Reloading Newbie seeks advice ... OMG

[Forrest]

I don't suggest that a new reloader start with 10mm. Start with .38 Special. It's forgiving and cheaper and more importantly it will get you to pay attention to those long cases so that when you switch to 10 mm you won't crush as many. I seem to lose some when I come off of 9mm to 10mm as the rhythm is slightly different.
Digital scales are stupid. Balance beam scales are the smart play. This from a recent convert to balance beam scales.

[sqlbullet]

38 special is way more expensive to learn to reload with if you don't own a 38 special   

The big advantage, if you do own one, is not having to chase brass.  Component cost wise, the difference in loading cost is only $30/K

[cgreth]

I second the Lee Classic Turret.   

Can basically be run as a single stage press without the drama of having to reseat and adjust dies between every stage.
Can be run as turret.   I get about 200 rounds per hour.
Not as complicated or unforgiving as a progressive.   You will have a better chance of catching a squib load or a double-charged load, or a load without a primer (messy!!!!).

In any case your best safety devices are your eyes and brain.

[Forrest]

38 special is way more expensive to learn to reload with if you don't own a 38 special   

The big advantage, if you do own one, if not having to chase brass.  Component cost wise, the difference in loading cost is only $30/K

Brass is way easier to come by. There are many published loads. There are fewer idiots trying to make it into something more than it is. The gun is probably going to be a .357 so it can handle a mistake. I have e a soft spot for the .38 because I loaded it with a Lee loader kit for a long while. It was awesome. I still reload .357 and .243 this way.

[MikeS.]

 Welcome to the forum and the world of reloading.  Especially the 10 mm cartridge, it is my all-time favorite.

I load a lot of it and my powder of choice is blue dot, 9.6 grains  for the Hornady  XTP.

[Peter10mm]

What is your velocity with Blue Dot 9.6gr, 180 gr XTP? It looks like a pretty light load.

I tried 10.7 gr Blue Dot with 180gr HAP bullet and only read 1173fps with a 4.5 inch barrel. 9.5 grain was only 1039fps.

[PCFlorida]

Take a look at #9 or Lovex Heavy Pistol. It has room to stretch.

[Peter10mm]

I have come to like the performance and power versatility of Accurate #9 and Longshot for the 10mm.

[Shotgun]

I have not got a progressive press yet(and been loading 20 years), I am just too OCD about case prep and inspection. It seems to me that progressives really shine when you just throw fired/tumbled cases in there and run with it. I could see it with revolver loads where case length is not critical. So, and I would love to hear, what some of you guys are doing, I would pre-clean and sort spent brass. Then resize/decap, measure/trim, clean pockets, clean/chamfer flash hole. then final  polish brass. I guess then I could use it in a progressive, and skip the resize/decap step? I have some 1991 colts that are not picky at all, but I would be worried about headspace on my Delta elite. I have never fired anything hotter than 1100fps/180gr from her, and want to feel the true power I hear the 10mm is capable of. I dont own any .40S&W for a reason. I like powerful rounds. I hear horror stories all over the internet about DE's and full power loads. I am tempted to pick up a G20 just to experience true 10mm power. Harsh recoil does not bother me, damaging one of my favorite pistols does.
   I do like what I hear on this forum about 155gr bullets I have several hundred 155xtp and am looking forward to working up some loads with help from here. CFE pistol is what I have been using, there is a GS coming here soon what other powders should I be looking for?