Some of you may be on the same mailing list and already saw this, but it tickled my funny bone enough to post it.

Can somebody recommend a video demonstration on learning to reload ammo?

good clip!!!

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Can somebody recommend a video demonstration on learning to reload ammo?

In addition to what has been said, it can not be stressed enough that reloading is something that one should not simply do on their own w/out any mentoring guidance.  In that regard, I would advise you to seek someone in your area that has at least a basic understanding of how to run single-stage press and show you the ins-and-outs of it the entire process.  Watching videos is helpful, but rarely will you find a video that covers your exact setup. And sometimes, it's the little things that can lead to larger frustrations.

That being said...

A good beginner's book is The ABC's of Reloading.


I would also get several reloading manuals as put out by component manufacturer's; you can compare varying powders and charges for different bullets.  If you decide on a particular bullet, then at least have the reloading data put out by that bullet mfg.  However, I would avoid the Hornady manual (at least the 9th ed), as I have found it to be quite inaccurate (their max loads always seem to be on the low side, and I could never get the velocities they report (mine always lower) on a variety of bullets and powder charges). BUT... it does offer a good explanation on the reloading process.

For components, a basic setup would include:
--Single-stage press (you could also get a hand press, but in the long run, I believe you'd get tired of this quite soon).
--Set of dies for the particular cartridge you're reloading
----For rifle cartridges, this would include at least a Full-Length resizer die (and deprimer depending on the brand you get) and bullet seating die.
----For pistil cartridges, this would include a sizing die, an expander die and and bullet seating die.  Optional is a crimping die.
--Priming tool (if your press does not come with one).
--Powder charger; powder trickler options, but recommended.
--Powder scale.
--Brass trimmer.
--Dial caliper.
--Case lube
--Trays, funnel, and powder scoop.
--Case gauge for the particular cartridge.

Presently, MidwayUSA is offering a Redding Reloading Kit for <$400.  This has most of the components one will need to get started reloading.

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Note: Generally speaking, reloading rifle and pistol cartridges are not exactly the same. For example, after sizing straight-walled cases (i.e., nearly all pistol cases are straight-walled), one must also pass the casing through the expnder die to flare the mouth so that it can receive the bullet; this is not required in most rifle cartridges, especially if they are necked.

General steps in the reloading process for rifle cartridges are:
--Clean brass.
--Lube brass.
--Pass casing through F-L resizer die; if die comes with a deprimer pin, old primer gets knocked out at this stage.  
--Wash/wipe off any remaining lube.
--Ensure case is properly sized.
--Trim mouth of case if not within specs.
--Prime case.
--Measure our appropriate powder charge and drop into case.
--Position bullet over case and pass through the bullet seating die on press.
--Measure to ensure proper Cartridge Overall Length (C.O.L.)
--Ready to fire.

(ETA: Of course, after posting this, all of my embedded links are messed up.  I give up on trying to understand how this platform works, or rather, why it does not work.)

Mark79, thanks for your input. I like shooting various revolver cartridges and non-magnum rifle cartridges that shoot flat and still reach out at a distance. I live in the midwest. Mostly target shooting & plinking, but also prepping self defense rounds for SHTF and carry.

Well then… you are straddling the fence, needing both "mass quantities" (plinking) and "precision" (non-magnum rifle cartridges that shoot flat and still reach out at a distance).

As a competent reloader, I would approach "mass quantities" with a progressive reloading press (e.g., pick your price point with the Dillion line https://www.dillonprecision.com/ ), but approach "precision" with a high-end single-stage coaxial reloading press (e.g., Forster https://www.forsterproducts.com/ ) and a bevy of high-end (viz., expensive) accoutrements (e.g., magnetic restoration scale https://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/sartorius-magnetic-scale-is-fast-ultra-precise/ ).

In the decades when I was active in "3-Gun" competition, I typically shot 1,000-4,000 rounds per month in practice. I decided to reduce my costs, so I scrounged my brass and was gifted brass and reloaded it all. It took me about 2 weeks of evenings to reload about 2,000 rounds (clean, lube, re-size, case-length trim, de-lube, inner chamfer, outer chamfer, prime, charge, seat projectiles, box). I tallied my receipts and discovered that for giving up two weeks of evenings I had saved—wait for it—about $50 for the 2,000 rounds compared to the cost of buying milspec in bulk.

Speaking for myself, It was worth $50 for me to re-capture 2 weeks of evenings with my family. I gave my Dillon to a buddy and ever since, for "mass quantities," I shop price commercially and carefully (https://ammoseek.com/ http://www.gunbot.net/ and am on several email lists for bulk ammo distributors).

XLR, however, is entirely different. With one possible exception (vide infra), nothing commercial "Match" shoots as precisely as my handloads, not Federal Gold Medal Match, not Black Hills Match, not even Lapua Match. I have selected components, powders, projectiles, charge weights, and "jump" based on OCW ladders proven at distance. My reloads outperform them all… except…

…the Berger line of ammunition (formerly Applied Ballistics Munitions), https://bergerbullets.com/product-category/ammunition/, the brainchild of the well-known ballistician Bryan Litz. For the life of me I do not understand how they mass produce ammunition that shoots as well as my flake-by-flake meticulous handloads. That said, my reloads beat the very high price of the Berger ammunition—for example, .338 Lapua with Berger's 300gn Hybrid OTM Match runs about $5/rd, (Lapua 300's are about $7/rd) not quite twice what my equivalent reloads cost. What is your time worth?

I hope this has been helpful.