Beginner reloader suggestion

[fishin' is livin']

I looked around but did'nt find a thread that answered my question. I want a basic reloader to start with, maybe a kit that is availible, to do a moderate amount of reloading. .308, .270, .357 mag. I would rather have some input by experienced loaders, rather than some one trying to sell me something through an on-line company. I'm all ears.

[blacktail hunter]

lee makes a kit everything but the dies for about $89.00 mine works great

[PaPa Jon]

Originally Posted by blacktail hunter

lee makes a kit everything but the dies for about $89.00 mine works great

I use a Lee Classic Turret for 38spl/357M, 32spl and now will start on some 30.06. Works good for me

[bigjake_888]

oh boy here we go.....

I now buy the best things I can get so I only have to buy them once.

[tdspence]

I have a RCBS rockchucker. It works good and everything from RCBS has a lifetime warranty. Bi-mart has the RCBS kits on sale right now too.

[Quack Attack]

I second the Rockchucker kit, the industry standard for decades.

I long ago demoted my lee to only seating primers with an APS attachment, and frequently don't even use it for that.

I might just have different expectations than others though. I don't want to just put stuff together inexpensively that will go bang. I want something that is better than what I can buy. The lee stuff just does not give me that precision, and I am afraid I am going to break it every time I use it.

The RCBS stuff will long outlast you and is relatively inexpensive.

[pathfinder]

Originally Posted by tdspence

I have a RCBS rockchucker. It works good and everything from RCBS has a lifetime warranty. Bi-mart has the RCBS kits on sale right now too.

You can get this kit and pick up some dies, Get a reloader book and read it front to back before you start reloading.Any questions pm me i'd be more then glad to help ya out.

[billc_sbio]

Those who've recommended the RCBS Rockchucker Press are absolutely correct, it IS a great press you'll probably never get rid of.

However there are some other similar presses (Redding, Lyman etc.) out there that are good too. Just be aware of that.

And I'd go further to say that if you don't have to rush into this in any great hurry, you can shop around by looking at various ads, checking out gunshops or garage sales etc. and find good "used" equipment, often at 1/2 to 1/3rd the current MSRP.

Lots of times there will be an older family member who dies and all this "stuff" is left around and their family decides to get rid of it and almost "gives it away".

Seeing that, with reasonable care these presses NEVER wear out, if you spend a little time hunting around you can come up with the equipment you need at a pretty good savings.

That idea of getting a couple of good reloading books and reading them FIRST is also a great idea. It will give you a better idea of what you're going to need.

Maybe by reading, or probably by discussing it with experienced reloaders you may discover that one manufacturer makes a "better", more desireable piece of equipment than another (a Powder Measure or electronic Scale comes to mind here). So, sometimes buying a kit might not be what you want to do, although it will get you by.

[fishin' is livin']

Thanks, will check it all out, and I don't have to have it now, just something I am interested in trying.

[ehunter]

Good question fishin is livin I have been following this thread as well and need to buy a reloader as well. I almost bought a lee kit last week but have decided on the RCBS kit too. Keep a eye on e-bay!

Originally Posted by fishin' is livin'

Thanks, will check it all out, and I don't have to have it now, just something I am interested in trying.

[sidewinder]

I still have, and use the first press I ever owned. A RCBS Junior. It sits right next to the Dillon.
I would not hesitate to buy any Lee products. They work just fine, and you can reload w/o spending a bunch of money.

Ya might as well get the RCBS stuck case remover now too. You are going to need it.

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by fishin' is livin'

I looked around but did'nt find a thread that answered my question. I want a basic reloader to start with, maybe a kit that is availible, to do a moderate amount of reloading. .308, .270, .357 mag. I would rather have some input by experienced loaders, rather than some one trying to sell me something through an on-line company. I'm all ears.

I've owned and used RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, and LEE products. I no longer have any of the LEE presses. But I sure loaded a pile of cartridges before upgrading. As mentioned the Lee Turret presses are ok. Their Anniversay Kit is worthless IMHO, the press is ok but the powder measure is crap.

I love RCBS & Dillon products. No BS Lifetime warrenty. I've never had any RCBS equipment break.

But for modest calibers I don't think you "need" the Rockchucker Kit the Junior Kit would do just fine. Price both kits at mutiple locations, ask about normal sale prices and wait and buy the best value.

My 1st Single Stage Press was a used Junior I picked up at a gun show. Loaded EVERYTHING on it upto .300Win.
It wasn't until I bought all of a co-workers gear that I aquired a Rockchucker.
It's nice an all but overkill IMO. But I have to admit the longer stronger arm, and it's increased leverage, is nice when working with the really big cartridges like the Ultra mags and 378Wby cases.

So what I guess I'm saying is RCBS equipment rocks....but don't feel like you have to have the Rockchucker kit, the Junior Kit will serve your needs fine. You might compare contents like powder measure, etc. The Junior Kit may not get the Powder measure. IMO....YOU NEED A POWDER MEASURE. The Honaday Mesure is more consistant on the drops IMO than RCBS's, but you normally don't drop straight from the measure anyway. You drop light and trickle it on the balance scale. Consistancy of the powder measure drop really doesn't matter then as your doing your final trickle on the balance beam scale. (The .357 charges I'd probably drop straight though.)

Check Craigslist and the IFish classifieds for used equipment. To be quite honest I don't use a lot of the stuff in the Kits like the lube stuff as I use Hornadays "One Shot" aresol srapy lube. Much easier and less messy. So give me a Press, a scale, a powder measure, a trickle charger, a case trimmer, digital caliper & bullet comparator set and I would be just fine. (The RCBS flash hole tool is crap. Why they even sell it in the kit is beyond me, get a Sinclar tool.)

Of course their is a pile of other nifty little tools and gadgets that you will just HAVE to get because they make the job so much easier and such, but that are the basics. You can aquire them used, many times at a bargin and usually with a lot of other neat gadgets thrown in to boot. I give as much for all of my co workers gear as a new kit cost.

When you do get some equipment and get started, check back with us.
I skipped last years reloading seminar....but this year we'll do it again. Just need to plan better.
At the very least I can send you my loading procedure, might help get you off on the right foot.

OH, one more thing. Pick up a copy of Dean Grenells "ABC's of Reloading".
It should be every novice reloaders bible. LOTS OF GOOD INFO. Start reading it NOW before you buy a bunch of equipment. It may influence your decisions.
Have fun. Reloading is rewarding. Shells are cheaper but you'll shot more of them.
Hunt'nFish

[scottishsetter]

These days with the 'new' stuff; I suggest the RCBS dispendser Combo. Get a Rockcrusher, check everywhere for one. Buy Hornady new Dimension dies, I like their straight line bullet seating. Get some Imperial sizing Wax and Isoprypol alchohol to 'clean' the wax. You are set. Expand as you like.

A digital scale should be a MUST. Redding 3BR powder throw rifle/pistol is a good tool but the dispendsor will take it's place. That RCBS(best according to reviews I read) will do all dispendsing, period.Good Luck

[cwh]

It's true that you can get most of the stuff cheaper used. But I would go with the kit for the simple reason that you can get everything (almost) in one shot. I hunted and bargain shopped for over a year looking for reloading stuff, and it delayed my entry to reloading by over a year.
Find someone to show you their setup, and maybe run through building a few rounds, comparing dies and presses. You'll get to see why people like one type of dies, for example, for yourself, and see the pro's and con's and decide what type you want. Plus, watching someone that knows what they are doing is a much more intuitive way to learn than reading a manual, at least for me.

[billc_sbio]

"....YOU NEED A POWDER MEASURE. The Hornady Measure is more consistent on the drops IMO than RCBS's, but you normally don't drop straight from the measure anyway. You drop light and trickle it on the balance scale."

Yeah, kinda, sorta...

BUT if/when you're looking at reloading 200-300 .222 or .223 Rem (or even .22-250 or .220 Swift cases for major varmint blasting session you can use a good quality Powder measure (I prefer the good Reddings) with Ball Powder and just drop away. Weighing loads that have been dropped come in at <0.1g typically and you'd spend a whole lot MORE time (like days) if you had to weigh each one (or wait for an electronic dispensor to weigh/drop them).

All my Big Game hunting loads are under dispensed then hand weighed, but we're talking about only assembling 20-30 ctg.s at a time.

"Redding 3BR powder throw rifle/pistol is a good tool"



Another item you MUST have is going to be a good set of Dial or Digital Calipers! Frequently I see that little "extra" totally left out on these threads and I wonder HOW ppl know if their cases are too long and if other dimensions are correct?

"Dies" refer to MOVING metal around. And when you move it you stretch/lengthen it. Never the other way around! When it's stretched it's got to go somewhere! So keeping track of case length (especially in Rifle cartridges) is vital. Having metal move to areas inside your rifle's chamber where it's NOT supposed to be can be very dangerous. Just thought I'd mention that...

[Flatfish]

3-5 manuals
RCBS Rockchucker
Hornady spray lube
Sinclair comparitor
Chronograph
Good scale

If you are gonna reload, the above are required.

[CamoHunter]

A little over a year ago I bought a used Rockchucker, 505 scale & trickler and a tumbler off of C/L for a pretty decent price.
After that I bought two manuals and started reading them cover to cover.
Then the next step was to start buying all of the other "needed" equipment.

It has been a great hobby and very rewarding.
Oh, and last summer I shot all my rifles more then I had in the previous 10 years...

Good luck and be safe.

Camo

[Fish-a-Holic]

You have some great information above so I'm not going to go far with this...

The Rock Chucker KIT has everything you need to starte except for a good set of Calipers and your dies, brass, bullets, primers and powder. You will eventually need to add a trimmer, but you can buy these in a trim kit and usually run less than $100. Finally, I would also add a spray lube as the case lube II the kit comes with is a big mess to use and can build up easier in the dies.

The kit also has the Speer Reloading manual in it which has a perfect how to load section at the beginning with step by step instructions. Read them first as others have said and e-mail or post questions before you attempt loading.

Sometimes local stores selling reloading will run how to reload classes, so make sure and check them out.

Also, the Rock Chucker Kit can usually be found priced as good or better than the Partner Kit. The Partner Kit is also not always stocked by reloading retailers while the Rock Chucker Kit almost always is.

PM me with any other questions.

Enjoy reloading, it's lots of fun, but make sure you are congnizant of every step. It can be dangerous if not practiced with a clear mind in well thought out steps.

John

[tdspence]

Also, I prefer to skip the lube step and just buy carbide dies. I also recommend tumbler to make sure everything is clean and looks good. I always find it important to only do work you are proud of. Being lazy and lack of attention to detail could turn to an accident.

[Fish-a-Holic]

Originally Posted by tdspence

Also, I prefer to skip the lube step and just buy carbide dies. I also recommend tumbler to make sure everything is clean and looks good. I always find it important to only do work you are proud of. Being lazy and lack of attention to detail could turn to an accident.

This is great advice, but carbide dies are only available to be used on straight wall pistol cases. Any rifle case will still have to use lube...

[Norm]

I started with RCBS Rockchuker kit, probably a little better quality than the lee kit but plenty of people get by just fine with Lee. The lee scale seems a little funky to me though. The RCBS kit came with the Speer manual which is pretty good IMO.

I just use the lee case trimmers, about $5 a caliber and they work fine if your doing less than 100 cases at a time.

Calipers - get a metal set with a dial gauge if you can, I have a set I bought a harbor freight for $20 that work great. at some point you will want a case tumbler, bullet puller , etc but you add that later.

If you use live.com to search reloading kit, follow the ebay link, and they have a rebate up to 30%, snag a 10% off coupon from ebay and you could et a pretty good deal on a kit right now

[mike carlson]

i use the rcbs for twenty years been great get books to help you get started take one step at a time you well have a good time doing it and the gun ewll shoot a lot better mike

[bigjake_888]

My RCBS kit worked but on the case prep side RCBS leave alot to be desired. I will not buy any RCBS case prep items. Once you use items from K and M and Sinclair case prep becomes much better.

[fishin' is livin']

Well,home from work and PLENTY of GREAT advice. I appriciate it!!! As for the reloader, I spoke with my dad earlier, and he had a friend that gave me the whole set-up for free (minus the scales), "if you don't use'em, don't sell'em" was what I was told. NO PROBLEM!!! I have the rockchucker loader....now for some good reading

[dla]

Originally Posted by Oregon Boater

I use a Lee Classic Turret for 38spl/357M, 32spl and now will start on some 30.06. Works good for me

Lee is definitely the better engineered of the entry-level equipment. Buy Lee or buy Dillon. If you end up with green-painted equipment you did something wrong.

[DAB]

I started with an RCBS JR press, Up graded to the Rock Chucker press about 40 years ago it is still as tight as when I bought it.
I am not saying that RCBS is the best on the market but it isn't the worst either.

This is what IMHO you need to start with.

Good press, scales, powder measure, powder trickler, case lube pad with lube or equivilent, Good Calipers, case trimmer, case mouth deburer, primer pocket cleaner tool, All the reloading manuals you can buy - beg - borrow - steal. Loading tray to hold your cases upright. For case lube I use the RCBS case lube that you can wash off with soap and water. Birchwood casey makes some cleaner that you mix with water to make your cases shiny.

One real important thing is to make sure your cases are clean on the out side ( free from any thing that will harm a case or the sizing dies )
And after you get the cases all sized , trimmed, debured, primer pockets cleaned, you need to clean them in what ever will get rid of the sizing lube or any contaminates that would contaminate the powder or primer.

I just pulled some bullets out of some rounds for a friend that someone reloaded for him and in one box of 20 there were 12 rounds that the powder was contaminated with some kind of oil ( probably sizing lube ) if he had shot these rounds no telling what would have happened, odd thing is the primers were not dead as they all went bang before I deprimend them.


Be careful and have fun.

DAB

PS. I prefer Hornady Dies over RCBS dies.