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Reloading in 38 Special
DR, as far as equipment is concerned, what exactly is it that I need to buy? I went to the site and there are way too many choices. I'm totally clueless. Everyone's advice is, as always, greatly appreciated.
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Reloading in 38 Special
Denis,
The first thing you need to do is have a look a several reloading books or do a search for on line info.
I personally like hard copy and collect books.
Reloading ammo is pretty basic but for obvious reasons can have catastrophic results if done incorrectly.
So the first thing is to think safety.
Part of being safe is having a good well lit work space, clear of fire and flames. You need a place to store your powder and finished product.
Consider the anatomy of a bullet:
1) case
2) projectile
3) powder
4) primer for ignition
The fundamental reloading process will involve:
1) a die to reform the case and punch out the old primer.
2) a mechanism for re-priming the reconditioned case
3) a dispenser to place the appropriate amount of powder into the re-primed case.
4) a die to seat the bullet into the case
So when looking for equipment you will be looking for
1) a “press” or tool to hold the dies
2) a die set for the cal of round you want to reload
3) a scale to weigh your powder
4) a dispenser to charge your cases
This is would be the minimum for me, others will claim less or more.
Getting a trays to hold the rounds for various stages of the activity are nice. A good caliper is almost essential.
Gun cleaning materials if you don’t already have them are essential.
Obviously the list can go on and on --- but hopefully this will give you some idea of the process.
Get some books or better yet have a visit to your local gun store just to see the equipment.
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Reloading in 38 Special
OK, I printed that out, thanks.
Knowing how much scales cost for labs, I figure that would be the most expensive piece to get. Any way to get by with measuring the powder volumetrically? I know you don't like to use measuring cups, but I think that's the only feasable alternative for me right now.
A good book is a must, you're right.
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Reloading in 38 Special
Not to complicate things here ... but there will be this issue of powder selection. Different peformance parameters of the various powders will effect your load performance.
Hence the many charts for round mass vs charge type to produce a given velocity.
The scales just provide another "finer" control knob.
Btw, the scales that we're talking about here are no where near the expense of a lab type scale.
This will be a fun hobby for you ... and like all hobbies a time and money sink!
After the loading equipment you'll need a good chonograph, then more guns, then more dies, then a spotting scope, then ...
Actually I think it pays to shop wisely up front, and invest in good equipment the first time. Think of it as buying a tool ...
good luck
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Reloading in 38 Special
This is a lot like tractor buying..... but a lot less money involved.
You can go really, really cheap with a Lee Loader at 22 bucks. You use dippers as a powder measure and a hammer to run the cases through the dies. Sounds funky, but these things have been on the market for 50 years and they work. It is the wheel barrow and shovel approach when you can't afford a tractor.
The basic manual-gear-shift, tractor/loader/box scraper type outfit would be a Lee Anniversary Kit at $114 and a 38/357, 4 die set at $44, total 158 bucks.
This is just about everything you will need including loading data. You can buy cheaper die sets but as you go along you will really like carbide dies and a separate crimp die.
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Reloading in 38 Special
Here are the dies I like........
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Reloading in 38 Special
DR, this is invaluable advice. seriously. 
I like the "Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit 4 Hole Turret w/ Auto Index" - looks like it's a lot faster to load with that type of equipment, it's not that much more $$. But it looks like this kit doesn't include as many things as the Lee anniversary kit. If I'm off the wall here, let me know.
What do I need to add to the "Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit 4 Hole Turret w/ Auto Index" to set up a complete re-loading station? I know I need to get the 4-set dies, what else?
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Reloading in 38 Special
I don't know what your budget looks like so I started low. You are right about the turret press, it would be a lot faster and easier to use.
I would recommend you get all the stuff pictured in the Anniversary Kit, minus the press(of course) and the case lube. Add in loading blocks and a case tumbler and you are just about set.
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Reloading in 38 Special
Case tumbler/cleaner:
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Reloading in 38 Special
Even better prices:
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