Getting started
- Thread starter sp-10
- Start date
It's a great kit, but kind of expensive to start if you are on a budget. Take a look at teh lee anniversary kit. All you need to get above it are dies and shellholders for the autoprime. It\s way less than the RCBS kit, not quite as durable, but it works just fine.
sp-10,
I'd go with the RCBS, it will save you replacing and upgrading down the road. I started with Lee about 25 odd years ago, because the difference in price was huge then. Most of that stuff is gathering dust now.
With guns, scopes and reloading equipment it's cheaper to buy the best you can in the first place.
I'd go with the RCBS, it will save you replacing and upgrading down the road. I started with Lee about 25 odd years ago, because the difference in price was huge then. Most of that stuff is gathering dust now.
With guns, scopes and reloading equipment it's cheaper to buy the best you can in the first place.
The RCBS Beginner's Kit is very hard to beat. Runs about $500. You'll have to buy dies and a shell holder too. Very roughly, $50 to $60 more. All plus the government's cut.
It's not a bad idea to buy another loading manual as well. The Kit comes with a Speer manual, I think, but it's limited to Speer bullets. Have a look at the Lyman book. It has more loads with more powders and bullet weights than any bullet maker's book. Far more versatile.
Then think 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064 and regular large rifle primers. A 165 grain bullet will kill any game you care to hunt. Use 168 and 175 grain Matchkings with the same powder, if you're planning on formal target shooting. 168's for distances out to 600 yards, the 175's past there. The .30-06 loves these bullet weights.
The Lee stuff is ok, but their warrantee isn't as good as RCBS'.
Don't discount buying used either. It takes a lot to damage reloading equipment. RCBS will fix any problems you have, even if you buy used or you caused the damage. No questions asked.
It's not a bad idea to buy another loading manual as well. The Kit comes with a Speer manual, I think, but it's limited to Speer bullets. Have a look at the Lyman book. It has more loads with more powders and bullet weights than any bullet maker's book. Far more versatile.
Then think 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064 and regular large rifle primers. A 165 grain bullet will kill any game you care to hunt. Use 168 and 175 grain Matchkings with the same powder, if you're planning on formal target shooting. 168's for distances out to 600 yards, the 175's past there. The .30-06 loves these bullet weights.
The Lee stuff is ok, but their warrantee isn't as good as RCBS'.
Don't discount buying used either. It takes a lot to damage reloading equipment. RCBS will fix any problems you have, even if you buy used or you caused the damage. No questions asked.
I am considering getting into reloading too, and looked at a lot of the different options.
If you had $500 or so to spend, wouldn't a Dillon 550 be a better choice? At least as a starting point?
Would a Dillon have the versatility of a basic RCBS/Lee, etc. kit for a beginning loader?
First purchase should be a good manual. Read, mark, study, learn and inwardly digest the contents.
Looking for good used equipment is an excellent suggestion. Should be able to get more, for less, than buying new.
First purchase should be a good manual. Read, mark, study, learn and inwardly digest the contents.
Looking for good used equipment is an excellent suggestion. Should be able to get more, for less, than buying new.
superd222
CGN frequent flyer
The RCBS Rock Chucker kit has given me many years of great service and has produced very accurate loads using RCBS and better (Forster and Redding) dies. I built a cost-effective reloading bench from materials I had at home. I laminated (with epoxy) a sheet of plywood to a melamine covered piece of particle board for the top surface. I reinforced the bench area under the press with another layer of plywood glued and screwed from the bottom. For the legs, I made 4x4's out of 2x4's from cull lumber - each piece of 2x4 cost me a whopping $0.61. A few tap-cons and it's anchored. The bench is super stiff - doesn't flex at all even when resizing with little or no lube - and is very durable.
The RCBS system has been great for me.
Good luck - enjoy your new hobby!!!!
The RCBS system has been great for me.
Good luck - enjoy your new hobby!!!!
