Buying used equipment?

Ty500+

Ty500+

CGN Regular
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Location
Southern Ontario
Hey all, I recently purchased a mauser in 8mm, and .243win seems to be climbing in my area pretty quickly.
So Im thinking of getting into reloading and would like to know a few things:

1: What bare minimum, MANDATORY equipment do I need to get started?

2: Is it even worth buying second hand?

3: What realistically should a used starter kit cost?

4: A the "pre made" kits any good or easier to buy bits n pieces individually?
 
Not a fan of kits I would consult with folks who have shot the particular firearm and reloaded for several years to see what they use especially if your into precision shooting
 
I bought one used piece at a time, with shipping I have spent 60% of the kit price to get 50% of the stuff in a kit. You don't need a big press if you don't shoot alot or if you have time.
 
If your into precision I would get a competition seater die , and any full size die you wish that allows you to use a bushing to control neck tension. As for presses and trimmers etc.. Don't matter
 
Interested in reloading earlier Black powder shells myself,
45-60 winchester ( love the old gun ) fun for the whole family !
 
Other than the dies I mention above you should get

Trimmer
Single stage press or even better a Redding T7 turret
Measuring tool - Headspace , ogive ( Hornady or Sinclair)
Decapping die so you can clean those primer pockets before you reload new primers (Lee Universal)

Eventually you will upgrade or pickup other things but for now this list will get you going
My advice is at least spend once cry once and get very good dies .(Redding TypeS full size & Comp seater)
 
You don't need to spend a lot on reloading equipment for two calibers. a press, scale, and dies, along with some calipers to measure should get you started. I found all the equipment mentioned for about a $100.00 with some careful shopping.
 
Ty500+ said:
1: What bare minimum, MANDATORY equipment do I need to get started?
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Press (single stage of you are only loading for rifles), dies, scale, trimmer (the Lee trim kits are the most inexpensive), loading manual.

Ty500+ said:
2: Is it even worth buying second hand?
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Nothing wrong with second hand. Much of my equipment came off the EE.

Ty500+ said:
3: What realistically should a used starter kit cost?
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Depends on the condition and the brand. A Lee kit could be $100-$150. An RCBS kit could be $200-$400. A Forster Co-Ax alone could be $350+.

Ty500+ said:
4: A the "pre made" kits any good or easier to buy bits n pieces individually?
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I would buy bits and pieces if you are patient and willing to go second hand. You will end up with better gear that you will keep longer.
 
If you are going to shoot a couple/few hundred rounds a year you can get one of the Lee kits for under 200 bucks and it has everything you could possibly want/need.

Now, there isn't a great deal of love for Lee kits - yes, they are "cheap" but mine has loaded a few thousand rounds without issue over the years.

I use Lee dies primarily but also have Hornady and RCBS.

I load hunting rounds and do a "bit" of shooting with my reloads. I shoot my 17 HMR, 22 LR and 223 extensively and buy off the shelf for them.

If you are going to load thousands of rounds per year you might want more robust gear. I load so that I can get 20 rounds of Accubonds for under 20 bucks instead of almost 60 in the pre-loaded from Nosler.

So really depends on what/why and how much you will be loading.

If you provide those details someone can give you a response that will be more applicable "to you".
 
galamb said:
If you are going to shoot a couple/few hundred rounds a year you can get one of the Lee kits for under 200 bucks and it has everything you could possibly want/need.

Now, there isn't a great deal of love for Lee kits - yes, they are "cheap" but mine has loaded a few thousand rounds without issue over the years.

I use Lee dies primarily but also have Hornady and RCBS.

I load hunting rounds and do a "bit" of shooting with my reloads. I shoot my 17 HMR, 22 LR and 223 extensively and buy off the shelf for them.

If you are going to load thousands of rounds per year you might want more robust gear. I load so that I can get 20 rounds of Accubonds for under 20 bucks instead of almost 60 in the pre-loaded from Nosler.

So really depends on what/why and how much you will be loading.

If you provide those details someone can give you a response that will be more applicable "to you".
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+1 But in the end buy quality...
 
PitBull1973 said:
I think you got really lucky.
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Not really, I just keep looking and am patient to find stuff at the right price, I got the single stage press for $20.00, Lyman scale was $10.00 I got about 6-7 sets of dies, 3-4 were brand new unused carbide dies, for $20.00 each. Lee turret press with powder measure, large & small primer feeders, powder through measures and some other assorted bits for $150.00, and all the equipment was in really good to new condition.
 
My own opinion, remember that...

Ty500+ said:
What bare minimum, MANDATORY equipment do I need to get started?
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A single stage press with quick tool change (Hornady, lee, etc); a trimmer, dies, scale, universal decapping die (Lee), a small case prep kit and a pair of calipers.

2: Is it even worth buying second hand?
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I would buy the scale and a pair of really good calipers new: it is my opinion but this is where a warranty would be the absolute best. Maybe the press new, but that is optional.

3: What realistically should a used starter kit cost?
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I never did a kit: I bought mine by the piece... so I don't know, sorry.

4: A the "pre made" kits any good or easier to buy bits n pieces individually?
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I didn't think so because I went by the piece. Often one brand was better at something than another. I would buy a Hornady Lock-N-Load press with extra inserts OR a Lee or other Turret press so changing dies and tools if fast and easy: no resetting every time. However, I don't personally (my opinion) like Hornady dies, where I find any other brand better (Lee is fine really, even though some say they are cheap: I use 'em). I have an RCBS scale, RCBS/Lee/Hornady *bleah*/Redding dies, Lee universal decapping die, Lee, RCBS and Hornady case prep tools... Mine is a big mix.

The best thing with going the mix: you get what is best for you.
 
Thanks to those of you who addressed all my questions, and those who gave input on their experiences.

It does cause me to think a bunch more about where to invest.

Whether single press or turret. For ease/saving on greif anf tediousness
And
Dies...
What do you all like OR dislike about the brands you have used?

More info on my shooting too..if it helps.

A range day or 2 at best a month..due to accessibility :(

Usually 20-40rnds of the .243 then mixed in a few hundred .22 and some 12ga...now adding likely similar for my 8mm mauser.

Sooo...reloading...4-500 most a year? Mixed calibers for now. I hate being broke. Lol

No desire for mega accurate loads as I get 200yds max range to use.
If it goes bang, doesnt ruin my gun or my wallet, and kills paper I'm happy.
 
I've put together about 50,000 rounds of rifle/pistol ammo over the last 35 yrs. All of it on an RCBS single stage press bought in 1979. Have a Lyman 55 powder measure and scale. Both still work fine. Use Lee case trimmers and both RCBS and Lee dies. Check the shows and EE. Single stage presses and the Lyman stuff is available on a regular bases. A couple good manuals is the best place to start. I have several but my first choice would be Lyman .
 
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