted left to right in front of me, left hand puts the cases on the holder and operates it, the right hand runs the big handle that does the work, its really fast using it that way. |
RCBS Master Reloaded kit or somethin like that. $330ish, Frankford Arsenal media tumbler $60 @ midway.Dad built the table which is a slightly scaled down version on the one he said was on the NRA site somewhere. It takes up a wall in my 3rd bedroom (smallest bedroom, 10'0' or 10'x12') I think. The other side of the room has a 32" flatscreen, Xbox and computer setup in there. There's plenty of room for 2 teenagers to get in there n play games if that helps ya any. The reloading side of the little bedroom.....and yes, its a mess.
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start at the start, not where you'll be down the road.
this my RCBS Rockchucker i bought in 1979. it is all i use, i don't use a progressive simply because i don't have one. 
i guarantee you will not load as many as i do.one at a time. the whole setup isn't bigger than a business desk. the case cleaning tumbler is elswhere due to noise and dust, same with the case trimmer, those are add ons for later anyway.(for you) there are untold ways to make things faster, but slow works, too. and be honest ,are you going to reload multiple thousands? i have,and you're looking at where i did it. |
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This is my original loading bench, it was mounted inside a closet, you opened the closet door and there it was! Mounted to a shelf on one side and 2x4 legs on the other. You start out small and work up. From this:  Even this photo is dated, in place of the old single stage press on the far right, there's a MEC shotshell reloader. To this:  |
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Hmm...kind of overwhelming. I may have to hit Dan up for some advice on this one. It's only as over whelming as you let it be. You need a place to store powder, primers, bullets n you need a bench for the press to do the reloading. Nothin to it!! just like everything else, start with the basics. look around your house, car, kitchen, etc. is that the way you STARTED, or did it evolve? it can get monotonous(face it, you're doing the same thing over and over) and if you do it right, its the EXACT same thing. and if you get impatient and hurry, the downside can be ugly, (we'll call you Stumpy). but i absolutely could NOT shoot without loading my own, its simple economics. (that may change, i saw small rifle primers today for$ 80 / 1000) |
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that right there is at the head of my crazy extravagant splurge list, a Giraud. i can live with a single stage, but man would a power trimmer like that ease my pain. Top of my list as well! Especially since I'm young and I figure to have a lot reloading to do in my life time, that's a definate must have!! |