Looking for my first reloading starter kit

[270WSMXBolt]

Sooo what are you thinking I should get then?

You will need to decide what you will be loading for mostly. Based on what you have said a turret or progressive may be more tuned to your needs. But that's more cost. As a base line you can do everything on a single stage press. It just takes more time but can be substantially more accurate product at the finish line. Your budget and skill with notes and measuring play a big factor too. I'm an old school gearhead so it's hard for me to use a less precise press than a single stage. It's a cathartic exercise for me that has a yield on paper and in the field. Kinda like tying flies that catch fish. I strongly suggest you spend a little time checking out the info available on Ultimate Reloader.

 

[Odinson]

Actually that's one thing I wanted to ask. Do you have books to recommend?

Get yourself a few different manuals. They all tell about the same thing but just in a different way. Also the "load data" starting point on some is near the maximum on others. Read up on the subject and be careful.

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

Ok!!!
I just watched that one hour video which is incredibly informative, I've learned so much about the different brand and options. So it's a no brainer, I'm getting the Mark 7 Apex 10. JUST KIDDING!

In all seriousness...

I'm crossing Lee from my wish list. The comments on the video about needing adjustments and tweaks (I'm a newbie and I can't have that because I won't know what to do or what's going on) and the risk of primer explosion was the last nail in the coffin.

When I look at the RCBS, the mechanics of it I understand right away. It's priced right and the dies are not expensive like Dillon's let's say.
There's 2 options: explorer at $520 and pro chucker5 at $725. Everything seems to be the same except for the scale. I was told a good automatic scale is something that I will wish in the future. So I'm thinking Explorer with basic scale, save half of the future automatic scale...

Lastly the Dillon 550 is a close one to the RCBS but it's not as intuitive when I look at it. Plus the dies are super expensive. So in all honesty, I'm not sure if that would be worth it for me?

Conclusion, top contender RCBS

I can't thank you all enough for your inputs and help, I really appreciate this community!

 

[Alex McKr]

Element Wind: The Dillon 550 is one of the easiest presses to master, based on my experience. Also very intuitive. Cartridges move from one position to another manually, during the loading process. A simple and logical, step by step process. Should a problem arise any time during the loading process, or at any stage, a reloader can stop, remove the cartridge from its position, correct the error, then move on. Very simple.

Changing shell plates, tool heads, primer holders and every other function is very simple and easy. Requiring only simple tools. Changing from one caliber cartridge to the next(With dies already set up on a tool head), can be as quick as ten minutes, or less.

I have owned a Dillon 550 since the early 1980's. With an unknown number of cartridges loaded on it, in a variety of calibers....both handgun and rifle. Not a single breakdown or other problem encountered, in all that time. Replaced a couple of worn primer tube tips, that's it. The rest: normal maintenance. The quality and durability of Dillon presses is without question. One of these would make an excellent longterm investment, in my view.

I encourage you to research Dillon products a bit more, before making a final decision.

Note: You don't need to buy Dillon dies! The Dillon 550 toolhead accepts any brand of standard, 7/8 X 14 die....including Lee. Lee powder dispensers, too.

Dillon also has some of the best customer service in the business.

Still, if the RCBS better suits your needs...by all means. RCBS has long been one of the top leaders in the reloading industry. With first rate products and outstanding customer service'. You can't go wrong with RCBS, either.

I also own a variety of RCBS reloading products, including presses, dies, etc. They've also served me reliably, over decades of reloading.

Hope this hasn't added more confusion to the choice. In the end, go with your gut.

Al

 

[ffgats]

There's one decently priced, I think.
So Dillon 550 for $650
Or rcbs for $500
Those are my top 2 choices

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/dillon-550b-very-little-use.2506546/

I guess seeing it this way, using it it as a single press to begin would be good. Thing is tough, they're more expensive and dies too although I was told is this thread that a LEE die per example would work on a 550. I guess I could check EE for a 550 you never know. Thanks!

I use lee sizing die, seating and factory crimp die on my 550, you just need a dillon powder powder , it doesnt have to be dillon

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

Element Wind: The Dillon 550 is one of the easiest presses to master, based on my experience. Also very intuitive. Cartridges move from one position to another manually, during the loading process. A simple and logical, step by step process. Should a problem arise any time during the loading process, or at any stage, a reloader can stop, remove the cartridge from its position, correct the error, then move on. Very simple.

Changing shell plates, tool heads, primer holders and every other function is very simple and easy. Requiring only simple tools. Changing from one caliber cartridge to the next(With dies already set up on a tool head), can be as quick as ten minutes, or less.

I have owned a Dillon 550 since the early 1980's. With an unknown number of cartridges loaded on it, in a variety of calibers....both handgun and rifle. Not a single breakdown or other problem encountered, in all that time. Replaced a couple of worn primer tube tips, that's it. The rest: normal maintenance. The quality and durability of Dillon presses is without question. One of these would make an excellent longterm investment, in my view.

I encourage you to research Dillon products a bit more, before making a final decision.

Note: You don't need to buy Dillon dies! The Dillon 550 toolhead accepts any brand of standard, 7/8 X 14 die....including Lee. Lee powder dispensers, too.

Dillon also has some of the best customer service in the business.

Still, if the RCBS better suits your needs...by all means. RCBS has long been one of the top leaders in the reloading industry. With first rate products and outstanding customer service'. You can't go wrong with RCBS, either.

I also own a variety of RCBS reloading products, including presses, dies, etc. They've also served me reliably, over decades of reloading.

Hope this hasn't added more confusion to the choice. In the end, go with your gut.

Al

Thanks for your point of view Al, I appreciate you telling me about your experience. In a nut shell, there's like a hundred dollars difference between the Dillon's and the RCBS but also the Dillon’s doesn't have anything else other than the press itself. For me, since I have nothing yet, I would have to buy all the accessories on top of the press... Is it really worth it? Maybe if there was a nice used one for sale but that's not the case. I was originally recommended to by Dillon's but the cost is making me hesitant. Cheers!

 

[skeetandskrrt]

Hey there, I’ll chip in my two cents as I was in a similar position as you two years ago when I started.

I started with a Lee challenger kit and added a digital scale.

First I would think about why you are reloading?

1) as a hobby - buy a Lee kit and a digital scale and upgrade depending if you get more into the hobby or not.
2) to save money because you shoot so much - get a progressive press and speak to some pros before you do as the cost of buying the wrong gear is high.

First thing I would do is look at how much you shoot and how much you will save per round. I.e. if I reload .223 FMJ I barely save over buying new versus saving 30-40% if I’m reloading varmint rounds.

Here’s an example: my equipment cost about $600 and I started out reloading 30-06. I was saving about $1 per round reloaded so it would take about 600 rounds before my equipment paid for itself. If you are hunting and only shoot 10 rounds a year it would take you 60 years for it to pay itself off. But if you shoot 300 rounds a year it may make more sense to reload.

I made a video about my kit on my YouTube channel here about whether you should start reloading which shows the kit I have.

 

[Neo]

I started nearly 20 years ago with an RCBS rock chucker supreme kit. I have added a few pieces such as a manual case prep center, case trimmer, hand priming tool, tumbler etc. I use everything from that kit every time I reload and it is still working well.

That's very sound advice. After 45 years of reloading, I still own and use the RCBS gear I started out with -- even though my reloading room now also has Lyman and Forster single stage presses, plus a Dillon 550 and a Dillon 1050. The RCBS press still runs and still gets used.

 

[slinkylegs]

I have a RCBS Rockchucker that I picked up at an estate sale, along with numerous other things. Absolutely no complaints with it. My dad has had a Rockchucker for decades, and it has not given him any issues that I'm aware of.

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

Hey there, I’ll chip in my two cents as I was in a similar position as you two years ago when I started.

I started with a Lee challenger kit and added a digital scale.

First I would think about why you are reloading?

1) as a hobby - buy a Lee kit and a digital scale and upgrade depending if you get more into the hobby or not.
2) to save money because you shoot so much - get a progressive press and speak to some pros before you do as the cost of buying the wrong gear is high.

First thing I would do is look at how much you shoot and how much you will save per round. I.e. if I reload .223 FMJ I barely save over buying new versus saving 30-40% if I’m reloading varmint rounds.

Here’s an example: my equipment cost about $600 and I started out reloading 30-06. I was saving about $1 per round reloaded so it would take about 600 rounds before my equipment paid for itself. If you are hunting and only shoot 10 rounds a year it would take you 60 years for it to pay itself off. But if you shoot 300 rounds a year it may make more sense to reload.

I made a video about my kit on my YouTube channel here about whether you should start reloading which shows the kit I have.

Thank you that makes a lot of sense. I want to save a bit of money to jusity the hobby of shooting but also I'm really looking forward to pick up the reloading hobby. I can see that I'll enjoy it and I'd I save money great but lime someone else said if that means I get to shoot more for the same price then I'm happy with that too. Cheers!

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

That's very sound advice. After 45 years of reloading, I still own and use the RCBS gear I started out with -- even though my reloading room now also has Lyman and Forster single stage presses, plus a Dillon 550 and a Dillon 1050. The RCBS press still runs and still gets used.

Yeah the more I look at it the more I like the RCBS. Your comment kinda confirms it's a great choice... Thank you!

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

I have a RCBS Rockchucker that I picked up at an estate sale, along with numerous other things. Absolutely no complaints with it. My dad has had a Rockchucker for decades, and it has not given him any issues that I'm aware of.

Thank you for your comment. Yes the more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards that one. Seems like the best value out there!

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

Looking at Dillon's press and the best deal is on Tenda's. Do they ever come on sale or does Tenda ever has store wide sales type thing?

 

[Alex McKr]

Element Wind: The RCBS Rockchucker is an excellent press(I own one). Very durable and will easily last your lifetime and beyond. The only disadvantage it has(if you can call it one) compared to the Dillon 550 is that, it can only perform a single operation at a time. Whereas the Dillon 550 can process ammo in quantity.

Depending on your shooting needs and longterm goals, that may or may not be a factor in your choice. So, if speed of reloading isn't an issue, I'd recommend the RCBS. For speed and greater versatility: Dillon.

By the way, the Dillon 550 easily manages most rifle cartridges. I regularly load several different calibers on mine, without problem. Simply swap out the tool head and shell plate. When setting up from scratch: Once dies are adjusted, the loading process runs smoothly without having to switch out dies, until finished.

In the end: If the Rockchucker seems best suited for your needs now, then you can't go wrong. You can always add a Dillon to your loading bench, later. Which is a common theme among many reloaders. Who will end up with multiple presses on their bench.

Here's a couple of additional Dillon dealers that might be worth checking out: P & D. Also: Select Shooting Supplies. Have dealt with both in the past. Good service.
I don't think I've ever seen Dillon presses go on sale. Used ones don't seem to appear for sale that often, either. Rockchuckers do appear from time to time though, as reloaders upgrade to progressives. So there are deals to be had.

Al

ps: For most if not all newcomers to reloading, I generally recommend starting out on a single stage press. As the learning curve is much gentler. Once the reloader has a good understanding of how the reloading process works. Then, a switch to a progressive or semi-progressive press (Like the Lee Turret. Or: Dillon 550), may make sense. Nany reloaders will stick to a single stage press, throughout their entire shooting career.

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

Element Wind: The RCBS Rockchucker is an excellent press(I own one). Very durable and will easily last your lifetime and beyond. The only disadvantage it has(if you can call it one) compared to the Dillon 550 is that, it can only perform a single operation at a time. Whereas the Dillon 550 can process ammo in quantity.

Depending on your shooting needs and longterm goals, that may or may not be a factor in your choice. So, if speed of reloading isn't an issue, I'd recommend the RCBS. For speed and greater versatility: Dillon.

By the way, the Dillon 550 easily manages most rifle cartridges. I regularly load several different calibers on mine, without problem. Simply swap out the tool head and shell plate. When setting up from scratch: Once dies are adjusted, the loading process runs smoothly without having to switch out dies, until finished.

In the end: If the Rockchucker seems best suited for your needs now, then you can't go wrong. You can always add a Dillon to your loading bench, later. Which is a common theme among many reloaders. Who will end up with multiple presses on their bench.

Here's a couple of additional Dillon dealers that might be worth checking out: P & D. Also: Select Shooting Supplies. Have dealt with both in the past. Good service.
I don't think I've ever seen Dillon presses go on sale. Used ones don't seem to appear for sale that often, either. Rockchuckers do appear from time to time though, as reloaders upgrade to progressives. So there are deals to be had.

Al

ps: For most if not all newcomers to reloading, I generally recommend starting out on a single stage press. As the learning curve is much gentler. Once the reloader has a good understanding of how the reloading process works. Then, a switch to a progressive or semi-progressive press (Like the Lee Turret. Or: Dillon 550), may make sense. Nany reloaders will stick to a single stage press, throughout their entire shooting career.

Thank you very much for all that info, I'm taking good notes. I'll message you!

 

[FLHTCUI]

Thanks so much to all who contributed, I'm super pleased. Amazing community! I'll be looking at some recommendations, can't thank you enough! Cheers

Here you go, a good kit ready for a new owner operator.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...easure-rifle-dies-powder-accessories.2508880/

 

[Ramzzz]

Boat loads of great information so far. I only have experience with Lee so I will leave commenting on the other brands to those who have experience with them.

For me, I load low volumes (in total...probably 1000-1500 rounds per year given the current OIC's) of 9mm, 357 mag, .223 economy, .223 precision, 30-06 and 50AE. I also have plans to add 6.5 to the mix sometime soon. I might sit down and load 60 rounds of 50AE and then load 130 rounds of 357 and then load 50 rounds of 30-06 in a single session. All of my rounds are only used for range plinking...if they cycle reliably and I can hit a plate from time to time, that's all I need. I started out a few years ago with and still have a Lee classic turret that I use for all my calibers. I bought a Lee Six Pack Pro last year as a dedicated 9mm press as I plan on getting into IPSC in the future. If I had it to do again and given the current political climate around semi auto center fire, I would have not bought the 6 pack. While overall it is pretty good with some very redeeming qualities, I've had some minor issues with the priming system that I think I have sorted out however this is not the reason for not wanting to buy it. I am pretty handy with things mechanical so a bit of tinkering is part of the fun. With that being said....

The turret press, imho, is the perfect mix of ease, flexibility, simplicity and speed. You have 100% of your focus on each individual round at a time which, for a beginner, is very helpful. While being budget friendly, it will still allow me to crank out 4 rounds per minute if I am taking my time.....5 rounds per minute if you are really motivated. If something doesn't feel right while loading a round, it is very easy to stop, investigate to see what's going on and decide what you want to do....you don't get that ease of operation in a progressive as you have 4 or 5 operations all going on at once. I would highly recommend the Lee turret to anybody who isn't cranking out 1000's of rounds per month or who is not into uber precision rifle rounds. Quick caliber changes are a huge blessing and only takes 30 seconds once your plate is setup with your dies and your powder measure. The priming system works fine once you get the hang of it and the press itself doesn't take up much space. I probably have about 15,000 rounds through my turret without any issues with the press...any issues I have had are 100% operator error.

As far as optional accesories, I have the Frankford Arsenal Case prep machine and a RCBS electronic powder dispenser....LOVE both of them. They are not necessary but it's like owning a car without cruise, A/C and powder doors....and then owning a car that has cruise, A/C and powder doors...you will realize what you were missing and won't want to go back once you've had them.


Whatever you get, you will be fine. It really boils down to personal preference and personal need for your specific situation.

 

[TakDriver]

I JUST went through this and really dug deep into the available equipment and various kits. I researched the snot out this subject and can tell you what I found.

If youre looking for the most effective and inexpensive complate kit it is without question the Lyman Ultimate reloading Sytem on sale now for 699.00 at Cabela's. The ONLY item in this kit that will need to be replaced immediately is hand held primer. It sucks but one of the best replacements is the RCBS version.

The next best VALUE kit is the RCBS Rebel Plus Reloading Kit (sometimes marketed as the Rebel Master or Explorer Kit) . The single stage press in this kit is bullet proof and will produce some of the tightest tolerances and data of all the kits available, and the majority of single stage presses for that matter. I would also avoid and kit that includes a "beam" type weight scale. You'll be upgrading to a digital one in less than a week, trust me.

The rest of the kits are mostly Lee and Hornady and their versions. Nothing wrong with them, but their kits are typically not as equipped as the two above. And don't worry too much about dies. Most dies will fit other brand presses. For example Hornady bushings allow for die swaps between them and RCBS.

If you choose to buy one item at a time, choose a GOOD single stage press - I can't stress this enough. One of the absolute best performing single stage presses is the RCBS supreme. Try to find one on sale if you can. Then digital powder scale, a brass cleaner - stick with dry media as the tumblers and media are affordable. You can also use cat littler as dry media, much cheaper than crushed walnuts..ect. Lyman makes a pretty good hand held chamfer/deburring tool, brass trimmer, lube, manual, trickler, a few other small items and some bullets and brass, and you're ready to roll.

Lasty, if you hvaet already contacted this person to buy this kit ASAP, I would get on it....this is a VERY good deal. That press is almost $400 alone. Add a couple items and this is compete QAULITY gear. For real. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/complete-reloading-kit-500.2482557/


Good luck on your journey, you wallet will hate you.

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

Boat loads of great information so far. I only have experience with Lee so I will leave commenting on the other brands to those who have experience with them.

For me, I load low volumes (in total...probably 1000-1500 rounds per year given the current OIC's) of 9mm, 357 mag, .223 economy, .223 precision, 30-06 and 50AE. I also have plans to add 6.5 to the mix sometime soon. I might sit down and load 60 rounds of 50AE and then load 130 rounds of 357 and then load 50 rounds of 30-06 in a single session. All of my rounds are only used for range plinking...if they cycle reliably and I can hit a plate from time to time, that's all I need. I started out a few years ago with and still have a Lee classic turret that I use for all my calibers. I bought a Lee Six Pack Pro last year as a dedicated 9mm press as I plan on getting into IPSC in the future. If I had it to do again and given the current political climate around semi auto center fire, I would have not bought the 6 pack. While overall it is pretty good with some very redeeming qualities, I've had some minor issues with the priming system that I think I have sorted out however this is not the reason for not wanting to buy it. I am pretty handy with things mechanical so a bit of tinkering is part of the fun. With that being said....

The turret press, imho, is the perfect mix of ease, flexibility, simplicity and speed. You have 100% of your focus on each individual round at a time which, for a beginner, is very helpful. While being budget friendly, it will still allow me to crank out 4 rounds per minute if I am taking my time.....5 rounds per minute if you are really motivated. If something doesn't feel right while loading a round, it is very easy to stop, investigate to see what's going on and decide what you want to do....you don't get that ease of operation in a progressive as you have 4 or 5 operations all going on at once. I would highly recommend the Lee turret to anybody who isn't cranking out 1000's of rounds per month or who is not into uber precision rifle rounds. Quick caliber changes are a huge blessing and only takes 30 seconds once your plate is setup with your dies and your powder measure. The priming system works fine once you get the hang of it and the press itself doesn't take up much space. I probably have about 15,000 rounds through my turret without any issues with the press...any issues I have had are 100% operator error.

As far as optional accesories, I have the Frankford Arsenal Case prep machine and a RCBS electronic powder dispenser....LOVE both of them. They are not necessary but it's like owning a car without cruise, A/C and powder doors....and then owning a car that has cruise, A/C and powder doors...you will realize what you were missing and won't want to go back once you've had them.


Whatever you get, you will be fine. It really boils down to personal preference and personal need for your specific situation.

Thank you for taking the time to write this up for me, I enjoyed reading it. You're right on many points and the more I think about it I'll stick to one stage press as a starter. I'm really tempted to buy a RCBS press. And yes a digital powder dispenser it's something I've been told quite a few times that I will wish in the near future... Cheers!

 

[ELEMENT WIND]

I JUST went through this and really dug deep into the available equipment and various kits. I researched the snot out this subject and can tell you what I found.

If youre looking for the most effective and inexpensive complate kit it is without question the Lyman Ultimate reloading Sytem on sale now for 699.00 at Cabela's. The ONLY item in this kit that will need to be replaced immediately is hand held primer. It sucks but one of the best replacements is the RCBS version.

The next best VALUE kit is the RCBS Rebel Plus Reloading Kit (sometimes marketed as the Rebel Master or Explorer Kit) . The single stage press in this kit is bullet proof and will produce some of the tightest tolerances and data of all the kits available, and the majority of single stage presses for that matter. I would also avoid and kit that includes a "beam" type weight scale. You'll be upgrading to a digital one in less than a week, trust me.

The rest of the kits are mostly Lee and Hornady and their versions. Nothing wrong with them, but their kits are typically not as equipped as the two above. And don't worry too much about dies. Most dies will fit other brand presses. For example Hornady bushings allow for die swaps between them and RCBS.

If you choose to buy one item at a time, choose a GOOD single stage press - I can't stress this enough. One of the absolute best performing single stage presses is the RCBS supreme. Try to find one on sale if you can. Then digital powder scale, a brass cleaner - stick with dry media as the tumblers and media are affordable. You can also use cat littler as dry media, much cheaper than crushed walnuts..ect. Lyman makes a pretty good hand held chamfer/deburring tool, brass trimmer, lube, manual, trickler, a few other small items and some bullets and brass, and you're ready to roll.

Lasty, if you hvaet already contacted this person to buy this kit ASAP, I would get on it....this is a VERY good deal. That press is almost $400 alone. Add a couple items and this is compete QAULITY gear. For real. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/complete-reloading-kit-500.2482557/


Good luck on your journey, you wallet will hate you.

Thanks for joining the conversation.
I am kinda set on buying RCBS at this point. I did contacted the guy you linked a couple of days ago but he's not replying. There was one RCBS press in the EE but it was sold instantly and I missed out.

OK so like you said I was thinking about the scale situation and since so many told me that I will wish for an automatic powder dispenser... Looking at RCBS, the RC is like $750 and the Explorer is $550. At first I though in those kit that it was the exact same press but different scale (digital vs electronic) one Explorer doesn't have a lube pad. I was set on buying the Explorer thinking I'll save $200 and to invest it on a automatic dispenser instead... Sounded like a good plan. But last night looking closely at the pictures I realized the press is not the same at all. The RC is beefy and all cast, the Explorer is thinner and the lever hinges are thin walled metal instead of cast. So I'm thinking maybe I should stick with the RC at this point... But ya it's $200 more. Thinking about it... Thinking about it again... Looking at EE daily... We'll see what happens! Cheers man