what do i need to start

[dromia]

First buy has to be a good reloading manual before anything else, I recommend the latest Lyman but all do the job well just stay away from the Lee ones.

Read and re-read the manual a few times, then you will have far better understanding of the process and kit needed and can start asking some intelligent and specific questions.

Having an experienced mentor on hand to help guide you along is by far the best way to learn.

I am not convinced about courses my self, they don't suit everyone, the correct attitude is one of the most important attributes needed for handloading.

You also need to be clear as to why you wish to hand load and what you want from it and expect it to give you.

There is handloading and reloading, they are different.

[Chapuis]

Dromia -"There is handloading and reloading, they are different".

How very true, most of us tend to forget that.

[HALODIN]

I use those words interchangeably, what's the difference?

[HALODIN]

Not to worry I found it -

Historically, handloading referred to the private manufacture of cartridges and shells using all newly manufactured components, whereas reloading referred to the private manufacture of cartridges and shells using previously fired cartridge cases and shotgun hulls using new bullets, shot, primers, and powder. In modern usage, some make no distinction between these terms, while others find important distinctions.[1] One key distinction is the purpose for the practice; handloaders often seek smaller batches of high-quality ammunition, whereas reloaders are said to make large quantities of ammunition that does not need to be of as high quality but at least one authority (McPherson) holds that a better distinction for these connotations is that, regardless of quantity, handloads tend to be of generally high quality while reloads tend to be merely functional.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handloading

[dromia]

Also I would say a reloader is only interested in cranking out ammunition without really engaging with the process on a broader scale.

A handloader is interested in the process for its own sake as well as wanting ammunition as an outcome.

It is like the two types of shooters, one is in it mainly for the competition and just uses a gun as a tool to compete and isn't necessarily interested in firearms beyond that and then their are the types that are interested in guns and all their types, history, functioning and shoot them as a part of that gun owning experience.

[HALODIN]

Not sure if it's still available - Lyman No55 Powder Measure - NIB

http://full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=20687

[dromia]

Not sure if it's still available - Lyman No55 Powder Measure - NIB

http://full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=20687

This is no longer for sale.

[HALODIN]

You gotta be quick round here...

[dromia]

He hasn't sold it, he is having some instruction on its use before deciding to give up on it.