I just bought a brand new Lyman Crusher II press from Cabelas for $45. What more do I need to get started? I want load for 44mag, 480Ruger, 270wsm, 308, and 30-06. Thanks in advance.:D

Dies for each cartridge. Shellholders for each cartridge, but the .308 and .30-06 use the same size. A powder scale. Case lube, Hornady One-Shot spray lube or Imperial sizing lube (wax?). A loading block or two. Case trimmer, sooner or later. Calipers. Primers, powders and bullets. Large Pistol Primers and Large Rifle Primers are not the same. Most important, a loading manual. I like Lyman's the best, but Hornady, Sierra and Speer have good ones too.

Bye
Jack

I'll add a powder measure and one of Lee's auto-prime hand primers. I'd also add a case tumbler, a kit from Cabela's or Midway. I have a small drill press and made all my own loading blocks in a couple of hours out of some scrap wood. I use a Forstner bit the right size. Harbor Freight has a nice six inch digital caliper for around 15 bucks on sale.

I like Lee's four die carbide pistol/revolver die sets, they separate the bullet seating from the crimping which makes better bullets for me.

I also like the Deluxe Lee three die rifle sets that come with both a full length sizer and a collet neck sizer.

Sure glad to see another guy get into reloading, it's a great hobby in itself. You won't save any money, but you'll get to shoot a lot more for your shooting dollar.

Oh did I say I like Lee equipment, their case trimmers are really great. Like Jack says loading manuals are good. You can get free ones from some of the powder makers and many have loading info on the internet.

teacherboy
Glad to see that you took the plunge.It's a great hobby.
I'll echo that you will not save a lot of money;but will do a lot more shooting.
Also argee that Lee tools are the ones to start with.But I strongly suggest that you,at some point,try RCBS;or Lyman,Redding,etc.
Good luck
Frank

I agree on getting the Lee equipment, cheap and effective to get you going.

BTW, I see this posted alot that one doesn't save money by reloading, but don't we?
I agree if you factor in the time spent, well ... no, maybe not but if you don't count the reloading time isn't it cheaper?

Steve

Cheaper per round, yes. But I visit the range more and shoot more rounds. So....
Pete

A powder measure is nice to have, especially if you're into high volume pistol shooting, but I reloaded for 10 years without one. So's a case tumbler, but I went 25 years without one. The tumbler got a real workout when I did get it. You might find that the .500 S&W won't fit in a regular loading block. If you can't make one, look for a 20 gauge shotshell block. Lee's stuff might be better now, but it wasn't worth buying at one time. I'd buy something of Lee's, fight with it for a while, then buy an RCBS, MEC, Lyman, etc. Pay once, cry once.

Bye
Jack

Thanks for the tips. Time to start building the collection.

You got a great deal on that Crusher for $45! Lyman is very good equipment that doesn't receive the press that some of the other brands do. There is some great buys in Cabela's bargin cave on Lyman dies right now.

My local Cabelas had a tent sale. It was too good to pass up. Brand new in the box. The dies, are they on line? Thanks You got a great deal on that Crusher for $45! Lyman is very good equipment that doesn't receive the press that some of the other brands do. There is some great buys in Cabela's bargin cave on Lyman dies right now.

The sale is online.

TEACHERBOY,, ALL THE INFORMATION FROM ALL MEMBERS IS GOOD ADVICE, YOUR RELOADING MANUAL IS YOUR BIBLE !! tHE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IS READ IT AND STUDY IT ANF LEARN IT!!!!!! DONT START WITH THE HOTEST LOADS EITHER!!!!!! TAKE YOUR TIME, BE SAFE !!! AND GOOD SHOOTING

You've gotten lots of good advice.
Maybe the best advice is about the reloading manual. Not only will a manual list loads, but they have detailed instructions on how to set up and use your equipment.
I would recommend getting at least 2 manuals. Maybe one from the bullet brand you expect to use (Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Sierra, Lyman), and one from a powder company, like Hodgdon.

I don't why people say you won't save money, you will. I have about a thousand dollars into my equipment, and I had most of my money back within a few months.

The only way I can see not saving money is reloading bulk ammunition in military calibers, like 9mm or 45 auto, wich you don't have.

I'll give you an example, which will closely follow reloading for your 270 WSM (in this case, I load for a 257 weatherby):

cost of 100 nosler ballistic tips: around 22 bucks
cost of 100 primers: 2.99
cost of a pound of powder: 20 bucks

cost per round: 44 cents
cost per box/20: 8.80

cost of a box of the same factory rounds: around 50 bucks

and you can also save more if you buy the above components in bulk.

You do the math, that's a savings of 41 dollars per box. You will have just your press paid off in less that 40 rounds reloaded.

The point, however, is that to avoid spending about $50 for a box of factory ammo, he had to spend about $50 for components. Yes, he'll get to shoot 100 rounds as opposed to 20 - that's exactly why we say that you won't save any money, but you'll shoot more. Clear now?

Totally concur there....now I seek opportunites to shoot and because I shoot a lot, I am better at it....loading isn't for everyone but I simply would not be shooting if I didn't load..except maybe .22 rimfire of course...

I'm glad to see you took the step to reloading. I will say that it does save you some money because you do not buy all the items needed to load a round every time. The brass will be reused many times and there in it self drives the cost per round down all else being the same.I would also second the buy yourself more than 1 reloading manual. They all have a little different info in them and it's a good cross check if you have more than 1 to look at. I have been reloading for more than 25 years and I think it's a great hobbie and you'll shoot more because you can, and enjoy it more because you'll be shooting your own work. Happy reloading

Hoeram :D