Have or Have Nots!

[bdb.hunting]

Hey all figured I could start an informative discussion.

I have recently started reloading myself and obviously been looking at all sorts of things. I got lucky and got a kit at a very reasonable discount due to it being an open box. However I initially didn't plan to get a kit.

If you had the chance to start over with the knowledge you have now would change what you have or would you buy certain things first.

Example would you buy a chronograph or a wet tumbler ? would you buy a different style of press ? (single or progressive, standard or coax) would you use a beam scale or buy something digital with a higher grade of accuracy ?

Would you buy one book or two ? or maybe three. Load data is widely available from manufactures so I find the book is great for the process not so much the data depending on the caliber.

would you neck size or FL size ?

Just see allot of posts like my own and think this could be super helpful for others.

I will add my own comments below.

Cheers,
B

 

[bdb.hunting]

Alright so I will add my comments.

So originally I was planning on use the scoop set for powder over a decent digital scale!

I picked up a Frankford arsenal universal seating die along with a Hornady set for 6.5 PRC

I planned on slowly getting these items and a Coaxial press but got a deal on a Lee classic turret press kit I couldn't pass up. (Kit was cheaper than the press when its on sale) I plan to use it as a single stage and not in progressive mode just yet.

Now I am looking at tumblers and chronographs. I feel that a chronograph is more important for load data collection and chasing a precision load. Clean brass is also important but I think I can do it for a less cost to start.

Last thing I am currently on the hunt for is a reloading bench itself and possibly a digital scale and keep the beam scale as a backup that came with the kit.

keep in mind these are just my thoughts on the matter as I get started. Also the book that came with the Lee kit has no 6.5 PRC data.

 

[jethunter]

Alright so I will add my comments.

So originally I was planning on use the scoop set for powder over a decent digital scale!

I picked up a Frankford arsenal universal seating die along with a Hornady set for 6.5 PRC

I planned on slowly getting these items and a Coaxial press but got a deal on a Lee classic turret press kit I couldn't pass up. (Kit was cheaper than the press when its on sale) I plan to use it as a single stage and not in progressive mode just yet.

Now I am looking at tumblers and chronographs. I feel that a chronograph is more important for load data collection and chasing a precision load. Clean brass is also important but I think I can do it for a less cost to start.

Last thing I am currently on the hunt for is a reloading bench itself and possibly a digital scale and keep the beam scale as a backup that came with the kit.

keep in mind these are just my thoughts on the matter as I get started. Also the book that came with the Lee kit has no 6.5 PRC data.

If you're shooting long range precision, the chronograph would be what I'd buy next. It will tell you things about your load with less shots fired than you can get from analyzing targets.

 

[bdb.hunting]

If you're shooting long range precision, the chronograph would be what I'd buy next. It will tell you things about your load with less shots fired than you can get from analyzing targets.

I am definitely leaning in that direction. missed out on a Caldwell in Cabela's clearance missing the box a few weeks back and kicking myself for it. 50$ -_-

 

[coyoteking]

You’re going to find that when chasing accuracy there is a lot of experimentation, trial and error, depending on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. One thing you will find with reloading, if you purchase a tool or a die and don’t get the results or benefits you want, there’s always someone else looking to buy that tool for their own needs. I’ve purchased a lot of used reloading equipment over the years.

If precision is your goal, then ‘buy once, cry once’ should be your motto. Don’t expect to get match quality with entry-level equipment. That said, crafting top shelf ammo is a life long learning experience and we all need to start somewhere.

There are some very knowledgeable hand loaders that post in this forum, I’ve probably learned as much from them as from any manual I own. Pay heed to the wisdom from guys like BigEd and Ganderite, among others.

 

[coyoteking]

Oh, and definitely buy a chronograph.