Another New Reloader Thread (Looking for advice for precision shooting)

Bezzy

Bezzy

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Hi everyone,

I'm a newer precision shooter looking to get into the reloading game. I'm looking to find a kit that will allow me to make precision ammunition, and possibly shoot in competition once time and money allows. I have read quite a few articles online about reloading as well as spent many hours watching reloading vids so I have some idea of what I'm looking for. My budget is ~800 dollars not including components, shell holders, dies, etc. Looking to reload .308 and 7mm Rem Mag. I want to dive right in to the quality equipment and not bother with the cheap $150 lee kits. I would like to go with a single stage press for obvious reasons. My question is should I try and piece a set up together, buying things separately, or should I buy something like the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Deluxe Reloading Kit. The chargemaster-scale combo is what draws me to that kit. I have been talking to Jerry from Mystic Precision who has given me some useful advice, however I just want to get some other opinions before I make any purchases.

Here is the kit: http://www.cabelas.ca/product/66473/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-deluxe-reloading-kit

I hate to post a thread like this, as this topic has been beaten to death, but I cant seem to find a thread with similar goals as mine.

Thanks in advance,

Carter
 
If you have the afford it, that's a great kit. The bulk of the money is going towards that Chargemaster and case prep center. Later on you might want to add a balance scale and a standard powder measure as a backup in case the Chargemaster fails and you need to crank out some ammo while it is being repaired. $900. is a lot of $ and that's up there with progressive press $ range.

Don't be so fooled by folks knocking those cheap Lee 50th Anniversary kits. :)
 
I wouldn't be to concernd about having the chargemaster in your loading kit at the start. I used an Ohler beam scale for 40+ years and just recently got a RCBS chargmaster. The RCBS unit is nice but not necessary to start with and the price difference will buy a lot of other stuff to get you started. The RCBS is good stuff, i use a Lyman orange chrusher but have been lusting after a Forster, don't need one but the are nice. Good luck with getting started, reloading is a lot of fun.
 
+1 for Forster!

As someone once said: Buy once. Cry once.

I started off with a Hornady LNL Kit. It was good, but not great. I upgraded to a Forster press and have not/will not ever look back. You could get a Forster Press, an RCBS ChargeMaster or similar dispenser (I have the ChargeMaster), a set of calipers and a few other things and you will have a great reloading set-up.
 
Any kit will let you load match grade ammo. Doing so has nothing to do with the equipment. It's about technique and the components used.
Wouldn't use the Chargemaster for match ammo either. Match ammo powder loads have to be exactly the same every time.
And you'll need another manual(think Lyman). The Nosler is ok for their hunting bullets, but will not have data for other company's stuff. Mind you, you load for the bullet weight, not who made it.
 
I think that the kit looks pretty good. As said previously, most of the cost is in the Chargemaster and Case Prep centre - nice but not essential to get started. Also, I'm not sure I like the manual feeding of primers on the Rockchucker.

Also remember that you will need additional equipment to get started - caliper, case length guage(s), dies, OAL measurement tool, etc. If the cost of the kit maxes-out your budget you could do as well for less.

sunray said:
Wouldn't use the Chargemaster for match ammo either. Match ammo powder loads have to be exactly the same every time...Mind you, you load for the bullet weight, not who made it
Click to expand...

Not sure what Sunray is getting at - all scales have defined levels of accuracy (e.g. nothing is 100% the same every time). The Chargemaster is good to +/- 0.1 grains which is pretty good for match quality to medium range. To do better you will be looking at buying a GemPro 250 or an Acculab scale and trickling each load. Also, I think others on this board will attest to seeing huge differences in precision for the same weight bullet using different designs from different companies.
 
I was also considering the kit you are looking at but have since decided to go for the rock chucker supreme select reloading kit. Cabelas.com has it on sale for 499 and with the rebate they are offering it seems like a good deal at $450. Let us know what you go with
 
Ive compiled a tentative list of equipment. I left some little things off the list such as: trickler, funnel, calipers, lube, case tray, pocket cleaner, etc. due to the fact that I'll just pick those up at a local store.

The list so far:

Press- Forster Co-ax press
Powder Measurer- Forster bench rest powder measurer + stand
Scale- My Weigh Gempro 250 scale
Dies- Forster Bench Rest Seater die
-Lee ultimate 4 die set

Case prep:
-Forster Original case trimmer
-Forster 3 in 1 case trimmer/cutter/deburr tool

I think that covers the basics for now. It's definitely on the more expensive side but oh well, I'd rather spend the extra $ and get something that will last me for a long time. Any more things to add or people can suggest?
 
Add a case length gauge for each type of cartridge and a powder trickler. Also consider a collett bullet pulling die. Other than that you seem good to go assuming that the Forster comes with a primer seating tool.

Now try to find powder and bullets...perhaps you should try getting those first.
 
Bezzy said:
Ive compiled a tentative list of equipment. I left some little things off the list such as: trickler, funnel, calipers, lube, case tray, pocket cleaner, etc. due to the fact that I'll just pick those up at a local store.

The list so far:

Press- Forster Co-ax press
Powder Measurer- Forster bench rest powder measurer + stand
Scale- My Weigh Gempro 250 scale
Dies- Forster Bench Rest Seater die
-Lee ultimate 4 die set

Case prep:
-Forster Original case trimmer
-Forster 3 in 1 case trimmer/cutter/deburr tool

I think that covers the basics for now. It's definitely on the more expensive side but oh well, I'd rather spend the extra $ and get something that will last me for a long time. Any more things to add or people can suggest?
Click to expand...

Very nice setup..you'll be pleased with the results
 
I use a handmedown Lee press from my cousin, with no complaints. Stay away from the Lee safety scale but anything else that they have is pretty good. All of my stuff is Lee except for my scale (RCBS 502) and my dies because at the time I bought my dies RCBS was actially a couple of bucks cheaper. I have since upgraded my .308 seating die which is a Forster micrometer die for consistent seating.
 
Bezzy said:
Ive compiled a tentative list of equipment. I left some little things off the list such as: trickler, funnel, calipers, lube, case tray, pocket cleaner, etc. due to the fact that I'll just pick those up at a local store.

The list so far:

Press- Forster Co-ax press
Powder Measurer- Forster bench rest powder measurer + stand
Scale- My Weigh Gempro 250 scale
Dies- Forster Bench Rest Seater die
-Lee ultimate 4 die set

Case prep:
-Forster Original case trimmer
-Forster 3 in 1 case trimmer/cutter/deburr tool

I think that covers the basics for now. It's definitely on the more expensive side but oh well, I'd rather spend the extra $ and get something that will last me for a long time. Any more things to add or people can suggest?
Click to expand...

I would take a look at Redding Type S resizing die with bushings. I also find it easier and faster to pinch powder in with my fingers instead of using a trickler. I used old cookie sheets and spray lube to lube cases. Some kind of case cleaner should be on the list as well.
 
sunray said:
Any kit will let you load match grade ammo. Doing so has nothing to do with the equipment. It's about technique and the components used.
Wouldn't use the Chargemaster for match ammo either. Match ammo powder loads have to be exactly the same every time.
And you'll need another manual(think Lyman). The Nosler is ok for their hunting bullets, but will not have data for other company's stuff. Mind you, you load for the bullet weight, not who made it.
Click to expand...

Chargemaster gives exactly the same weight every time.
 
Bezzy

My Rockchucker press is 41 years old and still going strong, I added the Chargemaster two years ago and it speeds up the reloading process greatly, meaning weighing the charges on a balance beam scale is what took the longest in the reloading process. You will need a set of vernier calipers and a "Hornady Cartridge Case Headspace gauge" for measuring your fired cases and setting up your dies for proper shoulder bump to extend brass life.

Also when you get a reloading manual "READ" the front part of the manual because this is where the most important information is before you pull the handle of the press.

Now go to the websites below and "read" and soak up what the pros do and use, BUT remember they have custom made rifles and some of what they do would be overkill on a stock factory rifle.

And remember you can have the best equipment in the world and if you have poorly made brass you will pull your hair out. This is where a runout gauge come into play for setting up your dies and ammunition for the least amount of runout. More inaccurate ammunition is reloaded with excess runout for the simple reason the decapping rod/expander is locked down off center than any other reason. So remember die setup is critical and you need gauges to check your cases and your loaded rounds.

Below, read the articles and info on the main page and the advice in the reloading forums.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/

Example below

Complete Precision Case Prep
Preparing Cases for Long-Range Accuracy
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/complete-precision-case-prep/

The Rifleman's Journal
Index of Articles
http://riflemansjournal.########.com/p/articles-index.html

These two websites are a wealth of information on reloading and the "The Rifleman's Journal" has some very good articles on die setup and improving accuracy.
 
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