What does it take to Reload?
By Tim Siewert

I have done several radio interviews in the last few months and a reoccurring question is, “What does it take to get started in reloading?”  Without totally going into the first two chapters of my first book,  I have decided to answer that question as succinctly as possible.

• You need a reloading press.  I recommend a single-stage press for all beginners to start with.  This is where you will do most of the work of reloading your ammo.

• ​​A powder scale is a necessity.  I recommend a beam scale, not electronic.  I cover why in my first book.

• ​For every caliber you are going to load you must have a set of dies.

• A powder-measure is also necessary if you do not want to weigh every powder charge.

• Some single-stage reloading presses come with a primer seating attachment.  If the press that you buy does not, you will need a separate primer seating tool, which is better & I go into why in my first book.

• If you are loading rifle ammo, or handgun ammo with a die set that does not have a carbide size die, then you will need a small lube pad.  I go into this in detail in the first book also.

• If you are loading rifle ammo, then you must trim your brass (again I go into the reasons why in my first book) and therefore you will need a case trimmer.

​

A reloading bench could be considered optional.  I consider it a necessity & cover why in my first book.  Consequently, I included detailed plans on how to build a bench in my first book.  The bench that is outlined in my first book is small enough to even fit in an apartment.  If you have no mechanical inclination though, I can build one for you to your specifications (I am a retired carpenter) and ship it.  If you are interested please contact me.

This is all a person absolutely has to have to reload their own ammo.  Granted, there is a plethora of reloading equipment available limited only by how deep one’s pockets are and I go into almost all of the gear you can get in my two books.

As to how much in dollars -  basic,  generic kits are available in the $120.00 range sans dies.  There is a basic kit available from RCBS that runs about $180.00 but this kit has some superfluous stuff in it.  Die sets run in the $25.00-$35.00 range or slightly more depending on brand.  When it comes to die-sets the beginner should stay away from gizmo/specialty sets, stick to the standard sets.  So if you shop around, the beginner can expect to spend about $150.00 or so to get started (minus the cost of a bench); throw in a set of my books for $47.00 including shipping directly from me, go to the contact page, (or $57.00 through Amazon including shipping, your choice) and you’re looking at a pair of Benjamins.  ( I include a list of on-line sources with the purchase of my books. )  Of course this does not include supplies like powder, primers, and bullets.  If you buy your supplies in bulk, the savings is significant, again shop around.

So if you reload 500 - 9mm cases or 300 - .223 cases to ball ammo specs and you will have paid for your initial investment.

​I hope that this is enlightening.   -T

​​​

Tim Siewert LLC- Products for the passionate shooter

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Portions of this website are reprinted and sometimes edited to fit the standards of this website under the Fair Use Doctrine of International Copyright Law as educational material without benefit of financial gain. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html 

Copyright 2013,14,15,2016 Tim Siewert

All Rights Reserved