Getting into reloading and need opinions....

target-guy

target-guy

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Hey all.
I'm making the switch from smallbore to fullbore and would like to start reloading (for accuracy mostly, but also budget).
Will be shooting strictly .308 (with a slight possibility of .223 or 9mm) in the future.
Everyone I ask gives me a different opinion on a start up set-up.
I have a sturdy bench and a place to store ammo and components.
What is a good (budgetish) system that I won't out grow (too soon?)?
Thanks again.
 
If you are starting with 308, and going for accuracy, a single stage is the way to go. I went with a RCBS rockchucker and am quite happy with it.
The kits are generally a good way to start.
 
Agreed. Can't go wrong with a Rockchucker. It will last you forever and RCBS's warrantee is incredible. Something broken or worn out? Just call or email and they will send a replacement in the mail with no questions asked. I speak from personal experience on several occasions.
 
For sure, single stage, good solid, heavy press. A Rockchucker is good, but there are a lot of good, solid, high quality presses out there some place, that often show up at gun shows.
 
I agree on the rock chucker. If you're going to be reloading .223 and pistol, you'll probably also want to invest in a turret at some point. Start with the rockchucker though, it has nearly everything in the box to get you started.
 
For accurate ammo a single stage.

Later on if you need to load up more than 500 per month of handgun ammo you can consider adding a progressive press. But you'll still want to use the single stage for your accuracy rifle loading.
 
I'd also get a Lee Loader in the calibre(s) you want to reload. Very handy things to have. And absolutely the most budgety-ish way to get started. I started with those, then the inexpensive Lee press (Lee Reloader I think it is called), and now a Rockchucker. The cheap Lee press is still used for decapping - few reloading tools go to waste when you upgrade to other things.
 
Can't you disable the auto index on a turret press, and use it as a single stage? Personally I have my eye on the Lee kit with turret press from Budget Shooter Supply. You won't outgrow that too quick I imagine, OP.
 
Pretty new to reloading myself and glad I started with the rockchucker kit from RCBS.

Its been great so far, only had to buy calipers and love my hornady COAL gauge and bullet comperator.

Good luck!

Yak
 
I'm incline to agree with MDF, sometimes people jump into thinks only to discover, after plowing a lot money into it, that it not for them. A Lee Loader is a great way to get your feet wet without breaking the bank. It does of course limit you to the brass that you fire in your own gun, because it only neck-sizes the cases. If you are picking up used brass from other sources you will need to get into a press and full-length resizing dies. However, that's a decision you can make once you have found out that reloading is definitely for you. Having used Lee Loaders for a time, a single stage Lee press was my next move up. The Lee Loaders I still use in conjunction with the press, its neck-sizing tool saves over working the brass once its been full-length resized, and fire formed to my firearm.
 
A very good advice.

I also got some PDF reloading books that I can share with you to save you few pennies.

PM me your email.

Cheers,


Gun Nut 4 said:
I'm incline to agree with MDF, sometimes people jump into thinks only to discover, after plowing a lot money into it, that it not for them. A Lee Loader is a great way to get your feet wet without breaking the bank. It does of course limit you to the brass that you fire in your own gun, because it only neck-sizes the cases. If you are picking up used brass from other sources you will need to get into a press and full-length resizing dies. However, that's a decision you can make once you have found out that reloading is definitely for you. Having used Lee Loaders for a time, a single stage Lee press was my next move up. The Lee Loaders I still use in conjunction with the press, its neck-sizing tool saves over working the brass once its been full-length resized, and fire formed to my firearm.
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Plenty of good advice on the basic setup above, I'll add this:

Before even I got the equipment, there's three books I bought and read from cover to cover: Rodney James's The ABCs of Reloading, 9th edition, Lyman's reloading Handbook (49th or 50th edition by now) and Hornady's Reloading Handbook, 9th edition. That last one you can switch, replace or ignore as you want, you get it mostly for their load data (though it has a nice explanation of internal ballistics), but the ABCs, for all that it looks like a the cheapest and most dated book of them all, is actually a true reloader's bible, hugely informative, and Lyman's also contains much useful information.

Reading them also tells you a lot about which equipment you'll need to start with, and what accessories are "not absolutely necessary, but convenient".
 
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Just buy the cheapest and bare minimum of equipment and then wait...

You'll either end up giving up on reloading or... Eventually each piece of crap you bought will end up in a drawer, replaced with decent, quality tools.
 
Shootski said:
Can't you disable the auto index on a turret press, and use it as a single stage? Personally I have my eye on the Lee kit with turret press from Budget Shooter Supply. You won't outgrow that too quick I imagine, OP.
Click to expand...

One fault with a turret type is that it doesn't have the built in strength of a single stage press.
That is, the die on a turret is always hanging out in space, without solid support holding it.
This may work OK for pistol and other small cartridges, but is not very good with rifle cases that require more power on the ram handle, because it quickly springs out of line.
 
Hi Target Guy,
Just about everyone has suggested you buy a Rockchucker and I would typically agree. It is a superb press and I have owned one for 30+ years. That said, you mention that you will be reloading for accuracy (.308 large bore). This makes me wonder if you are thinking of or are into competition shooting. If that is the case I would not necessarily agree with the Rockchucker as your first press.
If you are getting into Large Bore competition, you will need to re-think your relaoding approach and move to something more appropriate such as a Sinclair Arbour Press and Wilson dies. Perhaps a little more information as to your needs would help send you in the right direction.
 
Shootski said:
Can't you disable the auto index on a turret press, and use it as a single stage? Personally I have my eye on the Lee kit with turret press from Budget Shooter Supply. You won't outgrow that too quick I imagine, OP.
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Yes, you can do as you suggest. I did without issue for over 25 years...then a couple of parts wore out, and Lee repaired and replaced everything that needed it, and sent it back...all free of charge.
 
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H4831 said:
One fault with a turret type is that it doesn't have the built in strength of a single stage press.
That is, the die on a turret is always hanging out in space, without solid support holding it.
This may work OK for pistol and other small cartridges, but is not very good with rifle cases that require more power on the ram handle, because it quickly springs out of line.
Click to expand...

This is true of some turret presses with a cantilever design but not all are like this. Check out the Lee Classic Cast.
 
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